(Image source from: Strange & Unknown facts about the Mystical State of Himachal Pradesh})

Himachal Pradesh is a north Indian state in the Himalayas. The state is surrounded by wide valleys, limpid lakes, rivers, snow mountains and gushing streams. Several tourists visit the state every year from throughout the world. You may only know that, the state is famous for its climbing, trekking, skiing, resorts such as Dalhousie and scenic mountain towns, but, there are some strange and unknown facts about the mystical state.

How to reach: There are three domestic airports in Himachal Pradesh. The Airports are in Bhuntar, Gaggal and Jubbarhatti. There are several flights between Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. Kalka is the nearest railway station. There are many direct trains between Delhi and Kalka. You can also go by road through bus services.

Kalka-Shimla Railway:

The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a narrow gauge railway and the best way to travel to Shimla. It is famous for the toy train. The Kalka-Shimla train holds the world record to cover the steepest slope (5816 ft) in least distance (96 km).  The UNESCO declared it a World Heritage.

The Kalka-Shimla Express, bridges, tunnels and lot more:

The express train runs between Kalka and Shimla covers 806 bridges, 103 tunnels and 18 stations during the journey.

The Great Himalayan National Park:

There are 33 Sanctuaries and 2 National parks in Himachal Pradesh. The Great Himalayan National Park was established in 1984. It was declared  a heritage site by the UNESCO. The park has around 375 species of the fauna, which includes nearly 31 mammals, 181 birds, 9 amphibians, 3 reptiles, 17 mollusks, 11 annelids and 127 species of the insects. The park also has some rare species of animals, which can only be found here,  including, the snow leopard and the barking deer.

Kasol  or ‘Mini Israel’:

Kasol is a small village in the Himachal Pradesh. It is famous by the nickname of ‘Mini Israel’. The clothes, pita bread, goods and food,  and hummus will also gives you the feeling of being in Israel.

Himachal Pradesh Is 'Abode Of Ice':

The Literal Meaning Of Himachal Pradesh Is 'Abode Of Ice'. The variety of landscape and vivid topographic features attracts tourists throughout the world. The state is popular for rafting in Kullu, Paragliding in Solang Valley and Bear-billing,  boating in Bilaspur, ice skating in Shimla, and trekking, horse riding, skiing and fishing.

Second least corrupt state:

The Himachal Pradesh is the second least corrupt state of India after Kerala. You may not need to worry about getting duped or overcharged.

A Natural Ice Skating Rink:

Shimla is the only place in the world, that have a natural Ice skating rink. It is the Asia's oldest natural ice skating rink which is situated at Lakkar Bazaar.

Malana:‘The Village Of Taboos’

Malana is fairly unexplored and a hidden village of the Himachal Pradesh. It is located around 9,938 feet above the sea level. The village is known as ‘The Village Of Taboos’ due to their stringent rules of no outsider touching any wall or any belonging. The Malana village is also infamous as a weed-tourist destination.

Rare nuts:

The latter is a rare nut which is grown only in Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is also famous for its production of rare nuts like peaches, cherries, apples, kiwis and plums and dry fruits like hazelnuts and chilgoza or pine nuts

- Nandini