Key Facts

• Himachal Pradesh is a state located in the northern part of India.
• It is situated in the Western Himalayas and is one of the eleven mountain states in India.
• The state shares its borders with the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to the north.
• It also shares its borders with the states of Punjab to the west, Haryana to the southwest, and Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh to the south.
• Himachal Pradesh has an international border to the east with the Tibet Autonomous Region in China.
• Solan is known as the “Mushroom Capital of India.”
• Most of the state is situated on the foothills of the Dhauladhar Range.
• Reo Purgyil, with an elevation of 6816 meters, is the highest mountain peak in the state.
• Himachal Pradesh is the sole holder of the country’s rock salt resources.
• Kangra Paintings are a famous form of miniature painting in the region.
• Manikaran is renowned for its hot springs and is located in the Parbati Valley of Kullu district.
• Kasol is often referred to as “Mini Israel” due to the high number of Israeli tourists visiting, resulting in many shops and inns having signage in the Hebrew language.
• Himachal Pradesh is known as the “Land of Deities,” and almost every village has its own local gods and goddesses that are rigorously worshipped by the residents.
• Shimla is the only place in all of Asia with a natural ice-skating rink.

State Animal / Bird / Flower / Tree

• Animal: Snow Leopard
• Bird: Western Tragopan
• Flower: Pink Rhododendron
• Tree: Deodar

Rivers

• Ravi
• Beas
• Chenab
• Yamuna
• Sutlej

Geographical Division

• Outer Himalaya (Shiwaliks)
• Lesser Himalaya (Himachal)
• Greater Himalaya (Himadri)

Ethnic Group

• Bhot
• Bodh
• Beta
• Doma
• Gaddi
• Jad
• Lamba
• Pangwala
• Dagis
• Khasas
• Koilis
• Halis
• Dhaugris
• Dasa
• Kinnars
• Kirats

Protected Areas

• Sechu Tuan Nalla, Chamba
• Rupi Bhaba, Kinnaur
• Pong Dam Sanctuary, Kangra
• Dhauladhar, Kangra
• Renuka-Sirmaur
• Gamgul-Siyabehi-Chamba
• Kibber-Lahaul & Spiti
• Great Himalayan National Park
• Pin Valley National Park
• Inderkilla National Park
• Khirganga National Park
• Simbalbara National Park

Ramsar Sites

• Chandertal
• Pong Dam
• Renuka

Lakes

• Suraj Tal
• Chander Tal
• Gobind Sagar
• Dal
• Beas Kund
• Mani Mahesh
• Khajjar
• Renuka
• Rewalsar

Important Passes

• Rohtang Pass
• Bara-Lacha La
• Shipki La
• Pin-Parvati Pass
• Kunzum Pass

World Heritage Sites

• Kalka-Shimla Railways
• Great Himalayan National Park

Languages

• Kinnauri
• Pahari
• Hindi
• Punjabi

Buddhist Pilgrimages

• Rewalsar
• Kardang Monastery
• Shashur Monastery
• Tayul Gompa
• Kye Monastery
• Thang Yug Gompa
• Dhankar Monastery
• Tabo Monastery

Festivals

• Fulaich
• Pori
• Manali Winter carnival
• Halda
• Dechhang
• Phagli
• Gochi
• Losar (Tibetan New Year)
• Phulaich Festival

Dance & Music Forms

• Mala dance
• Rakshas dance
• Chham dance
• Kulli Nati
• Kayang
• Bnayangchu
• Jataru Kayang
• Chohara
• Gugga dance
• Losar Shona Chuksam
• Ghurehi
• Kullu Naati

Arts & Crafts

• Basholi and Kangra style Pahari paintings
• Kullu Shawls
• Woollen caps
• Chamba Rumal (Kangra style embroidery cloth)

Power Plants

• Bassi Hydroelectric Project (Kullu)
• Larji Hydroelectric Project (Shimla)
• Girinagar Hydel Project (Palampur)
• Binwa Hydel Project (Kinnaur)
• Sanjay Vidyut Pariyojna (Mandi)
• Baner and Neugal Project (Kangra)
• Andhra Hydel Project (Rohru – Shimla)
• Rongtong Hydel Project (Lahaul-Spiti)
• Nathpa Jhakri Project

Read Also: Jammu & Kashmir: A Crucial Part of India’s History