Himachal Pradesh is a state in the northern part of India. Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is bordered by the states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west, Haryana on the southwest, Uttarakhand on the southeast, and Tibet on the east. At its southernmost point, it also touches the state of Uttar Pradesh. The state’s name was coined from the Sanskrit—He means ‘snow’ and achal means ‘land’ or ‘abode’—by Acharya Diwakar Datt Sharma, one of the state’s eminent Sanskrit scholars.
In Summer (April – June)
Summer lasts from April to June in Himachal Pradesh, and the temperature ranges between 5°C and 24°C keeping the air comforting during the peak daytime while it can sometimes drop down to about 3.2°C in the nighttime. However, the climate is cooler than the mainland because of the high altitude, plenty of forests, and fresh mountain breeze. This season is perfect for sightseeing, shopping, and visiting the picturesque villages of Himachal that are easily accessible during the summers. Most treks also take place during this time and start from the main cities like Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala. Alpine zones of the north remain cool even during the peak of the summer, and some high mountains even receive snowfall during May.
In Monsoon (July – September)
Monsoon begins in July and continues through September with a wide variation in average rainfall. It is highly recommended that tourists visit Himachal Pradesh at the beginning of the rainy season, preferably in June, because the place receives a heavy downpour from July to mid-September.
In Winter (November – March)
Winter in Himachal Pradesh is severe, especially in the northern parts located high in the mountains. Almost all of the state receives snowfall though it is not very heavy in the main cities. The temperature gets freezing with snowfall in several regions between October and February in Himachal Pradesh. It varies from 0°C to 13°C depending on the altitude.
Culture
Himachal Pradesh was one of the few states that had remained largely untouched by external customs, largely due to its difficult terrain. With remarkable economic and social advancements, the state has changed very rapidly. Himachal Pradesh is a multireligious, multicultural as well as a multilingual state like other Indian states. Western Pahari languages also known as Himachali languages are widely spoken in the state. Some of the most commonly spoken individual languages are Kangri, Mandeali, Kulvi, Chambeali, Bharmauri, and Kinnauri The Hindu communities residing in Himachal include the Brahmins, Rajputs, Kayasthas, Sunars, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. The tribal population of the state consists mainly of Gaddis, Gujjars, Kanauras, Pangwalas, Bhots, Swanglas and Lahaulas.
Music and Dance
Music and dance of Himachal Pradesh reflect its cultural identity. Through their dance and music, they entreat their gods during local festivals and other special occasions. There are also dances that are specific to certain regions of the state.
Some of the dance forms of Himachal are Losar Shona Chuksam(Kinnaur), Dangi (Chamba), Gee Dance and Burah dance, (Sirmour), Naati, Kharait, Ujagjama and Chadhgebrikar(Kullu) and Shunto (Lahaul & Spiti).
People of the state generally prefer folk music. There is no classical form of music, as far the Himachal Pradesh is concerned. Himachali dance forms are highly varied and quite complicated. These dances are a very vital part of the tribal life. It reflects the culture and the tradition of Himachal Pradesh. 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.
Kullu Dussehra
Apart from the fairs and festivals that are celebrated all over India, there are a number of other fairs and festivals that are at the high point of Himachal Pradesh. These festivals are the time for the Himachalis to adorn colorful dresses and accessories and get mixed up with the rest of their kin. Some of these fairs and festivals in the upper regions are the Kullu Dussehra, Shivratri Fair (Mandi), Shoolini Mela (Solan), Minjar Fair (Chamba), Mani Mahesh Chhari Yatra (Chamba), Renuka fair (Sirmaur), Lavi Trade Fair (Rampur), Vrajeshwari fair (Kangra), Jwalamukhi Fair (Jwalamukhi), Holi Fair (Sujanpur Tira), and Naina Devi Fair (Bilaspur), Fulaich {Kinnaur valley}. In the lower regions of Himachal are temple Fairs in Una District such as the Peeplo Fair, the ‘Mairi’ Guruduwara Fair, the ‘Chintpurni’ temple Fair, the ‘Kamakhya temple’ Fair, including the annual Himachal Hill Festival in the village Polian Purohitan during the fourth week of October. The centuries-old Sair festival is celebrated mainly in Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, and Solan districts every year in mid-September. It is celebrated to mark the end of the crop harvest and also the rakhi thread is removed and offered to the mother sari.
Cuisine
The day-to-day food of Himachalis is very similar to that of the rest of north India. They too have lentils, broth, rice, vegetables, and bread. As compared to other states in north India non-vegetarian cuisine is preferred. Traditionally, Himachali cuisine is dominated by red meat and wheat bread. Thick and rich gravy, with aromatic spices, is used in abundance as the base of many dishes. Now, steamed momos (dumplings) and noodles are also readily available and popular with travelers who want to graduate to Indian food slowly. Some of the specialties of Himachal.
Arts and Crafts
The handicraft that comes out of this state are carpets, leather works, shawls, paintings, metalware, woodwork, and paintings. The Pashmina shawl is a pretty product that is highly in demand not only in Himachal but all over the country. Colorful Himachali caps are also famous artwork of the people. A tribe namely Dom is an expert in manufacturing bamboo items like boxes, sofas, chairs, baskets, and racks. Metalware of the state includes utensils, ritualistic vessels, idols, and gold and silver jewelry.
Weaving, carving, painting, or chiseling is considered to be 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 the variety perfected through 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. ude Manee, Mandra or “Madra”, “Palda”, “Redu” Patode, Chouck, Bhagjery and chutney of til.
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