“Your network connection may get lost, but your self-connection will be rebooted.”

Rejuvenating our spirits and refreshing our souls; it is definitely true that the air of Himachal just carries a roohaniyat that is beyond any words. Today we celebrate this very spirit and magic of our heartland and beloved Dev-Bhoomi. We wish all our Insta Himachal family a very Happy Himachal Day.

The foundations of the present day state of Himachal Pradesh were first laid back in the year 1948. It came in to being as the “Chief Commissioner’s province of H.P.” on April 15, 1948. It comprised of the various hill districts around Shimla and the southern slope regions of the previous Punjab area. It then became a Part-C state with the implementation of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950. In the year 1954, Bilaspur was also merged with Himachal Pradesh on July 1. Himachal further received recognition as a Union Territory on November 1, 1956 before finally becoming the 18^th state of the Union of India on January 25, 1971.

Most people today know the state for its peaceful environment and majestic mountains. But, there is much more to the state that we forget to explore. Thus, we have brought you 15 facts about Himachal Pradesh that you should know (or are lesser known) –

1. State Symbols:
a. Tree Symbol – Himalayan Cedar (Deodar)
b. Flower Symbol – Pink Rhododendron (Buransh)
c. Animal Symbol – Snow Leopard
d. Bird Symbol – Western Tragopan (Jujurana)

2. Himachal Toy Train: Kalka Shimla railway is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

3. Himachal Pradesh’s Khichdi weighing 1,995 kgs on Makar Sakranti 2020 entered Guinness World Record. The khichdi was prepared by Department of Tourism in association with Durga Devi Behari Lal Charitable Trust.

4. Himachal has 5 National Parks:
a. Great Himalayan National Park
b. Pin Valley National Park
c. Inderkilla National Park
d. Khirganga National Park
e. Simbalbara National Park

5. Himachal has a forest cover of up to 37,033 sq. km

6. Shigri Glacier in Lahaul-Spiti region is the largest glacier in Himachal Pradesh

7. Natives of Malana village in Himachal proclaim that they are among the oldest democracy in the world

8. A good share of up to 65% of the state’s working population is employed in the agriculture sector

9. Himachal has a literacy rate of 83.78% (as per 2011 survey)

10. State has almost 17,000 educational institutions

11. Himachal Pradesh has successfully been able to shrink poverty levels in the state from 36.8% in 1993 to 8.5% in 2011

12. Shimla, the summer capital of Himachal Pradesh, has ranked first among 62 cities with a population under a million in the 2020 Ease of Living Index

13. Hikkim, Spiti is home to the world’s highest post office. The post office began its services in 1983. The pin code of Hikkim post office is 172114

14. The world’s highest cricket ground is located in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. It is at an altitude of 7,80 feet above sea level. It was built by royal family of erstwhile Patiala state in 1893.

15. The 102-year-old retired school teacher named Sh. Shyam Saran Negi was the first person to cast vote in Independent’s India first election in 1952. Shyam Saran Negi was the brand ambassador of the Election Commission of India for the 2014 general election.

We hope, our humble attempt could add something of value to our Himachal Day. Do share it with all your friends too, if, it did. Also, leave your thoughts in the comments below on “What is your favorite thing about our beautiful hill state?”