tourism of uttarakhand wikipedia

• 1.1 Climate
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By train
• 3.2 By auto rickshaw
• 3.3 By shared (fixed-route) autorickshaws
• 3.4 On foot
• 3.5 By car or taxi
• 4.1 Religious sites
• 5.1 Trekking
• 5.2 Paragliding
• 8.2 Alcohol
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge

Dehradun is the provisional capital of Uttarakhand state. It is nestled between the Himalayan foothills to the north and the Shivaliks to the south. The town offers breathtaking scenery.

Understand [ edit ]

Dehradun has experienced tremendous growth, and has a population of around 550,000. It is also famous for the Doon School, which is often referred to as the Eton of India.

Climate [ edit ]

Dehradun is at an altitude of 2,200 ft in the Doon Valley between two of the most important rivers in India , the Ganges and Yamuna. It offers beautiful scenery and a moderate (but very rainy) climate in summer, and so is an ideal place to relax and escape the heat of the plains below. The town also serves as a convenient base for visiting the area's many tourist sites.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ], by train [ edit ], by bus [ edit ].

• 30.28746 77.99795 3 ISBT . The bus station is located about 5–6 km from the centre of the town. To arrive from Delhi, trains are more convenient. ( updated Aug 2023 )

In case you are interchanging in Dehradun during the day, it sometimes makes sense to get off before the bus turn into the station, which is where many buses ply not going into the station or coming out somewhere else, e.g. going to Rishikesh. Ask the driver of your current bus, where to catch the onward bus.

From ISBT, Kashmere Gate in Old Delhi , Delux, Volvo, Semi-deluxe and ordinary Uttarakhand State buses depart hourly. There is also an overnight deluxe A/C service run by Uttarakhand Tourism. It is a 6–7-hr journey from Delhi.

By car [ edit ]

The trip from Delhi is in principle a five-hour drive, but unless departing very early in the morning, traffic greatly lengthens the journey. The town is on the narrow, two-lane NH 72A (Chhutmalpur to Dehradun). The road has slow vehicles at harvest times and pilgrims walking on the road in late July and early August.

Car rental companies provide cars to Dehradun from New Delhi Airport & New Delhi Railway station.

Get around [ edit ]

Dehradun has a city bus service run by private owners under STA. The destinations are written in Hindi above the windshield. Generally, however, the buses are crowded, so it is better to use other means of transport.

By auto rickshaw [ edit ]

Auto rickshaws are plentiful in the downtown area. They are not metered, but instead use a fixed rate system. However, as the rate is often not prominently displayed, it is advisable to have some idea of the cost to your destination before taking an auto rickshaw. Otherwise, you are very likely to be charged well over the odds.

By shared (fixed-route) autorickshaws [ edit ]

The cheapest way to get around town is via the ubiquitous blue three wheelers called Vikrams. These vehicles are often crammed, with capacity for 8 cramped passengers in the back. The Vikrams are numbered according to their routes through the city. Fare is ₹3-₹5.

• 1 - Rajpur Road: begins at Astley Road and travels North to the Rajpur-Mussoorie Road Fork.
• 2 - Sahastradhara/Raipur: begins at Survey Chowk, proceeds eastward to Sahastradhara Crossing, before splitting towards the North (Sahastradhara Road) or East (Raipur Road) depending on the Autorickshaw.
• 3 - Dharampur, Rispana Bridge: begins at Survey Chowk, proceeds to Haridwar Road and Dharampur, before proceeding through the Nehru Colony to Rispana Bridge.
• 4 - Doiwala: begins at Rispana Bridge and proceeds to Doiwala.
• 5 - Majra/ISBT: begins at Astley Hall, proceeds South to Majra and the Interstate Bus Terminus.
• 6 - Kaulagarh Road: begins at Connaught Place, goes Northwest up Kaulagarh Road.
• 7 - Chakrata Road: begins at Connaught Place, goes West on Chakrata Road.
• 8 - Kanwali/Kaonli Road: begins at Astley Hall, proceeds South to Saharanpur Chowk, before going West on Kanwali/Kaonli Road towards Balliwala. The last stop on this route varies between Seemadwar/Indranagar, Anurag Nursery or Vasant Vihar Chowk.
• 10 - Premnagar: very infrequent, goes West to Premnagar via Kaonli Road.

On foot [ edit ]

The best way to explore the town is on foot, since it is surprisingly compact. Finding your way around is not that difficult as it may seem at first glance. Rajpur Road is the main avenue and Chakrata Road is also quite an important street. They both intersect at the Clock Tower Roundabout. Walking across town can take up to 30 minutes.

By car or taxi [ edit ]

You can easily book a taxi in Dehradun from many local tour & travel agents operating. A car rental from good travel company can be opted for local & outstation journey. You can easily reach Dehradun by hiring online cabs from Uber & Ola app if taxi is available because many times cab is not available on their app. You may also hire a taxi online by visiting online cab rental companies

• Travelodesk , ☏ +91 888-190-0900 . 24x7 support  
• Doon Taxi Service , ☏ +91 847-498-2919 .  
• Goyal Taxi Services , ☏ +91 135-605-8125 .  

See [ edit ]

• 30.3335 77.9816 1 Chetwoode Hall , Dehradun-Chakrata Road . The Indian Military Academy. A charming little museum housing collections of 20th century military artifacts.  
• 30.324341 78.041843 2 Clock Tower , Rajpur Road ( Rajpur and Gandhi Roads crossing ). Built by the British, this remains the icon of the downtown area.  
• 30.322 78.0771 3 The Gurkha Fort , Tapovan Forest Area .  
• 30.380393 77.98087 4 Jaspal Rana Shooting Range . Majhon- Paunda, Via Nanda Ki Chowki, Premnagar, Dehradun  
• 30.517894 77.843875 6 Kalsi . Small town in the Dehradun District with ancient monuments such as the Edicts_of_Ashoka.  
• 30.316494 78.032191 8 RIMC ( Rashtriya Indian Military College ). RIMC is one of the finest schools in India for training young men to become a part of the Indian Armed Forces.  
• 30.38544 78.12653 10 Sahastradhara . Around 14 km from Dehradun is the cold Sulphur water spring called Sahastradhara. The spring is believed to have exceptional medicinal value and the dripping caves and a bath in the Baldi River near the spring are said to rejuvenate the body and soul.  
• 30.328533 78.013295 11 Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology . Another place worth a visit is the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. It is the best center on Himalayan geology in the country and has done some pioneering work in the field. A museum displaying the geological diversity of the sub-continent is the center of attraction here and a must see for all those visiting the institute.  

Religious sites [ edit ]

• The Char Siddhs . Comprised of a group of four temples around Dehradun : Lakshman Siddh (along the Dehradun-Rishikesh road 12 km from Dehradun), Kalu Siddh (near Baniyawala), Manak Siddh (near Shimla Bypass Road) and Madu Siddh (near Premnagar). Small temples in scenic and as yet unspoilt locales. It is commonly believed that visitng all four Siddhs in a single day will fulfill a devotee's wishes.  
• 30.261555 77.996938 12 Mindrolling Monastery , 3 Budha Temple Rd, New Basti, Clement Town , ☏ +91 135 264-0556 , +91 135 264-0968 . A large Buddhist monastery in the Tibetan Nyingma tradition.  
• 30.317982 78.031995 13 Ram Rai Darbar , Jhanda Mohalla . Built by Guru Har Rai's son, it attracts many Sikh pilgrims from the nearby state of Punjab. Admission is free and non-Sikhs are welcome.  
• 30.3799 78.08751 14 Sai Darbar Temple , 109 Rajpur Road, IAS Officers Colony, Hathibarkala Salwala . This place of worship holds a high spiritual value, and is thus visited by tourists across the country.  
• 30.357364 78.016505 15 Tapkeshwar Temple , Garhi Cantt . An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Tapkeshwar is on the banks of a rivulet.  
• 30.130187 78.323056 16 Tapovan , Rajpur Road . According to legend, Guru Dronacharya did penance here.  

Do. [ edit ]

• Picnic - Pack a hamper of food and drinks and picnic at Sahastradhara, on the banks of the Baldi River. The mineral waters here are pure and clean. It is a 30-minute drive from the city of Dehradun. You can also rent a cycle from Hotel Madhuban. It takes a little over an hour to bike down.
• After a hard day's sightseeing, drive down to the village of Dakpathar 45 km away. The sparkling waters of the Yamuna makes this the perfect spot to relax. The neat little GMVN Tourist Complex is in the village. It has a good restaurant and a small swimming pool.

