130+ Interesting Facts About Himachal Pradesh

Facts About Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh is a state of India. Its capital is Shimla. Almost the entire region of this state is covered by Himalayas and Shivalik range. These mountains are home to various tourist destinations that protect the rest of the Indians from the heat of summer. The state covers an area of 21,495 sq mi (55,670 km 2), and is bounded on the north by Jammu and Kashmir, on the west and northwest by Punjab, on the south by Haryana and Uttarakhand and on the east by Tibet.

Himachal Pradesh is famous for its natural beauty. After the Gurkha War of 1918-1915, the British colonial government came to power and British rule was established there. After India gained independence, Himachal Pradesh was made a Union Territory in 180 AD. Under the Himachal Pradesh Act of 181, it was given the status of a state and became the 13th state of India. The name of this state means "a state situated in the foothills of the Himalayas". This state was named Karan by the Sanskrit Pandit Acharya Divakar Dutt Sharma of this state.

Himachal ranks fourth among Indian states in per capita income. Due to the large flowing perennial rivers, Himachal Pradesh generates more hydropower than it needs, and this electricity is sold to Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan. The economy of Himachal Pradesh is dependent on hydropower, tourism and agriculture.

Himachal Pradesh is the least urbanized state, with 80% of the population living in rural areas. However, 8% of the population in Shimla district lives in urban areas. According to Transparency International's 2007 survey, Himachal Pradesh is the second most corrupt state after Kerala.

130+ Intresting Facts About Himachal Pradesh

Amazing Facts About Himachal Pradesh

The state has 59 towns.
The state has 5 national parks.
There are 20690 villages in the state.
There are 4 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
Bilaspur was merged in the state in 1954.
Himachal Pradesh has 3226 gram panchayats.
Hinduism is the major religion in the state.
It has some of the oldest monasteries in Asia.
Dharamshala is the winter capital of the state.
There are 169 tehsils/sub tehsils in the state.
Himachal Pradesh also has its own IIT in Mandi.
There are 68 assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh.
There are 9 hydro-electric power plants in the state.
The animal symbol of Himachal Pradesh is snow leopard.
Bir Billing is the center for aero sports in the state.
The state was reorganized into 12 districts in 1972-73.
The bird symbol of Himachal Pradesh is Western Tragopan.
Himachal Pradesh is known for its narrow-gauge railways.
The area of Himachal Pradesh is 55,673 square kilometres.
The number of Rajya Sabha seats from Himachal Pradesh is 3.
The flower symbol of Himachal Pradesh is Pink Rhododendron.
Sh. S. Chakravarti was the first governor of Himachal Pradesh.
In 2015, the first Paragliding World Cup was hosted in Himachal.
As per the 2011 census, the population of the state is 68,56,509.
The approximate fruit production in the state is 1,027,000 tonnes.
The approximate vegetable production in the state is 900,000 tonnes.

Geographical Facts About Himachal Pradesh

Himachal’s capital, Shimla, has Asia’s only natural ice-skating rink.
The approximate food grain production in the state is 1579,000 tonnes.
Yashwant Singh Parmar was the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
The principal languages spoken in Himachal Pradesh are Hindi and Pahari.
Himachal Pradesh is home to 33 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 2 National Parks.
Lentils, rice, vegetables, and chapati form the staple food of the state.
The Indian Cedar or Himalayan cedar is the tree symbol of Himachal Pradesh.
Tourism and agriculture are the backbone of the economy of Himachal Pradesh.
Being bordered by Punjab, its culture and cuisine is profoundly impacted by it.
Famous fairs held in the state are Baisakhi, Lavi, Holi Fair, and Kullu Dussehra.
The Kalka-Shimla Railway fondly known as the Toy train is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Malana village in Himachal has won the title of ‘Best Hashish’ twice: in 1994 and 1996.
Kangra, and most of the other hilly areas of Punjab, were merged with the state in 1966.
Kullu Dussehra is a 7 days festival which was started by the 17th century king, Jagat Singh.
At 22,360 feet above sea level, Reo Purgyil is the highest mountain peak in Himachal Pradesh.
The 14th Dalai Lama took refuge in Himachal Pradesh, and his current abode is in Dharamshala.
With the implementation of the Constitution of India, Himachal Pradesh became a Part C state.
A large part of Himachal Pradesh is in the Alpine zone with an average altitude of 4,500 metre.
The state has remained mostly untouched by external customs, mainly due to the difficult terrain.
The recorded history of Himachal Pradesh goes back to the Maurya period, that is, 4th Century B.C.
The town of Khajjiar is widely known as the ‘Mini Switzerland’ owing to its alluring natural beauty.
Shimla Mirch is native to Himachal Pradesh. Capsicum plantations were first introduced by the British.
Over 85 million years old fossils have been discovered in the Shivalik Fossil Park in Sirmaur district.
Himachal Pradesh is the first Indian state to launch paperless e-governance solution, known as eVidhan.
Himachal Pradesh boasts of spectacular snow-capped ranges like the Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal and the Zaskar.
It is said that the acclaimed Sanskrit scholar, Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma, christened the state in 1948.

