This post is written as a part of April 2015 A to Z challenge. So we start the challenge with the first letter A and for me this A is Apple State that is directly to the epicenter of the theme. The theme for the month for this challenge is travel and my stories are to revolve around the Himalayan State of HP.
Apple State of India
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| Snow Capped Dhauladhar Range in a Moonlit Night. |
So which is the apple state of India?
No its not J&K its Himachal Pradesh.
Right! Though J&K produces the highest
amount of Apples, the Himalayan State of Himachal has earned the fame as Apple
State. Further, from Apple this is poised to now earn the distinction of fruit
state of World. The Kullu valley here is famous for some of the rare fruits and
has earned the state another name viz. Fruit Bowl of India. Aside from Apple, Figs,
Apricots, Pomegranate, Almond, Pear, Plum, Walnut, citrus fruits like oranges,
kinoos, grapes, raisin, and even fruits of deciduous region like mango, litchi,
guava etc. are found in plenty over here.
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| The Apple Orchards in Kullu |
How the apple arrived in HP is also an interesting story
which we can read on AIR page here.
Aside from the Kullu Valley, the Shimla range, the Kinnaur
valley are other famous fruit belts of the state. The state also provides rich
supply of winter vegetables to the northern states of the country.
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| The Cauliflower field in Keylong |
So, now if you are travelling to this hill
state, be assured to return rejuvenated not only by enjoying the Himalayan ranges, the snow covered
peaks, the deep gorges, the gushing streams, vast jungles, the arrays of tall Pines
in the lower range giving way to Deodars in the upper, and even ending to cold
deserts at high altitudes, the contouring roads etc. but also by visiting the bloom of orchards of the fruit valleys of Kullu, the vegetable fields in roads from Rohtang to
Keylong among others. The state also offers enormous opportunity to pilgrims’
sites, pagodas, monasteries, mesmerizing hill stations, adventure sports, trekking routes etc. Even a
month would seem short.
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| Glacier frozen in deep gorges |
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| Beas flowing between mountain ranges |
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| Fresh water lake at High Altitude enroute from Keylong to Leh |
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| The Roads at high altitudes |
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| Jwalaji - one of the Many Shakti peeths in HP |
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| Paragliding at the World famous Paragliding Site - Bir |
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| The Parashar Lake |
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| River Beas |
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| Enjoying Snow fall |
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| Tea Garden of Kangra |
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| The Contouring Routes |
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| The Dense Deodar Forest at the back |
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| Kal- Kal karte Jharne |
In the next thirty days I would try to touch some of the places to cover all the above aspects of your itinerary. Keep visiting. Tomorrow would be 'B'.
Aditya Sinha
