So you can find all sorts of people in such a small place and all kinds of food as well. I had various interesting dinning experiences as well as eating all kinds of my favourite Tibetan foods. Overall it was a very tiring weekend trying to do business with a different culture with their own understanding of the world, language problems and some other interesting challenges thrown in. What I did find the most difficult was the Bus journey from Chandigarh to Dharamsala. It took me 8 hours to go each way and the roads were horribly broken in many places so the whole journey was so shaky. I do not suffer from altitude or motion sickness but I can imagine it would be much worse for people that do. What I do suffer from however is my height. I am quite a tall guy and I never fit in the average Indian bus seat.

As I write this I am suffering horrible leg pain, I wonder if anyone that runs the transport department in the government has ever heard or economy class syndrome? I guess it is not a big concern! Anyway I am posting some pictures from good old Himachal once again. It is nice to be back home though!

While you are enjoying your holidays in the beautiful and serene land of Kullu, you will find that its colorful and rich handicrafts are something which you will not want to miss to take home.

Some of the items which you would surely love to buy include brilliantly designed shawl, mufflers, patti, pullas, local blankets, Kullu caps, woolen carpets, artistic metal crafts and driftwood articles.

Kullu’s woolen shawls are very famous among those who come to the town to enjoy their time as well as those who are not able to get the opportunity to personally come to this beautiful place. Nowadays, manufacturing of these has become a major industry among local people. Despite a high cost, the shawls made from the hair of Pashmina goats and Angora rabbits are very famous.

Kashmir handicrafts are also being promoted in Kullu and the Tibetan markets in Kullu are some of the favourite places among people visiting Kullu. These markets offer a range of imported items including gift items.

And, on your way back to home, you can also buy fresh fruits which you can enjoy during your journey and also after reaching your home.

Normally, the beautiful and charming town of Kullu experiences a cold and dry climate with the seasonal division during the year as: Summer runs between the months of March and June, Rainy season runs between the months of July and September, and the Winter season runs between the months of October and February.

The period between the months of December and February is very chilly with heavy frost occurring during these months.

In general, Kullu expects snowfall during the months of December and January, and sometimes it gets an early snowfall in the month of November.

During these months of snowfall, almost in evry direction you will see snow, but it does not remain there for a longer duration.

This beautiful tourist destination can have a maximum temperature of 20 degree C with the mercury showing a minimum reading of around 5 degree C. Kullu receives an average annual rain fall of about 80 cm.

The best time to visit Kullu is between the months of April and June.

Kullu, located in the beautiful Kullu valley in the central part of the state of Himachal Pradesh, India, is set among the experiences of the great Himalayas.

The town of Kullu is located at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level at a place where two rivers—Beas and Sarvar, come together.

This beautiful and charming town is popular throughout India as well as in the foreign lands due to its temples and the festival of Dussehra, which is an annual event and usually celebrated in the month of October and tourists flock to the town during that period and enjoy the event which is really unique. Kullu is also famous for its handicrafts.

Dharamshala attracts a large number of tourists from all parts of the country as well as from outside India. To accommodate visitors, Dharamshala has numerous accommodation options including deluxe hotels, budget hotels and many others.

Some of the hotels in Dharamshala include:

Surya Resorts, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala; Karnika Resorts, Dharamshala; Hotel Welcom Heritage Grace, Dharamshala; Hotel Hunted Hill, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala; Asia Health Resorts, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala; and Hotel Asian Plaza, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala.

Hotel Annex, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala; Anand Place, Bhagsunag; Dharamshala; Royal Palace Resort, Bhagsunag, Dharamshala; Him Queen, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala; Hotel Sahiwa, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala; and Kareri Lodge, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala.

Air: The nearest airport linking Dharamshala with other parts of the country is at Gaggla: located at a distance of just 13 km from the town.

Rail: The nearest railhead for Dharamshala is Pathankot, which is located about 85 km from Dharamshala. From Pathankot, Dharamshala is just a three-hour drive.

Road: To reach Dharamshala, one can take advantage of bus services available from Manali. One can also choose to drive from Delhi to Dharamshala via Chandigarh, Kiratpur and Bilaspur.

