Himachal Pradesh is an enchanting part of the Indian Himalayas and is often referred to as the magical showcase of nature's splendours. Verdant green meadows and wide valleys set against imposing snow-clad mountains; limpid lakes, torrential rivers and gushing streams; fruit laden orchards and gentle terraces of corn and tea all characterize this state.

Himachal Pradesh is a tiny hill state whose pleasant summers make it a popular holiday resort. The Raj still lingers in Shimla, the state capital and former summer capital during British rule. Kullu-Manali are neighbouring resorts, surrounded by pine covered hills and lush meadows.

For sheer geographical diversity, few places in the world are as richly endowed as Himachal Pradesh. Low rolling bills, just a couple of hundred metres above sea level, climb on to touch the core of the Himalaya mountains. Here lie peaks that are several thousand metres high and never lose their perennial snows. Then, past these forbidding heights, lie the visually stunning cold deserts of the Trans Himalaya.

Himachal has, in addition to popular resort towns, a series of secluded hill retreats ideal for interested anglers, trekkers and those wanting a quiet getaway. Many of these include: from Shimla – Mashobra, Kufri, Naldehra; those around Kullu-Manali include Manikaran, Naggar and Brighu Lake; the barely accessible valleys of Lahaul and Spiti are a trekker’s delight.

Roads are the main mode of transport. Transportation is not very fast due to the winding roads. Himachal Road Transport Corporation, a govt. undertaking, runs a good network of buses all over the state. The sate also has a good communincations network. Almost all the inhabited areas have telphone and Mobile phone services, thanks to the efforts of Shri Shukhram, ex-telecom minister.

The state capital is Shimla. Much of the state is mountainous with the Himalayas in the north and east and the smaller Shivalik (or Shiwalik) range in the south. The Ghaggar River originates in the Shivalik range. Satleuj and Beas are the main rivers here. Bhakra Nangal Dam Project is build on Satleuj River. The bridge on river Satleuj at Kandraur, Bilaspur is one of the highest Bridges in Asia.

The state comprises of 12 districts some of which are Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Una, Chamba, Shimla, Lahul and Spiti, Sirmaur and Solan. Its is interesting to know that this small state has wide language variance. The major spoken languages are Kangri, Pahari, Punjabi, Hindi and Mandiali. Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism are the main religions.

Rivers in deep gorges and placid mountain lakes, thick forests and acres of scree, mountainsides draped with snow, and green Alpine meadows, all form a part of this immense spectrum. Here, every town, every little hamlet, holy shrine, and the land around is steeped in a culture and history that goes back over four millennia. A visit can be amazingly invigorating, with a view of towering snow clad peaks glistening in early morning glow, or rippling waters in rivers and streams, a fragrant breeze whispering some long-forgotten tale through towering pine forests, or stark brown mountains standing guard over this timeless land.

Himachalis lead a simple and quiet life, tending their orchards, fields and flocks. The population is composed of a variety of distinctive hill tribes: Gadis, Gujaris, Kinnauris, Lahulis, Pangwalis, and Rajputs. Hindi - the official state language and Pahari are the principal languages. The folk songs of Himachal Pradesh are full of charm. They are usually based on a religious or a romantic theme. In general people of Himachal Pradesh are honest, truthful, gentle, and good humored.