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Uttarakhand (a.k.a. Uttaranchal)
Uttarakhand, the abode of Gods, is one of the most beautiful states of India. Uttarakhand (formerly Uttaranchal) is located in the northern part of India, bordering China and Nepal on the north and east. It is the land of beautiful and snow covered mountains, cascading rivers, enchanting hill stations, serene lakes, vivid wildlife and revered pilgrimages.
Most parts of Uttarakhand are covered with the mountains (Himalayas). The interiors and high reaches of Uttarakhand are well known for the abodes of Rishis and Munis who have been meditating in these mountains.
Hill stations like Nainital, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Almora, Ranikhet, Kausani, Mukteswar and Auli attract thousand of visitors every year to the state. Some of the places like Nainital, Bhimtal, Corbett National Park, Rishikesh and Mussoorie form perfect getaways from Delhi and National Capital region/NCR.
Besides its natural beauty, Uttarakhand offers so much to the adventurous souls. Cascading rivers make for some really exciting water rafting courses while the topography of Uttarakhand provides the perfect setting for hiking, trekking and mountaineering.
Religious places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri are greatly revered by the followers of Hindu faith and thousands of pilgrims visit these holy places every year.
History
Uttarakhand, the land of Gods finds its mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand and Himavat. The history of this places dates back to the time when the Kushanas ruled it. Then came the Kudinas, Kanishka, Samudra, Gupta and the Chandras. The British have ruled the land for a large amount of time. Uttarakhand is called The Dev Bhoomi because of its various holy places and Shrines.
Geography
The recently formed state of Uttarakhand lies in the north west side of Uttar Pradesh. Uttarakhand is a fraction of the western Himalayan ranges opening from the Shivalik range to the Himalayas. Tibet is at the northeastern border of the state. The northwestern side is kissing the state of Himachal Pradesh. Haryana also touches the state of Uttarakhand. The western and southern boundary is formed by the state of Uttar Pradesh. The entire geographical area of Uttarakhand is 51, 125 sq. kms.
Religions
The major religion of Uttarakhand is Hinduism. There is a majority of Hindus on the lovely land of Uttarakhand.
Languages Spoken
Pahari languages are mostly spoken in the Uttarakhand state. Some of the Pahari languages are - Gurkhali, Khaskura, and Parbatiya. The people of Uttranchal also speak Hindi and English. Urdu is also spoken by a considerable amount of the population of Uttarakhand.
People / Population
The whole population of the recently formed State of Uttarakhand on March 2001 stood at 8,479,562 persons as per the provisional results of the Census of India 2001
Most parts of Uttarakhand are covered with the mountains (Himalayas). The interiors and high reaches of Uttarakhand are well known for the abodes of Rishis and Munis who have been meditating in these mountains.
Hill stations like Nainital, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Almora, Ranikhet, Kausani, Mukteswar and Auli attract thousand of visitors every year to the state. Some of the places like Nainital, Bhimtal, Corbett National Park, Rishikesh and Mussoorie form perfect getaways from Delhi and National Capital region/NCR.
Besides its natural beauty, Uttarakhand offers so much to the adventurous souls. Cascading rivers make for some really exciting water rafting courses while the topography of Uttarakhand provides the perfect setting for hiking, trekking and mountaineering.
Religious places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri are greatly revered by the followers of Hindu faith and thousands of pilgrims visit these holy places every year.
History
Uttarakhand, the land of Gods finds its mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand and Himavat. The history of this places dates back to the time when the Kushanas ruled it. Then came the Kudinas, Kanishka, Samudra, Gupta and the Chandras. The British have ruled the land for a large amount of time. Uttarakhand is called The Dev Bhoomi because of its various holy places and Shrines.
Geography
The recently formed state of Uttarakhand lies in the north west side of Uttar Pradesh. Uttarakhand is a fraction of the western Himalayan ranges opening from the Shivalik range to the Himalayas. Tibet is at the northeastern border of the state. The northwestern side is kissing the state of Himachal Pradesh. Haryana also touches the state of Uttarakhand. The western and southern boundary is formed by the state of Uttar Pradesh. The entire geographical area of Uttarakhand is 51, 125 sq. kms.
