http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himachal_pradesh Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh (Hindi: [matl prde] ( listen)) is a state in Northern India.

It is spread over 21,495 sq mi (55,673 km),[4] and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east. The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is Region of snowy mountains.[5] Himachal Pradesh was anciently known as Dev Bhumi (The Abode of Gods) and is abundance in natural beauty [6] After the Anglo Gorkha War, the British colonial government came into power. It was initially part of Punjab, except the Siba State of Punjab Hills which was under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh until 1857.[7] In 1950 Himachal was declared as a union territory but after the State of Himachal Pradesh Act 1971, Himachal emerged as the 18th state of the Indian Union. Himachal has many prestigious boarding schools. Hima means snow in Sanskrit. It was named by one of the great Sanskrit scholars of Himachal Pradesh, Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest per capita incomes of any state in India. Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to other states such as Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan.[8] The economy of the state is highly dependent on three sources: hydroelectric power, tourism and agriculture.[9] Hindus make up 95% of the state population, making it the most Hindu state (proportionally), in India. According to a 2005 Transparency International survey, Himachal Pradesh is ranked the second-least corrupt state in the country after Kerala.[10] Contents * 1 History * 2 Geography and climate * 3 Flora and fauna * 4 Subdivisions * 5 Government o 5.1 Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh * 6 Economy * 7 Transport * 8 Demographics * 9 Culture * 10 Education o 10.1 Universities * 11 Media and communication * 12 State Profile History Main article: History of Himachal Pradesh The history of the area that now constitutes Himachal Pradesh dates back to the time when the Indus valley civilisation flourished between 2250 and 1750 BCE.[11] Tribes such as the

Koilis, Halis, Dagis, Dhaugris, Dasa, Khasas, Kinnars and Kirats inhabited the region from pre-histotic era. During the Vedic period, several small republics known as "Janapada" existed which were later conquered by the Gupta Empire.[12] After a brief period of supremacy by king Harshavardhana, the region was once again divided into several local powers headed by chieftains, including some Rajput principalities. These kingdoms that enjoyed a large degree of independence were devastated by Muslim invaders a number of times.[11] Mahmud Ghaznavi conquered Kangra at the beginning of the 10th century. Timur and Sikander Lodi also marched through the lower hills of the state and captured a number of forts and fought many battles.[11] Several hill states acknowledged Mughal suzerainty and paid regular tribute to the Mughals.[13] Sansar Chand (c.17651823) The Gorkhas, a martial tribe came to power in Nepal in the year 1768.[11] They consolidated their military power and began to expand their territory.[11] Gradually the Gorkhas annexed Sirmour and Shimla. With the leadership of Amar Singh Thapa, Gorkhas laid siege to Kangra. They managed to defeat Sansar Chand, the ruler of Kangra, in 1806 with the help of many provincial chiefs. However Gorkhas could not capture Kangra fort which came under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in 1809. After the defeat the Gorkhas began to expand towards the south of the state. However, Raja Ram Singh, Raja of Siba State re-captured the fort of Siba from the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Samvat 1846,[11] during the First Anglo-Sikh War. They came into direct conflict with the British along the tarai belt after which the British expelled them from the provinces of the Satluj.[11] Thus the British gradually emerged as the paramount powers.[11] The revolt of 1857 or first Indian war of independence resulted due to the building up of political, social, economic, religious and military grievances against the British government.[11] People of the hill states were not as politically active as the people in other parts of the country.[11] They remained more or less inactive and so did their rulers, with the exception of Bushahr.[11] Some of them even rendered help to the British government during the revolt. Among them were the rulers of Chamba, Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami. The rulers of Bushars rather acted in a manner hostile to the interests of British.[11] The British territories in the hill came under British Crown after Queen Victoria's proclamation of 1858. The states of Chamba, Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule.[11] During World War I, virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort both in the form of men and materials. Amongst these were the states of Kangra, Jaswan, Datarpur, Guler, Nurpur, Chamba, Suket, Mandi and Bilaspur.[11] After independence the Chief Commissioner's Province of H.P. came into being on 15 April 1948 as a result of integration of 28 petty princely states (including feudatory princes and zaildars) in the promontories of the western Himalaya, known in full as the Simla Hills States & four Punjab southern hill States by issue of the Himachal Pradesh (Administration) Order, 1948 under Sections 3 & 4 of the Extra-Provincial Jurisdiction Act, 1947 (later renamed as the Foreign Jurisdiction Act, 1947 vide A.O. of 1950). The State of Bilaspur was

merged in the Himachal Pradesh on 1 April 1954 by the Himachal Pradesh and Bilaspur (New State) Act, 1954. Himachal became a part C state on 26 January 1950 with the implementation of the Constitution of India and the Lt. Governor was appointed. Legislative Assembly was elected in 1952. Himachal Pradesh became a Union Territory on 1 November 1956.[11] Following area of Punjab State namely Simla, Kangra, Kulu and Lahul and Spiti Districts, Nalagarh tehsil of Ambala District, Lohara, Amb and Una kanungo circles, some area of Santokhgarh kanungo circle and some other specified area of Una tehsil of Hoshiarpur District besides some parts of Dhar Kalan Kanungo circle of Pathankot tehsil of Gurdaspur District; were merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1 November 1966 on enactment of Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 by the Parliament. On 18 December 1970, the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25 January 1971. Thus Himachal emerged as the eighteenth state of the Indian Union.[11] Geography and climate Main article: Geography of Himachal Pradesh Dal Lake A summer view of Khajjiar. Himachal is situated in the western Himalayas. Covering an area of 55,673 kilometres (34,594 mi),[4] Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous state with elevation ranging from about 350 metres (1,148 ft) to 7,000 metres (22,966 ft) above the sea level.[14] Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh. The drainage system of Himachal is composed both of rivers and glaciers. Himalayan rivers criss-cross the entire mountain chain. In fact the rivers are older than the mountain system.[15] Himachal Pradesh provides water to both the Indus and Ganges basins.[16] The drainage systems of the region are the Chandra Bhaga or the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, the Sutlej and the Yamuna. These rivers are perennial and are fed by snow and rainfall. They are protected by an extensive cover of natural vegetation. [16] There is great variation in the climatic conditions of Himachal due to extreme variation in elevation. The climate varies from hot and sub-humid tropical in the southern tracts to cold, alpine and glacial in the northern and eastern mountain ranges with more elevation.[17] The state has areas like Dharamsala that receive very heavy rainfall, as well as those like Lahaul and Spiti that are cold and almost rainless. Broadly Himachal experience three seasons; hot weather season, cold weather season and rainy season. Summer lasts from mid April till the end of June and most parts become very hot (except in alpine zone which experience mild summer) with the average temperature ranging from 28 C (82 F) to 32 C (90 F). Winter lasts from late November till mid March. Snowfall is common in alpine tracts (generally above 2,200 metres (7,218 ft) i.e. in the Higher and Trans-Himalayan region). Flora and fauna Main article: Wildlife of Himachal Pradesh Asian Paradise Flycatcher in Kullu Himalyan Monal at Birds Park in Shimla

According to 2003 Forest Survey of India report, legally defined forest areas constitute 66.52% of the area of Himachal Pradesh, although area under tree cover is only 25.78%.[18] Vegetation in the state is dictated by elevation and precipitation. The southern part of the state, which is at the lowest elevations, has both tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests and tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests.[18] These are represented by northwestern thorn scrub forests along the border with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and by Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests in the far southeast. Sal and shisham are found here. Rising into the hills, we find a mosaic of western Himalayan broadleaf forests and Himalayan subtropical pine forests. Various deciduous and evergreen oaks live in the broadleaf forests, while Chir pine dominates the pine forests. Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests grow near treeline, with species that include East Himalayan Fir, West Himalayan Spruce, Deodar (State tree), and Blue pine. In the uppermost elevations we find western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows in the northeast and northwestern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows in the northwest. Trees are sturdy with a vast network of roots. Alders, birches, rhododendrons and moist alpine shrubs are there as the regional vegetation. The rhododendrons can be seen along the hillsides around Shimla from March to May. The shrublands and meadows give way to rock and ice around the highest peaks. Himachal is also said to be the fruit bowl of the country with orchards scattered all over the place. Meadows and pastures are also seen clinging to steep slopes. After the winter season, the hillsides and orchards bloom with wild flowers, while gladiolas, carnations, marigolds,[19] roses, chrysanthemums, tulips and lilies are carefully cultivated. The state government is gearing up to make Himachal Pradesh as the flower basket of the world. Himachal Pradesh is a well known habitat to a variety of animals. There are around 1200 bird and 359 animal species in the state.[20] This includes the Leopard, Snow leopard (State animal), ghoral, musk deer and Western Tragopan. It has 12 major national parks and sanctuaries the largest number in the Himalayan region. The Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu district was created to conserve the flora and fauna of the main Himalayan range, while the Pin Valley National Park to conserve the flora and fauna of the cold desert. Subdivisions Main article: Districts of Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh locator map.svg Bilaspur Chamba Hamirpur Kangra Kinnaur Kullu Lahaul and Spiti Mandi