Historical Facts About Himachal Pradesh

The state of Himachal Pradesh came into existence post-independence, so it has no pre-constitution history.
Roughly 22% of the total state domestic product is attributed to income from agriculture and allied sectors.
Some of the major industrial areas in the state are Baddi, Parwanoo, Mehatpur, Shamsi, Gagret, and Bilaspur.
Himachal Pradesh is famous for its handicrafts including carpets, paintings, leather works, stoles, and more.
As per government reports, Himachal Pradesh has achieved 100% sanitation. Each house in the state has a toilet.
The famous Gurudwaras in Himachal Pradesh are, Gurudwara Bhangani Sahib, Paonta Sahib and Rewal Sahib Gurudwara.
The state ranks second-best after Kerala, in the list of best performing states on human development indicators.
Famous dance forms native to Himachal Pradesh are the Gugga Dance, Losar Shona Chuksam, Ghurehi, and Kullu Naati.
As per government records, Himachal Pradesh is the third best state in terms of performance and overall development.
Himachal’s Solan is popularly known as the ‘Mushroom City’ because of the widespread mushroom production in the city.
Himachal Pradesh has several important minerals like gypsum, mica, clays, barytes, limestone, iron, lead, and pyrite.
Virbhadra Singh was the Chief Minister with the longest term in the state. He was in the office for 21 years and 11 days.
The capital of Himachal Pradesh is Shimla. The city sits atop seven hills, and is popularly referred to as the Queen of Hills.
With its extensive green spaces, it is no surprise that Himachal Pradesh is home to over 350 animal species and 450 bird species.
Himachal Pradesh has a plethora of trekking trails in Himalayas, making this state an excellent destination for adventure enthusiasts.
The Himachali traditional cap is worn across the state, especially during festivals and special events. The headgear is known as ‘Thepang’.
Famous temples in Himachal Pradesh are Tara Devi, Jakhoo, Hadimba, Naina Devi, Baba Balak Nath, Jawala Devi, Chintpurni, and Chamunda Devi.
Himachal Pradesh, known as the ‘Fruit Bowl of India’, produces a wide range of fruits including pear, apricot, peach, plum, apple, and more.

