Himachal literally means the abode of snow. The state of valleys and hills, situated in the north west corner of India, is right in the lap of the Himalayan ranges.

The state is inhabited by a variety of ethnic, religious and social groups. Their life is influenced and shaped by the peculiar geographical and cultural conditions they live in. There are nomadic and tribal people living on the high hills of the north while the agriculturists are settled in south and Mongoloid faces are found in valley of Lahul and Spiti. All these people have their own rituals, customs and religious ceremonies. The state is also recognized for the beauty and art of its Basohli, Kangra, Chamba and Pahari schools of Painting. Pahari, with regional variations, is the principal language in Himachal.