Dharamshala is located at a distance of about: 514 km from Delhi; 239 km from Chandigarh (a planned city and favorite tourist destination); 55 km from Dalhousie, 197 km from Jammu, 18 km from Kangra, 214 km from Kullu, 253 km from Manali, 35 km from Palampur, 322 km from Shimla.

Due to its location, located at an altitude of about 1250 m to 1600 m in Himalyas, Dharamshala experiences a pleasant weather that makes it one of the favorite hill stations in India.

During summer months, the temperature in Dharmshala ranges between a maximum of about 33 degree C and a minimum of about 22 degree C.

During winter months, the temperature in Dharmshala ranges between a maximum of about 15 degree C and a minimum of about 0 degree C.

Dharamshala receives an average annual rainfall of about 320 cm.

The best time to visit Dharmshala is the period between the months of April and June and then from the month of September until the month of November.

Dharamshala, one of the most famous hill stations in India, is a town in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Dharamshala acts as a municipal council in Kangra district.

Located in the Kangra valley, in the Dhauladhar ranges, Dharamshala has an average elevation of about 1457 m and spreads over an area around 29 sq. km.

The beautiful town of Dharamshala is divided into two parts: Upper Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala—the business center. Upper Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj, which is located at an elevation of about 1,700 m, is at a distance of about 9 km from the second part of the town—Lower Dharamshala by road.

According to the India census 2001, the town of Dharamshala had a total population of about 19,114: 55 per cent males and 45 per cent females. The main languages used in Dharamshala are Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari and English.

Making a significant headway in the state’s rural sanitation project, a community-driven campaign, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to confer Maharishi Valmiki Sampooran Swachhta Puruskar (MVSSP) to Neen panchayat in Basantpur Block of Shimla district.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who had introduced the reward scheme, will present the cheque to panchayat pradhan Uma Verma tomorrow at the Independence Day function being held at Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district.

Read all ExpressIndia.com

Passamos a tarde toda no restaurante do Wongdhen House, onde Stephan me contou sobre suas andanças pela Índia. É a sua quarta vez dele no país, e esses são seus últimos dias antes de retornar à Alemanha. Ele estava vindo diretamente de Ladakh, lugar para onde vou nas próximas semanas, que fica no extremo norte do país, na fronteira com o Tibet. Ele me mostrou fotos, me deu dicas bacanas e contou histórias maravilhosas sobre sua viagem.

No final da tarde, Stephan me ajudou a levar as malas até o ponto de ônibus. Nos despedimos e, às 18h30, entrei num ônibus rumo a McLeod Ganj. Pela janela do ônibus precaríssimo eu vi um pouco mais da periferia de Delhi. Muita pobreza, miséria e mais caos por todos os lados. Pelo menos o calor grudento e infernal foi possível deixar pra trás.

Eu coloquei um mapinha da Índia aqui embaixo que mostra Himachal Pradesh (pintado mais forte), estado onde fica a vila de McLeod Ganj.

Leva 12 horas para chegar a McLeod Ganj. E, detalhe importante, o ônibus não tem banheiro. A viagem foi cansativa, mas não é nada se comparada às viagens de mais de 30 horas para o nordeste do Brasil...

Mais de 12 horas e alguns xixis nos matinhos depois, cheguei a McLeod Ganj. Pela janelinha do ônibus eu logo vi a Natascha, amiga querida (e parte da família), o Douglas (marido dela) e o Luquinhas (filho deles). Eu estava exausta, mas fiquei muito feliz ao ver rostos conhecidos na muvuca. Eles me receberam com um kata (lenço branco de seda que é dado em sinal de respeito; dizem que também é um exemplo de interdependência, porque foi inventado pelos indianos, é feito pelos chineses e usado pelos tibetanos).

Fomos direto tomar café da manhã, com direito a panquecas com manteiga e mel. E experimentei pela primeira vez o hot lemon with ginger and honey, chá quente de suco de limão com pedaços de gengibre e muito mel, encontrado em qualquer lugar aqui. Já viciei.