Religions
The major religion of Uttarakhand is Hinduism. There is a majority of Hindus on the lovely land of Uttarakhand.
Languages Spoken
Pahari languages are mostly spoken in the Uttarakhand state. Some of the Pahari languages are - Gurkhali, Khaskura, and Parbatiya. The people of Uttranchal also speak Hindi and English. Urdu is also spoken by a considerable amount of the population of Uttarakhand.
People / Population
The whole population of the recently formed State of Uttarakhand on March 2001 stood at 8,479,562 persons as per the provisional results of the Census of India 2001
| Capital | : | Shimla |
| District Area | : | 55673 km2 (21495 sq mi) |
| Altitude | : | about 350 metres (1,148 ft) to 6,000 metres (19,685 ft) above the sea level |
| Sex Ratio | : | 970 females : 1000 males |
| Literacy | : | 77.13% |
| Best time to visit | : | Mid-May to Mid-October, late December to March |
| Temperature | : | Summer: 30°C Max. Winter: 2°C Min. |
| Climate | : | Pleasent in summer, very cold in winter |
| Rainfall | : | 1469 mm |
| Clothing | : | Summer: Cottons Winter: Heavy woolens |
| Local Languages | : | Hindi, Punjabi, Mahasui, Kulluyi, Lahauli, Kinnauri, Chambyali, Sirmauri, Gojri (by Gujjars), Bilaspuri, Pahari, Dogri, Kangri |
| Religion | : | Brahmins, Rajputs, Gujjars, Rathis, Gaddis, Ghirth(choudhary), Kanets, Kolis, Buddhism and Sikhism |
Dehradun
The capital of Uttaranchal this scenic hill station is known for its natural beauty and for the many fine institutions located here. The Forest Research Institute, Dehradun has a fascinating campus with a museum and with many rare plants in its spacious grounds. There are many historic schools in Dehradun and other public buildings that are worth the visit. Caves, springs, and other sites of natural beauty abound around Dehradun.
Read More..
Mussoorie
Called "Queen of the Hills", this beautiful hill station is a popular getaway for people seeking respite from the summer heat of the plains. With its Mall, picturesque bungalows and cottages, institutions of learning, nature walks, water falls and greenery, Mussoorie is an evergreen getaway.
Nainital
Set around Nainital Lake, this ever-popular hill station has scenic vistas, beautiful trails for walkers, boating on the Lake and hospitable people. It is said that G. W. Traill, Commissioner of Kumaon and Garhwal, the first European to set eyes on it in 1823, kept the discovery of this scenic spot strictly to himself because he felt that crowds would violate the sanctity of the place.
Rishikesh
Located in the northern part of Uttar Pradesh. It is 238 km northeast of Delhi and 24 km north of Haridwar and on the right bank of the Ganges, at its confluence with the Chandrabhaga stream. Rishikesh abounds in temples. Most of the pilgrims who pass through Rishikesh on their way to the Himalayan shrines of the Char Dham pause for a holy dip and puja at Triveni Ghat, in the central part of the town.
Corbett National Park
As India's first national park and possibly the finest, the Corbett National Park was first delimited in consultation with that great hunter and conservationist, Jim Corbett. The park spreads over some 920.9 square km at an altitude of 600 to 1100 metres about the foothills of the western Himalayas in the districts of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal. Apart from tigers, leopards as well as other cats such as the leopard cat, jungle cat, and fishing cat are also found here. The sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, dhole, jackal, yellow throated marten, Himalayan palm civet, Indian grey mongoose, common otter, porcupine, and black naped hare are the other attractions of this area. It is possible to see elephants all over the park.
