This brochure was released on the occassion of the Namakarana and dedication ceremony of the Himalayan Chandra Telescope at the Indian Astronomical Observatory, Mt.Saraswati, Hanle, Ladakh by Dr.Murli Manohar Joshi, Honourable Minister for Science & Technology, Human Resource Development & Ocean Development, Government of India on 29 August, 2001 at Centre for Research and Education in Science and Technology, Hosakote in the venerable presence of Shri S.M. Krishna Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka.