INTRODUCTION: Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over 21,495 sq mi (55,670 km2),[6] and is bordered by Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east.Himachal Pradesh is famous for its abundant natural beauty.[7] After the war between Nepal and Britain, also known as the Anglo-Gorkha War (1814–1816), the British colonial government came into power. In 1950 Himachal was declared a union territory, but after the State of Himachal Pradesh Act 1971, Himachal emerged as the 18th state of the Republic of India. Hima means snow in Sanskrit, and the literal meaning of the state's name is In the lap of Himalayas. It was named by Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma, one of the great Sanskrit scholars of Himachal Pradesh.[8

GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITION : The state of Himachal Pradesh is spread over an area 55,673 km² and is bordered by Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the southwest, Haryana on the south, Uttarakhand on the southeast and Tibet on the east. Himachal is a mountainous region, rich in its natural resources.

Elevation ranges from 450 meters to 6,500 meters above sea level. The region extends from the Shivalik range of mountains (barely mountainous region). There is a noticeable increase in elevation from west to east and from south to north.

The general physiographic divisions from south to north are:

1. The outer Himalayas (Shivaliks)2. The lesser Himalayas (central zone)3. The Great Himalayas (northern zone)

The Shivalik range consists of lower hills (elevation — 600 m above sea level). The hills of the region are composed of highly unconsolidated deposits which results in a high rate of erosion and deforestation.

The lesser Himalayas are spotted by a gradual elevation towards the Dhauladhar and the Pir Panjal ranges. The rise is more rapid in the Shimla hills, to the south of which is the high peak of church — Chandni (3647 m). North of the river Sutlej, the rise is steady.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

The Kangra valley is a longitudinal trough which is at the foot of the Dhauladhar range. Dhauladhar (which means the The White Peak) has a mean elevation of nearly 4,550 meters. It has a rapid rise of 3,600 m above the Kangra valley. The largest of the lesser Himalayan ranges, the Pir Panjal, branches off from the Greater Himalayan range near the bank of the Sutlej. A number of glaciers exist and several passes lie across the Pir Panjal. The Rohtang Pass (3,978 m) is one of these.

The Great Himalayan range (5,000 to 6,000 meters) runs along the eastern boundary and is slashed across by the Sutlej. Some of the famous passes in this range are Kangla (5,248 m), Bara Lacha (4,512 m), Parang (5,548 m) and Pin Parbati (4,802 m).

The Zaskar Range, the easternmost range, separates Kinnaur and Spiti from Tibet. It has peaks rising over an elevation up to 6,500 m. Some of the well-known peaks are Shilla (7,026 m) and Riwo Phargyul (6,791 m); these are among the highest peaks in this range. There are many glaciers over the Zaskar and the Great Himalayan ranges.

Himachal is also well known for its rich flora. Forests cover about 38% of the state's total area. It has a variety of wildlife, too.

In total, Himachal has 49 cities and towns. The smallest town is Naina Devi and the largest is Shimla with a total state population of 6,856,509. Urban population is only 7.5% of the total state population. Most of the state population still resides in rural areas

Climate : There is a huge variation in the climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh due to variation in altitude (450–6500 metres). The climate varies from hot and sub-humid tropical (450–900 metres) in the southern low tracts, warm and temperate (900–1800 metres), cool and temperate (1900–2400 metres) and cold glacial and alpine (2400–4800 metres) in the northern and eastern high elevated mountain ranges.By October, nights and mornings are very cold. Snowfall at elevations of nearly 3000 m is about 3 m and lasts from December start to March end. About 4500 m, is perpetual snow.The spring season starts from mid February to mid April. The weather is pleasant and comfortable in the season.The rainy season start at the end of the month of June. The landscape lushes green and fresh. During the season streams and natural springs are replenished. The heavy rains in July and

August cause a lot of damage resulting into erosion, floods and landslides. Out of all the state districts, Dharamsala receives the highest rainfall, nearly about 3400 mm. Spiti is the driest area of the state (rainfall below 50mm). The reason is that it is enclosed by high mountains on all sides.[1]