Valley of Flowers
In 1931, Frank Smythe, a mountaineer, lost his way and chanced upon this valley with its colorful fairyland of flowers. Entranced, he named it the Valley of Flowers. Ringed in by snowy, cloud bedecked mountain summits standing sharply against the blue sky, the waterfalls flashing white against the mountainsides, nothing is more striking than the valley's absolute bloom of stunning perfection. On what is a lifeless, frozen wasteland of snow for most of the year, a multi-hued, fragrant, six miles long carpet of exotic flowers unrolls itself, from mid-July till the end of August. As far as the eye can see, down the length of the valley, up the lower mountain slopes, there are flowers and flowers, and still more flowers.
Gangotri
Couched in the magnificent Garhwal hills, Gangotri is at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level. Gangotri is situated in the northernmost part of the state of Uttaranchal and is very near the Indo-Tibetan border. It is approximately 300 km from Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh. The most famous site nearby is the Gaumukh (literal meaning, cow's mouth) glacier, which is at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level. It is the geographical origin of the Ganges and is at a distance of 18 km from Gangotri uphill. The Ganges is called the Bhagirathi here.
Yamunotri
Yamunotri is the origin of the sacred river Yamuna. Famous for its thermal springs and glaciers, it is one of the most important stopovers on the itinerary of the Hindu pilgrim. Perched at an altitude of 3293 meters above sea level, Yamunotri is 278 km from Dehradun and 236 km from Rishikesh. The Yamunotri Temple is the major attraction of this site. The temple is dedicated to the river Yamuna, who is represented in the form of a silver idol, bedecked with garlands.
Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park at Chilla is 16 km from Rishikesh. The park (820 sq km) has abundant wildlife and is especially known for its wild elephants.
The capital of Uttaranchal this scenic hill station is known for its natural beauty and for the many fine institutions located here. The Forest Research Institute, Dehradun has a fascinating campus with a museum and with many rare plants in its spacious grounds. There are many historic schools in Dehradun and other public buildings that are worth the visit. Caves, springs, and other sites of natural beauty abound around Dehradun.
Read More..
Mussoorie
Called "Queen of the Hills", this beautiful hill station is a popular getaway for people seeking respite from the summer heat of the plains. With its Mall, picturesque bungalows and cottages, institutions of learning, nature walks, water falls and greenery, Mussoorie is an evergreen getaway.
Nainital
Set around Nainital Lake, this ever-popular hill station has scenic vistas, beautiful trails for walkers, boating on the Lake and hospitable people. It is said that G. W. Traill, Commissioner of Kumaon and Garhwal, the first European to set eyes on it in 1823, kept the discovery of this scenic spot strictly to himself because he felt that crowds would violate the sanctity of the place.
Rishikesh
Located in the northern part of Uttar Pradesh. It is 238 km northeast of Delhi and 24 km north of Haridwar and on the right bank of the Ganges, at its confluence with the Chandrabhaga stream. Rishikesh abounds in temples. Most of the pilgrims who pass through Rishikesh on their way to the Himalayan shrines of the Char Dham pause for a holy dip and puja at Triveni Ghat, in the central part of the town.
Corbett National Park
As India's first national park and possibly the finest, the Corbett National Park was first delimited in consultation with that great hunter and conservationist, Jim Corbett. The park spreads over some 920.9 square km at an altitude of 600 to 1100 metres about the foothills of the western Himalayas in the districts of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal. Apart from tigers, leopards as well as other cats such as the leopard cat, jungle cat, and fishing cat are also found here. The sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, dhole, jackal, yellow throated marten, Himalayan palm civet, Indian grey mongoose, common otter, porcupine, and black naped hare are the other attractions of this area. It is possible to see elephants all over the park.
Valley of Flowers
In 1931, Frank Smythe, a mountaineer, lost his way and chanced upon this valley with its colorful fairyland of flowers. Entranced, he named it the Valley of Flowers. Ringed in by snowy, cloud bedecked mountain summits standing sharply against the blue sky, the waterfalls flashing white against the mountainsides, nothing is more striking than the valley's absolute bloom of stunning perfection. On what is a lifeless, frozen wasteland of snow for most of the year, a multi-hued, fragrant, six miles long carpet of exotic flowers unrolls itself, from mid-July till the end of August. As far as the eye can see, down the length of the valley, up the lower mountain slopes, there are flowers and flowers, and still more flowers.
