Tourism in Himachal Pradesh deals with the pilgrimage tourism and the nature tourism. One can find the solace while he will come in the remote village of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh, nestling in the north western lap of the Himalaya, abounds in exotic valleys, glorious green hill-slopes, snowcapped mountains and gushing streams. In this mountain wonderland, the pace of life is measured and tranquil. In summer, the fragrance of fresh flowers pervades the enchanting hills and the coolness of the melting snow tempers the heat.The monsoon brings a spectacle of lush greenery and cascading waterfalls. Autumn is marked by pleasant sunny days ending in gorgeous sunsets. Winter brings snow. The official language of this state is Hindi. Although the travelers will have no problems in communicating as both Hindi and English are widely understood and spoken. The history of Himachal Pradesh is like a fairy tale and each of the places of interest stand as the logo of the legendary past of Himachal Pradesh.
Pilgrimage Tourism in Himachal Pradesh
Around 6,000 temples are spread all over in this comparatively small state. A large majority of the people here are Hindus. Buddhism also has a lot of influence in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Amongst the various pilgrimage centres the most remarkable temple around Kullu valley is Bijli Mahadeva. The temple is built of large blocks of stone without the use of cement and its stupendous 65-ft (20-metre) flagstaff is reputed to attract lightning, which, according to the local legend, is an expression of divine blessing. Every time the flagstaff is struck by lightning, the Shiva linga (phallic symbol) inside the temple is shattered. It is put back together each time by the priest and covered with sattoo (a paste of roasted gram and wheat powder) and butter. The image is thus restored and stands intact till the next lightning strucks the flagstaff again.
Dhoongri Temple, Manali, dedicated to the goddess Hidimba, is believed to be over a thousand years old. The sacred Parshuram Tal (tank) is located near Renuka Lake which is shaped in the profile of a goddess. This place is famous for the legend associated with it. Dharamsala in the Kangra District is also a popular pilgrimage center. This is the place where Dalai Lama resides. In addition to this, the Vyas Gufa, Lakshmi Narayan, Radheshyam Temples and Shri Naina Devi Temple in the town of Bilaspur are well known pilgrimage centers. This sacred place provides an unparalleled view of the holy Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of a Sikh guru, on one side and Gobind Sagar on the other. Besides, Poanta Sahib is located on the Nahan-Dehradun Road. It is an important pilgrimage centre for the Sikhs. Its impressive gurudwara on the bank of the Yamuna River is thronged by thousands of pilgrims during Holi in March.
Nature Tourism in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is famed for its nature tourism. Surrounded by pretty hills it is perfect as a place where one can appreciate the different aspects of nature. From hot springs, apple orchards to snow capped peaks-the scenic beauty of this state is unprecedented. Narkanda, at a height of about 8,850 ft and 64 km from Shimla on the Hindustan-Tibet road, is famous for its apple orchards and its beautiful scenery, especially during summer. It is a convenient starting point for visits to many places in the heart of Himachal Pradesh: Bagi, Khandrala, Rampur and Kalpa on the Hindustan-Tibet Road.
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