Particulars and Characteristics Shivalik Zone Mid-Hill Zone High hill zone Trance-Himalayan

ZoneAltitude Up to 800 m 800m-1,600m 1,600m-2,700m 2,700m-3,600m

Type of area Valley areas and foothills

Hilly and mountain ranges Alpine zone Lahaul Spiti and

Kinnaur range

Climatic conditions Sub tropical Slightly warm temperature

Cool temperature with humidity

Dry and extremely cold conditions

Rainfall in mm. 1,500 1,500-3000 1,000-1,500 500 % of total geographical area 30% 10% 25% 35%

 % of total cultivated area 55% 30% 10% 5%

CULTURE: Himachal was one of the few states that had remained largely untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult terrain. With the technological advancements, the

state has changed very rapidly.

Himachal Pradesh is a multireligional, multicultural as well as multilingual state like other Indian states. Some of the most commonly spoken languages are Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, Dogri, Mandeali, Kangri and Kinnauri.[1] The Hindu communities residing in Himachal include the Brahmins, Rajputs, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. There are also tribal population in the state which mainly comprise Gaddis, Kinnars, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis.[2]

LANGUAGE: Hindi is both the official language and the lingua franca of Himachal Pradesh. However, most of the population speaks Pahari, which includes nearly all Western Pahari dialects. Medium of education in schools and colleges is Punjabi & Hindi/URDU.

CITIES :

PLACES TO VISIT :

 

 

▪  Bilaspur

 

   

Bilaspur formerly the seat of the ruler of the State is now submerged in the Gobind Sagar, it was situated on the south east side of the Satluj. Bilaspur Township is situated just above the old town of Bilaspur at an height of 670 meters above sea level. The new Bilaspur Township can be truly described as the first planned hill town of the country. The pleasure of a visit will be enhanced manifold when a motor launch is preferred as the means of travel, gliding through cool and enchanting waters of the lake. The Nalwari or annual cattle fair is held at Bilaspur for four or five days in March / April, the occasion is marked by wrestling and other amusements. The main tourist attractions in Bilaspur are Bahadurpur Fort, Naina Devi Temple, Sariun Fort, Tiun Fort, Vyas Cave, Swarghat, Bhakra Dam and Markandeya.

 

Chamba

 

 

 

Chamba is known for it's magnificent scenery. The town of Chamba, the district headquarter of Chamba district is situated in the western Himalayas. This town stands on a plateau on the right banks of the Ravi river valley and touches the fringe of the Shivaliks and has three well-defined snowy mountain ranges. Chamba is situated at a height of 996 meters above sea level on the south banks of the Ravi river. Chamba, the ancient Pahari capital was founded in 920 AD by Raja Sahil Verma, when he conquered the lower Rani valley from the petty chiefs called Ranas and Thakurs in the beginning of 10th Century. He named this place after his favorite daughter Champavati. Chamba's serene beauty makes it the ideal holiday retreat among various tourists and nature lovers.

 

Dalhousie

 

 

Dalhousie is a quiet town in Himachal Pradesh. Dalhousie covers an area of 14 square km and surrounded by alpine vegetation. This hill station spreads over five low-level hills at the western edge of the Dhauladhar range, just east of the Ravi River. The pine-covered slopes around it are intersected with paths and treks, which are ideal for short undemanding walks. This town is gateway to the Chamba Valley, and was established in 1854 AD by the British governor-general Lord Dalhousie. Dalhousie has charming architecture and panoramic views of both plains and the white-capped views of the mountainous ranges. The best time to visit Dalhousie is from mid-May to mid-October. The main tourist attractions in Dalhousie are Panchpula, Kalatop and Khajiar lake.

 

 

 

▪ Hamirpur

 

Hamirpur is another area situated at lower elevation and comparatively warmer but has some hilly ranges covered with pine forests. These hills can be developed for trekking and camping during winter months. This district was made in 1972 by carving it out from the Kangra district. It is well connected by roads from all sides and thus can be promoted as a tourist destination by developing some historical and religious places. Hamirpur town is the Headquarter of this District, which lies on Shimla Dharamshala road. The tourist attractions in Hamirpur are Deotsidh Temple, Nadaun.