Trekking [ edit ]

Dehradun has plenty of trekking opportunities around as it serves as the nearest railway station to many trekking destinations.Here are a few among them

• Nag Tibba Trek – Also known as Serpent peak trek is one of the most loved winter treks of India. Located at an altitude of 3,050 m this easy trek is famous for its bold beauty all around it. Local of this area offer prayer to Nag Devta (God of snakes) so it got its name as Nag and Tibba means hill locked. This peak is also known as the highest peak of the lower Himalayas situated in the Garhwal region. The base camp for this trek is in a small village Pantwari which is about 90 km away from the nearest railway station .
• Har ki Dun Trek – Lateral meaning of word Har Ki Dun is 'Valley of God'. This beautiful trek is located at an altitude of 3,570 m at the foot of Fateh Parvat. it is said that the people of small village Osla had fought with Kauravas in the battle of Mahabharata. They are still loyal to Kaurva's and offer prayer in a temple dedicated to Duryodhana. This trek is popular among trekkers for its terrific ancient culture, mountain view, river streams, meadows, grassland and the alpine lake. The trail is of moderate gradient making it a perfect summer trek. Basecamp for this trek is at Sankri which is about 200 km away from the nearest railway station i.e Dehradun Railway Station.
• Kedarkantha Trek –Kedarkantha means Lord Shiva's neck also got its place in some of the ancient Hindu scriptures. This Kedarkantha peak is situated in Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarkashi District of Indian state Uttarakhand. Trekking to Kedarkanta peak is famous for its amazing 360° view of snow-covered mountains all around. This peak is at a height of 3,800 m and can be reached from its basecamp Sankri village in about 3 days and can be done in 5 days from the nearest railway station Dehradun. This winter trek is not just a trek but it is a real summit very rare on most of the trekking destinations in India.
• Dayara Bugyal Trek – Dayara Bugyal (High altitude meadow) is famous for a magnificent view of the densely forested valley and high altitude meadow which is situated at a height of around 3,660 m. Dayara Bugyal has a very wide snow expanse, it is as wide most of the time you will not be able to identify where it ends. This wide view of whiteness is rare which makes this trek one of the most favourite trekking destinations during the winter season. Some other mountain peaks of Mt. Srikanth, Mt. Junali are clearly visible from this trek. This trek has its base camp at a small village Raithatl which is about 185 Km away from the nearest railway station Dehradun Railway station. This trek can be done in 6 days from Dehradun and in 4 days from Raithal.
• Rupin Pass Trek – At an altitude of 4,650 m in the Uttarakhand state of India has its trail stretched both in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. This trek is of a total of 65 km and undeniably one of the greatest cross-over treks of India. Changing view at every moment sometimes very sudden this classic trek is like an orchestra changing scene with every beat. With every step vistas change and provide completely different views with every step. Views of the Rupin river flowing below you, trails passing through some of the hanging villages, snow bridges, glaciers, numerous waterfall on the way will make leave you astonished. Trek has its base camp at Dhaula village which is about 180 km from Dehradun and will take you around 8–9 hours to reach here. It will take you around 8 days to complete this trek from Dehradun.

Paragliding [ edit ]

Adventure seekers can enjoy tandem paragliding in Maldevta, a small town 10 km away from the center of Dehradun.

• India Thrills , ☏ +91 8077146567 . ₹3,500-4,500 . ( updated Apr 2020 )
• Adventure Nation . ₹4,250-5,250 . ( updated Apr 2020 )
• BizareXpedition , ☏ +91 9897-581-113 . ₹3,125-7,130 . ( updated May 2023 )

Buy [ edit ]

