ABOUT UTTARAKHAND
Uttarakhand is a state located in the northern part of India bordering the state of Himachal Pradesh in the west, Uttar Pradesh in south with Nepal in East and Tibet in North. 86% of Uttarakhand is mountainous and most of the northern part is covered with high Himalayan Peaks and Glaciers from where many rivers originate. 65% of the state is covered with forest which is home to thousands of varieties of Flora and Fauna.
Uttarakhand is a state located in the northern part of India bordering the state of Himachal Pradesh in the west, Uttar Pradesh in south with Nepal in East and Tibet in North. 86% of Uttarakhand is mountainous and most of the northern part is covered with high Himalayan Peaks and Glaciers from where many rivers originate. 65% of the state is covered with forest which is home to thousands of varieties of Flora and Fauna.
Uttarakhand is divided into two divisions namely Garhwal and
Kumaon with capital at Dehradun. Some of the major towns of Uttarakhand are
Dehradun , Haridwar ,Pauri , Pithoragarh
, Almora , Nainital , Ranikhet.
Agriculture and tourism are the main sectors of
economy in uttarakhand with now hydropower plants , Food processing , IT and
manufacturing sector setting up base in uttarakhand.
Uttarakhand also
called ‘Dev Bhoomi’ the land of Gods is divinely blissful, beautiful and
majestic gem among the best of Mother Nature’s treasure on this earth.
The variety of
experiences that a traveler can get in uttarakhand is far far more than any
other location. The credit of the beauty and diversity of uttarakhand goes to
the majestic Himalayan ranges of this region which gives rise to the most
sacred rivers of India which is Ganga and Yamuna apart from many others.
The mention of Himalayas can be found in world’s most
ancient, sacred and mythological literature and cultures of Hindus. Himalaya
has always been a sacred and spiritual destination from ancient times of Hindu
scholars and sages with numerous holy destinations like Haridwar, Kedarnath ,
Badrinath , Gangotri , Yamunotri and many more.
Since history uttarakhand had mostly been a pilgrimage destination
because of the holy places and associated mythology but now uttarakhand proudly
boasts its beautiful hill stations and honeymoon destinations like
Nainital , Mussoorie , Ranikhet , Lansdowne , Pauri , Kausani and many more.
The ever-flowing rivers, the landscape and the lush green
forest spread across uttarakhand where wildlife bursts with hundreds and
thousands of species welcome tourists for adventure activities like river rafting,
trekking, camping, jungle safaris, photography and much more.
The winter season in uttarakhand transform some of the
places in heaven for tourist if you want to experience snowfall or want to try skiing than visit to uttarakhand is what you should be thinking during winters.
Words can never be enough to perfectly describe the beauty
and spirituality of uttarakhand, whatever is your taste, choice and
purpose of visit there will be enough of places to choose from to quench your
desire in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand is very well connected through roads to rest
of the country and is just 4 to 5 hours road distance from Delhi ,
Gurgaon , Noida , Faridabad , Ghaziabad, Chandigarh and other cities of North
India making it the best place for finding best holiday packages and a quick
weekend destinations.
HOLY SHRINES OF UTTARAKHAND
Uttarakhand is home to the holiest of shrines, places and
temples of India. Lakhs and lakhs of devoted Hindus take pilgrimage to
Badrinath , Kedarnath , Gangotri , Yamunotri
every year even after facing acute weather and hilly terrain drawing
strength from the spirituality they receive on reaching these shrines in high
altitudes of Himalayan snow clad mountains. Apart from these Haridwar, Rishikesh,
Devpriyag , Tungnath , Rudranath , Joshimath , Hemkund Sahib , Adi badri and
many more ancient holy places are found in every direction of Uttarakhand and
that’s why it is called land of gods ‘Dev Bhoomi’.
Char Dham |
MOUNTAIN PEAKS OF UTTARAKHAND
Nanda Devi, Trishul , Chaukhamba , Kamet, Panchchuli , Swargarohini
, Shivling, Meru Parbar , Bandarpunch , Neelkant and many more snow capped
mountain peaks are present in the uttarakhand region of Himalaya adding to the
beauty of this area and surroundings. The lower mountains makes ideal
destinations for tourist interested in adventure activities like trekking,
high altitude camping, rock climbing etc apart from being ideal
destinations for photographers and nature lovers to satisfy their passion.
Uttarakhand Himalayan Range |
GLACIERS OF UTTARAKHAND
The part of Himalaya in Uttarakhand consist of major glacial
formations that include Banderpunch , Doonagiri , Khatlang , Gangotri , Nanda Devi in Garhwal region and Kaphni , Milam , Pindari and Ralam
Glaciers in Kumaon Region. Lot of tourists takes trekking expeditions to these
glaciers passing through beautiful surroundings and majestic views. These glaciers
are the birth places of many rivers and streams which on their journey
towards planes converge into big rivers that have water flowing throughout the
year providing water supply in the northern part of India.