 

 KANGRA:

 

▪  Kangra

 

Kangra is a charming town located just 17 km away from Dharamshala. Kangra is one of the Himachal's most beautiful valley and most picturesque valley of lower Himalyas which rolls down the southern edge of the magnificent Dhauladhar range. Kangra is famous all over the world for its astounding beauty. The gentle slopes of this range are covered with lush green forests of pine, orchards, tea gardens and terraced fields and overlooks a gushing stream known as Banganga. Kangra valley is surrounded by splendid valleys and dotted with several ancient shrines, thus offering as a famous tourist destination. It provides a tremendous contrast in nature of places to be visited. Kangra is known for its magnificent temples and as a thriving centre for arts. Kangra is still a busy place of pilgrimage.

 

 

 

▪ Kinnaur

 

Located in the dizzying heights of the Himalayas, with passes that remain closed for six months linking them with the rest of the world, Kinnaur, Spiti and Lahaul were till now a forbidden land. Only a chosen few were granted permission to visit this secret world, officials, Moravian missionaries who settled here in 1853 and a few mountaineers. Now this area has been opened for the daring and adventurous to discover what had been hidden from the world for centuries. This land lying on the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, ringed by the majestic mountain of the Himalayan and Dhauladhar range is the land of plenty. In the lush land live the descendants of the Kinners-the demi gods of the Hindu pantheon, whose deeds have been immortalized in epics and the poems of ancient Sanskrit poets. The various tourist attractions in Kinnaur are Recong Peo, Kalpa, Sangla Valley, Chitkul, Nichar, Kothi, Puh, Rakchham, Ribba, Leo, Lippa, Morang, Chango, Nako, Sumdo.

 

 

 

▪ Kullu

 

▪ Kullu Attractions

The Kullu - Manali region in the state of Himachal Pradesh is described as the Valley of Gods. It is one of the most famous hill station in Himachal Pradesh and known for its beautiful scenery, apple orchards, forests, alpine meadows, gurgling rivers and lively tribal dances. The most charming and beautiful Kulu valley spreads out its charm on either side of river Beas. Earlier, Kullu was known as Kulanthpitha, 'the end of the habitable world'. Kullu is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and surrounded by the snow ranges of Himalayas, the Dhauladhar and the Pir Panjal range that run parallel to the south and the narrow terraced valley that runs in the north up to the Rohtang Pass. There are numerous valleys in Kullu, each of which is a visual delight and seems more beautiful than the other. A fairly wide area is open to the tourists, trekkers, mountaineers, artists and to anyone who wishes to escape the heat and dust of the plains to breathe the exhilarating air of the Himalaya and enjoy the spectacle of the variegated mountain scenery. The best season to visit Kullu is from March to June and September to November.

 

 

 

▪ Lahaul

 

▪ Lahaul Attractions

Lahaul and Spiti are two remote Himalayan Valleys of Himachal Pradesh, lying on the Indo-Tibet border. Lahaul and Spiti valleys, together form a district in Himachal Pradesh. Strange, exciting, primitive, these valleys are unsurpassed in mountain scape, in the rugged beauty of their rocky escapements and the splendor of their snow covered peaks. Lahaul is marked by a central mass of uniformly high mountains and massive glaciers. Lahaul is a land of fascinating Buddhist art and culture. The monasteries of Lahaul-Spiti are rich repositories of ancient murals, thankas, wood carving and golden images of Padmasambhava. There are little monsoon in both these valleys and this enables climbers and trekkers to enjoy a long and unbroken season in perpetual sunshine to explore the wilderness and grandeur of the inner Himalaya. This unique feature makes Lahul-Spiti as an ideal destination for tourists and trekkers in the month of July, August and September.

 

Manali

        

 

 

 

▪  Mandi

 

Manali is an ancient town located near the end of the Kullu valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. Manali is only 40 kms. away from Kulu to the north. Manali is surrounded by the towering peaks at an arm length and is located near the snowline. Manali literally means the home of Manu. Manu is the mythological character who survived when the world was drowned in flood. The fish saved him and later he recreated human life at Manali. Manali is also known as the Switzerland of India. Today, Manali is a flourishing orchard industry, trekking destination and a famous tourist destination for the honeymoon lovers. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. The landscape here is breath taking. Manali is also a sacred pilgrimage place for the Hindus. December to February are the best season for snow-skiing and heli-skiing in Manali. Due to its altitude the climate of Manali is loved by one and all.