• Alaya Design Studio , 94, Old Rajpur, Near Shahenshahi Ashram ( in Old Rajpur, accessible by going uphill from Dakpatti Rajpur market or from Old Mussorie Road, turn towards Shahenshahi Ashram ), ☏ +91 135 6537205 . M-Sa 10AM-7PM . A design led social enterprise, Alaya Design Studio works with Craft and Skill based artisan communities in the state of Uttarakhand. At their retail outlet based in 94, Old Rajpur, you can find contemporary designs of Crafts and Furniture in locally available materials such as Bamboo, Wood, Handcrafted Copper, Natural fibers etc.  
• Astley Hall , Rajpur Road - a complex full of interesting, and good value shops and restaurants.
• Basmati rice - the Dehradun area is famous all over India & the world for its fragrant Basmati rice, but you can probably buy bags of it at your local Indian store so don't bother buying any here.
• Book World , 10-A Astley Hall ( at Astley Hall ), ☏ +91 135-2655845 . Another great bookshop where you can get practically any book you want.  
• The English book Depot . 15, Rajpur Road - the best bookshop for miles, with an excellent stock of fiction, travel literature, magazines and newspapers.  
• Brightly coloured, hand made woollen items made by tribal communities in the nearby Garhwal Hills.
• Himalayan Weavers , ☏ +91 135 2733113 (Rajpur), +91 135 2115282 (Mussoorie) . They use natural dyes to produce hand-woven shawls, stoles, scarves and throws of wool, eri silk and pashmina. Their aim is popularize the use of environmentally friendly natural dyes and provide a market for craft products made in the Himalayan region. They have a showroom in Chowk Bazaar (Rajpur). They also have a showroom 8 km from Mussoorie on the Mussoorie-Dhanaulti Road.  
• Khukris - the traditional knives that Dehradun is famous for. In fact the sword used in the film "Gladiator" was designed and made in Dehradun. Small shops in Dehradun stock them.
• Paltan Bazaar - a good place to pick up the local variety of Basmati Rice, and hand made woollen garments made by local tribal communities.
• Rajpur Road - the most popular shopping area.

Eat [ edit ]

• Black Pepper Bar & Restaurant , Astley Hall, Rajpur Rd . One of the finest bar and multicuisine restaurant in Dehradun in a soothing ambience.  
• Ellora's . Ellora's amazing cookies and plum cake.  
• Flavors , Saharanpur Road , ☏ +91 135 2626166 , +91 135 2726166 . Daily 11AM-11PM . Delicious food and amazing ambiance with live ghazals. Mid range .  
• Hotel President , 6 Astley Hall, Rajpur Rd , ☏ +91 135 2657082 . Hotel with a restaurant, bar, coffee shop. Pavilion is the multi cuisine restaurant in the hotel providing you with a range of Indian, Chinese and Mughlai delicacies. The colonial styled restaurant overlooks the scenic mountain slopes. Polo Bar in the hotel premises keeps a good stock of foreign liquors.  
• Kumar's , Rajpur Road . This well-known multicuisine restaurant serves Chinese, Indian and Continental food.  
• Lhasa , ☏ +91 135 2733274 . One of the best restaurants for authentic Tibetan fare located on Rajpur Road close to the Old Mussoorie Road diversion. This is several kilometres out of town. Call them for bookings or to order a pick-up meal. No home deliveries.  
• Moti Mahal , City Bus Stand, Rajpur Road . Famous for North Indian fast food. Try the samosa or bread pakora .  
• Maggie Point . A series of small restaurants between Dehradun and Mussoorie famous for their Maggie. One can also have the beautiful view of Dehradun city from up there.  
• 30.389489 78.094739 1 The Orchard , 3-B, Dak Patti, Rajpur ( close to the MDDA Rajpur Park near Jakhan ), ☏ +91 9837733111 . Restaurant with scenic views nestled on the side of the mountain overlooking verdant valleys. Decent food. Tibetan, Thai,Chinese, food is served here.Quite place with good ambiance and delicious food.  
• Punjab Restaurant , 1- Patel Market, Rajpur Road ( Near Clock Tower , Opposite Windlass Shopping Complex ), ☏ +91 135 2652697 , +91 135 2650303 . One of the best restaurants in town which provides Indian (like home cooked food)& Chinese food.  
• Rajpur Road . It has an abundance of eateries from McDonald's to Nirula's to roadside buffets... the food is great. Try Tibetan dishes available opposite the Parade Ground, or get some cheap but delicious vegetarian thalies near the station.  
• Tibetan market . Great momos (steamed buns filled with meat).  
• Udipi , Lytton Road . Famous for South Indian food. Start off with piping hot idlis, and move on to crispy dosas. Round off the meal in style with strong filter coffee.  
• Vatika , 97, Rajpur Road . A good multi-cuisine restaurant serving tasty and wholesome food. (A restaurant of Hotel Madhuban.)  