Shimla Sirmaur Solan Una Himachal Pradesh is divided into 12 districts namely, Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Una, Chamba, Lahul and Spiti, Sirmaur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Solan and Shimla. The state capital is Shimla which was formerly British India's summer capital under the name Simla. A district of Himachal Pradesh is an administrative geographical unit, headed by a Deputy Commissioner or District Magistrate, an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service. The district magistrate or the deputy commissioner is assisted by a number of officers belonging to Himachal Administrative Service and other Himachal state services. Each district is subdivided into Sub-Divisions, governed by a sub-divisional magistrate, and again into Blocks. Blocks consists of panchayats (village councils) and town municipalities. A Superintendent of Police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and related issues of the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Himachal Police Service and other Himachal Police officials. Government Main article: Government of Himachal Pradesh Town Hall in Shimla. The Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh has no pre-Constitution history. The State itself is a post-Independence creation. It came into being as a centrally administered territory on 15 April 1948 from the integration of thirty erstwhile princely states.[21] Himachal Pradesh is governed through a parliamentary system of representative democracy, a feature the state shares with other Indian states. Universal suffrage is granted to residents. The legislature consists of elected members and special office bearers such as the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker who are elected by the members. Assembly meetings are presided over by the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker in the Speaker's absence. The judiciary is composed of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and a system of lower courts. Executive authority is vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, although the titular head of government is the Governor. The Governor is the head of state appointed by the President of India. The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Legislative Assembly is appointed as the Chief Minister by the Governor, and the Council of Ministers are appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Council of Ministers reports to the Legislative Assembly. The Assembly is unicameral with 68 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).[22] Terms of office run for 5 years, unless the Assembly is dissolved prior to the completion of the term. Auxiliary authorities known as panchayats, for which local body elections are regularly held, govern local affairs. Governments have seen alternates between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC), no third front ever has become significant. In 2003, the state legislative assembly was won by the Indian National Congress and Virbhadra Singh was elected as the chief minister of the state. In the assembly elections held in December 2007, the BJP secured

a landslide victory. The BJP won 41 of the 68 seats while the Congress won only 23 of the 68 seats. BJP's Prem Kumar Dhumal was sworn in as Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on 30 December 2007. Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh * Yashwant Singh Parmar * Thakur Ram Lal * Shanta Kumar * Virbhadra Singh * Prem Kumar Dhumal Economy Main article: Economy of Himachal Pradesh Gross State Domestic Product at Current Prices figures in millions of Indian Rupees Year Gross State Domestic Product 1980 7,940 1985 13,720 1990 28,150 1995 66,980 2000 135,900 2005 230,240 2007 254,350 The era of planning started in Himachal in 1948 along with the rest of India. The first five year plan allocated .5.27 crore to Himachal. More than 50% of this expenditure was incurred on road construction since it was felt that without proper transport facilities, the process of planning and development could not be carried to the people, who mostly lived an isolated existence in far away areas. Himachal now ranks fourth in respect of per capita income among the states of the Indian Union.[8] Agriculture contributes over 45% to the net state domestic product. It is the main source of income and employment in Himachal. Over 93% of the population in Himachal depend directly upon agriculture which provides direct employment to 71% of its people. The main cereals grown are wheat, maize, rice and barley. Himachal has a rich heritage of handicrafts. These include woolen and pashmina shawls, carpets, silver and metal ware, embroidered chappals, grass shoes, Kangra and Gompa style paintings, wood work, horse-hair bangles, wooden and metal utensils and various other house hold items. These aesthetic and tasteful handicrafts declined under competition from machine made goods and also because of lack of marketing facilities. But now the demand for handicrafts has increased within and outside the country. Himachal is extremely rich in hydro electric resources. The state has about 25% of the national potential in this respect. It has been estimated that about 20,300MW of hydro electric power can be generated in the State by constructing various major, medium, small

and mini/micro hydel projects on the five river basins. The state is also the first state in India to achieve the goal of having a bank account for every family.[8] As per the current prices, the total GDP was estimated at 25,435 crore ( 254,350,000,000), as against 23,024 crore ( 230,240,000,000) in the year 200405, showing an increase of 10.5%.[23] Transport Main article: Transport in Himachal Pradesh Kalka-Shimla Railway Roads are the major mode of transport in the hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh. The state has road network of 28,208 km (17,528 mi),[24] including eight national highways (NH) that constitute 1,234 km (767 mi).[24] Some roads get closed during winter and monsoon seasons due to snowfall and landslides. Regular bus services connect Shimla with Chandigarh, Kullu, Manali, Delhi, Mandi, Pathankot, Ambala, Chail and Dehradun. Local taxis are the major local transport here. District Hamirpur has got the highest road density in the country.[25] Railway track is accessible only to a few places in Himachal Pradesh. The Pathankot Jogindernagar line connects Punjab with Himachal Pradesh. The other railway tracks pass through Shimla, Solan and Una. Shimla is connected with Kalka by a narrow gauge railway line, which in turn is connected with the major cities in India. Himachal has two narrow gauge rail tracks. The Kalka-Shimla Railway track has a length of 96 kilometres. It passes through 102 tunnels and crosses 864 bridges.[26][27] There are three domestic airports in the stateShimla Airport, Bhuntar Airport serving Kullu and Manali, and Gaggal Airport serving Kangra and Dharamsala. The air routes connect the state with Delhi and Chandigarh. There are no international airports in Himachal Pradesh. Deccan, Air India, MDLR has flights from Delhi, Chandigarh to Kullu and back. Jagson Airlines has flights from Delhi to Shimla.[28] [edit] Demographics Traditional home, Manali Population Growth Census Pop. % 1951 2,386,000 1961 2,812,000 17.9% 1971 3,460,000 23.0% 1981 4,281,000 23.7% 1991 5,171,000 20.8% 2001 6,077,900 17.5% Source:Census of India[29] The population of Himachal in 2001 stood at 6,077,900 as per the provisional results of the Census of India 2001.[30] The population of Himachal Pradesh includes estimated population of entire Kinnaur district, where the population enumeration of Census of India, 2001 could not be conducted due to natural calamity.[30] In terms of population it holds the

same position (twenty first) among States and Union territories as at the previous census.[30] The population of the State rose by 17.53% between 19912001.[30] The sex ratio (i.e., the number of females per thousand males) of population was recorded as 970, which has declined from 976 in the previous census.[30] Total literacy of the State rose to 77.13% from 63.94% in 1991.[30] Himachal Pradesh has a Total Fertility Rate of 1.9, one of the lowest in India, and below the TFR, of 2.1, required to maintain a stable population. (see Indian states ranking by fertility rate) The main communities are Brahmins, Gujjars, Rathis, Jats, Rajputs Gaddis, Ghirth(choudhary), Kanets, and Kolis.The Ghirth(choudhary)community is found in mainly distt.Kangra. Himachal also has a sizeable population of Tibetans[31] Himachal Pradesh has the highest proportion of Hindu population in India (95%). Other religions that form a small percentage are Buddhism and Sikhism. The Lahaulis of Lahaul and Spiti region are mainly Buddhists. Sikhs mostly live in towns and cities. For example they form 10% of the total population in Una District adjoining the state of Punjab and 17 % in Shimla,the state capital. The Buddhists are mainly natives and tribals from Lahaul and Spiti,where they form majority of 60% and Kinnaur where they form 40%, however the bulk are refugees from Tibet.[30] The major spoken languages include Hindi, Punjabi, Mahasui, Kulluyi, Lahauli, Kinnauri, Chambyali, Sirmauri, Gojri (by Gujjars), Bilaspuri, Pahari, Dogri, Kangri.[31] The life expectancy at birth in Himachal Pradesh is 62.8 years (higher than the national average of 57.7 years) for the period 19861990. The Infant mortality rate stood at 62 in 1999 and crude birth rate has declined from 37.3 in 1971 to 22.6 in 1998, below the national average of 26.5 in 1998. The crude death rate was 7.7 in 1998. Himachal Pradesh's literacy rate grew by 34.65% between the period 1981 and 2001.[32] Languages of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in Himachal Pradesh are the Sunam language 558 (1998), Gahri language 4,000 (1997), Jangshung language 1,990 (1998), Kanashi language 1,400 (2002 Chauhan), Kinnauri language 48,778, Kinnauri Bhoti language 6,000 (1998), Chitkuli language 1,060 (1998), Pattani language 11,000 (1997), Shumcho language 2,174 (1998) and the Tukpa language 723 (1998).[33] Culture Main article: Culture of Himachal Pradesh Himachal was one of the few states that had remained largely untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult terrain. With the technological advancements the state has changed very rapidly. It is a multireligional, multicultural as well as multilingual state like other Indian states. Some of the most commonly spoken languages includes Hindi, Pahari, Dogri, Mandialli Kangri, Gojri and Kinnauri.[31] The caste communities residing in Himachal include the Brahmins, Rajputs, Gujjars, Gaddis, "Grith (choudhary)," Kannets (come under RAJPUTS), Rathis and Kolis.[34] There are also tribal population in the state which mainly comprise , Kinnars,Pangawals, Sulehria, and Lahaulis.[35] The state is well known for its handicrafts. The carpets, leather works, shawls, metalware, woodwork and paintings are worth appreciating. Pashmina shawl is one of the product which is highly in demand not only in Himachal but all over the country. Himachali caps are also

famous art work of the people. Extreme cold winters of Himachal necessitated wool weaving. Nearly every household in Himachal owns a pit-loom. Wool is also considered as pure and is used as a ritual cloth. The well known woven object is the shawl, ranging from fine pashmina to the coarse desar. Kullu is famous for its shawls with striking patterns and vibrant colours. Kangra and Dharamshala are famous for Kangra miniature paintings. Local music and dance reflects the cultural identity of the state. Through their dance and music, they entreat their gods during local festivals and other special occasions. Apart from the fairs and festivals that are celebrated all over India, there are number of other fairs and festivals also that are of great significance to Himachal Pradesh. Shimla, the state capital is home to Asia's only natural ice skating rink.[36] The day to day food of Himachalis is very similar to the rest of the north India. They too have lentil, broth, rice, vegetables and bread. Some of the specialities of Himachal include Pateer, Chouck, Bhagjery, jhoul, Patrode, Sidku, Beduan, Chutney, Madra, Khatti Dal, Khatta and Ambua, Madra, Pahari Aloo and Pahari Murgh. Famous people associated with Himachal include: Dalip Singh Rana, Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri (who studied here), Prem Chopra (brought up here) , Mohit Chauhan, Shahrukh Khan from Bilaspur who studied in D.A.V Public School, Bilaspur, third Supreme Court ChiefJustice and former Prime Minister of Kashmir in 1947 Mehr Chand Mahajan, economist and former vice-president of World Bank Shahid Javed Burki, NSG Commando, Pritam Singh,Bollywood actresses Preity Zinta, Kangna Ranaut, Hollywood actress Namrata Singh Gujral, Satyananda Stokes who introduced apple in the region, writer Idries Shah, ornithologist Allan Octavian Hume (had his home here), former general of Pakistan Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and current President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai who both studied here. Education Main article: Education in Himachal Pradesh Main article: List of educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital at Shimla. Institue of Advance Studies at Shimla. Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest literacy rates in India.[37] Hamirpur District is among the top districts in the country for literacy.[37] Education rates among women are quite encouraging in the state.[37] The standard of education in the state has reached to a considerably high level as compared to other states in India.[37] The state has several reputed educational institutes for higher studies. The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla ,the NIT, Hamirpur,the Central University, Kangra,the Jaypee University of Information Technology,Waknaghat,The Arni University,Distt.Kangra, The Chitkara University,Distt.solan, IITT college of Engineering, Kala Amb, Distt. Sirmour and Baddi University of Emerging Sciences and Technology Baddi are some of the pioneer institutes located in the state..Himachal Pardesh Agriculture University (HPAU) is one of the most