A casa deles é super chique: fica na cobertura de um predinho de 3 andares, com uma vista lindíssima de McLeod e de Dharamsala. É um apartamento de uns 12m², com uma mini-cozinha e um banheiro. Tomei um banho de balde e canequinha (não tem chuveiro, mas tem água quente, o que é um luxo). De barriga cheia e bem acolhida, dormi a tarde inteira. Querem ver meu estado acabada? Tá aqui:

Estou sendo tratada a pão-de-ló por esses três. Acordei para jantar arroz, feijão, verduras e legumes, bem brasileiro. Não é um privilégio?

Estou feliz por estar com pessoas tão queridas!

Shimla, one of the most popular hill stations as well as one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country, attracts a larger number of people throughout the year. However, during Christmas celebrations and New Year’s Eve celebrations, it is packed with tourists. To accommodate such a large number of tourists, Shimla has numerous accommodation options including luxury hotels, budget hotels and many others, but if you are planning to visit Shimla during peak season, it is better to book in advance, as it may be difficult to find an accommodation during this period.

Some of the most popular hotels in Shimla are:

The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla; the Destination, located on the Kalka-Shimla Highway, Hotel Radisson Jass, Shimla; Combermere Hotel, Shimla; Willow Banks Hotel, located on the Mall, Shimla; Shimla; Shilon Resort, located in Shilon Bagh, Shimla; Tarika Jungle Retreat, Shimla; Woodville Palace, Shimla; and Springfields, Shimla.

Shimla British Resort , Shimla; Silverine Hotel, Shimla; Himdev Hotel, Shimla; Leela Regency Hotel, Shimla; Toshali Royal View Resort, Shimla; East Bourne Resort, Shimla; Hotel Surya, Shimla; Ashiana Regency, Shimla; Oberoi Clarke's, Shimla; Himland East Hotel, Shimla; and Baljees Regency Hotel, Shimla.

Honeymoon Inn, Shimla; Shubham Hotel, Shimla; Hotel Fairmount, located near the Mall, Shimla; Sukh Sagar Resort, Shimla; Shingar Hotel, Shimla; Blossom Hotel, Shimla; De Park Hotel , Shimla; and Himland West Hotel, Shimla.

Park Woods Resort, Shimla; Galleu Resort, Shimla; Taj Palace Hotel, Shimla; Mayur Hotel, Shimla; Victory Hotel, Shimla; and Hotel Dreamland , Shimla.

Shopping in Shimla is really a delightful experience for discerning shoppers. Surrounded by natural beauty, Shimla attracts a large number of tourists throughout the year and everyone returns from this beautiful town with numerous items bought from here!

While shopping in Shimla, one can look out for handicrafts, decorative items, wood work as well as metal work, pullovers, shawls (both Woolen and Pashmina), Tibetan carpets, caps and jams, squashes and pickles.

Walking sticks are one of the numerous items that attract tourists the most while shopping in Shimla.

And, for shopping in Shimla, the Mal lis considered as the best place, as there are numerous shops where one can easily find many items to buy!

Shimla is easily accessible through air, rail and road from major cities in the country.

Air: The nearest airport that connects Shimla with the national capital is at at Jubbarhatti, located at about 12 km from the main town. Regular flights are operated from here to Delhi and Chandigarh.

Rail: Kalka is the nearest railway station up to which broad-gauge trains from all around the country run and from here, a rail car which runs on narrow gauge is available for carrying you to Shimla. Shimla-Kalka rail link is one of the longest narrow gauge routes in the country!

Road: Shimla is easily accessible through road, as it has a good network of roads linkingit with major cities in the country including Delhi, Chandigarh, Kalka and Dehradun as well as other towns and cities.

Shimla is connected to Chandigarh through National Highway No. 22 (NH22), so one can choose to board a bus from the city beautiful (Chandigarh) or hire a taxi from there to reach Shimla!

Shimla is located at a distance of about: 362 km from the national capital, Delhi; 115 km from Chandigarh (also called city beautiful); and 260 km from Manali (a beautiful hill station).

Local Transport in Shimla

For local traveling needs, the most commonly used means of transport include bus, private vehicles and taxis. However, for enjoying the beauty of Shimla fully, one should have a walk!

Shimla, or sometimes also written as Simla, one of the most popular and most visited tourists destinations in India, is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Shimla derived its name from the Goddess Mother Shyamala Devi—worshipped as an incarnation of the Goddess Mother Kali.