Drink [ edit ]

Coffee [ edit ].

• Barista . The English Book Depot, 15 Rajpur Road. Excellent coffee, iced tea and pastries.  
• Best Buddy's Cafe , Ground Floor Shop No 2, Pacific Hills, Main Mussorie Diversion, ( near Max Super Specialty Hospital ), ☏ +91 0135 273 3892 . 11AM-11PM . Modern cafe with outdoor seating. Continental, Thai, and Indian meals served. ( updated Mar 2019 )
• Cafe Coffee Day , Rajpur Road . Standard CCD fare. ( updated Mar 2019 )
• Cafe De Piccolo , 180, Rajpur Rd, Near Sai Mandir, Kishanpur, , ☏ +91 83768 56323 . 11AM-10PM . A cozy cafe with outdoor and attic seating. Good coffee. Italian cuisine. Tends to get crowded in the evenings. ( updated Mar 2019 )
• Eltham Bakery and Coffee House , Shop no. 11, Pacific Hills, Mussorie Diversion. ( near Max Super Specialty Hospital ), ☏ +91 097602 87502 . 9AM-11PM . A small cafe with outdoor seating. A wide rage of breads. Tasty snacks. ( updated Mar 2019 )
• Swings Cafe , Brothers Tower, 163 A, 1st Floor, Rajpur Road, Kishanpur ( five minute walk from Lemon Tree Hotel ), ☏ +91 8826372088 . 11AM-10:30PM . A pleasant cafe with swing chairs. Excellent coffee. Friendly service. Meals. ( updated Mar 2019 )

Alcohol [ edit ]

• Head Over Heels Bar , 97 Rajpur Road . A good range of drinks and snacks.  
• My Wife's Place . In Rajpur Road you can find this and well known for its North Indian food, especially a varaity of kebabs and mughlai dishes  
• President Hotel and Bar The finest bar in the downtown. Popular with army officers.
• Shipra Bar . This bar is the part of the Great Value hotel and is reasonably OK.

Sleep [ edit ]

• There are quite a few hotels in Dehradun, with the best options being those on Rajpur Road.

Budget [ edit ]

• Hotel Ambassador , Windlass Shopping Centre, Rajpur Road , ☏ +91 135 655-831 , +91 135 655-832 . Well-designed rooms.  
• Hotel Deep Shikha , 57/2 Rajpur road ( Mussoorie Road opposite Secretariat ), ☏ +91 135 2659889 , +91 135 2659888 .  
• Hotel Doon Castle , Patel Nagar, Niranjanpur ( opposite Telephone Exchange, Saharanpur Road ), ☏ +91 135 2626166 , +91 135 2726166 . ( updated May 2019 )
• 30.337 78.0571 1 Hotel Great Value , 74 C Rajpur Road , ☏ +91-135-9358106043 , [email protected] . Offers modern facilities. From ₹3,500 .  
• Motel Kwality , 19, Rajpur Road , ☏ +91 135 657-001 . Clean, but with basic facilities.  

Mid-range [ edit ]

• Best Western Madhuban , 97, Rajpur Road , ☏ +91 135 749-990 , +91 135 749-995 . The web page for the Best Western international chain does not list this hotel, so its claim to be a Best Western hotel is unverified.  
• Great Value Hotel , 74C, Rajpur Road , ☏ +91 135 2744-762 . Well-run, good value. Has food & beverage facilities. Call 09358106043,09358106046,09358106047 for reservations.  
• Hotel Softel Plaza , NH-72 Mohabbewala, Saharanpur Road , ☏ +91 135 2645050 , +91 135 2645060 , +91 135 2645070 . 5 km from railway station and 2 km from ISBT. Four-star hotel.  
• Hotel Viceroy Inn , N.H.-72, Saharanpur Road, Niranjanpur, 391/1 , ☏ +91 135-2729995 . Has decorated rooms, suites with Wi-Fi, a big conference hall, a wedding hall, etc.  
• 30.294481 78.058002 2 Hotel JSR Continental , NH-72, Haridwar Road, near Rispana Bridge, Danda Dharampur, Dharampur ( 3.8 km from railway station ), ☏ +91- 8392924904 , [email protected] . Swimming pool, business centre (with computers, printers, and other office equipment), child care, conference and event facilities, tennis or basketball courts, gymnasium, restaurants, day spa, and social function services. ( updated Jun 2019 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• Four Points by Sheraton , 152/4 Jakhan, Rajpur Road , ☏ +91 0135 660 3300 . A smart business hotel. A one-minute walk from Pacific Mall. ( updated Mar 2019 )
• Lemon Tree , Pacific Mall, Jakhan, Rajpur Road , ☏ +91 135 2737777 , [email protected] . A pleasant and efficient hotel next to the Pacific Mall. ( updated Mar 2019 )
• Vana Retreat , Mussoorie Road , ☏ +91 135 391 1114 , [email protected] . A very high-end wellness resort. Fantastic food with Ayurvedic options. Yoga, Ayurvedic and traditional Tibetan massage, acupuncture, tai chi. Classes in spiritual matters, with a strong emphasis on Tibetan Buddhism. Indian classical music performances. Very friendly service. ( updated Mar 2019 )