renowned hill Agriculture Institutes in world. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry has earned a unique distinction in India for imparting teaching, research and extension education in horticulture, forestry and allied disciplines.[37] The government is working constantly to prepare various plans and projects in order to strengthen the education system of the state. Recently, the State Government has decided to start three nursing colleges to develop the health system in the state. There are over 10,000 primary schools, 1,000 secondary schools and more than 1,300 high schools in Himachal.[38] The state government has decided to start up with 3 major nursing colleges to develop the health system in the state.[37] In meeting the constitutional obligation to make primary education compulsory, Himachal has now became the first state in India to make elementary education accessible to every child in the state.[39] The State has got Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital. Besides that there is Himachal Dental College which is the first recognised Dental Institute in the State.[40] Himachal also has institutions to revive fading traditional skills such as those in art. The Chitera School of Art teaches the delicate style of Kangra Miniature Paintings. Universities Name Type Location Indian Institute of Technology Mandi Institute of National Importance Mandi National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur Institute of National Importance Hamirpur Central University of Himachal Pradesh Central University Dehra Gopipur and Dharamshala Himachal Pradesh University State University Shimla Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry State University Nauni CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalya State University Palampur Jaypee University of Information Technology Private University Waknaghat Eternal University Private University Baru Sahib Chitkara University Private University Barotiwala Arni University Private University Indora Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences Private University Solan Baddi University of Emerging Sciences and Technology Private University Baddi Sri Sai University Private University Palampur Indus International University Private University Una Manav Bharti University Private University Kumarhatti Bahara University Private University Solan Media and communication CITY CHANNEL is one of the leaders in the production and broadcasting of un-biased and comprehensive news and entertainment programs in Whole Himachal Pradesh State of India It offers round-the-clock coverage of latest news and has a unique mix of news bulletins, current affairs, talk shows, and general interest and entertainment programs.

BVBN Pvt. Ltd. BRIDGE VIEW BROADBAND NETWORKS PVT. LTD. The company operates CITY CHANNEL a Hindi news channel; \ cover an entire gamut of news and beyond news encompassing recipes, travel, entertainment, shopping, books, health, gadgets and special features. CITY CHANNEL delivers reliable information across all platforms : TV, Internet and Mobile. CITY CHANNEL broadcasts its programs in all over Himachal Pradesh www.citychannel.info Though situated in a remote part of the country, Himachal Pradesh has an active community of journalists and publishers. Several newspapers and magazines are published in more than one language, and their reach extends to almost all the Hindi speaking states. Radio and TV have permeated significantly. Judging by the number of people writing to these media, there is a very large media-aware population in the state. The Telegraph, The Statesman, Asian Age, Hindustan Times, Punjab Kesari, Amar Ujala, Divya Himachal and The Times of India are the newspapers published here. Vernacular newspapers such as those in Hindi, Punjabi and Nepali VOICE of PRESS(www.voiceofpress.com) are also read by selected readership.A leading print electronic web and digital media Himachal's 1st PR and Promotion agency PRAGATI MEDIA SERVICES,a joint venture of 'Pen'(Print Electronic Network) running No.1 among the Hindi Monthly Magazine PEN NEWS www.crimewing.com Doordarshan is the state-owned television broadcaster. Multi system operators provide a mix of Nepali, Hindi, English, and international channels via cable. All India Radio is a public radio station. Private FM stations are also available in few cities like Shimla. BSNL, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom, Tata Docomo , Aircel, S Tel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Airtel are available cellular phone operators. Broadband internet is available in select towns and cities and is provided by the state-run BSNL and by other private companies. Dial-up access is provided throughout the state by BSNL and other providers. State Profile State Symbols State animal Snow leopard State bird Jujurana State tree Deodar State flower Rhododendron Source: Department of Information and Public Relations. Area 55673 km2 Total Population 6,077,900 Males 3,087,940 Females 2,989,960 Population Density 109 Sex Ratio 968 Rural Population 5,482,319 Urban Population 595,581

Scheduled Caste Population 1,502,171 Scheduled Tribe Population 244,587 Literacy Rate 77.13% Male Literacy 86.02% Female Literacy 68.08% Districts 12 Sub-Division 52 Tehsils 75 Sub-Tehsils 34 Developmental Block 75 Towns 57 Panchayats 3,243 Panchayat Smities 75 Zila Parishad 12 Urban Local Bodies 53 Nagar Nigam 1 Nagar Parishad 20 Nagar Panchayats 32 Census Villages 20,118 Inhabited Villages 17,495 Health Institutions 3,835 Educational Institutions 17,000 Motorable Roads 30,000 km National Highways 8 Identified Hydroelectric Potential 20,787 MW in five rivers basins i.e. (Yamuna, Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Himurja) Potential harnessed 6353.12MW Food grain production 16.69 lakh tonnes Vegetable production 9 lakh tonnes Fruit Production 6.95 lakh tonnes Per Capita Income . 36,783 (20062007) Expected Social security Pension 237,250 Persons, Annual Expenditure: Over . 60 Crore Investment in Industrial Area . 27,380/- crore, Employment Opportunities: Over 337,391 Employment generated in Government Sector 80,000 Bilaspur district Bilaspur is a district of Himachal Pradesh state, India. It contains the manmade Govind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej River which acts as the reservoir for the Bhakra and Nangal Dam project. The road bridge on this lake at Kandraur is highest of its kind in Asia. Its headquarters are in the town of Bilaspur. The district has an area of 1,167 km, and a population of 340,735 (2001 census).

The area that is now Bilaspur District was formerly known as Kahlur, a princely state of British India. The ruler acceded to the Government of India on 12 October 1948, and Bilaspur was made an Indian state under a chief commissioner. The state of Bilaspur was merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1 July 1954, and became Bilaspur District. Administratively, the district is divided into three tehsils, Ghumarwin, Bilaspur Sadar, and Jhandutta. Jhandutta was created out of Ghumarwin in January 1998. Naina Devi is a subtehsil of Bilaspur Sadar, and was created in January 1980. Hamirpur district Hamirpur district (Hindi: ) is one of the 12 districts of the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. The headquarters of the district is in the Hamirpur town. The district occupies an area of 1,118 km. It is most educated District of Himachal and has highest density of roads amongst all districts of India Contents * 1 History * 2 Geography * 3 Climate * 4 Divisions * 5 Demography History Carved out from the Kangra district in 1972, the district is closely associated with the Katoch dynasty. It was the part of old Jalandhar-Trigarta empire. Panin referred to the people of this kingdom as great warriors and fighters. Even today Army is the largest employer for Hamirpuris, who form large bulks of Dogra, Granadiers, Jakrif regiments as well as paramillitary forces especially Assam Rifles. In addition to their repute for being brave and professional soldiers they are well known for the hardiness characteristic of hill people thus earning the name VeerBhumi for Hamirpur as rest of Himachal calls itself Dev Bhumi. The Katoch dynasty predominated during the period of Raja Hamir Chand who ruled from 1700 to 1740. It was Raja Hamir Chand who built the fort at Hamirpur and the present town derived its name from this ruler. Geography Hamirpur District is situated between 7618' and 76 44' east longitudes and between 3125' and 31 52' north latitudes. Situated at an altitude of 785 meters, Hamirpur is the district Headquarters. Climate It is not a typical "Hilly & Chilly" type of climate in district Hamirpur as it is more closer to plains. During winter, the climate is cold but pleasant when woollens are required. During summer the temperature is hot and cottons are recommended. Divisions

The district comprises 4 sub-divisions: Hamirpur, Barsar, Nadaun and Bhoranj. Hamirpur sub-division consists 2 tehsils: Hamirpur and Sujanpur. Barsar, Nadaun and Bhoranj subdivisions comprise only one tehsil: Barsar, Nadaun and Bhoranj respectively. There are five Vidhan Sabha constituencies in this district: Bhoranj, Sujanpur, Hamirpur, Nadaun and Barsar. All of these are part of Hamirpur Lok Sabha constituency. Demography The district has a population of 412,009 (male 195,971, female 216,038) (2001 census). Literacy rate is 83.16% (2001 census). There is a famous village named Kudhar, 3 km far from Slouni. This village has got huge reputation for its people and bright youth who are serving nearby villages in case any problem, accident or disaster happens with great morality & decensy in every possible ways. Kangra district Kangra is the most populous district of the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. Dharamsala is the administrative headquarters of the district. Contents * 1 Geography * 2 Administrative divisions * 3 Cilmate * 4 People * 5 Economy * 6 History * 7 See also * 8 References * 9 Further reading Geography Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh is situated in Western Himalayas between 312 to 325 N and 75 to 7745 E. The district has a geographical area of 5,739 km. which constitutes 10.31 % of geographical area of the State. According to 2001 census, the total population of the district was 13,39,030 which is highest in the state (22.50% of the population). The district has varying altitude ranging from 427 to 6401m above mean sea level, with some plain areas touching Gurdaspur district of Punjab in the West and Una district of H.P. in the South. In the East it touches Mandi district, in North with Kullu and Chamba. The district has considerable diversity in its soils, physiography, land use pattern and cropping system. On the basis of these, the district has further been divided into five-sub -situations i.e. Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, Kangra Shiwalik, Kangra Valley and Beas Basin. The Beas is one of the larger rivers of this district, and contributes to the fertility of the land here. The district is bounded by the Himachal Pradesh districts of Chamba to the north, Lahul and Spiti to the northeast, Kullu to the east, Mandi to the southeast, and Hamirpur and Una to the south. The district shares a border with the states of Punjab on the southwest, and Jammu and Kashmir on the northwest. Due to the hilly terrain, not very much of the land is

