Carved out with 14 hilly
districts of former Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal is the 26th state of the
Indian union. The state is rich in flora and fauna, natural and
touristic ambience, and houses some of the most important pilgrimage centers
in the country. Breathtaking in its natural splendor, grand in its wild
denizens, and simplicity in its people, the region is a unique experience to
your senses.
Uttaranchal is a part of the Western Himalayan
ranges starting from the Shivalik foothills to Greater Himalayas with Tibet
as its northeastern border. In the northwestern corner of the state is
Himachal Pradesh, while Haryana celebrates its union with the newly formed
state with a gentle kiss. The state is surrounded by Uttar Pradesh from most
of its western and southern boundary.
Apart from the Terai region
in the Shivalik foothills, the entire state of Uttaranchal is a part of the
Himalayan ranges.
At 7,817 m above sea level, Nanda Devi in the
district of Chamoli is the highest point in the state. The region
has many glaciers, passes, meadows, and trekking routes with several major
rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna originating from here. A major part of this
Himalayan state comes under rainforests and alpine forests that are home to
some of the highly endangered wildlife species.
History
of UttaranchalUttaranchal is an amalgamation of the two
hilly divisions of former Uttar Pradesh, Kumaon and Garhwal, the
regions that are known according to Hindu legends as Devbhoomi (land of the
gods). Both the divisions, though they are spelled in the same breath, show
sufficient diversity in their history, culture and ethnicity so much so that
they are often considered separately.
The Garhwal Himalayas have nurtured civilization from
the wee hours of history. It appears to have been a favorite locale
for the voluminous mythology of the Puranic period. The traditional name of
Garhwal was Uttarakhand and excavations have revealed that it formed part of
the Mauryan Empire. It also finds mention in the 7th-century travelogue of
Huen Tsang. However, it is with Adi Shankaracharya that the name of Garhwal
will always be linked, for the great 8th-century spiritual reformer visited
the remote, snow-laden heights of Garhwal, established a math (Joshimath)
and resorted some of the most sacred shrines, including Badrinath and
Kedarnath.
The history of Garhwal as one unified whole began in
the 15th century, when king Ajai Pal merged the 52 separate principalities,
each with its own garh or fortress. For 300 years, Garhwal remained one
kingdom, with its capital at Srinagar (not to be confused with the capital
of Kashmir). Then Pauri and Dehradun were perforce ceded to the Crown as
payment for British help, rendered to the Garhwalis during the Gurkha
invasion, in the early 19th century.
Humankind has been around in
Kumaon for a very long time. Evidences of Stone Age settlements have been
found in Kumaon, particularly the rock shelter at Lakhu Udyar. The paintings
here date back to the Mesolithic period.
The early
medieval history of Kumaon is the history of the Katyuri dynasty.
The Katyuri kings ruled from the seventh to the 11th century, holding sway
at the peak of their powers over large areas of Kumaon, Garhwal, and western
Nepal. The town of Baijnath near Almora was the capital of this dynasty and
a center of the arts. Temple building flourished under the Katyuris and the
main architectural innovation introduced by them was the replacement of
bricks with hewn stone.
On a hilltop facing east (opposite
Almora), is the temple of Katarmal. This 900-year-old sun temple was built
during the declining years of the Katyuri dynasty. The intricately carved
doors and panels have been removed to the National Museum in Delhi as a
protective measure after the 10th-century idol of the presiding deity was
stolen.
After an interregnum of a couple of centuries, the Chands
of Pithoragarh became the dominant dynasty. The magnificent temple complex
at Jageshwar, with its cluster of a hundred and sixty-four temples, was
built by the Chand rulers over a duration of two centuries. Dedicated to
Lord Shiva, the evocative carvings are complemented by the beautiful cedar
forest around it.
| » Major Attractions of Uttaranchal |
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Opportunities for tourism are immense in this state, be it
nature, wildlife, adventure, and pilgrimage tourism. The major destinations
are Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Almora, Kedarnath, Badrinath,
Yamunotri, Gangotri, Jim Corbett National Park, Nainital, Ranikhet, and
Pithoragarh. If you are adventurous and like tough challenges, you can go
for high- and low-altitude trekking, river rafting, para gliding,
hang-gliding, mountaineering, skiing, and many others.
| » Fairs & Festivals of Uttaranchal |
|
The major fairs and festivals of the Garhwal region are
Hatkalika Fair, Tapkeshwar Fair, Surkhanda Devi Mela, Kunjapuri Fair,
Lakhawar Village Fair, and Mata Murti Ka Mela. The major fairs and festivals
of Kumaon region are Uttarayani Mela, Shravan Mela (Jageshwar), Kartik
Poornima at Dwarahat, Kasar Devi fair, and Nanda Devi melas.
| » How to Get there |
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Air : Jolly Grant near Dehradun is the only
airport. There are regular flights to Delhi by Indian Airlines. Otherwise,
one has the option to travel to Delhi by road or rail and then take the air
route to various destinations.
Rail : Dehradun,
Haridwar, and Kathgodam are the major railway stations connected to almost
all parts of the country with regular trains. Not many places in the state
are connected by rail because of tough terrains. For those visiting places
in the higher altitudes, trekking and road routes are the only options
available.
Road : Almost all the important
places in the state are connected by roads. Many places in the higher
altitudes may still remain off for a period in the year due to landslides
and snowfall. National Highways such as 58, 73, 74, and 87 connect places in
the state to other parts of the country.
North
India Tour Packages | Hotels
in Uttaranchal