Connect [ edit ]

There are many internet cafes scattered throughout the town. All the hotels listed above have internet access. There are many iways in the city.

• Computer Base , Rajpur Road ( Windlass Shopping Centre ).  
• Reliance World , 56, Rajpur Road , ☏ +91 135 309-4844 .  
• Sify iway , 20, Raj Plaza, Rajpur Road , ☏ +91 135 309-8880 . Anekant Place; Arhat Bazaar; Balliwala Chowk; Capri Mkt; Chakrata Road; Dav College Road; Deeplok Colony; Gandhi Road; Jakhan; Prem Nagar; Race Course; Swaraj Shopping Complex; 18 A, EC Road; St. 12, Arshiwad Enclave; 8, New Road; Ballupur Road; 42 Indira Nagar; Clement Town; 155, Saharanpur Road.  

Go next [ edit ]

• Yamunotri – Sacred village near the source of the Yamuna
• Chakarata – Unspoilt views (restricted area for foreign nationals).
• Harkidun – A great trekking destination.
• Haridwar – A sacred Hindu site on the Ganges, a little over one hour by train or road.
• The Himalayan foothills – beautiful scenery.
• Jaunpur – Stunning villages in this area.
• Mussoorie – A famous hill station noted for its scenic beauty.
• Nagtibba – Tribal communities.
• The Rajaji National Park – Located between Haridwar and Rishikesh.
• Rishikesh – The Char Dham Yatra (Four Shrines Sacred Journey) ideally begins from this sacred location.
• Sahastradhara – A hot spring resort.

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• May 20, 2023

The Rich and Diverse History of Uttarakhand: From Ancient Times to Modern Statehood

Uttarakhand is a beautiful state located in the northern part of India. It is known for its scenic beauty, spiritual significance, and rich history.

The history of Uttarakhand can be traced back to ancient times when it was known as Kedarkhand and Manaskhand.

Here is a brief overview of Uttarakhand's history, from ancient times to modern-day statehood.

Ancient History of Uttarakhand

The region that is now known as Uttarakhand was inhabited by various indigenous tribes such as the Kols, Khasas, and Kiratas. The area saw the rise and fall of various kingdoms, including the Katyuri dynasty, the Chand dynasty, and the Gujjar Kingdom. These kingdoms left behind a rich cultural heritage, which is still evident in the region's art, architecture, and traditions.

During the medieval period, the region was invaded by various rulers such as the Mughals and the Afghans. In the 16th century, the Garhwal Kingdom was established by King Ajai Pal, which later merged with the Kumaon Kingdom in the 18th century. During this period, the region saw the construction of several temples and monuments, which are still popular tourist destinations.

Modern History of Uttarakhand

In the 19th century, the British took control of the region and established the Kumaon Regiment. The region was part of the United Province of Agra and Oudh during British rule. Uttarakhand played an important role in the Indian independence movement, with leaders such as Chandra Singh Garhwali and Govind Ballabh Pant hailing from the region.

British Rule in Uttarakhand

The British introduced modern infrastructure, education, and healthcare facilities in the region during their rule. They also established hill stations such as Mussoorie and Nainital, which became popular tourist destinations.

Independence of Uttarakhand

The state of Uttarakhand is located in northern India and was carved out of the state of Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000. It is a separate administrative entity with its own elected government and legislative assembly. However, it is important to note that Uttarakhand is not an independent country but rather a state within the Republic of India.