cultivated. The region is covered with uniform patches of barren land, as well as small forests.There is a reasonably good network of roads across the district. Dharamsala, the district headquarters, is also the headquarters of the Tibetan government-inexile, headed by the His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Jwalamukhi, also known as Jwala ji, is famous for an ancient temple of the goddess of the same name, and features holy flames that run on natural gas. Other important temples include Brajeshwari Devi temple, Chamunda Devi temple, Chintpurni temple and Baijnath's Shiva temple. There are also important Buddhist temples in Dharamshala, Sidhbari, Rewalsar and the Tibetan Colony in Bir. Historical villages of Pragpur and Garli are also located here. Administrative divisions Sub-Divisions 1. Dharamsala 2. Kangra 3. Palampur 4. Baijnath 5. Nurpur 6. Dehra 7. Jawali 8. Jaisinghpur Tehsils 1. Nurpur 2. Indora 3. Fatehpur 4. Jawali 5. Shahpur 6. Dharamshala 7. Kangra 8. Baroh 9. Dehra Gopipur 10. Jaswan 11. Jawalamukhi 12. Khundian 13. Jaisinghpur 14. Baijnath 15. Rakkar 16. Palampur 17. Nagrota Bagwan Sub-Tehsils 1. Harchakian 2. Thural 3. Dheera 4. Multhan Nagar-Parishads 1. Dharamshala 2. Palampur 3. Nurpur 4. Kangra Nagar-Panchayats 1. Jawalamukhi 2. Nagrota Bagwan 3. Dehra Cantonment Boards 1. Yol Development Blocks 1. Nurpur 2. Indora 3. Nagrota Surian 4. Fatehpur 5. Pragpur 6. Dehra 7. Kangra 8. Rait 9. Nagrota Bagwan 10. Bhawarna 11. Lambagaon 12. Baijnath 13. Panchrukhi 14. Sulah 15. Dharamshala Cilmate Kangra district is having a topography that some of the parts like Milawan at 400 m altitude, while area of Bara Bhangal are at the altitude of 5500 m. Indora block of Kangra district falls in sub-humid sub-tropical zone where annual precipitation works out about 1000 mm and mean temperature of about 24C, Dehragopipur and Nurpur blocks fall under humid subtropical zone where the annual rainfall is between 900 2350 mm and mean temperature about 2 to 24C. Palampur and Dharamsala fall under wet temperate zone where the temperature ranges from 15 to 19C and annual rainfall is about 2500 mm. (avg. of last fifty

five years). Other parts of the Kangra district fall under hill area where the mean annual temperature varies from 13 to 20C and annual rainfall is 1800 3000 mm. The winter lasts from mid-December to mid-February, during which the temperature ranges from 0 to 20 C. The winds cause winter rains. Summers last from April until June, and are hot (temp 25 to 38 C) and dry. They are generally followed by a wet monsoon which ends in autumn.[2] People The population of the district is over 1.3 million. The native people are the Kangri people and the native language is Kangri, which is very similar to Punjabi. The majority of the people are Hindu, although many Tibetan people who follow Buddhism have also settled here recently. The traditional dress for men was the kurta, pyjamas, and a woolen jacket used in winter. Women generally wear the salwar kameez and with the salwar Kameez girls and women take chuenni ("Chaddru" in local language.) Economy This consists mostly of agriculture and farming. Tea cultivation plays a vital in the economy. The "Kangra Tea" is famous world over. The town of Palampur is covered with lush green tea estates.The Palampur also have some beautiful places like naguel cafe, masand park and Bandla.Tourism is also an important part of the economy. History Kangra is known for the oldest serving Royal Dynasty in the world Katoch. Kangra became a district of British India in 1846, when it was ceded to British India at the conclusion of the First Anglo-Sikh War. The British district included the present-day districts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Kullu, and Lahul and Spiti. Kangra District was part of the British Province of Punjab. The administrative headquarters of the district were initially at Kangra, but were moved to Dharamsala in 1855 [3][4]. This area was significantly damaged by an earthquake on April 4, 1905. Upon Indian Independence in 1947, Punjab province was partitioned between India and Pakistan, and the eastern portion, including Kangra, became the Indian state of Punjab. Lahul and Spiti became a separate district in 1960, and Kullu in 1962. In 1966, Kangra and Una districts were added to Himachal Pradesh, which became a union territory of India, and an Indian state in 1971. Hamirpur District was separated from Kangra in 1972. See also * Kangra Valley * Kangra Valley Railway * Kangra Fort Kinnaur district Kinnaur is one of twelve administrative districts of Himachal Pradesh, India. The district is itself divided into three administrative areas Pooh, Kalpa, and Nichar and has five Tehsils or counties. The administrative headquarter for Kinnaur district is at Reckong Peo. Due to the network of motorable roads all the essential facilities are available. According to

ancient Hindu texts Kinners are halfway between humans and gods. From here Sangla valley, and district headquarters Recong Peo, Kalpa, Kinnaur Kailash, considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva, can be viewed. Contents * 1 Kinnaur - The Land of Gods * 2 Geography o 2.1 Climate * 3 The people * 4 Food Habits * 5 Religion * 6 Flora and fauna * 7 People o 7.1 Lifestyle * 8 Religion * 9 History * 10 See also Kinnaur - The Land of Gods Kinnaur surrounded by the Tibet to the east, in the northeast corner of Himachal Pradesh, about 235 km (146 mi) from Shimla is a beautiful district having the three high mountains ranges i.e. Zanskar, Himalayas and Dhauladhar, enclosing valleys of Sutlej, Spiti, Baspa and their tributaries. The slopes are covered with thick wood, orchards, fields and picturesque hamlets. The much religious Shivlinga lies at the peak of Kinnaur Kailash mountain. The district was opened for the outsiders in 1989. The old Hindustan-Tibet road passes through the Kinnaur valley along the bank of river Sutlej and finally enters Tibet at Shipki La pass. It is not only the scenic beauty which appeals to the young and old alike but also the life styles of the people, their culture, heritage, customs and traditions. The people have strong culture and beliefs generally follow the Buddhism and Hinduism, believing the Pandavas came and resided in the land while in the exile. In the ancient mythology, the people of Kinnaur are known as Kinners, the halfway between men and gods. Thousands year old monasteries still exist in the area. Both the Buddhists and Hindus live in harmony symbolising the traditional brotherhood and friendship of the people of both the faiths. The apples, chilgoza and other dry fruits are grown here are world famous. The high terrain here give way to adventures and sports. Trekking routes includes the 'Parikarma of Kinner Kailash'. Geography Himalayan landscape, Nako Lake and village shown A mountainous area, ranging in altitude from 2,320 to 6,816 metres (7,610 to 22,362 ft) , Kinnaur is one of the smallest districts in India by population. It is famous for the Kinnaur Kailash, a mountain sacred to Hindus, close to the Tibetan border. Climate Most of Kinnaur enjoys a temperate climate due to its high elevation, with long winters from October to May, and short summers from June to September. The lower parts of the Sutlej

Valley and the Baspa Valley receive monsoon rains. The upper areas of the valleys fall mainly in the rain-shadow area. These areas are considered to be arid regions, similar to the climate of Tibet. Central Asian landscape are common. The people The present day the Kinnauras do not constitute a homogeneous group and display significant territorial and ethnic diversity. For a better understanding of ethnic and cultural distribution, the Kinnaur District may be classified into three territorial units. Lower Kinnaur comprise area between Chora at the boundary of the Kinnaur District with Rampur Bushahr and Kalpa including Nichar and Sangla valleys. The people of Lower Kinnaur are primarily of the Mediterranean physical type. It is difficult to distinguish them from the people residing in the adjoining Shimla District with whom they have some affinity. The people of lower Kinnaur are mostly Hindus though the ethno-historical factors have resulted in some Buddhist influence. The middle Kinnaur is the area between Kalpa and Kanam including Moorang tehsil. The people of middle Kinnaur are of mixed racial strain. Some have marked Mongoloid and others marked Mediterranean features. In some cases there is an admixture of the above two in varying degrees. The inhabitants are Buddhist as well as Hindus. Many people have faith in both the religions. The upper Kinnaur comprises remaining northeastern part of the district i.e. the area between Poo (town) and Hangrang valley extending up to international border with Tibet. The predominant physical type of upper Kinnaur in the Mongoloid though a few persons with Mediterranean features are also seen in the area around Poo. Some persons show the blending of Mediterrean and Mongoloid elements in varying degrees. However the people of Hangrang valley are almost universally Mongoloids. They mostly follow Mahayana Buddhist religion. The Kinnaur society is divided into two broad occupational groups- peasants and the artisans possibly of diverse ethnic origin. These groups are represented by Kanets (Rajputs) and Scheduled Castes.The Kanets comprise the main cultivating community of the area and use honorific surname Negi. Among the Kanets there are three grades. In the first grade Kanets there are as many as fifty sub-castes, in the second grades there are seventeen sub-castes and in the third grade who work as potter have three sub-castes. Waza Kanets belong to the third grade and are considered inferior among Kanets. The Scheduled castes include Chamangs and Domangs. Chamangs traditionally make and wove clothes. The Domangs are primarily blacksmiths. There is a third caste called ores. The main profession of Ores is carpentry. In social status the Ores are equal to Domangs. Among the Scheduled castes blacksmiths and carpenters i.e. Domangs and Ores considered themselves superior to Kolis or Chamangs. Food Habits The staple food is wheat, ogla, phafra and barley which are local produce. Besides these kankani, cheena, maize, chollair and bathu are also taken. The principal pulses consumed are peas, black peas, mash and rajmash. The vegetables usually consumed are cabbage, turnips, peas, beans, pumpkin, potato, okra and tomato besides some locally available wild green vegetables leaves. They relish rice too which is imported from the plains. Taking a salted tea called cha in the morning and evening is very popular among the Kannauras which is usually

