Day 16: Geography & Culture of Himachal – Part 1 (Districts, Rivers, Fairs)

Here is an overview of the districts, major rivers, and some prominent fairs of Himachal Pradesh:

Districts of Himachal Pradesh (Total: 12):

1. Bilaspur
2. Chamba
3. Hamirpur
4. Kangra
5. Kinnaur
6. Kullu
7. Lahaul and Spiti
8. Mandi
9. Shimla
10. Sirmaur
11. Solan
12. Una¹

Major Rivers of Himachal Pradesh:

• Sutlej River (Satluj): The longest river in Himachal Pradesh, originating from Mansarovar Lake in Tibet.
• Beas River: Originates from Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass.
• Ravi River: Originates from Bara Bangal in the Kangra district.
• Chenab River: Formed by the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers in Lahaul.
• Yamuna River: Originates from Yamunotri in Uttarakhand, but flows along the eastern boundary of Himachal Pradesh.

Important Fairs of Himachal Pradesh:

• Kullu Dussehra: A famous week-long festival in Kullu.
• Mandi Shivratri Fair: A significant fair dedicated to Lord Shiva in Mandi.
• Minjar Fair (Chamba): Held during July-August, marking the end of the monsoon.
• Renuka Fair (Sirmaur): A six-day fair celebrated in November.
• Manali Winter Carnival: A popular winter festival in Manali.
• Lavi Fair (Rampur): A major trade fair held in November.
• Naina Devi Fair (Bilaspur): A religious fair held at the Naina Devi Temple.
• Baisakhi: Celebrated in April, marking the beginning of the harvest season.
• Halda Festival (Lahaul and Spiti): A winter festival celebrated by the Lahaul and Spiti tribes.

25 MCQs on Geography & Culture of Himachal – Part 1

1. How many districts are there in Himachal Pradesh?
   a) 10
   b) 11
   c) 12
   d) 13
   Answer: c) 12
   
2. Which of the following is the longest river in Himachal Pradesh?
   a) Beas
   b) Ravi
   c) Sutlej
   d) Chenab
   Answer: c) Sutlej
   
3. Kullu Dussehra is a famous festival celebrated in which district of Himachal Pradesh?
   a) Mandi
   b) Shimla
   c) Kullu
   d) Chamba
   Answer: c) Kullu
   
4. The Beas River originates from:
   a) Mansarovar Lake
   b) Bara Bangal
   c) Beas Kund
   d) Yamunotri
   Answer: c) Beas Kund
   
5. Mandi Shivratri Fair is primarily dedicated to which deity?
   a) Lord Vishnu
   b) Lord Shiva
   c) Goddess Durga
   d) Lord Ganesha
   Answer: b) Lord Shiva
   
6. The Minjar Fair is mainly celebrated in which district?
   a) Kullu
   b) Mandi
   c) Chamba
   d) Shimla
   Answer: c) Chamba
   
7. The Chenab River in Himachal Pradesh is formed by the confluence of which two rivers?
   a) Sutlej and Beas
   b) Ravi and Beas
   c) Chandra and Bhaga
   d) Yamuna and Giri
   Answer: c) Chandra and Bhaga
   
8. Renuka Fair, a prominent fair in Himachal Pradesh, is celebrated in which district?
   a) Kangra
   b) Sirmaur
   c) Solan
   d) Una
   Answer: b) Sirmaur
   
9. Which of the following districts is NOT part of Himachal Pradesh?
   a) Hamirpur
   b) Dehradun
   c) Kinnaur
   d) Lahaul and Spiti
   Answer: b) Dehradun (It is in Uttarakhand)
   
10. The Ravi River originates from which district of Himachal Pradesh?
    a) Mandi
    b) Kullu
    c) Kangra
    d) Shimla
    Answer: c) Kangra
    
11. Manali Winter Carnival is a popular festival of:
    a) Kullu
    b) Shimla
    c) Mandi
    d) Kinnaur
    Answer: a) Kullu (Manali is in Kullu district)
    
12. The Sutlej River enters India from Tibet near:
    a) Shipki La Pass
    b) Rohtang Pass
    c) Bara-lacha Pass
    d) Nathu La Pass
    Answer: a) Shipki La Pass
    
13. Lavi Fair, known for its trade significance, is held in which town of Himachal Pradesh?
    a) Manali
    b) Rampur
    c) Dharamshala
    d) Dalhousie
    Answer: b) Rampur
    
14. Naina Devi Fair is celebrated in which district known for its famous temple?
    a) Una
    b) Kangra
    c) Bilaspur
    d) Hamirpur
    Answer: c) Bilaspur
    
15. Baisakhi festival in Himachal Pradesh primarily marks the beginning of the:
    a) Winter season
    b) Monsoon season
    c) Harvest season
    d) Spring season
    Answer: c) Harvest season
    
16. Halda Festival is a significant cultural event for the tribes of which region in Himachal Pradesh?
    a) Kinnaur
    b) Kullu
    c) Lahaul and Spiti
    d) Chamba
    Answer: c) Lahaul and Spiti
    
17. Which of the following rivers is NOT one of the five major rivers of Himachal Pradesh?
    a) Ghaggar
    b) Sutlej
    c) Beas
    d) Ravi
    Answer: a) Ghaggar
    
18. Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is located in which district?
    a) Solan
    b) Kullu
    c) Shimla
    d) Mandi
    Answer: c) Shimla
    
19. Which district of Himachal Pradesh is known for the Dalhousie hill station?
    a) Kangra
    b) Chamba
    c) Shimla
    d) Kullu
    Answer: b) Chamba
    
20. The Yamuna River flows along the border between Himachal Pradesh and which other state?
    a) Punjab
    b) Haryana
    c) Uttarakhand
    d) Jammu and Kashmir
    Answer: c) Uttarakhand
    
21. Which district of Himachal Pradesh has the highest literacy rate according to the 2011 census?
    a) Kangra
    b) Hamirpur
    c) Shimla
    d) Solan
    Answer: b) Hamirpur
    
22. The Pin Valley National Park is located in which district of Himachal Pradesh?
    a) Kullu
    b) Kinnaur
    c) Lahaul and Spiti
    d) Chamba
    Answer: c) Lahaul and Spiti
    
23. Which fair in Himachal Pradesh is known for its association with trade of horses and other animals?
    a) Kullu Dussehra
    b) Lavi Fair
    c) Minjar Fair
    d) Renuka Fair
    Answer: b) Lavi Fair
    
24. The Pong Dam reservoir is located on which river in Himachal Pradesh?
    a) Sutlej
    b) Beas
    c) Ravi
    d) Chenab
    Answer: b) Beas
    

Which district of Himachal Pradesh is known for its apple orchards and is often called the “Apple Bowl” of India?
a) Kullu
b) Shimla
c) Kinnaur
d) Sirmaur
Answer: b) Shimla