Himachal Day 2023 [April 15]

Himachal Day is observed every year on 15 April in Himachal Pradesh. The state of Himachal Pradesh came into existence on this day in 1948 when. Post Independence, 28 minor princely states were integrated into one province of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Day 2023 is an official holiday in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

This day is celebrated to glorify the state's creation. This day is marked with a grand parade in Himachal Pradesh’s capital city, Shimla. Local events are arranged in nearby towns and villages to enshrine this day. Learn more about Himachal Day 2023 here.

Himachal Day 2023

Himachal Day is a day celebrating the establishment of Himachal Pradesh as an independent province in 1948. The people of Himachal Pradesh take great pride in celebrating this day. A special parade also takes place in the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, on Himachal Day.

Every year, Himachal Day is observed as a public holiday. On this day, schools and other institutions remain closed so that people can celebrate this day. We have given an overview of this day here.

Himachal Pradesh Pre-Independence History

The history of Himachal Day can be traced to the pre-independence state of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal is derived from two Sanskrit words, "Hima" means snow and "Achal" means lap, which virtually sits in the lap of the Himalayas. Before the colonial expansion of the British, the Gurkhas conquered Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, and neighbouring territories.

The Gurkha kingdom was eventually defeated in the Anglo-Nepalese War, and the territory of Himachal Pradesh was controlled by the British. During World War I, most rulers of all the hill states remained loyal and contributed well to the British by supplying raw materials and providing a workforce during the War. Now, Himachal Day is observed to celebrate the great history of this state.

The Formation of Himachal Pradesh

• The Chief Commissioner's province of Himachal Pradesh came into being post-independence on 15 April 1948. Therefore, this day is observed as Himachal Day.
• Himachal became part C state on the 26th of January 1950 and became a union territory on the 1st of November 1956.
• In 1970, the parliament passed the State of Himachal Pradesh Act, making Himachal Pradesh a new state effective from January 1971.
• Himachal Pradesh, at that time, was made the eighteenth state of the Indian Union, and the 25th of January of every year is celebrated as Statehood Day. This is another official holiday celebrated in the state annually.
• Statehood Day commemorates the formation day of Himachal Pradesh as a state. However, Himachal Day 2023 should not be confused with Statehood Day.

Significance of Himachal Day

Here, we have shared details about Himachal Day and its significance. Check out the details about the significance of this day here:

• Himachal Pradesh has a parliamentary system. It is a progressive state with a literacy rate of 82.80%. It comprises 12 districts, holds the eighteenth rank area-wise, and holds the 21st rank in population.
• The hilly state is almost universally electrified, with 99.5% of household electricity as of 2016. Himachal Pradesh has lived up to the vision Himachal Day depicts and celebrates.
• Himachal Day is a celebration of 74 glorious years of achievement of progress for the people of Himachal Pradesh. The success journey has been strong, and the state has yet to achieve more in tourism and industrial growth.

Facts About Himachal Day

• Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar was a great freedom fighter and a social reformer who created a separate identity for Himachal Pradesh with his work. He was the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. He contributed to the establishment of Himachal Day.
• Dr Parmar served twice as Chief Minister of the state from the 8th of March 1952 to the 31st of October 1956 and from the 1st of July 1963 till the 28th of January 1977. He was named the 'Legend of Himachal Pradesh' due to his contribution to Himachal Day.
• He was so generous that he directed funds and assets from urban to rural areas, which he received through his party's campaigns.

FAQs on Himachal Day

Q1. When is Himachal Day celebrated?

Himachal Day is observed every year on 15 April to commemorate the formation of Himachal Pradesh on the same day in 1948. This is a special day for the people living in Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Day is observed as an official public holiday in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Q2. Why is Himachal Day celebrated?

Himachal Day is celebrated to commemorate the state's creation. Himachal Day is observed on 15 April every year because on this day in 1948, Himachal Pradesh was established as an official province. Since then, 15 April has been celebrated as Himachal Day.

Q3. How is Himachal Day different from Himachal Pradesh Day?

Himachal Day is observed on the 15 April, whereas Himachal Pradesh Day is observed on the 25 January to remember establishing a separate state. Himachal Day commemorates the day on which Himachal Pradesh was established as a province in independent India in 1948.

Q4. How is Himachal Day celebrated?

Himachal Day is an event that the people of Himachal Pradesh look forward to every 15 April. A grand parade at Shimla is the main event on Himachal Day. On this day, many other events are also organized. Since this is a public event, schools, banks, and other institutions remain closed on Himachal Day.

Q5. How many districts of Himachal Pradesh were integrated on Himachal Day?

Four districts of Himachal Pradesh were integrated on Himachal Day. Therefore, Himachal Day is a significant event because it celebrates the formation of Himachal Pradesh as a province. This day is observed as a public holiday in the state, and all public institutions remain closed on this day.