Shimla, also known as the “Queen of Hills”, is situated in North-West Himalayas. Spreading over an area of about 18 sq. km. and located at an altitude of about 2213 m above sea level, Shimla is enveloped in the jungles of oak, pine and rhododendron.

Due to a pleasant weather in summer months and a cold and snowy climate during winter season, Shimla became the summer capital of the British in the year 1864.

About 3 weeks back, I went high into the hills with Nandini and couple of other friends, the trip was amazing I wrote a couple of posts on it here and here and have managed to upload the photos today..

Albums

• Into the Hills
• Into the Hills 2
• Into the Hills 3
• Into the Hills 4

Proving why Himachal is similar to Heaven!!!

This mountainous state is spread over 55,780 KM and is also known as DEVA BHOOMI. It's situated in the western part of Himalayas. Why i picked this topic to write about??? Actually, i was having a very competitive debate with one of my friends and it's my dedication to Himachal, just to let him know why Himachal is one of the wonderful places on earth.

Valleys of Himachal are home to Natural Beauty and going through these valleys, fills you up with energy and enthusiasm. Really Nature has blessed Himachal with nonparallel beauty.... everything in Himachal is at its extreme. Definitely, Himachal Pradesh is a place where one can find an exotic panorama of scenic beauty, beautiful landscapes having fresh water lakes, burbling rivers, snow capped mountains, flowers and fruits laden trees, glaring and colorful diversity of culture, arts, living style of people. Places which Himachal Pradesh prides of being a birth state: Shimla, Kasauli,Kullu, Manali,Dharamshala, Dalhousie and many more!!!All these places have managed to retain their purity and pristine beauty unruffled by the vagaries of modern civilization.

Himachal is a place where you can have what you want as such snow, water, Hills, greenish scenes,lush green environment, cool-fresh air, zig-zag roads, trees laden with fruits... i mean everything what a Nature Lover would love to see!!!

People who are inhabitant to Himachal must proud be being a part of a Paradise, which others are crazy for.....

Sorry, i shouldn't forget about the temples making this paradise one of the holiest places in India. Lots lots of temples are in Himachal Pradesh spreading religion throughout this mountainous place. Some popular and holy temples in Himachal:- Naina Devi, Chintpurni, Chamunda Devi Temple,Bhimakali Temple,Jwalamukhi Temple,Laxmi Narayan Temple etc.

Well, i m in love with Himachal... so can write thousands of pages about this wonderful place... today,i am gonna summarize it here but will write more about Himachal to let people know why such kinda places are gifts by god to make our lives precious!!!Good Night....

Officials say the tragedy occurred when a metal railing along a narrow mountain path leading to Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh state collapsed under the weight of tens of thousands of devotees who had come to attend a religious festival on Sunday.

The temple is situated on a hilltop in the state's Bilaspur district.

Officials say the collapse of the railing triggered panic among pilgrims, and a stampede ensued as people tried to flee to safety. There are many women and children among the victims, who fell down and were trampled.

A senior police official in Bilaspur, Bimal Gupta, says bad weather worsened the situation.

"At the same time there was heavy rain. People wanted to save themselves," Gupta said. "In the midst you know the stampede occurred. But the administration, the local police and Home Guards, they immediately started the rescue work within 15 minutes."

Police used a cable car to ferry down the dead and wounded from the hilltop. Helicopters aided the rescue efforts. Scores of injured people have been rushed to hospitals. As news of the stampede spread, relatives flocked in to identify the victims.

The temple was packed at the time of the tragedy . It was the second day of the nine-day long festival called Shavran Navratras, where tens of thousands gather every year to pray to a Hindu goddess. Many of the worshippers were from the neighboring state of Punjab.

Stampedes at religious festivals have occurred previously in India, where massive crowds gather on such occasions - sometimes in remote towns where the local administration is not equipped to handle large crowds. In 2005, more than 250 pilgrims were killed in a stampede near a temple in Western India.

VOA News (Reference)

CHRONOLOGY - Some of the world's worst stampedes
REUTERS - Indian authorities on Monday ordered a probe into a stampede outside a Hindu temple in northern India which killed at least 145 pilgrims.

Following is a short chronology of some of the worst stampedes in the last 20 years.