 

 

The historic town of Mandi is built along the banks of the river Beas. It has long been an important commercial centre and the sage Mandva is said to have meditated here. This one time capital of the princely state of Mandi is a fast developing town that still retains much of its original charm and character. Today, it is a district headquarters. Mandi is renowned for its 81 old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving, it is often called the 'Varanasi of the Hills'. The town has remains of old palaces and notable examples of colonial architecture. The various tourist attractions in Mandi are Rewalsar Lake, Prashar Lake, Joginder Nagar, Sunder Nagar, Janjehli.

 

Nahan

 

 

▪  Nahan

 

The town of Nahan is situated on an isolated ridge in the Shiwalik hills, overlooking greenfields. Nahan is a well laid-out picturesque town, known for its cleanliness and dust free streets. Saint and princes are linked with the origin of Nahan. The city was founded as a capital by Raja Karan Prakash in 1621. As per the another legend, a saint lived with a companion Nahar on the site where the Nahan palace now stands. "Nahar" means a Lion and probably the town takes its name from this saint. Nahan situated at an altitude of 932 meters, is a good base for visits to the surrounding areas like Renuka, Paonta Sahib, Trilokpur temple and the Suketi Fossil Park. It is the headquarter of Sirmaur district.

 

Palampur

 

 

▪ Palampur

 

Palampur is situated about 35 kms. from Dharamshala at an altitude of 1220 meters above sea level. This pleasant little town is surrounded on all sides by well laid out tea gardens and pine trees. The place enjoys a healthy climate and the pine scented air is said to have curative properties. Palampur is situated in the Kangra valley, close to the Dhauladhar range, in the northwestern region of Himachal Pradesh. Due to this Palampur is also known as the 'Tea Capital of North India'. Besides beautiful gardens and lovely walks, the place also offers a beautiful view of snow laden peaks. Palampur is known not only for its scenic beauty but also for the beautiful temples and buildings built in the Colonial period. Palampur is a popular camping region for trekkers.

 

Paonta Sahib

 

 

▪ Paonta Sahib

 

Paonta Sahib is a city sacred to the memory of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. Situated on the Yamuna River, Paonta Sahib is a bustling township with growing industries. It is one of the important places for the Sikhs. It retains tangible memories of Guru Gobind Singh in the form of his weapons and a majestic Gurudwara. It recalls his presence even in the name of the city which is derived from Paonta meaning "foot", either because he set foot on this place or, according to an alternate story, he lost an ornament which he wore on his foot called "Paonta" while bathing in the Yamuna river. The main tourist attraction in Paonta Sahib is Gurudwara. The other attractions in Paonta Sahib are Sahastra Dhara, Khodra Dak Pathar, Kafota and various other temples.

 

 RENUKA

 

 

The most important place of tourist interest in Sirmaur is the sacred and picturesque lake of Renuka, 45 kms. from Nahan. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in Himachal Pradesh having crystal clear water. It is shaped like a sleeping women. Renuka was killed by her own son, the legendary Parsu Ram, in obedience to the orders of his father-the sage Jamadagni. After the deed was done, lake Renuka was formed surrounded by stepped fields of golden corn. Today, each year in November, a fair is held to celebrate the immortality of Renuka and her son. The other tourist attractions in Renuka are the Wildlife Park, Gayatri Temple, Renuka Sanctuary and Choordhar.

 

Shimla

 

 

 

Shimla, also known as the "Queen of the Hill stations" was the summer capital of British India before independence. Shimla is situated in the north west Himalayas at a height of 7238 feet. Today, Shimla is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla derives its name from "Shyamala", the goddess Kali. The English named it Shimla. This city is surrounded by thick pine forests, Himalayan oak, flowering rhododendron and deodar trees. According to the people, once Shimla gets in your blood, it never leaves. It calls you back time after time and at every moment, the town is capable of showing a fresh nuance to its rich and varied character. Today Shimla retains a substantial measure of a distinct lifestyle that had grace, leisure and elegance.

