H I M A C H A L P R A D E S H

CAPITAL

Shimla

AREA

55,673 sq. km.

No. OF DISTRICT

POPULATION

60,77,248

DENSITY

109 / sq. km.

LITERACY

77.13 %

NOTE

All the above information is off year 2001.

CROPS

Apples, Forest produce, Ginger, Peaches, Plums,Potatoes, Rice, Wheat, etc.

MINERALS

Gypsum, Limestone, Rock salt, Slate.

CLIMATE

Summer	:	33 C. To 14 C.
Winter	:	15 C. To 0 C.
Monsoon	:	July to September

BEST SEASON

October to April

BAIJNATH

Baijnath is one of the foremost pilgrimage centers of the Hindus in Kangra district. The Shiva temple here is known as Vaidyanth temple is dedicated Lord Shiva. The Lingam here is one of the twelve sacred Shiva jyotirlingams in India. Four massive pillars of the temple are covered by some fine sculptures including a quince composite image of Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Air : Nearest Airports are at Amritsar (250 km) Chandigarh via Nangal. (255 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Dharmshala, (66 km) Palampur (15 km), Mandi (142 km)

CHAMBA

Situated on a flat mountain shelf, overhanging the rushing torrent of the Ravi, the town of Chamba is famous for its temples. Richly carved and tastefully engraved the main group of six temples, three dedicated to Shiva and three to Vishnu throw light on Chamba's glorious art. The Bhuri Singh museum houses and excellent collection of paintings of Kangra and Basoli schools, besides a vast epigraphically material relating to the history of the region. Chamba is also famous for its chappals, shawls and leather works.

Air : Nearest Airports are at Amritsar (222 km).

Rail : Nearest Railway Stations are at Pathankot (112 km) and Palampur (140 km)

Bus : Regular bus services to Dealhousie (22 km), Pathankot (112 km) Palampur (140 km), Dharamshala (199 km).

DELHOUSIE

Dealhousie 20.36 meters above sea level is in many a hill station par excellence. Nestling in the outer slopes of the Dhauladhar range among the scented and stately oak and pine trees, Dealhousie is known for its bracing climate, picturesque scenery and lovely picnic spots within easy reach.

Extending over an area of 13 sq. km Dealhousie comprises of five distinct hills, Balun, Kathlon, Potryn, Tehra and Bakrota with heights ranging between 1,525 meters and 2,376 meters. The most distinctive features of Dealhousie are the open and colourful valleys, level walks and interesting tracks amidst dense forests. On a clear day it is fascinating to see the Chenab, the Beas and the Ravi meandering down the rose grey vistas of the valleys.

Best season to visit Dealhousie is from March 15 to July 15 and September to November.

Air : Nearest Airports are at Amritsar (200 km)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station at Pathankot (90 km)

Bus : Regular bus services to Pathankot, Amritsar and Chamba.

DHARAMSHALA

This beautiful hill resort stands on a spur of the Dhauladhar range, against a background of snow capped mountains, forests of giant confiers meet carefully cultivated tea gardens at Dharamsala. The mountains enfold three sides of the town and the valley stretches in front.

Dharamshala is divided into two distinct parts : Lower Dharamshala is the civic and business area with the courts and Kotwali Bazaar. Upper Dharamshala is composed of Mcleod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj. Dharamshala is a great center for Tibetan studies as Dalai Lama and his followers fled after the Chaines invasion. For the serious student Tibetan culture there is the monastery up at Mcleod Ganj. The Buddha Temple is worth a visit.

Air : Nearest Airports are at Amritsar (200 km)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station at Kangra Mandir (21 km)

Bus : Regular bus services to Jwalamukhi (55 km) Palampur (52 km), Chamba (192 km), Mandi (150 km)

Kulu (211 km) Simla via Hamirpur (278 km), Simla via Mandi and Bilaspur (322 km) Baijnath (66 km) and Kangra (17 km).

JWALAMUKHI

The temple of Jwalamukhi is famous for its eternally burning flame (the Flame Goddess), is one of the most popular Hindu temples in northern India. There is no idol of any kind and the flame is treated as a manifestation of the goddess. This holy place is recognized as one of 51 seats of the Shakti Peeth.

Air : Nearest Airports are at Amritsar (217 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Kangra (34 km)

KANGRA

Overlooking the torrent of river Ban Ganga, Kangra town is famous for its temples. The most notable is the shrine dedicated to the goddess Vrajeshwari. The miniature and Rajput schools of hill painting flourished in the reign of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch, a great patron of art.

Air : Nearest Airports are at Amritsar (183 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Dharmshala, (17km) Palampur (35 km).

Himachal Pradesh