The Himachal

Lets talk about my home land the very special Himachal Pradesh the name itself depicting the presence of Himalayas and its unfolding beauty, mystery, cunning rituals and devotions of the folks towards their almighty gods and people.

Only a few know about the history of this place. Himachal has been mentioned in the great Hindu text books such as Mahabharata and Puranas as "dev bhumi" literal meaning the land of gods. Talking about the ancient periods many empires came and ruled, it also faced the British colonial era. It was the British who established Shimla as the summer capital. Pre-independence Himachal Pradesh was just a cluster of small states which eventually integrated into the Indian Union. Himachal Pradesh became Union Territory on 1 November 1956.After this, the State of Himachal Pradesh was passed by the parliament and the new state came into being on  25 January 1971 emerging as the eighteenth state.

Over the centuries , Himachal Pradesh has preserved its unique cultural identity. Different regions of Himachal shows different religious practices and influence. Especially Lahaul-Spiti follows Tibetan Buddhism but overall Himanchal is dominantly follows Hinduism. Traditional Himachali dances like Nati and festivals such as Kullu Dussehra continue to cherish the beauty and be integral to the state's culture.

Himachal Today

It is known for its stunning landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to the lush green valleys, becoming the epi center of the tourists drawing them from all around the world. From the recent years tourism has became the major economic contributor but the agriculture also remains largely active. Himachal Pradesh is truly a blend of ancient traditions and modern ways. Equally preserving its great heritage and adapting to the contemporary changes.