  OCCUPATION: The mainstay of the people of Himachal Pradesh is agriculture on which 66.71%population depends for their livelihood. The topography being mostly hilly, the type ofcultivation is terraced. Close to 80 percent of all holdings fall in the category of small

and marginal farmers. Due to ideal climate for fruit cultivation, horticulture andvegetable growing (seasonal as well as off-season), a well-diversified farm economyhas developed rapidly during the past three decades. The percentage of main workers tototal population is 32.31 and the percentage of cultivators to main workers is 55.45. Thepercentage of agricultural labourers to total workers is 1.22 as per 2001 census

  HISTORY: Himachal Pradesh was established in 1948 as a Chief Commissioner's Province within the Union of India. The province comprised the hill districts around Shimla and southern hill areas of the former Punjab region. Himachal became a part C state on 26 January 1950 with the implementation of the Constitution of India. Himachal Pradesh became a Union Territory on 1 November 1956. On 18 December 1970 the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25 January 1971. Thus Himachal emerged as the eighteenth state of the Indian Union.

In earlier times, the area was variously divided among smaller kingdoms, such as those of Chamba, Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami. After the Gurkha War of 1815–1816, it became part of the British India.

CUISINE: lip Smacking and delicious are two words that may help suggest the nature of the cuisine in Himachal Pradesh. Considering the amount of spices they use, It is advisable to approach the meal with ample amount of water in your hand. Punjab and Tibet have a huge influence in the Himachali Cuisine. However, the average meal in Himachal echoes the tastes of the general cuisine of North India that has dal, Rice, And Vegetables. Sidu is another bread that is a stand out in the cuisine of Himachal. Usually ate with Butter, This dish is a special feast on festivals. From Sirmour, Patande makes the grand entry to the culinary exotica of Himachal Pradesh. Patande is Himachal’s own adaptation of the classical Pan Cake. Meat is always

incomplete without a dash of cloves, cardamom and other spices.

Grilled Fishes, Chicken Anaardana and Kullu Trouts are some of the stand outs in the Non Vegetarian front. Vegetarians may endeavor Sepu Vadi , Guchhi Mattar and Kaddu ka Khatta, which are the special contributions for the vegetarian in the state. Cooked only by a special category of Brahmans, Dham is a meal whose preparation begins one night before the actual lunch is to be served on traditional leaf plates. In Chamba, the characteristic list of options for a dham would begin with rice, moong dal (green lentil broth) and rajma (red kidney beans) prepared. This merriment makes way for the boor ki kari and a dark lentil (mash dal). Completed by khatta (sweet and sour sauce) prepared with gur (jaggery) and tamarind, the dham  punctuates itself with a mittha (dessert) – sweet rice, generously mixed with dry fruits.

Another thing unique of the state of Himachal Pradesh is its rich tradition of tea.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS :

Lohri FestivalLohri or Maghi festival is celebrated in the mid January. According to the traditions, this day is usually the mid winter day and also commem orates the last sowing of the Rabi crops. In this festival, there are community bonfires, folk songs and dances.

Gochi Festival Gochi is an unusual festival which is celebrated in the Bhaga

Valley in the Himachal Pradesh. In this festival the villagers celebrate the birth of male children. Token marriages of children below the age of six are also performed. Some children also throw snow balls at each other.

Baisakhi Festival Baisakhi is one of the most important festival which is celebrated in the month of April. It is celebrated on the first Baisakh and in turn bids farewell to winter. The festival's main root lies in the rural areas where this festival is celebrated on account of the sowing of new crops. At Tattapani near Shimla, at Rewalsar and Prashar lakes near Mandi, people take purifying dips in water. Various village fairs are held on this day which combines wrestling, dancing and archery.

Gugga Fair

Gugga Fair is celebrated in the various places in Himachal Pradesh like Chamba, Bilaspur and Sirmour in the month of August. Gugga fair is connected with the worship of Gugga, the Nag God.