taken along with sattu made of parched barley flour. They are non-vegetarian and relish goat and ram's meat. Taking of alcoholic drinks in their day to day life and also on the ceremonial or festive occasions is quite common among them. Alcohol is distilled at the household level. It is made out of fruits like grapes, apple, pear etc. grown locally and of barley. The Kannauras are very fond of music, dance and singing. Religion The people of lower Kinnaur are largely Hindu. Their most important gods and goddess are Durga (Chandi), Bhairon, Usha (Ukha), Narayan, Vishnu, Badrinath and Bhimakali. The Chamang and Domang have their favorite deities such as Nag Devta. In addition, each village has its presiding deity. The inhabitants of middle Kinnaur are Buddhist as well as Hindu. The important Hindu deities of middle Kinnaur include Chandi, Gauri Shankar, Kansa and Narayanjee. Dabla, the local god of Kanam village, has certain features traditionally associated with the Bon religion. The image of Dabla is installed along with those of Buddha and Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) in one of the monasteries at Kanam. The religion of upper Kinnaur is mostly Tibetan Buddhist. Almost every village has a monastery with monks recruited from amongst the Rajput (Kanet). Flora and fauna Portions of Kinnaur are situated high in the Himalaya, where vegetation is sparse and consists primarily of hardy grasses. Alpine species such as juniper, pine, fir, cypress, and rhododendron can be found at elevations between 3,500 and 5,000 metres, primarily in Middle Kinnaur. At lower altitudes, temperate-climate trees are found, including oak, chestnut, maple, birch, alder, magnolia, apple, and apricot. Yaks and dzos are reared by local farmers in the higher areas. Scattered populations of the Himalayan black bear and small ponies may also be found. People "It is said that two great Rishis (Saints) from Satyuga will reincarnate in Kalyuga in Kinnaur to spread goodwill and some wits in Kinnauri people. These two saints will have birth near Nichar Valley and Akpa. Though these two saints will be devoid of any wits in this yuga but one of their "mitra" will take care of them and help them to shape the life of Kinnauri people." According to myth, the Kinners are descendants of the Pandavas: beings halfway between men and gods that possess supernatural powers. They also claim descent from the Rajput, Khosias, and Beru castes. The Kinners speak a dialect of the Tibeto-Burman family known as Kinnauri or Kanauri. The distinctive feature of Kinnarui dialect is the use of Hindi elements. The Tibetan Jangram dialect is spoken by the Kinners living in Pooh and Sangla. Two thousand speakers of the old Zhang Zhung dialect in the Sutlej valley still remain today. Another theory is that Kinnars are not the Indo Aryans but the extension of Darads who were spread on the high mountains of western Himalayas, who belong to the Iranic stock. Darads speak a language which is related to Persian language. Speculation is that in ancient times

the Kinnars may have spoken a language close to the language of the Darads. later when Tibet annexed the Himalayan region and captured the areas of Kinnour, Spiti and Ladakh, they may have had to adopt the language of the new rulers and abandon the their old language. Otherwise why would an ethnically Indo European tribe speak a language from the Tibeto-Burman family? Lifestyle Generally, Kinner houses have storerooms for keeping grain and dried fruits, and separate wooden grain-storage structures, called kathar. Pakpa, a piece of sheepskin or yakskin, is often placed on the khayarcha mat. Traditionally Kinners use utensils made of brass and bronze. Modern influences have included the introduction of Chinese crockery, and utensils made of stainless steel and aluminium. Clothes are mainly of wool. The thepang, a grey woollen cap, is worn with a white velvet band. The Tibetan chhuba, a long woollen coat which resembles an achkan, is worn as well, with a sleeveless woollen jacket. While men wear woollen churidhar pajamas, and tailored woollen shirts such as the chamn kurti, the women wrap themselves up in a dohru. The first wrap of the dohru is based on the back, with embroidered borders displayed throughout its length, which stretches to the heels. Darker shades of colours are preferred for the Dohru, although other beautifully coloured shawls may be worn, usually draped over the shoulders. A choli, another type of full sleeved blouse worn by women, may serve as a decorative lining as well. The Kinners are classified mainly into two castes: lower and upper caste. Again both of these categories are divided into sub classes. The caste system is more prevalent in the Lower and Middle Kinnaur regions. Religion Buildings in Kalpa shows strong Hindu and Buddhist influence. Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism are the main religions in the district, although Bn is also practised. These three religions have undergone religious mixing, along with some indigenous shamanistic practices. One can see some Buddhist influences on the Hindu religion in Lower Kinnaur, the mixing of Buddhist and Hindu beliefs in varying degrees in Middle Kinnaur, and even the influence of Hinduism on Buddhism in Pooh of Upper Kinnaur. However, Buddhist Hangrang remains largely untouched by Hindu influence. One can see Hindu gods being worshipped side by side with Buddhist deities in Buddhist and Hindu temples, especially in Middle Kinnaur. Dabla, one of the major Bn deities, is greatly revered by the Kinners in the area. Folk Hindu gods are also worshipped in Middle and Lower Kinnaur. These include the Durga (locally known as Chandi, Narayan, Vishnu) and many other folk Hinduanimist gods. Folk deities play a major role in the daily life of the Kinners. Superstitions concerning animist ghosts such as Banchir, Rakshas, and Khunkch also play an important role in the belief system of the Kinners. Pujas and horns of domestic animals are used to ward off the evil spirits, in order to bring good luck.

Buddhist lamas play an important role in the daily life of the Kinners, and young monks of Upper and Middle Kinnaur are trained from a young age in conducting religious ceremonies, devoting their lives to Lamaism and learning to read Tibetan scriptures and Buddhist doctrines. When they become Lamas (male monks) and Chomos (female nuns), they are given religious duties, which include presiding over the religious and secular affairs of the Kinners. They are generally divided into two groups, namely, the celibate Gyolang, who shave their heads, and the non-celibate Durpu, who do not shave their heads. The Kinnaur Kailash is the most sacred mountain for most Kinners. Every year it is visited by thousands of locals on religious pilgrimages known as Yatra, Hindu and Buddhist alike. History Little is known about the history of Kinnaur, except for the fact that it was once known as Kanaurra or Kinnaura. There are, however, legends and myths among the inhabitants. It is known that the area was placed under the control of the Magadha kingdom, followed by the Mauryan Empire during the 6th century BCE, which was then inhabited mainly by the Kirata, Kamboja, Panasika, and Valhika. Kinnaur also came under the influence of the Guge kingdom of Tibet between the 9th and 12th centuries. Kinnaur was later divided into seven parts, known as Sat Khund. Conflicts in the region eventually gave rise to the formation of many small chiefdoms, which fought amongst one another for power. These struggles also included the neighbouring Bhotes. Several forts from this time, including Labrang, Moorang, and Kamru, serve as evidence of the region's history of conflict, which lasted until Emperor Akbar conquered the area. Akbar's conquest resulted in the incorporation of the Kinnaur valley into the Mughal Empire. After the collapse of the Mughal Empire, the Kinnaur valley, then known as Chini Tehsil, played an influential role. When its dominant rle in the region lapsed, it was merged to form part of the then Mahasu district. By 1960, political, ethnic, and cultural considerations led to the area being reorganised, forming the present Kinnaur district. In 1975 an earthquake struck the region. Culture of Kinnaur is Tribal and polygamy is still present although APPLE has changed a lot in this terrain. This practice of polygamy was introduced in old times to balance survival as cultivated land is less and family planning was unheard. But with change of time and impact of education, now it is found it traces. See also * Kinnauri language * [kinnauri tribe] Kullu district Kullu is a district in Himachal Pradesh, India. The district stretches from the village of Rampur in the south to the Rohtang Pass in the North. Fields & Beas River in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India. The largest valley in the district is called the Kullu Valley, which is also known as the Valley of the Gods. There is also a town called Kullu which sits on the banks of the Beas River in the central part of the valley. Another important valley in the district is the Lug valley where

the main forest contractors have been extracting timber from the forests for the last 150 years and continue to do so today.[1] Farther north lies the town of Manali. The ancient seat of the kings of Kullu was at Naggar Castle, about 12 km north of the present town, and thought to have been built in the early 17th century by Raja Sidh Sing. Raja Jagat Singh (1637-72) moved the capital in the middle of the 17th century to its present position, and called it Sultanpur. The Royal compound consists of the "Rupi Palace, several temples, and a long narrow bazaar descending the hill." The British took all of Kangra and Kullu from the Sikhs in 1846. It is still used as home by the royal descendants, but the more ancient Naggar Castle was sold to the British. Since the onset of the most recent unrest in Kashmir, Manali and the Kullu Valley in general, have become important destinations for tourists escaping the summer heat of India. In the eastern part of the district, the village of Manikaran contains Sikh and Hindu temples and popular hot springs. The Hidimba Devi Temple is at Manali. There are also many Sikh villages located close to Manikaran. To the northeast of Kullu Valley, lies the famous, Malana Valley. Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kullu district Contents * 1 Gallery * 2 See also Gallery * Sikh pilgrims cheering on bus to Manikaran * Manikaran, Kullu District, 2004 * Shiva shrine, Kullu, 2004 * Road workers crushing rocks, Kullu, 2004 * Steam from Manikaran baths, 2004 * 2 friends - a Sikh & a Gaddi, Manikaran, 2004 * Diners at Sikh Gurdwara, Manikaran, 2004 * Roadside restaurant, Kullu, 2004 * Raja Rupi Kulu Palace, 2004 See also * Lug Valley * Kullu Valley * Malana, Himachal Pradesh Lahaul and Spiti district The district of Lahaul-Spiti in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh consists of the two formerly separate districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The present administrative centre is Keylong in Lahaul. Before the two districts were merged, Kardang was the capital of Lahaul, and Dhankar the capital of Spiti. Kunzum la or the Kunzum Pass (altitude 4,551 m; 14,931 ft) is the entrance pass to the Spiti Valley from Lahaul. It is 21 km from Chandra Tal.[1] This district is connected to Manali