Strange Facts About Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is home to the largest glacier in Asia. The Shigri Glacier is located in the Lahaul – Spiti area and feeds the Chenab River.
In 2013, Himachal Pradesh was declared to be the first smoke free state of India. The state passed laws to prohibit smoking in public places.
Malana village is referred to as the ‘Village of Taboos’. Local ritual dictates that no outsider can touch anything without prior permission.
It is believed that civilization flourished in the present-day area of Himachal 4,000 years ago, during the period of Indus Valley Civilization.
Himachal Pradesh is home to nearly 17,000 educational institutes, including two medical colleges, three universities and one engineering college.
Among India’s greenest states, Himachal Pradesh has a staggering 37,033 square kilometres of forest area, which makes 66.52% of the total land area.
As per the 2011 census, the sex ratio in Himachal Pradesh is 972 females for 1000 males, against the national average of 940 females for 1000 males.
Bara Shigri is the largest glacier located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located in Lahaul-Spiti which is a beautiful hill station as well.
The state of Himachal Pradesh is connected via 9 national highways (1,208 km), 19 state highways (1,625 km), and 45 major district roads (1753.05 km).
To buy an agricultural land, a non-agriculturalist needs to state the purpose behind buying the land. Government takes a decision within a set timeframe.
The main language spoken in the state is Hindi but there are several local dialects like Mahasu, Pahari, Mandeali, Kangri, Kullu, Bilaspuri and Kinnauri.
Majority of the local populace is employed in the agricultural sector. Agriculture provides direct employment to over 65% of the state’s working population.
The Kalka-Shimla Railway traverses the steepest slope (over 5800 ft) in least distance (roughly 95 kms). The train crosses over 800 bridges and 100 tunnels.
Hikkim, a small village in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh is famous for having the highest Polling Booth and highest Post Office in the world.
Shimla is home to the second oldest church in north India. Constructed in 1857, Christ Church is known for its stained-glass windows and its neo-gothic architecture.
Located in Kullu, Kasol is a quaint hilly town popularly known as Mini Israel. Frequented by Israeli tourists, the town’s many establishments bear signages in Hebrew.

Economic Facts About Himachal Pradesh

Built in 1891, the Chail Cricket Ground (located 8,018 ft above sea level), located in Chail, Himachal Pradesh, is famed to be the highest cricket ground in the world.
Himachal Pradesh Roads Himachal Pradesh is notorious for its dangerous roads. Manali-Leh Road and Kinnaur Roads are considered one of the top-most dangerous roads in India.
It is believed that the Chamba Kailash peak in Himachal Pradesh is the abode of Hindu God Shiva. Overlooking the Manimahesh Lake, the area is considered holy and auspicious by Hindus.
Spiti Valley’s highest settlement, Tashigang village, is situated in the Sutlej river valley at 15,256 feet. The village’s polling station is considered to be the highest in the world.
Khajjiar, a hill station in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh has earned the title of Mini Switzerland. It has a lake with a floating island in its center and has amazing scenic views.
The state has beautiful tourist destinations like Shimla - the queen of hill stations, Bilaspur, Mandi, Chamba, Kullu, Dalhousie, Kasauli, Kangra, Palampur, Solan, Manali and Dharmshala.
The Manali – Leh National Highway is famed for being the highest motor able road in the world. Motorcycle enthusiasts flood the National Highway during summers for its picturesque landscape.
Himachal Pradesh has immense potential of hydro-electric power generation. It is estimated that roughly 27,000 MW (1/4th of the national potential) can be harnessed by building power plants.
A majority of the state lies in the foothills of Dhauladhar range.Owing to its fast development, the poverty levels in Himachal Pradesh witnessed a steep fall from 36.8% (1993) to 8.5% (2011).
Literacy refers to the ability of people to read and write in any language. As per the census of 2011, with a literacy rate of 83.78%, Himachal Pradesh has the 11th highest literacy rate in India.
The word Himachal is a combination of the Sanskrit words, “Hima” and “Anchal”, which means “snow” and “lap” respectively. It is no coincidence that the state is located in the lap of the Himalayas.
Famous monarchs of Himachal Pradesh are Guru Ghantal Monastery, Tabo Monastery, Dhankar, and LhalungFamous churches in Himachal Pradesh St. Michael’s Cathedral, Christ Church, and St. John’s Church.
Located in Kullu, the Great Himalayan National Park is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is spread across nearly 1200 square kilometres, and is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna.
As of 2nd October 2009, the state government has imposed a complete ban on all types of non-biodegradable polythene bags. Production, usage, sale and distribution of polythene bags are all banned under law.
India’s oldest voter, Shyam Saran Negi, hails from Kalpa in Himachal Pradesh. He is a retired schoolteacher who cast the first vote in the 1951 general elections, and has voted in every general election since then.
The people of Malana believe that they have one of the oldest democracies in the world, and interestingly, it has its own set of Greek-resembling beliefs and ways. They even consider themselves the descendants of Alexander the Great.