Fullaich Festival The Fullaich (Phulech) festival is celebrated in Kinnaur in the month of September. This famous festival of flowers is celebrated in the autumn season. The Fullaich festival opens the window to its remarkable people and their beautiful countryside. In this festival, the villagers first scout the hillsides for flowers which are collected in the village square. Then they offer these flowers to the local deity. In the evening there are celebrations which consists of singing, dancing and feasting.

Dussehra Festival Dussehra is the famous festival which is celebrated in Kullu. This festival is celebrated in the month of October. About more than 200 deities of the valley collect in Kullu on Dussehra festival to pay their offerings to the Lord Raghunathji. The music and dance also fills the 'Silver Valley'. The history of Kullu Dussehra belongs to the 17th century when the local King Jaganand installed an idol of Raghunath or Lord Rama on his throne as a mark of penance. After this, Raghunath came to be known as the ruling deity of the valley.

International Himalayan Festival The International Himalayan festival is celebrated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. This festival is celebrated with the blessings of Nobel Laureate, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The troupes from the Himalayan nations are invited and they take part in this festival.

Sui Mata FestivalThe Sui Mata festival is the Chamba's annual festival. This festival is celebrated in the month of April for four days. This festival commemorates Rani Champavati, the wife of the 10th century Raja Sahil Verma. Only women and children participate in the festival, dancing in the Chaugan before processing with an image of Champavati.

Minjar FairMinjar Fair is the most popular fair of Chamba which is attended by a large number of people from every nook and corner of the district. This mela is held on the second Sunday of the Shravana month or in the month of July/ August. Minjar fair has been declared as one of the state fairs of Himachal Pradesh. The fair is announced by distribution of Minjar which is a silk tassel worn on some parts of the dress by men and women alike. This tassel symbolises the shoots of paddy and maize which make their appearance around this time of the year. The week long fair begins when the Minjar flag is hoisted in historical Chaugan. The town of Chamba wears a colourful look with every person turning out in best attire.

ARTS AND CRAFTS:

The handicraft that come out of this state and is worth appreciating are the carpets, leather works, shawls, paintings, metalware, woodwork and paintings. Pashmina shawl is the product which is

highly in demand not only in Himachal but all over the country. Colourful Himachali caps are also famous art work of the people. One tribe, Dom, is expert in manufacturing bamboo items like boxes, sofas, chairs, baskets and racks. Metalware of the state include utensils, ritualistic

vessels, idols, gold and silver jewelleries.

Weaving, carving, painting, or chiselling is considered to be the part of the life of Himachalis. Himachal is well known for designing shawls especially in Kullu. The architecture, objects, shops, museums, galleries and craftsmen charm with a variety perfected over time.

Women take an active part in pottery and men in carpentry. For ages, wood has been used in Himachal in the construction of temples, homes, idols etc.

WeavingExtreme cold winters of Himachal necessitated wool weaving. Nearly every household in Himachal owns a pit-loom. Wool is also considered as pure and is used as a ritual cloth. The well known woven object is the shawl, ranging from fine pashmina to the coarse desar. Kullu is famous for its shawls with striking patterns and vibrant colors.

Himachali caps are of typical styles and they differ region to region. In Kinnaur shawls, saris and trousers are woven in wool. The shawls woven in Rampur, also known as Rampur chaddar, are known for their soft texture and durability. In Chamba district, weaving assumes a chequered pattern. Besides shawls, carpets and blankets are also a vital part of the Himachali lifestyle.

Wood craftHimachal is the one of those few areas in India, where wood has played a significant role as a structural material. Pine, Cedrus deodara, walnut, horse chestnut and wild black mulberry are found in abundance in Himachal Pradesh. Places famous for woodcraft are Chamba, Tisza, Kalpa, Kinnaur district and Kullu. Village homes are constructed with carvings on doors, windows, balcony panels etc. This can be found in remote areas of the state especially in Kinnaur district and Kullu districts.[1]

MetalcraftObjects crafted with metals fulfil the ritualistic needs of Himachalis. In 600 AD, the courts of the Himachali kings had mastered the craftsmen who were specialised in metalware. Antique metal statuettes are one of the most significant aspects in many temples of Himachal Pradesh. The statues of gods and goddesses also appear as mohras or in metal plaques.