March 1988 - In Kathmandu, 70 fans are killed after a stampede towards locked exits in a hailstorm at Nepal's national soccer stadium -- the country's worst civilian disaster.

July 1990 - 1,426 pilgrims are crushed to death inside al-Muaissem tunnel near Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The accident occurs on Eid al-Adha (The Feast of Sacrifice), Islam's most important feast at the end of the annual Haj pilgrimage.

May 1994 - In Saudi Arabia, a stampede near Jamarat Bridge kills 270 where pilgrims hurl stones at piles of rocks symbolising the devil.

April 1998 - One hundred and nineteen Muslim pilgrims are crushed to death at the Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

May 2001 - In Ghana, 126 people are killed after a stampede at Accra's main soccer stadium when police fire teargas at rioting fans in one of Africa's worst soccer disasters.

February 2004 - A stampede kills 251 Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia near Jamarat Bridge during the ritual stoning of the devil at the annual Haj pilgrimage.

January 2005 - At least 265 Hindu pilgrims, including several women and children, are killed near a remote temple in India's Maharashtra state.

August 2005 - At least 1,005 people die in Iraq when Shi'ites stampede off a bridge over the Tigris river in Baghdad panicked by rumours of a suicide bomber in the crowd.

January 2006 - Three hundred and sixty-two Muslim pilgrims are crushed to death at the eastern entrance of Mena's Jamarat Bridge when pilgrims jostled to perform the stoning ritual between noon and sunset.

February 2006 - Seventy-one people are killed at a stadium in Manila as they scrambled to get into a popular Philippine television game show.

September 2006 - At least 51 people are killed in a Yemeni stadium where President Ali Abdullah Saleh was holding a pre-election rally in the southern province of Ibb.

August 2008 - Rumours of a landslide triggers a stampede by pilgrims in India at the Naina Devi temple, in Bilaspur district, in Himachal Pradesh. At least 145 people were killed and more than 100 people injured. (Reference

[caption id="attachment_1343" align="aligncenter" width="71" caption="Pray For Victims And Their Families"][/caption] ]]> http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/?p=96 Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:27:48 +0000 Liam Cooper (Associate Managing Editor) http://religioncompass.wordpress.com/?p=96 At least 150 people are feared dead in a stampede at the Naina Devi Temple in Chandigarh, India. The temple, which is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, was a focus for pilgrims celebrating the festival of Shravan Navratas.

More detail from the BBC

Various media sources have suggested that the cause of the sudden stampede was due to heavy rain fall and rumours of a landslide. These rumours are said to have escalated from eyewitness testimony of falling stones, thus causing panic amongst the devotees. The Times has also pointed to the size and location of the temple, indicating it may have simply become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of visitors, placing pressure on the infrastructure. See full story here.

Although it has been recognised that stampedes such as the one described are perceived as almost commonplace, the sheer numbers of lives lost, make this a highly emotive challenge to faith.

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Mussoorie, a hill resort at a height of around 7000 ft above the sea level, straddles a ridge in the Garhwal Himalayas - a region which is developing into a major tourism destination. The holy and mighty river Ganga is visible from one end of the ridge and another famous river Jamuna from the other, a stretch of around twelve miles in all, from Cloud's end in the west to Jabarkhet in the east.

Although Mussoorie, as a hill station was established only as back as in 1823, it has quite an intriguing past.

Mussoorie was never an official summer capital unlike Simla - a hill station in the state of Himachal pradesh which was the summer capital of the British Indian government and even unlike Nainital - the summer capital of the united provinces government in British India. Mussoorie always remained unofficial - for the affairs of heart. It has always been a gossipy place - with an air of informality and a tradition of romance - The Honeymoon capital of India.

An idyllic stroll through any of the meandering mountain roads of the town on a clear and sunny day will bring you to some of the well known and not so well known spots - each having its own tales to tell - Landour Bazaar, Chaar dukaan, Lal tibba, Gun hill, the Camel Back cemetery, the Mussoorie Library, and of course the hotel Savoy - an historical edifice in itself. You may be able to recognise any or all of the old houses and estates or you may meet some descendant of any of the many well - known families of Mussoorie.

