HIMACHAL PRADESH: PLACES TO VISIT
Himachal Pradesh state is located to the south of Kashmir and is bordered on the west by Punjab and to the south by Uttarakhand. As its name suggests, it is picturesque, with tall mountain peaks and lush green valleys.
 |
 Himachal Pradesh Locator Map |
HIMACHAL PRADESH STATS:
| Total Area: 55,673 Sq. Km (21,495 Sq. Mi) | Rank: 17th |
| POPULATION (2011): 6,856,509 | Rank: 20th |
| CAPITAL CITY: Shimla | |
| LITERACY RATE: 83.78% | |
| HDI: 0.652 | Rank: 3rd |
| OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Hindi | |
| Official Website: www.himachal.nic.in |
HIMACHAL PRADESH DISTRICTS
The photographs shown below are typical of the exquisite natural beauty of Himachal Pradesh:
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Kye Monastery
World's most dangerous road
Himachal Pradesh Winter Scene
Himachal Pradesh: Shimla
Chamba City
TEMPLES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH:
Bhimakali Temple
Baijnath Temple
Kye Monastery, Spiti
Gurudwara Shri Gobind Singh
FESTIVALS
Gochi Festival:
(February)
Gochi festival is organized to celebrate the birth of a male child. Also called Gotsi, the festival is celebrated in February, in the Bhaga Valley of the state. This is observed in the houses of those people who welcomed new members in their families in the form of sons during the previous year.
A day before the festival, the village priest invokes a prayer to the local deity by holding a bow and arrow. Then he visits every home in the village where a male child was born the previous year. All the people of the village assemble on the morning of the festival.
The entire festival is accompanied by the beats of drums known as Lohar. People dress up in their best attires and drink Chaang, a special wine. The festival ends with their dancing to the beat of drums and throwing snowballs at each other.
STATE SYMBOLS: (COURTESY WIKIPEDIA)
| State animal | Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia) |  |
| State bird | Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) |  |
| State flower | Pink rhododendron |  |
| State tree | Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) |  |
TOURIST INFORMATION:
Website: www.himachaltourism.gov.in
Email: tourismmin-hp@nic.in or
tourism@hp.gov.in
Shimla Holidays: shimlaholidays.webs.com
+91-177-264-5007
HIMACHAL PRADESH CUISINE
SIGNATURE DISHES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
KULLU TROUT
A popular dish from the house of Himachal Pradesh, Kullu trout is smeared with a host of Indian spices, pan-fried and served on a bed of hot rice.
Shakuli (Himachali Papad)
Himachali Tawa Murgh
. 
HIMACHALI GRILLED CHICKEN
PAHADI CHICKEN
CHHA GOSHT
CHANNA MADRA
STUFFED CAPSICUM