Gangotri
Couched in the magnificent Garhwal hills, Gangotri is at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level. Gangotri is situated in the northernmost part of the state of Uttaranchal and is very near the Indo-Tibetan border. It is approximately 300 km from Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh. The most famous site nearby is the Gaumukh (literal meaning, cow's mouth) glacier, which is at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level. It is the geographical origin of the Ganges and is at a distance of 18 km from Gangotri uphill. The Ganges is called the Bhagirathi here.
Yamunotri
Yamunotri is the origin of the sacred river Yamuna. Famous for its thermal springs and glaciers, it is one of the most important stopovers on the itinerary of the Hindu pilgrim. Perched at an altitude of 3293 meters above sea level, Yamunotri is 278 km from Dehradun and 236 km from Rishikesh. The Yamunotri Temple is the major attraction of this site. The temple is dedicated to the river Yamuna, who is represented in the form of a silver idol, bedecked with garlands.
Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park at Chilla is 16 km from Rishikesh. The park (820 sq km) has abundant wildlife and is especially known for its wild elephants.
Hill Stations
The state of Uttarakhand has a number of hill stations or summer retreats, more than one can imagine. Some famous ones such as Nainital, Mussoorie, Dehradun, Almora and Kasauni have a colonial history and others, though obscure, have a historical connection. Dehradun is one the oldest cities established by the Britishers in India. Tourists not only relax in the serene environs of these places but also connect with their inner self.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Since Uttarakhand has rich flora and fauna, it’s quite natural that they are protected by National parks and wildlife sanctuaries like Jim Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Nanda Devi National Park and Govind National Park. Though most of the park area remains closed during the monsoons due to security reasons, the rest of the year you can explore the wild beauty of Uttarakhand.
Adventure Sports
Uttarakhand is full of hills, mountains, gushing rivers and glaciers giving ample opportunities of adventure sports to the visitors. Sports like River Rafting, Kayaking, Skiing, Trekking, Paragliding, Hang-gliding, Mountaineering, Canoeing, and the occasional Golfing keeps every curious or bored visitor happy. The frosty pinnacles of the Himalayas are source mighty rivers. Rivers flowing through innumerable number forests, rocky gorges, and high mountain villages, provide ideal locales for the perfect water adventure.
Pilgrimage
The land of Uttarakhand is closely associated with spiritualism and pilgrimage sine time immemorial. The mountains of Uttaranchal have long been associated with legends of meditation and mysticism. The state is home to one of the most revered Hindu shrines in India. A person interested in exploring the spiritual side of India can visit the shrines of Kedar Nath, Badri Nath, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Hemkund Sahib, Tapkeshawar Temple, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
The state of Uttarakhand has a number of hill stations or summer retreats, more than one can imagine. Some famous ones such as Nainital, Mussoorie, Dehradun, Almora and Kasauni have a colonial history and others, though obscure, have a historical connection. Dehradun is one the oldest cities established by the Britishers in India. Tourists not only relax in the serene environs of these places but also connect with their inner self.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Since Uttarakhand has rich flora and fauna, it’s quite natural that they are protected by National parks and wildlife sanctuaries like Jim Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Nanda Devi National Park and Govind National Park. Though most of the park area remains closed during the monsoons due to security reasons, the rest of the year you can explore the wild beauty of Uttarakhand.
Adventure Sports
Uttarakhand is full of hills, mountains, gushing rivers and glaciers giving ample opportunities of adventure sports to the visitors. Sports like River Rafting, Kayaking, Skiing, Trekking, Paragliding, Hang-gliding, Mountaineering, Canoeing, and the occasional Golfing keeps every curious or bored visitor happy. The frosty pinnacles of the Himalayas are source mighty rivers. Rivers flowing through innumerable number forests, rocky gorges, and high mountain villages, provide ideal locales for the perfect water adventure.