Apart from its own quiet charm, Mussoorie also boasts of spectacular views of the Himalayas. Hill ridges, irregular in shape and partly wooded, form layer after layer to the horizon, where snow peaks are visible as if you can touch them. From west to east, the mighty peaks of Bandarpoonch, Srikantha, the Gangotri group and the Chaukhamba.

The weather is generally bright and clear - except during the three months ( June to August) of Monsoons,- when mists envelope the mountain slopes and paints the sky in a mauvish glow and the woods around - of pine, cedar, birch, oak, rhododendron and deodar - turns greener. There usually is a bright Christmas and the breathtaking view of the snowclad Mussoorie gives it the name - the Queen among hill stations.

There are popular picnic spots in and around the town - Kempty Falls in the west and Dhanolti, further up beyond the town.

History of Mussoorie: It was due to the conquest of the Garhwal and the Dehra in 1803 by the Gurkhas, under Umer Singh Thapa that indirectly Mussoorie came into being. It was natural after that that at some point of time the interest of British security would have clashed with the expansionist policies of the Gurkhas and although the immediate cause of the war was different, the war, inevitably broke out on November 1, 1814 and the Dehradun proper was evacuated of the Gurkhas by 1815 and was annexed to the district of Saharanpur by 1819.

The present site of the town of Mussoorie, before the British came, there were only shepherds whose animals grazed on the 'Mansur' shrub which gives the town its name. It is natural to suppose that the officers locate the hills and eventually climb them here and there in search of sport and recreation. The first house erected on the ridge of Mussoorie was a small hut built on the Camel's back as a shooting box by Mr. Shore, the then Joint Magistrate and superintendent of revenues of the Doon and Captain Young of the Sirmur Rifles in 1823. Soon Captain Young built his large residence called 'Mullingar' as his residence as the Commandant of Landour. The splendid climate and the good sport obtainable gradually attracted other Europeans. As the Doon and the hills to the north became better known in 1827, the Government established a convalescent depot for European soldiers at Landour. The town grew rapidly and a hundred years on it had grown into a major settlement of the home - sick British, away from the heat and dust of the plains. Social life had also become hectic. There were balls and parties in Landour cantonment and Polo, fetes and Riding in happy valley where the Charleville Hotel stood, the present site of LBSNAA academy.

Houses & estates of Mussoorie: Mussoorie has some lovely and charming old houses and estates, usually with names derived from the native places of those who built and lived in them. Today these old houses and estates are owned by well - to - do Indians , many of whom, follow the life styles of their former colonial rulers. In most cases, the old names , have been retained. Some of these old graceful houses are -- Captain Young's Mullingar Mansion, the oldest existing building in Mussoorie, Houses of Irish pioneers - Tipperary, Killarney, Shemrock cottage and the Tara hall, the houses of Scot pioneers - Scottsburn, Wolfsburn and of course the houses of the English rulers - Connaught Castle, Grey castle, Hampton court and Castle hill. There evidently were a lot of fans of the legendary writer Sir Walter Scott as we find old estates of the name of Kenilworth, Rockeby, Waverly and also Abootsford - the name of Sir Scott's own house in England.

Well known families of Mussoorie: There are quite a few well - known families in Mussoorie, who over the times have become a part of the history, culture and the landscape of this place : the Rajmata of Jind, Princess Sita of Kapurthala, the Gantzers, the Badhwars, the Barrettos, the Skinners, the Keelans, the Alters, Lala Banwarilal, Ram Chander and brothers, Pooranchand and sons and P.C. Hari's family. Most of the shopkeepres of Mussoorie and Landour Bazaar are descended from the merchant who first came here with the british soldiers and settlers over 160 years ago.

Camel Back Cemetry: Thousands of British graves cling to the steep slopes - a constant reminder of the British presence in Mussoorie. Here lie the hill stations' first pioneers and settlers as well as Generals and common soldiers, memsahibs and their infants, schoolmasters, revered gentlemen and brewers. Here also lies John Lang, the first Australian born novelist who was Charles Dickens' India correspondent and Fredrick Wilson, better known as 'Pahadi Wilson', who married a girl from Harsil. He was the first man to float timber down the Ganga river who lived a life which would have been the envy of kings. One also finds Alfred Hindmarsh, resting here - a survivor of the charge of light brigade during the Crimean War and many other famous names and not so famous names.

