Himachal Pradesh
Land of Snowy Mountains
Overview
Quick facts at a glance
A mountainous northern state of apple orchards, colonial hill stations, and Himalayan trekking routes.
History
How Himachal Pradesh came to be
Formed by merging several Punjab hill states and princely states after independence; attained full statehood in 1971.
Earlier / Historical Names
- Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh (1948–71)
Did You Know?
Surprising highlights
Shimla served as the summer capital of British India.
Himachal is one of India's largest apple-producing states.
State Symbols
Emblems of identity
Culture & Festivals
Living traditions
Folk Dances
- Nati
- Kinnauri Nati
Traditional Dress
Himachali cap (topi) with kurta-pajama; woollen dress for women
Festival Carousel
Cuisine
Flavours of Himachal Pradesh
Hearty mountain cuisine with lentils, dairy and slow-cooked dishes.
Popular Dishes
Popular Sweets
Tourism & Attractions
Places to explore
Top Attractions
UNESCO World Heritage
- Kalka-Shimla Railway (Mountain Railways of India)
National Parks
- Great Himalayan National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Pin Valley
Geography & Nature
The lay of the land
Major Rivers
- Beas
- Sutlej
- Ravi
Mountain Ranges
- Pir Panjal
- Dhauladhar
Major Lakes
- Chandratal
- Renuka Lake
On the Map of India
Location & land neighbours
Neighbouring States & UTs
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Uttarakhand
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Ladakh
Economy & Agriculture
How Himachal Pradesh works
Apple horticulture, hydroelectric power and tourism are the mainstays, with a growing pharma manufacturing belt.
Key Industries
- Horticulture
- Hydropower
- Tourism
- Pharmaceuticals (Baddi)
Major Crops
- Apples
- Maize
- Wheat
Largest Producer Of
Infrastructure & Connectivity
Getting around Himachal Pradesh
Airports
- Shimla Airport
- Kullu-Manali Airport
Education & Research
Centres of learning
Major Universities
- Himachal Pradesh University
- IIT Mandi
Heritage & GI Tags
Craft & legacy
GI-Tagged Treasures
Monuments
Handicrafts
Interactive Timeline
Tap any milestone to expand
Frequently Asked
Good to know
Sources & Verification
Authoritative references used to verify facts on this page
Sources
- Know India — National Portal of India — Government
- Survey of India — Government
- Ministry of Road Transport & Highways — Government
- Indian Railways (Ministry of Railways) — Government
- Airports Authority of India — Government
- University Grants Commission — Government
Last verified: 02 July 2026 · Facts without a listed source are marked “Verification Pending” and are being audited progressively via the CMS.
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