Pilgrimage
The land of Uttarakhand is closely associated with spiritualism and pilgrimage sine time immemorial. The mountains of Uttaranchal have long been associated with legends of meditation and mysticism. The state is home to one of the most revered Hindu shrines in India. A person interested in exploring the spiritual side of India can visit the shrines of Kedar Nath, Badri Nath, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Hemkund Sahib, Tapkeshawar Temple, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
The lovely state of Uttarakhand experiences extreme climatic conditions with very high temperature in summer and freezing cold in winters. The beautiful land is of extreme temperatures. Summers are unbearable with the mercury touching as high as 40C.
However, the winters are very (and sometimes extremely) cold with the mercury dipping incredibly low, the temperature going below 5C. Nevertheless, the high altitude mountainous areas remain enclosed with snow for most parts of the year. The snowy peaks of the Himalayas act as a natural cooler not only to the immediate surrounding areas but also to the rest of India. The average temperature in hilly areas of Uttaranchal stays around 30o C in summers and 2o C in winters. The relative humidity borders around 77 to 92% approximately all through the year.
The state has two distinct climatic regions: the chief hilly landscape and the diminutive plain section. The climatic stipulation of the plains is parallel to its counterpart in the Gangetic plain that is, tropical. The Himalayan region has Alpine environment exemplified by cold winters with snowfall for relatively long time, good rainfall in the monsoon, and meek summers.
However, the winters are very (and sometimes extremely) cold with the mercury dipping incredibly low, the temperature going below 5C. Nevertheless, the high altitude mountainous areas remain enclosed with snow for most parts of the year. The snowy peaks of the Himalayas act as a natural cooler not only to the immediate surrounding areas but also to the rest of India. The average temperature in hilly areas of Uttaranchal stays around 30o C in summers and 2o C in winters. The relative humidity borders around 77 to 92% approximately all through the year.
The state has two distinct climatic regions: the chief hilly landscape and the diminutive plain section. The climatic stipulation of the plains is parallel to its counterpart in the Gangetic plain that is, tropical. The Himalayan region has Alpine environment exemplified by cold winters with snowfall for relatively long time, good rainfall in the monsoon, and meek summers.
By Air:
The state of Uttarakhand has only one airport till now in the form of Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. The second is in Pant Nagar, near Nainital, with limited flights. Almost all public and private airlines operate regular flights to Dehradun.
By Railway:
Rail network is also quite very convenient in Uttarakhand. The key Railway Stations in the state are Dehradun, Haridwar and Kathgodam. Many super-fast express and passenger (local) trains connect these locations with cities in other parts of India. However due to difficult terrain of the hilly Uttaranchal, it is not possible to extend the railway services to interior and remote locales.
By Road:
Uttarakhand has a wide-ranging road network covering the state. The state has an exceptional road connection with Delhi and many State Highways. They provide the linkage to tourist destinations and important places like Corbett National Park, Haridwar and Rishikesh. Regular bus shuttle services (private, deluxe, state or otherwise) are available for journey to Uttarakhand.
The state of Uttarakhand has only one airport till now in the form of Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. The second is in Pant Nagar, near Nainital, with limited flights. Almost all public and private airlines operate regular flights to Dehradun.
By Railway:
Rail network is also quite very convenient in Uttarakhand. The key Railway Stations in the state are Dehradun, Haridwar and Kathgodam. Many super-fast express and passenger (local) trains connect these locations with cities in other parts of India. However due to difficult terrain of the hilly Uttaranchal, it is not possible to extend the railway services to interior and remote locales.
By Road:
Uttarakhand has a wide-ranging road network covering the state. The state has an exceptional road connection with Delhi and many State Highways. They provide the linkage to tourist destinations and important places like Corbett National Park, Haridwar and Rishikesh. Regular bus shuttle services (private, deluxe, state or otherwise) are available for journey to Uttarakhand.