through the Rohtang Pass. To the south, Spiti ends 24 km from Tabo, at the Pare chu gorge where the road enters Kinnaur and joins with National Highway No. 22.[2] The two valleys are quite different in character. Spiti is more barren and difficult to cross, with an average elevation of the valley floor of 4,270 m (14,009 ft). It is enclosed between lofty ranges, with the Spiti river rushing out of a gorge in the southeast to meet the Sutlej River. It is a typical mountain desert area with an average annual rainfall of only 170 mm (6.7 inches).[3] Contents * 1 Flora and fauna * 2 People o 2.1 Lifestyle * 3 Religion * 4 Tourism Flora and fauna Lahaul valley in winter Mountain peak in Lahaul and Spiti district The harsh conditions of Lahaul permit only scattered tufts of hardy grasses and shrubs to grow, even below 4,000 metres. Glacier lines are usually found at 5,000 metres. Animals such as yaks and dzos roam across the wild Lingti plains. However, over-hunting and a decrease in food supplies has led to a large decrease in the population of the Tibetan antelope, argali, kiangs, musk deer, and snow leopards in these regions, reducing them to the status of endangered species. However, in the Lahaul valley, one can see ibex, brown bears, foxes and snow leopards during winter. People Mother and child in near Gandhola Monastery. 2004 The language, culture, and populations of Lahaul and Spiti are closely related. Generally the Lahaulis are of Tibetan and Indo-Aryan descent, while the Spiti Bhotia are more similar to the Tibetans, owing to their proximity to Tibet. Fairer skin and hazel-colored eyes are commonly seen among the Lahaulis. The languages of both the Lahauli and Spiti Bhutia belong to the Tibetan family. They are very similar to the Ladakhi and Tibetans culturally, as they had been placed under the rule of the Guge and Ladakh kingdoms at occasional intervals. Among the Lahaulis, the family acts as the basic unit of kinship. The extended family system is common, evolved from the polyandric system of the past. The family is headed by a senior male member, known as the Yunda, while his wife, known as the Yundamo, attains authority by being the oldest member in the generation. The clan system, also known as Rhus, plays another major role in the Lahauli society. The Spiti Bhutia community has an inheritance system that is otherwise unique to the Tibetans. Upon the death of both parents, only the eldest son will inherit the family property, while the eldest daughter inherits the mother's jewellery, and the younger siblings inherit

nothing. Men usually fall back on the social security system of the Trans-Himalayan Gompas. Lifestyle The lifestyles of the Lahauli and Spiti Bhotia are similar, owing to their proximity. Polyandry was widely practiced by the Lahaulis in the past, although this practice has been dying out. The Spiti Bhutia do not generally practice polyandry any more, although it is accepted in a few isolated regions. Divorces are accomplished by a simple ceremony performed in the presence of village elders. Divorce can be sought by either partner. The husband has to pay compensation to his ex-wife if she does not remarry. However, this is uncommon among the Lahaulis. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood. Potato farming is common. Occupations include animal husbandry, working in government programs, government services, and other businesses and crafts that include weaving. Houses are constructed in the Tibetan architectural style, as the land in Lahul and Spiti is mountainous and quite prone to earthquakes. Religion Kunzum Pass between Lahul & Spiti Ki-Gompa Spiti Most of the Lahaulis follow a combination of Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism of the Drukpa Kagyu order, while the Spiti Bhotia follow Tibetan Buddhism of the Gelugpa order. Within Lahoul/swangla, the Baralacha-La region had the strongest Buddhist influence, owing to its close proximity to Spiti. Lahoul/swangla has temples such as Triloknath , where pilgrims worship a certain god in different manifestations, notably in the form of Shiva and Avalokiteshvara where Udaipur is a puritan temple. This bas-relief, of marble, depicts the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara (the embodiment of the Buddha's compassion) in a stylized seated position; Hindu devotees take it to be Shiva Nataraj, Shiva dancing. This image appears to be of sixteenth century Chamba craftsmanship. It was created to replace the original black stone image of the deity, which became damaged by art looters. This original image is kept beneath the plinth of the shrine. It appears to be of 12th century Kashmiri provenance . Much of the art thieves are active in this remote belt because of neglected gompas and temples. Before the spread of Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism, the people were adherents of the religion 'Lung Pe Chhoi', an animistic religion that had some affinities with the Bn religion of Tibet. While the religion flourished, animal and human sacrifices were regularly offered up to the 'Iha', a term that refers to evil spirits residing in the natural world, notably in the old pencil-cedar trees, rocks and caves. Vestiges of the Lung Pe Chhoi religion can be seen in the behaviour of the Lamas, who are believed to possess certain supernatural powers. The Losar festival (also known as Halda in Lahauli) is celebrated between the months of January and February. The date of celebration is decided by the Lamas. It has the same significance as the Diwali festival of Hinduism, but is celebrated in a Tibetan fashion.

At the start of the festival, two or three persons from every household will come holding burning incense. The burning sticks are then piled into a bonfire. The people will then pray to Shiskar Apa, the goddess of wealth (other name Vasudhara) in the Buddhist religion. In the Pattan belt of the valley in Lahoul most population follows Hinduism,but counts for 14 percent of the total and they are called swanglas. The fagli festival is celebrated between February and March all over the valley. This festival is a new year festival and closely precedes beginning of tibetian and Chinese calendar. Notable is the Pattan people are the late settlers in the valley around 1500 A.D. and have broad highlights and have distinct language on the likes the central Asians,chamba, pangi, pashtoons and uyghurs. This belt is known for the convergence for chandra and bhaga rivers to form Chenab. Tourism Ki Gompa The natural scenery and Buddhist monasteries, such as Ki, Dhankar, Shashur, Guru Ghantal and Tayul Gompas, are the main tourist attractions of the region. One of the most interesting places is the Tabo Monastery, located 45 km from Kaza, Himachal Pradesh, the capital of the Spiti region. This monastery rose to prominence when it celebrated its thousandth year of existence in 1996. It houses a collection of Buddhist scriptures, Buddhist statues and Thangkas. The ancient gompa is finished with mud plaster, and contains several scriptures and documents. Lama Dzangpo heads the gompa here. There is a modern guest house with a dining hall and all facilities are available. Another famous gompa, Kardang Monastery, is located at an elevation of 3,500 metres across the river, about 8 km from Keylong. Kardang is well connected by the road via the Tandi bridge which is about 14 km from Keylong. Built in the 12th century, this monastery houses a large library of Buddhist literature including the main Kangyur and Tangyur scriptures. The treacherous weather in Lahaul and Spiti permits visitors to tour only between the months of June to October, when the roads and villages are free of snow and the high passes (Rothang La and Kunzum La) are open. It is possible to access Spiti from Kinnaur (along the Sutlej) all through the year, although the road is sometimes temporarily closed by landslides or avalanches. Buddhist Monasteries in Spiti: Spiti is one of the important centers of Buddhism in Himachal Pradesh. It is popularly known as the 'land of lamas'. The valley is dotted by numerous Buddhist Monasteries or Gompas that are famous throughout the world and are a favorite of Dalai Lama. Kye Monastery: Kye Monastery in Spiti is the main research center of the Buddhists in India. Near about 300 lamas are receiving their religious training from here. It is oldest and biggest monastery in Spiti. It houses the rare painting and beautiful scriptures of Buddha and other gods and goddess. You may also find rare 'Thangka' paintings and ancient musical instruments 'trumpets, cymbals, and drums in the monastery. Tabo Monastery: Perched at an amazing altitude of 3050 meters, Tabo Monastery in the valley of Spiti is often referred to as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas'. The 10th century Tabo

Monastery was founded by the great scholar, Richen Zangpo, and has been declared as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The monastery houses more than 6 lamas and contains the rare collection of scriptures, pieces of art, wall paintings -Tankhas and Stucco. Flora and fauna of Spiti Valley: The valley is blessed with the good population of snow leopards, ibex, Himalayan Brown Bear, Musk Deer, Himalayan Blue Sheep etc. which serves as the boon for the wildlife lovers. There are two important protected areas in the region that are a home to snow leopard and its prey including the Pin Valley National Park and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Surprisingly, due to ardent religious beliefs, people of Spiti do not hunt these wild animals. Apart from the exotic wildlife, the Valley of Spiti is also known for its amazing wealth of flora and the profusion of wild flowers. Some of the mot common species found here include Causinia thomsonii, Seseli trilobum, Crepis flexuosa, Caragana brevifolia and Krascheninikovia ceratoides. Then there are more than 62 species of medicinal plants found here. Adventure activities: To- do-Trials: For trekkers, the Spiti Valley is a paradise, offering challenging treks to explore the new heights of the Himalayas. The treks takes you to the most remote areas including the rugged villages and old Gompas followed by the exotic wildlife trails. Some of the popular trekking routes in the area includes Kaza-Langza-Hikim-Comic-Kaza, Kaza-KiKibber-Gete-Kaza, Kaza-Losar-Kunzum La and Kaza-Tabo-Sumdo-Nako. Please note that you carry all the necessary things before out for the trekking tour to Spiti. Tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, heavy woollens and sunglasses are a must. Skiing: Skiing is the popular adventure sports in Spiti and is popular in India from the past few years. The amazing snow clad mountains with the added advantage of inspiring heights are enough to allure the adventure spirits of the avid skier, providing all the thrill and fun attracted to the sport. People from all around the globe come to experience this enthralling adventure activity. Yak Safari: The most exciting of all adventure activities in Spiti is the Yak safari. You can hire the Yak to see the flora and fauna of trans-Himalayan desert. It is, in fact, the lifetime opportunity that you won't find anywhere else so easily. Apart from this, horse safaris are also conducted in this area. Mandi district Mandi district (earlier known as Mandavya Nagar) is one of the central districts of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India. Mandi town is the headquarters of Mandi district Mandi. The town has both mythological and historical significance and boasts of a unique temple architecture. It is also referred to as Chhota Kashi as there are many ancient temples in the city and on the banks of river Beas. The river Beas flows through the town and hills, which makes this town more scenic. It has a serene ambiance though the modern development has made its inroads here in terms of infrastructural developments. The town is an important commercial hub of the state. It is a major transit route to Kullu-Manali and other adjoining places from both NH-21 (Chandigarh-Manali highway) and NH-20 (Pathankot-Mandi