Information About Himachal Pradesh

The people of Himachal Pradesh swears by the above quote. The state holds the title of being the second least corrupt state of India after Kerala. So, no worries about getting duped or overcharged while visiting the beauty of Himachal.
Himachal Pradesh is famous in India for generating surplus power. The state is considered to have 25% national potential in power generation. It has been estimated that about 27,436 MW of hydel power can be generated in Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh is blessed with some picturesque lakes, which mesmerize the visitors with their scenic beauties. Bhrigu Lake, Chandra Taal Lake, Nako Lake, Prashar Lake, Manimahesh Lake are some of the lakes, which deserve your “must visit.”
Himachal is known as the Land of Gods. The state is mentioned in many ancient Hindu texts, and is home to several religious points of interests. Locals from each village have their own distinct customs and deities in this culturally rich state.
Followed by Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal is the second largest producer of apples in India. Aptly called the Fruit Bowl of India, over 450 cultivars of apple are produced in the state. On an average, Himachal produces over 4 lakh tons of apples each year.
The integration of four districts, Mandi, Chamba, Mahasu, and Sirmour, with 30 princely states, led to the formation of Himachal Pradesh as a Union Territory in 1948. Eventually, in 1971, the province attained statehood and become the 18th state in India.
The Manimahesh Kailash peak or the Chamba Kailash is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. The peak stands high over the Manimahesh lake, marking an important pilgrimage site of Himachal Pradesh. The Gaddi tribe of the area consider the place auspicious.
Himachal Pradesh is fast becoming a popular destination for adventure activities and sports in India. Right from ice skating, paragliding, fishing, rafting to skiing, trekking and horse riding. Name it, and the snow-capped valley has it all to give your adrenaline a rush!
Himachal has some renowned boarding schools which are over a century old. There are some famous boarding schools like The Lawrence School Sanawar, Pinegrove School, Bishop Cotton School, etc. which are also the oldest running schools since their origin during the British era.
Followed by the southern state of Kerala, Himachal Pradesh is the least corrupt state in the nation. Tourists can enjoy a leisurely holiday without worrying about being overcharged. The beauty of Himachal Pradesh attracts many but the sincerity and goodness of locals adds to the visitor experience.
Himachal Pradesh is home to three airports, Jubbar Hatti Airport (near Shimla), Bhuntar Airport (near Kullu), and Gaggal Airport (near Kangra). These airports run seasonal flights owing to extreme weather conditions. Shorter runways receive smaller aircraft, such as the 42-seater ATR and 18-seater Dornier.
Himachal Pradesh is popularly known as ‘Dev Bhoomi’ or Land of the Gods; as it finds mention in a lot of ancient holy texts. Himachal has many important pilgrimage centers and a large number of historic temples. Even, almost every district or village has its own Gods and Goddesses, which are worshipped by the locals.
Himachal Pradesh is counted among the top three states of India having Highest human index. The poverty level witnessed a fall from 36.8% in 1993 to 8.5% in 2011. The per capita income of the state is also the second highest in the country. Not only this, Himachal Pradesh ranks on number 11 as the most literate state of India with 83.78% literacy rate.
Several prominent Indian celebrities belong to Himachal Pradesh, like Preity Zinta, Kangna Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Mohit Chauhan, and Yami Gautam. Sportsperson hailing from Himachal who have represented India are Vijay Kumar (Shooting), Anuja Jung (Shooting), Deepak Thakur (Hockey), Samresh Jung (Shooting), Suman Rawat (Athletics), and Ajay Thakur (Kabaddi).
Like a turban in other parts of India, the Himachali Cap is a significant wear during special occasions like marriages, fairs, religious functions, and other local events. These colorful caps have become the cultural symbol of the state. Usually worn by men, women too wear the cap in the Kinnaur region, where it is known as “Thepang.” Women, elsewhere in the state, usually wear a “Dhaatu,” a headscarf, typical to the state.

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