The stampede happened at the Nainadevi temple in the Bilsapur district of Himachal Pradesh state, during a nine-day Hindu religious festival.

Reports said the victims were 30 children and 38 women, with more than 40 others also injured.

The Nainadevi temple is north of the capital, Delhi, some 100km (60 miles) from the city of Chandigarh.

One local lawmaker told Indian media that the stampede happened when a system of fences on the outside of the building broke.

The death told could rise throughout the day, one official said.

Crowds heading to make offerings to Hindu gods reportedly rushed in panic after the railings broke.

Crowds had gathered at the temple to celebrate the festival of Shravan Navratras, which began on Saturday and runs until 11 August, according to the temple's own website.

The earliest known inhabitants of the region were tribals called Dasas. Later, Aryans came and they assimilated in the tribes. In the later centuries, the hill chieftains accepted suzerainty of the Mauryan empire, the Kaushans, the Guptas and Kanuaj rulers. During the Mughal period, the Rajas of the hill states made some mutually agreed arrangements which governed their relations. In the 19th century, Ranjit Singh annexed/subjugated many of the states. When the British came, they defeated Gorkhas and entered into treaties with some Rajas and annexed the kingdoms of others. The situation more or less remained unchanged till 1947. After Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and Himachal Pradesh was formed on 15th April, 1948. With the recognition of Punjab on 1st November, 1966, certain areas belonging to it were also included in Himachal Pradesh. On 25th January, 1971, Himachal Pradesh was made a full-fledged State.

The State is bordered by Jammu & Kashmir on North, Punjab on West and South-West, Haryana on South, Uttar Pradesh on South-East and China on the East.

Applications are invited from the citizens of India for the following post(s) of different Departments of H.P. on the proforma given below by 15-08-2008. Last date for receipt of applications for the candidates residing in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshdweep, Ladakah Division of J&K State , Sikkim, Assam , Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Bharmour & Pangi Sub Div. of Chamba Distt. , Dodrakwar of Shimla Distt., Kinnaur and L&S Distt. of Himachal Pradesh , whose applications are received by post from these
areas is 30-08-2008. Applications received after last date(s) will be rejected straightway. Detail of post(s) and eligibility conditions there for are given here under against such post(s):-

(A) DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIES, H.P.
Assistant Geologist, Class-I (Gazetted) on contract basis

(B)DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, H.P.
Agriculture Development Officer, Class-I (Gazetted) on contract basis

(C)-I.DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL EDUCATION (ALL BACKLOG POSTS)
(1)Assistant Professor Anatomy
(2)Assistant Professor Physiology
(3) Assistant Professor Pathology
(4)Assistant Professor General Surgery
(5)Assistant Professor CTVS
(6)Assistant Professor Gastroenterology
(7)Assistant Professor Community Medicine

(C)-II
1.Professor Chest & TB, Class-I, Gazetted.
2.Professor Psychiatry, Class-I, Gazetted.
3.Professor Microbiology, Class-I, Gazetted.

(C)-III
1.Associate Professor Anatomy
2.Associate Professor Physiology

(D)-I DEPARTMENT M.P.P. & POWER, H.P.
Assistant Engineer, Electrical Class-I, (Gazetted), on contract basis

(D)-II
Assistant Engineer, Civil Class-I, (Gazetted), on contract basis

(D)-III
Assistant Engineer,Mechanical, Class-I,(Gazetted), on contract basis

(E)-I DEPARTMENT OF HOME , H.P.
Assistant Director NDPS,Class-I (Gazetted)

(E)-II
Scientific Officer NDPS, Class-II (Gazetted)

Fee in shape of Bank draft in favour of Secretary, H.P. Public Service Commission for Rs. 250/-(Rupees two hundred fifty) only, Rs.63/-(Rupees sixty three for SC/ST/OBC of H.P.only), must accompany the applications , payable at Shimla to the Secretary ,HPPSC, Nigam Vihar , Shimla-171002 (HP). Ex-servicemen unless discharged at their own request before completion of normal tenure, are exempted from payment of application fee. Visually handicapped candidates are exempted from payment of application fee.Fee once paid will not be refunded.

More Details are Available here Along with Application Format