In fact, metalcraft in the state grew around temples and palaces. Repousse technique was made in use to create the temple doors of Vajreshwari Devi, Jwalamukhi in Kangra, Bhimkali in Sarahan and Chandika Devi in Kinnaur district.

A canopy made of gold at the Jwalamukhi temple is one of the example of Himachal's metalwork which believed to have been gifted by Mughal emperor Akbar the Great. The metalwork of Kinnaur depicts a unique synthesis of Buddhism and Hinduism. Brass is often used for trending household utensils. Some of the towns where good metal work found are Bilaspur, Chamba, Reckong Peo, Rohru, Sarahan and Jogindernagar.

DANCES: Himachali dance forms are highly varied and quite complicated. These dances are very vital part of the tribal life. It reflects the culture and the tradition of Himachal. Hardly any festivity here is celebrated without dancing. Some of the dance forms like Dulshol, Dharveshi, Drodi, Dev Naritya, Rakshas Nritya, Dangi, Lasa, Nati and Nagas are danced all over the region.

The Mala (garland) danceThe Kayang Mala dance is one of the most popular dance in Himachal. In this, the dancers are dressed in their traditional finery, weave their arms together to form a sort of a criss cross pattern in order to appear like beads in a woven garland. They drink chhang (a rice brew) before this dance.

The Demon (Rakshasa) danceThis dance form, from the Kinnaur and nearby areas are redolent of the historic period. The Kinnaur folk are being compared to deers. The dance form is performed with demon masks. It represents the attack of the demons on the crops and their ritual pursuing away by the forces of good.[1] Chhambha is more or less same to the Punjabi dance Bhangra. These dance forms are generally organised in areas having dense population. During their local festivals like Chaitol

and Bishu, such a type of community dancing can be witnessed. In this dance form men and women hold hands and dance. Their leader is known as Ghure and others follow in his footsteps.

Dalshone and Cholamba dancesThe following dance forms belong to the Ropa valley and in these dances the pattern formed by the dancers seems to be as coiled serpents. The Cholamba dance is generally performed when a tiger is killed. The dead animal's skin is stuffed and a gold ornament is put in his nose. The remains of the dead is then rotated and people dance around it.

The Nagas Kayang is a dance form which copies the snakes's movement. The Herki Kayang is faster in rhythm and is generally danced at romantic occasions. The dance is performed by young men and women.The Shuna Kayang dance is danced in most of the villages and its rhythm combines both slow and fast movements. This represents scenes from the life in the village and the forests.

Shan and Shabu dancesThese are 2 most popular dances of the Lahaul valley and are generally danced at the Buddhist Gompas in the memory of the Buddha. Shan means a prayer for the Buddha. Dances danced to these prayers are termed as Shan dances. This is a tribal dance which is performed after the completion of the harvesting of crops. Some of the instruments played in this are drums, shehnai and a stringed instrument like a violin.A similar dance form known as Shabbo is also performed at festival.

It represents the beliefs and lifestyle of the tribal people of the region. These dance forms are linked to the local festivals.Government have taken several initiatives for protecting the dance form

Keekali and BhangraFor more details on this topic, see Bhangra (dance).

The Keekali dance form is a dance of young girls. The girls hold each other's hand crosswise and rotate swiftly on their toes.The Bhangra is a male dance which was originated in the Punjab and is quite popular in Kangra, Hamirpur and Una.The tribal dance forms of the trans Himalayan region differs a lot in content and music. The old tradition of both song and dance in these regions has been enthusiastically guarded against urban influence. Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and Tehsils of Pangi and Bharmour of Chamba constitute this zone. The inhabitants in these regions are known as Kinnauras, Lahaulas, Spitians, Pangwals and Gaddis. Gujjars and many of these tribes have their own distinct traditions of folk dances, songs, dresses and ornaments.