highway). Sundarnagar is one of the emerging towns of the district. Mandi has an educated middle class and people converse in Mandyali, one of Pahari dialects of Himachal.[1] Contents * 1 History * 2 General information * 3 Approach * 4 Mandi Tourism * 5 Places of interest o 5.1 Rewalsar Lake o 5.2 Prashar Lake o 5.3 Joginder Nagar o 5.4 Sunder Nagar o 5.5 Janjehli * 6 Lakes of Mandi district * 7 Sports History Mandi district was formed after the merger of Mandi and Suket, two princely states on 15 April 1948. This coincided with the formation of the Union territory of Himachal Pradesh. It is to be mentioned that the state attained its full statehood later. Mandi town was named after its resident saint Mandavya Rishi. Mandi is situated almost at the geographical centre of Himachal, lying along the left bank of the river Beas in the foothills of Shivalik ranges. The town of Mandi has an altitude of 760 metres (2,495 ft) from the sea level.Comprising of the two erstwhile states of Mandi and Suket, Mandi derives its name 'mandi' or 'market' as it was a major trade route from Ladhakh to various locations in Punjab such as Hoshiarpur and other places. Here, during the days of yore, the pious rishi, Mandavaya, performed long and severe penance and practised austerities on his body, on the bank of the river Beas, near the present Mandi town.The story indicates towards the antiquity of this beautiful temple town,surrounded by hills, clad in pines. There is a large plain which has grain fields and orchards, between Mandi and Sundernagar. Known for its temples, Mandi is the home to a number of beautiful carved stone edifices each with an elaborate shikhara, or spire, among them Bhutnath, Trilokinath, Panchvaktra and Shyamakoli at Tarna hill. Also on the hill, there is a new temple dedicated to Tarna Devi, overlooking the valley and giving a panoramic view of the whole area. The Beas valley is broad near Mandi, but there are a number of striking vales such as those of Uhl and Ran Khad. The area fruit tree cover in Mandi is about 15 per cent of the total area under fruit tree cover in Himachal Pradesh. Mandi raw-silk has acquired wide fame and the rock salt mines at Drang and Guma are also the special features of the district economy. With abundant deposit of rock salt and limestone, possibilities are being investigated for the existence of magnasite coal and china-clay. A transit for visitors to Kullu, Manali, Lahaul and Spiti, Dharamsala, Kangra, etc., it is approachable from Pathankot (215 Km or 132 mile), Chandigarh (202 or 125 miles) and

Shimla (158 or 98 miles). On either side of the road, there are rock hill sides rising perpendicularly to more than 300 metres (1,000 ft). General information * Area: 3950 km2 * Population: 90100 * Clothing: Cotton clothes in summer and woollen to heavy woollen in winter. * Language: Hindi, English, Pahari and Mandyali are understood and spoken by the people engaged in tourism trade. * Divisions: Divided into nine tehsils and seven sub-tehsil; Kharsog, Chachyot, Mandi Sadar Sundar Nagar[padhar] [lad bharol] [thunag] {sarkaghat] jogindernagar (sub-tehsil kotali) aut nihari [balichowki] [sandhol] [dharampur] [baldwara] ][2] Approach * Train: The nearest railway stations are Joginder Nagar and Shimla by narrow gauge train, Chandigarh and Kalka by broad gauge train which are connected by regular bus services. * Road: Mandi is approachable by road from Shimla, Chandigarh, Pathankot and Delhi. There are regular bus services linking it to the other towns like Manali, Palampur and Dharamshala. * Airplane: The nearest airport is at Bhuntar in Kullu District, about 50 km from the district. Mandi Tourism The historic town of Mandi (800 M) is built along the banks of the river Beas. It has long been an important commercial centre, and the sage Mandvya is said to have meditated here. This one time capital of the princely state of Mandi is a fast developing town that still retains much of its original charm and character. Today, it is a district headquarters. Mandi is renowned for its 81 old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving. Because of this, it is often called the "Varanasi of the Hills`. The town also has the remains of old palaces and notable examples of colonial architecture. Mandi is the gateway to the Kullu valley and acts as the base for several exciting excursions. Bhootnath Temple Practically synonymous with Mandi and located in its very heart, this is as old as the town itself , and dates back to the 1520s. In March, the festival of Shivratri is a major event and the Bhootnath temple is its focus. For and entire week the town celebrates the arrival of hundreds of local deities on elaborately decorated palanquins. Getting There By Air The closest airport from Mandi is Bhuntar, which is around 59 kilometers away in Kulu district. By Rail The closest railhead is in Kiratpur which 125 kilometers away from the town of Mandi. By Road Mandi is connected to Chandigarh by National Highway 21. The distance between Mandi & Chandigarh is 200 kilometers. Government buses are available throughout the day to

Chandigarh. It takes about 5-6 hours to commute to Chandigarh by bus and around 3-4 hours if a private vehicle is taken. Mandi is also connected to Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. The distance between Shimla & Mandi is about 147 kilometers. The total time taken to commute between Shimla & Mandi is about 5 hours. Places of interest Rewalsar Lake About 25 km from Mandi, 14 km from Ner Chownk is the Rewalsar lake, famous for its floating islands of reed. It is believed that all seven of them can be moved by prayer or breeze. There are three shrines here, a Buddhist Monastery, where elaborate rituals are performed, a Sikh Gurudwara and a Hindu Temple. It was from this place that the sage Padma Sambhava, a zealous teacher of Buddhism, left as a missionary to preach the doctrine of "the enlightened" in Tibet. Lying in a mountain hollow, the lake is held sacred to all three communities, boating facilities are available. Tourist inn maintained by HPTDC provide accommodation and Indian cuisine. Prashar Lake Prashar Lake lies 49 km north of Mandi, with a three storied pagoda like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. Joginder Nagar The large hydro-electric project in Joginder Nagar has an electric trolley takes the visitor up the steep, rocky face of 2,500 metres-high (8,202 ft) mountain and drops sharply on the other side to Barot, where the reservoir is located. The railway line goes up to the power station, the water rushing down from the reservoir at Barot in the Uhl river through penstock pipes going down nearly a thousand metres (3,280 ft). For tourists who go up to Barot by the trolley, there is a comfortable rest house of the Electricity department. The roads extend beyond to Mandi and passes the Larji gorge to the Kullu valley. Bassi power station is five kilometres from Jogindernagar and next to it, is Machhial where fishing is not permitted as it is considered a holy sacred spot, but it is a popular as a feeding spot for fish. ladh-bharol 25 km from joginder nagar very beautiful town,santan datri ma simsa mata mandir situated in near lad-bharol,7 km from ladh-bharol,nageshwar mahadev coudh is also situated in near bharol whre very strane gufa in near shiv mandir. Sunder Nagar Famous for its temples, 26 km from Mandi towards Shimla and at a height of 1,174 metres on the raised edge of a fertile valley, the beautiful town of Sunder Nagar is known for its shady walks amidst towering trees. On top of a hill and visited by thousands of devotees every year, is the Sukhdev Vatika and temple of Mahamaya. The biggest hydro-electric project in all Asia, the Beas-Sutlej project, irrigating nearly onefourth of the northern plains of India, has brought unprecedented prosperity to Sunder Nagar. The Beas-Sutlej link colony is the biggest colony in Himachal Pradesh. Janjehli

At a distance of 80 km from Mandi, Janjehli is a paradise for hikers, offering treks up to a height of 3,300 metres. After covering 32 km by a motorable road up to Gohar and rest of the journey is on foot. In the midst of thick forest, forests (15 km from Gohar) is Bajahi. There is a beautiful and well furnished rest house to stay overnight, from here Janjehli is a scant 20 km away through bridle path. Chindi and Karsog are also nice places for meditation. Janlehli is also popular for adventure activities like-trekking, night safari, mountneering, skiing etc. At the distance of 10 km from janjehli the Shikari Mata temple is situated. The temple is all about Goddess "Shikari Devi" and people visits here in masses to accolades for their well being.Its a beautiful and scenariatic place with mountains seems to avoiding each other but the clouds more oftenly use to get them in touch. Lakes of Mandi district * Kotli * Bir Tungal * Nalhog * Baryara * Rewalsar Lake * Prashar Lake * Macchial Lake * Shiv Shambhu Lake Sports The district is home to the Bandy Federation of India[3] which is a member of the IOC recognized[4] Federation of International Bandy. BFI plan to send a team to the 2011 Asian Winter Games. That will be the 1st time India participates in a bandy competition. Sirmaur district Sirmaur is the most south-eastern district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is largely mountainous and rural, with 90% of its population living in villages. It includes the towns of Nahan (its capital), as well as the Shivalik Fossil Park at Suketi, where fossils of over 85 million years old have been found. There are six tehsils in this district, namely Nahan, Renuka, Shilai, Rajgharh, Pachhad and Paonta. Agriculture is the backbone of economy here. Farmers of Sirmour produce potato and ginger. Sirmaur is also known for its good quality of peach that comes from the Rajgarh region which is also called the Peach Bowl. Sirmour is known for growing tons of fruits every year. Dhaula Kuan near Paonta Sahib is known for its Govt operated fruit research centre. Sirmour district is significantly capable of growing both Apple and Mangos on its land. Tomato is also becoming choice for farmers these days. Village Lana-cheta is known for its fertile land and farmers here grow grains as first option. The River Giri divides the district into two almost-equal parts: Giripar and Giriwar. The most commonly practised religion in the district is Hinduism. People worship deities (devtas) just like people in many other districts of the state. Hindi and Pahari are the languages spoken here. Nati is the popular folk dance. Contents

