The Himalayas region stretches over a distance
of about 2500 kms from west to east. Its average width along the
entire longitudinal extension ranges from 100 - 400 km. The vast
area covered by the mountain range, along with some fantastic
altitude gradients; result in the tremendous bio-diversity of the
Himalayan region. Vegetation and wildlife both change according to
the varying altitude and the resulting differences in climatic
conditions.
The Forests of Himachal Pradesh known for their grandeur and
majesty are like a green pearl in the Himalayan crown. The forests
of the State can be broadly classified into coniferous forests and
broad-leaved. Distribution of various species follows fairly regular
altitudinal stratification. The vegetation varies from dry scrub
forests at lower altitudes to alpine pastures at higher altitudes.
In between these two extremes, distinct vegetation zones of mixed
deciduous forests, bamboo, chil, oaks, deodar, kail, fir and spruce,
are found. The richness and diversity of our flora can be estimated
from the fact that, out of a total of 45,000 species found in the
country, as many as 3,295 species (7.32%) are reported in the State.
More than 95% of the species are endemic to Himachal Pradesh, and
characteristic of western Himalayan flora, while about 5% (150
species) are exotic, introduced over the last 150 years.
People & Culture
of Himachal
We can define ourselves, the natives of himachal, is as agrarian
which keeps us close to nature and in terms of economy maximum of
needs are matched by the available resources, as a visitor, you will
have a chance to see a culture which, though modern, is still
attached to the past through its religion and institutions.
Main tourism circuits in Himachal Pradesh are well known but there
are remote and pristine places, those many undiscovered spots with
unspoilt charm worth a visit for life time memorable experience.
Since our mission boasts of closeness to nature, we are inclined to
offer those places which are lesser known parts of the Himalayas
region. Thus we have selected a very few places, keeping in mind the
main objective of our organization, to offer experiences not known
to many others, in serene and peaceful settings. Taking you off the
beaten paths also affords us a better opportunity to serve you more
effectively and provide you more personalized guidance.
Religion in Himachal
The bulk population of Himachal Pradesh is Hindus, 95.77%
of the total population (1981 census). The Muslims occupy the second
position 1.63%. They have some concentration in Chamba, Kangra and
Sirmur. The Buddhists constitute a little more than 1% of the
population and live in the trans-himalayan areas of Lahaul and
Spiti, Kinnaur and Kulu while the Sikhs (1.2%) are found here and
there with some concentration in Kangra, Shimla, Mandi and Sirmur
districts. The Christian population is 0.1%.
The people are deeply religious and god fearing. The grandeur of
the natural features, the Himalayas and the magnitude of physical
forces, has led the inhabitants to assign supernatural powers to
natural environments. To the children of the mountains, the'
Himalayas are the Gods'. Along with the Gods represented in the
'Thakardwara's' and the 'Shivalas', people worship the village
deities, the Deotas, the Rishis, the Munis, the Siddhas, the
Pandavas, the hill tops, the trees, the joginis or wood fairies, the
Kali, the Shakti, the Nagas (snakes) and even a host of devils and
deities of the aborigines. They believe that water courses, the
sprouting seeds, the ripening corn ear are all in charge of separate
spirits. Animals sacrifice is a major religious rite and is
performed at weddings, funerals, festivals, harvest time, on the
beginning of the thanksgiving.
Lamaistic Buddhism is practiced in the trans-himalayan areas. The
great Padma Sambhava who was responsible for the spread of Buddhism
in Tibet in the 8th century, lived for sometime at Riwalsar near
Mandi. There is a temple in his name. Lamaistic Buddhism assimilates
the mysticism of the northern school of Buddhism, the 'Vajra-yana'
with the magic and devil worship of the Tantras and the cult of the
Shakti, Tara. The priest or the Lama is the friend, philosopher and
guide of the Buddhists. He guides them in spiritual matters,
foretells events, determines lucky and unlucky days, practices
medicine, exorcises evil spirits, performs magic and regulates the
destiny of the living and the dead.
The Muslims in the villages follow Saint Pir Lakh Data and also
pray and light earthen lamps at the shrines of other saints.
