Religious

Since time immemorial, the Himalayas has been recognized as the sanctuary for ascetics and sages. The Himalayas also occupy a central place in Hinduism. The whole region is considered the realm of Shiva- the supreme ascetic, and 'Pashupati' the protecting deity of pastoral herds. Kalidas, a resident of Ujjain, a city of Shiva, aptly described the Himalaya as the dazzling laughter of Shiva.

Important deities of Himachal Pradesh. Information about Lord Shiva, Goddess Shakti, Goddess Durga, Goddess Parvati, Goddess Lakshami, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesh, Lord Krishna, Lord Hanuman, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Kali. Himachal is known as Dev Bhumi meaning the Land of Gods. Himachal Pradesh has a number of ancient temples connected to famous and local deities.

Himachal is god's own abode. There are too much temples that one cannot even count them all. Almost every temple has some kind of fair or festival connected with it. Dotted with temples, the State has literally one every hamlet. Most of the temples have legends dating back to centuries, some as old as mankind itself. Temples of Himachal Pradesh are connected to famous and local deities.

Twelve centuries after the Buddha attained 'Nirvana', the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo ( Sron-bTsan Sgam-Po ) who ruled from 618 to 649 AD.), married Wen Cheng from the court of China's Tang dynasty and Bkrikuti Devi, a Nepalese princess. Under their influence, Buddhism slowly developed in the Central Himalayan and Trans Himalayan region of Tibet, Spiti, Lahaul and Ladakh till it became the prominent faith.

The sub-divisions of Lahaul and Spiti combine to make this trans Himalayan district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The district headquarters are at Keylong in Lahaul, and the administrative seat of Spiti is at Kaza. Spiti is connected to Lahaul by the Kunzum Pass ( 4,590 metres ) and to the state capital, Shimla, through the district of Kinnaur.

The imposing Church stand majestically on the ridge, is the second oldest Church in North India. It has a very a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, patience and humanity. It was built in 1857. In fact it has become synonymous with Shimla and no picture of two town is complete without it.