* 1 History * 2 Rulers * 3 See also History Sirmour (also spelled as Sirmaur) was an independent kingdom in India, founded in 1616. It became a part of Greater Nepal, before becoming a princely state in British India, located in the region that is now the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The state was also known as Nahan, after its main city, Nahan. Sirmur was ruled by the chiefs of Rajput lineage, who used the title "Raja". Nahan, the predecessor state of Sirmur, was founded by Soba Rawal, who assumed the name Raja Subans Prakash.[1] The new capital was founded in 1621 by Raja Karam Prakash, and the state was renamed to Sirmur.[1] Sirmur was surrounded by the hill states of Balsan and Jubbal in the North, the British district of Dehradun in the East, Ambala district in the South West, and the states of Patiala and Keonthal in the North-West. The population of Sirmur was 6256 according to the 1901 census.[2] Rulers Name Ruled from Ruled till Karam Prakash 1616 1630 Mandhata Prakash 1630 1654 Sobhag Prakash 1654 1664 Budh Prakash 1664 1684 Mat Prakash (died 1704) 1684 1704 Hari Prakash 1704 1712 Bijay Prakash (died 1736) 1712 1736 Pratap Prakash (died 1754) 1736 1754 Kirat Prakash (died 1770) 1754 1770 Jagat Prakash (died 1789) 1770 1789 Dharam Prakash (died 1793) 1789 1793 Karam Prakash II (died 1820) 1793 1803

Ratan Prakash (installed by Gurkhas, hanged by the British in 1804) 1803 1804 Karam Prakash II (died 1820) 1804 1815 Fateh Prakash (18091850) 1815 1850 Raghbir Prakash (18271856) 1850 1856 Shamsher Prakash (1846-October 1898) 1856 1898 Surendra Bikram Prakash (14 November 1867-1911) 1898 1911 Amar Prakash (26 January 1888 February 1973) 1911 1933 Rajendra Prakash (10 January 1913 13 November 1964) 1933 1964 See also * List of Indian Princely States * The Sirmoor Rifles Shimla district Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, lies between the longitude 77.00" and 78.19" east and latitude 30.45" and 31.44" north, has its headquarters at Shimla city. It is surrounded by Mandi and Kullu in the north, Kinnaur in the east, Uttarakhand in the south, Sirmaur in the west. The elevation of the district ranges from 300 metres (984 ft) to 6,000 metres (19,685 ft). The most commonly practised religion in the district is Hinduism. Hindi and Pahari are the languages spoken here. Agriculture is the major source of income. Contents * 1 Administrative Structure * 2 Access o 2.1 By Road * 3 Shimla district Profile Administrative Structure Sl. No. Particulars Description 1 Geographical Area 5,131 Sq. km. 2 Area(out of total Area) of H.P.) 9.22 % 3 Tehsils (12) Rampur, Kumarsain, Seoni, Shimla(R), Shimla(U), Theog, Chaupal, Jubbal, Kotkhai, Rohru, Chirgaon, Dodra Kawar 4 Sub-Tehsils (5) Nankhari Rampur, Junga Shimla (R), Cheta(Kupvi) Chaupal, Nerwa Chaupal, Tikar Rohru

5 Towns (10) Rampur, Narkanda, Seoni, Kumarsain, Shimla, Theog, Chaupal, Kotkhai, Jubbal, Rohru 6 Sub-Divisions (7) Shimla(U), Shimla(R), Theog, Chaupal, Rohru, Rampur, Dodra Kawar 7 C.D.Blocks (10) Mashobra, Theog, Chaupal, Jubbal, Kotkhai, Rohru, Kumarsain, Chirgaon Basantpur, Nankhari 8 Legislative Assembly (8) Rampur, Shimla(R), Shimla(U), Theog, Chaupal, Jubbal - Kotkhai, Rohru, Kasumpati 9 Villages 2,914 10 Inhabited 2,520 11 Un-inhabited 394 12 Density 141 person per S.km 13 Panchayts 363 Access Kalka-Shimla train Jubbarhatti Airport By Road Shimla is connected by road to all the major towns. Distance between the Major Towns and Shimla :* Kalka - 80 km * Chandigarh - 119 km * Ambala - 166 km * Delhi - 348 km * Agra - 568 km * Amritsar - 342 km * Jammu (via Pathankot) - 482 km * Chaupal - 110 km * Srinagar - 787 km * Jaipur - 629 km * Dharmsala (via Mandi) - 270 km * Dharamsala (via Hamirpur) - 235 km * Dalhousie - 345 km * Chamba - 401 km * Kullu - 235 km * Manali - 280 km * Mandi - 143 km * Palampur - 235 km * Rohru - 129 km * Dehradoon - 275 km * Theog - 32 km

* Rampur - 132 km Shimla district Profile View of a Himalayan valley Ridge Shimla Indian Institute of Advanced Studies,Shimla Sheep flock Dhami village near Shimla As of Census of India 2001[1] Population Persons - 722,502 Males - 380,996 Females - 341,506 Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) - 896 Growth (19912001) - 16.90% Rural - 555,269 Urban - 167,233 Sex ratio (06 years) - 929 Scheduled Caste population - 188,787 Percentage to total population - 26.13% Scheduled Tribe population - 4,112 Percentage to total population - 0 .57% Number of households - 1 54,693 Household size (per household) - 5 Literacy and Educational level Literates Persons - 504,330 Males - 293,745 Females - 210,585 Literacy rate Persons - 79.12 Males - 87.19 Females - 70.07 Educational Level attained Total - 504,330 Without level - 11,640 Below primary - 9 7,060 Primary - 1 14,805 Middle - 7 8,995 Matric/Higher Secondary/Diploma - 1 53,284 Graduate and above - 4 8,464 Age groups

0 4 years - 5 9,305 5 14 years - 1 49,801 15 59 years - 4 55,784 60 years and above (Incl. A.N.S.) - 5 7,612 Religions (Largest three) 1.Hindus - 704,150 2.Muslims - 8,493 3.Sikhs - 4,825 Important Towns (Largest five) 1.Shimla (M Corp.) - 142,555 2.Rampur (M Cl) - 9,653 3.Rohru (M CI) - 8,205 4.Chaupal (NP) - 6786 5.Theog (M CI) - 5435 Total inhabited villages - 2 ,520 Type of house (% of households occupying) Permanent - 83.2 Semi-permanent - 14.6 Temporary - 2.2 Solan district Solan district is one of the twelve districts of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India. Solan town is the administrative headquarters of the district. The district occupies an area of 1936 km. History The territory of the present-day district comprises the territories of the erstwhile princely states of Bhagal, Bhagat, Kunihar, Kuthar, Mangal, Beja, Mahlog, Nalagarh and parts of Keonthal and Kothi and hilly areas of the erstwhile Punjab State which were merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1 November, 1966. This district came into existence on 1 September, 1972. The district was carved out by amalgamating Solan and Arki tehsils of the erstwhile Mahasu district and Kandaghat and Nalagarh tehsils of the erstwhile Shimla district. It's name comes from Mata Shoolini Devi. It's said that she saved solan from been destroyed. Divisions The district is divided into 4 sub-divisions: Solan, Nalagarh, Arki and Kandaghat. Solan subdivision comprises Solan and Kasauli tehsils. Nalagarh, Arki and Kandaghat sub-divisions comprise Nalagarh, Arki and Kandaghat tehsils respectively. The district comprises 5 Vidhan Sabha constituencies: Arki, Nalagarh, Doon, Solan and Kasauli. All of these are part of Shimla Lok Sabha constituency. Places of interest There are few place of interest in solan. Mata Shoolini devi temple near andaar bazaar, Jatoli mandir on rajghat road, children's park on Mall Road, Jawahar park, on top of a hill, Mohan Mckein Breweries(the oldest distillery in India and one of the oldest in

the world. Toy train also passes from solan on Kalka-Shimla Route. It is an heritage train and route. Una district Una is one of the districts of Himachal Pradesh, India, and shares its border with the Hoshiarpur District of Punjab. The terrain is plain with small hills. Una has been identified as a main industrial hub. Over the years, Una has turned into transit town for travellers going to the famous city of Dharamsala or the locations within the Himalayas like Kullu, Manali, Jawalamukhi, Chintpurni etc. Una is home to the "Kila", which is a historical fort and an ancestral home of the descendants of the first guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak. Contents * 1 People * 2 Economy * 3 Transport People Local languages are Punjabi, Pahari and Hindi. People typically wear Pants, Shirts, Trousers, kurta and pajamas for men and salwar kameez for the women.[citation needed] According to 2001 census, total population of Una is: 447,967. There are 997 females per 1000 males. Literacy rate is at 81.09%. Total area of district is 1549 km2.The population is mix of Hindus and Sikhs. Hindus are in majority and Sikhs in minority. Una lies in its south western part of Himachal Pradesh and it is circumscribed by beautiful Shivalik ranges of Himalayas. On the 1st September,1972 the Himachal Pradesh Govt. reorganised the then Kangra district into three districts namely Una, Hamirpur and Kangra. The famous places of Una are Chintpurni or Chhinnamastika Dhaam, Dera Baba Barbhag Singh, Dera Baba Rudru, Joggi Panga, Dharamshala Mahanta, Dhunsar Mahadev Temple Talmehra, Pir Nigaha - Madanpur Basoli, Shivbari Temple Gagret and Mini Secretariat. Economy The people of Una mainly earn their livelihood through Agriculture. Una is also becoming an industrial hub. Transport Una is well connected by road and railways. NH-22 passes through the city. Una is located just about 375 km north of New Delhi and 120 km from Chandigarh. The city is connected by the broad gauge railway line, one of its kind in the whole State. 2 Express trains namely, Himachal Express and Janshatabdi Express connect it to Delhi daily. The nearest domestic airport is based at Chandigarh.