Interesting facts

1. Una is widely known as the "Gateway to Himachal Pradesh" from the state of Punjab. 2. Unlike the rest of Himachal Pradesh which is highly mountainous, Una is mostly situated in the plains and low hills of the Shivalik range. 3. It is the hottest district in Himachal Pradesh, with summer temperatures regularly crossing 40°C. 4. Una does not experience any snowfall, a rarity for a district in a Himalayan state. 5. The Swan River, which flows through the district, was historically called the "Sorrow of Una" because of its erratic and destructive monsoon floods. 6. Una is home to the first broad-gauge railway line in Himachal Pradesh (the Nangal Dam - Una route). 7. The famous Chintpurni Temple, one of the major Shakti Peethas in India, is located in the Una district and draws millions of pilgrims annually. 8. Una shares a long, porous border with the Hoshiarpur and Rupnagar districts of Punjab. 9. The city became a district headquarters on September 1, 1972, when the Kangra district was reorganized. 10. Due to its proximity to Punjab, the local culture, cuisine, and language are deeply influenced by Punjabi traditions. 11. The district is home to IIIT Una, one of the premier engineering institutes in northern India. 12. Kila Baba Bedi Ji, a historical site in Una, is the ancestral home of the descendants of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. 13. Una is heavily agricultural, with wheat and maize being the primary crops grown in the fertile plains. 14. The Indian Prime Minister flagged off the state's first Vande Bharat Express from the Una railway station in 2022. 15. The region is famous for its "khads"—wide, sandy, seasonal riverbeds that remain dry most of the year but rush with water during the monsoon. 16. Dera Baba Bharbhag Singh, a prominent shrine known for its annual fair, is located in the district. 17. Gobind Sagar Lake, a massive man-made reservoir formed by the Bhakra Dam, touches the boundaries of Una district. 18. The upcoming Bulk Drug Park in Una is expected to make it one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs in North India. 19. Pir Nigaha, another revered local shrine, is an excellent example of the region's syncretic religious culture, visited by both Hindus and Muslims. 20. Historically, the area was ruled by the Katoch dynasty of Kangra before coming under Sikh and then British rule.