19 Interesting Facts about Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh which is one of the hottest tourist destination in India is mostly famous for it’s serene beauty and a number of tourist places. However, there are a lot of things about this mysterious state that are less known and quite interesting. We have complied a list of some quick interesting facts about Himachal Pradesh below. We hope these interesting facts about Himachal Pradesh will be helpful for our readers in planning their next holiday in Himachal Pradesh.
Hope you'll enjoy reading!
- The world’s highest cricket ground is located in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. It is located at an altitude of 8,018 ft above sea level.
- It has the Asia’s only natural ice skating rink located in the Lakkar Bazar area of Shimla.
- Himachal Pradesh hosts the MTB Himalaya Mountain Biking Race, which is considered to be the biggest biking race in Southern East Asia.
- The Kalka – Shimla Railway has been declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. It also holds the world record of being the train to cover steepest slope (5816 ft) in least distance of 96 kms.
- Another UNESCO heritage site in Himachal Pradesh is the Great Himalayan National Park, situated in the Kullu and Manali district. This wildlife sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife and is very famous among camping and nature lovers.
- The world’s oldest democracy is in Himachal Pradesh. The village of Malana situated in the Kullu and Manali district of Himachal Pradesh, has been running it’s own democratic judiciary system from centuries. Malana is one of the famous villages in the popular Parvati valley of Kullu and Manali district.
- Himachal Pradesh is known as the Land of Gods. Every village in Himachal Pradesh has it’s own Diety. In addition to this, there are many ancient temples in Himachal Pradesh which are also mentioned in the Ancient Hindu scriptures. Some of them are Jakhu temple, Naina Devi Temple (one of the Shakti peethas), Bhima Kali Temple (one of the Shakipithas), Bijli Mahadev Temple, Renuka Ji temple and many more.
- The Jakhu Temple in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh holds the record of possessing the world’s highest statue. It has a 108 feet tall statue of Lord Hanuman situated at an altitude of 8100 feet. One can reach Jakhu temple by road or a newly built ropeway from the Mall road in Shimla.
- India’s first elections were help at Kalpa in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. This was done as the Kinnaur region used to get cut off from rest of the country for over 6 months every year, due to heavy snowfall. Therefore, India’s first polling station were setup in Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh.
- India’s first voter was a resident of Himachal Pradesh. His name is Mr Shyam Saran Negi, a resident of Kalpa, Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh.
- The Key Monastery in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh is India’s highest monastery.
- The Hikkim village in the Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal has the highest post office in Asia.
- The Hikkim village also has the highest polling station in the country.
- The Langza village in Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh is famous for the Marine fossils found here. Because of this, Langza is also known as the Fossil village of India. It is interesting to note as the landscape here is almost barren.
- There is a 500 years old Mummy of Sangha Tenzin on display at the Geu monastery in Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.
- Asia’s highest village with a motorable road is in Himachal Pradesh. Komic village in Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal is Asia’s highest village connected with a road.
- There is a “Mini Israel” in Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful town of Kasol in the Kullu and Manali district of Himachal Pradesh, is known as “Mini Israel” because of the large number of Israelis living there.
- All types of Non- biodegradable pollythene bags are banned in Himachal Pradesh.
- Himachal Pradesh is a smoke free state since 2013. This means it is illegal to smoke at public places in Himachal.
