Himachal Pradesh, also known as "Dev Bhumi" or "Snow-laden Mountain Province", is a state in the northern part of India located in the western Himalayas. The name Himachal comes from the Sanskrit words hima, meaning "snow", and acal, meaning "slopes". The state is known for its scenic beauty, which includes snow-capped mountains, deep gorges, forested valleys, large lakes, terraced fields, and cascading streams.