In addition to the popular dances like Kayang, Bakayang and Banyangchu there are many ritual dances performed by Lamas on numerous religious festive occasions. One masked dance form mainly features an important event in the history of Himalayan Buddhism when Lamas effectively carried out a plan of executing a king namely Langdarma. A special event for masked dances is the celebration of the birth of Padma Sambhava (who carried the message of Buddhism to Tibet.)[

JEWELLRY: Jewellery

Fine jewellery is crafted out of silver and gold. The jewellers of the once-Rajput kingdoms of Kangra, Chamba, Mandi and Kullu were famous for their enamelling skills.

They mainly worked with silver and were partial to deep blue and green enamelling. They created exquisite pieces like elliptical anklets, solid iron-headed bangles, hair ornaments, peepal-leaf-shaped forehead ornaments, necklaces known as chandanhaars (a bunch of long silver chains linked by engraved or enamelled silver plaques) and pendants with motifs of the mother goddess.

An old Kangra pattern for silver anklets is a series of birds, archaic in design, connected by silver links. Unfortunately most of this is old jewellery and is no longer made. You could check it out in museums like the Kangra Art Museum in Dharamsala, the State Museum in Shimla and the Bhuri Singh Museum in Chamba. So much so that every pahari woman dreams of owning one.

Chokers called kach (made of silver beads and triangular plaques) and the collar-like hansali are also common. Heavy anklets, bangles and silver bracelets (kare) - solid or filled with shellac - with clasps in the shape of crocodile or lions heads are worn by all women. In the Tibetan influenced Lahaul-Spiti, ornaments are studded with semi precious stones like coral, turquoise, amber and mother-of-pearl.

Gujar women wearing sirka chamkuli

Sringar patti ornament

TEXTILES: Textile arts are those arts and crafts that use plant, animal, or synthetic fibers to construct practical or decorative objects.

Textiles have been a fundamental part of human life since the beginning of civilization,[1][2] and the methods and materials used to make them have expanded enormously, while the functions of textiles have remained the same. The history of textile arts is also the history of international trade. Tyrian purple dye was an important trade good in the ancient Mediterranean. The Silk Road brought Chinese silk to India, Africa, and Europe. Tastes for imported luxury fabrics led to sumptuary laws during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The Industrial Revolution was a revolution of textiles technology: the cotton gin, the spinning jenny, and the power loom mechanized production and led to the Luddite rebellion.

Traditionally the term art was used to refer to any skill or mastery, a concept which altered during the Romantic period of the nineteenth century, when art came to be seen as "a special faculty of the human mind to be classified with religion and science".[6] This distinction between craft and fine art is applied to the textile arts as well, where the term fiber art or textile art is now used to describe textile-based

decorative objects which are not intended for practical use.

COSTUMES : Himachal Pradesh has an ancient tradition of wearing costumes. Its dresses differ among different tribes, communities and regions. There are many people in Himachal who love to wear ethnic costumes. The wearing reflects the great diversity of religion and culture. Costumes vary among Rajputs, Brahmins, and tribal folks like Lahaulis, Gaddis, Gujjars,

Pangawals and Kinnars.

Brahmin priests wear Dhoti and Kurta with a Pagri (turban). During the worship of God, they mostly put on white cloths.

Rajput Dresses in Himachal Pradesh 

Rajputs are known as the descendants of the ancient times’ royal families. They wear sherwani (designers, usual and fashionable) with an attractive Churidar Pyjama with a Pagri (turban). These days, Rajputs are not in vogue, however previously they had imposed a veil system for females.

Costumes of Women in Himachal Pradesh 

Costumes of Rajput or Brahmin women are very traditional. They usually wear kurtas, rahide and Ghagra Lehenga Choli. Most of the farmers and women working put on a loincloth, kurta and a traditional cap. During special occasions like parties, marriages and festivals, they wear new Kurta Pyjamas. The Chamba people love adornment. Head scarves are common among women in this community.

The influence of western culture and their wearing can be seen on young girls. Hand-woven is a trade mark (hallmark) of the clothing in Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful utility shoes are made from the grass by keeping in mind the size of feet and make them warm. Different styles of gowns, saris and kurtas are designed by handlooms.