Pindari Glacier |
GRASSLANDS "BUGYALS" OF UTTARAKHAND
The high-altitude grasslands, locally called 'Bugyals'
gives a uniqueness to the natural beauty of Uttarakhand. These grasslands are
generally found above 2700m in Himalayan Mountains and are pasture lands for
wild as well as domestic animals. These grasslands are generally soft slopes
with wide spread emerging in between forests and providing awesome opportunity
for picnic and camping activity apart from giving you astounding views
of the snow-capped mountain peaks and cool cool breeze flowing on your face.
The experience can leave you amazed.
Some of the best known Bugyals of the state are Bedni
Bugyal near Karnpriyag. Auli and Gorsou Bugyal near Joshimath ,
Kush-Kalyani bugyal and Panwali bugyal
near Tehri , Dayara Bugyal in uttarkashi.
Bedni Bugyal |
RIVERS OF UTTARAKHAND
The holiest of all Hindu rivers, the Ganga, gushes
from Gaumukh in the Gangotri Glacier of Uttarakahnd and is worshiped at all places
it flows till it meets the sea at the Bay
of Bengal. A dip in the holy waters of the Ganga promises to wipe the soul’s
slate clean of all sin. Other famous rivers in the region are Yamuna,
Bhagirathi, Alaknanda , Mandakini, Dhauli Ganga, Kali Ganga, Girthi Ganga,
Rishi Ganga, Bal Ganga, Kosi. The banks of these ever-flowing rivers are dotted
with shrines and temples and are often full of pilgrims at different times of
the year, celebrating big and small festivals, anniversaries and special
occasions.
Uttarakhand rivers are not only for holy dip but you can
also enjoy adventure activities like rafting , boating , fishing , waterfalls , Trekking and camping on river side’s.
Huge hydropower projects on these rivers like Tehri Dam and
many upcoming projects are bound to become source of green energy in the coming
years.
Everflowing Rivers of Uttarakhand |
FESTIVALS OF UTTARAKHAND
Uttarakhand being the land of Gods and home to places of
religious significance and importance is automatically rich in culture and
heritage. Fairs also called Melas are celebrated with passion and dedication.
They are an integral part of the social and cultural life of Uttarakhand. If
you want to feel and see the cultural diversity of this state one should visit
these fairs and festivals. People from all communities participate in these
Melas and one can witness the unity in cultural diversity among the masses.
Some of the big Fairs and Festivals of uttarakhand are
Kumbh Mela which is one of the biggest and most
sacred religious functions in the world is celebrated at Haridwar after every
12 years. Hundreds of millions of people converge on the bank of river Ganga
during this festival to take a dip in its holy water.
Kanvad Yatra is an annual pilgrimage taken up by lakhs of
followers of Lord Shiva in the month of Shravan to fetch holy waters of River Ganga from
several places including Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakahnd.
Kumbh Mela at Haridwar |
Nanda Devi Raj Jat festival offers an unparalleled
and complete experience to the travelers with interest in local cultural and
religious traditions of Uttarakhand as well as to those who are decent trekking
enthusiasts. Its sanctity for locals is equal to Kumbh and it is one of the
most lively and colourful festivals in the region.
Magh Mela , Bissu Mela , Uttarayani Mela and others
are also celebrated in Uttarakhand and a tourist interested in knowing
the local culture and tradition can visit these festivals and be part of them.
Nanda Devi Raj Jat |
LAKES OF UTTARAKHAND
Deoria Tal |
Bhimtal |
HILL STATIONS OF UTTARAKHAND
Uttarakahnd is home to some of the best hill stations of
India. The majestic snow capped Himalayan peaks, rivers, beautiful valleys
and lakes make the places in uttarakhand a ideal destinations for relaxing and
rejuvenating yourself during your vacations and indulge into numerous
activities around. Some of the famous hill stations of uttarakhand are Nainital, Mussoorie , Ranikhet , Kausani , Pauri , Tehri , Almora and many more. These hill stations offer you
opportunity for boating , trekking , photography , skiing , nature walk and
much more apart from offering you to spend your time among the beautiful ,
clean and calm surroundings.
Mussoorie |
NATIONAL PARKS OF UTTARAKHAND
Uttarakhand is possibly one
of the few regions in the world where all the life zones from sub-tropical hot
to Arctic cold exist within a distance of 100 Km, thus providing an
astoundingly rich floral and faunal diversity. The State has 12 National Parks
and Wildlife Sanctuaries that cover 13.8% of the total area of the state. The
various parks and sanctuaries are located at different altitudes varying from
800 meters to the high altitude protected areas at 5400 meters. Nanda Devi
Biosphere reserve, Valley of Flowers National Park, Corbett NationalPark, Rajaji National Park, Binsar
Wildlife Sanctuary are major tourist attractions. Numerous varieties of Flora
and Fauna are found in these places and are a delight to Nature lovers,
wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers, Researchers and Photographers.
Corbett National Park |