The demand for a separate state of Uttarakhand originated from the aspirations of the people of the hilly regions of Uttar Pradesh, who felt that their interests were not adequately represented by the government of the larger state. The movement for a separate state gained momentum in the 1990s, with various political and social groups advocating for the creation of a separate state.

After years of protests and political negotiations, the Indian Parliament passed the Uttar Pradesh Reorganization Act in 2000, which led to the formation of the state of Uttarakhand. This decision was based on the principle of linguistic and regional identity, as well as the need for better governance and development in the hilly areas.

Since its formation, Uttarakhand has been functioning as an autonomous state within the Indian federal system. It has its own Chief Minister, legislative assembly, and judiciary, which are responsible for the governance of the state. Uttarakhand also has representation in the Indian Parliament, with members elected to the Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House).

While Uttarakhand enjoys a certain degree of autonomy and self-governance, it is ultimately part of the Indian Union and is subject to the Indian Constitution and the laws enacted by the central government. The state participates in the decision-making processes of the country through its representatives at the national level.

Uttarakhand Statehood

After years of protests and political negotiations, the Indian Parliament passed the Uttar Pradesh Reorganization Act in 2000, which led to the formation of the state of Uttarakhand. The act created a separate administrative entity out of the hilly regions of Uttar Pradesh, comprising the districts of Almora, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar, and Uttarkashi.

On November 9, 2000, Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Indian Union, with its own Chief Minister, legislative assembly, and judiciary. The state government of Uttarakhand is responsible for the governance and administration of the state, including matters such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and law enforcement.

Since its formation, Uttarakhand has made progress in various sectors, including tourism, agriculture, and hydropower. The state is known for its scenic beauty, pilgrimage sites, and adventure tourism opportunities. Uttarakhand has also faced challenges such as natural disasters, particularly in the form of floods and landslides.

Uttarakhand Culture

Uttarakhand has a rich and diverse cultural heritage that reflects its geographical and historical influences. The culture of Uttarakhand is deeply rooted in its traditional customs, rituals, music, dance, cuisine, and festivals. Here are some key aspects of Uttarakhand's culture:

Folk Music and Dance : Music and dance play a significant role in Uttarakhand's cultural expression. Popular folk music forms include the melodious "Garhwali" and the energetic "Kumaoni" music. The songs often revolve around themes of love, nature, and the daily lives of the people. Traditional dance forms like "Barada Nati," "Chholiya," and "Jhora" are performed during festive occasions.

Festivals: Uttarakhand celebrates a plethora of festivals throughout the year. Some of the prominent ones include "Makar Sankranti" (also known as Uttarayani or Ghughutia), which marks the arrival of spring, "Holi" (the festival of colors), "Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra" (a significant pilgrimage and cultural event), and "Kumaoni Holi" (a unique celebration with special folk songs and dances).

Cuisine : The cuisine of Uttarakhand is known for its simplicity and flavors. Traditional dishes often use locally sourced ingredients and reflect the agricultural lifestyle of the region. Some popular dishes include "Ras Bhaat," "Kafuli," "Chainsoo," "Kheere ka Raita," and " Bal Mithai" (a sweet delicacy).

Handicrafts: Uttarakhand is renowned for its traditional handicrafts, which showcase the artistic skills of the local artisans. Wooden carvings, handwoven textiles like "Pashmina" and "Woolen Shawls," "Garhwali Paintings," and "Ranikhet's Candles" are some of the handicrafts that reflect the craftsmanship and creativity of the region.

Pilgrimage and Spiritual Centers : Uttarakhand is home to several revered pilgrimage sites and spiritual centers. The famous Char Dham Yatra , which includes the temples of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath , and Badrinath, attracts a large number of devotees. Other significant religious sites include Haridwar, Rishikesh, Hemkund Sahib, and Purnagiri Temple.

Traditional Attire: The traditional attire of Uttarakhand varies between the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. In Garhwal, women commonly wear sarees or "ghagri" (a long skirt) with a blouse and "choli." Men traditionally wear "Dhoti" with a "Kurta" or "Jacket." In Kumaon, women wear "Ghagra" (a long skirt) with a "Choli" and "Duppatta," while men wear "Dhoti" or "Pajama" with a "Kurta" and "Pagri" (turban).

Uttarakhand Heritage

Uttarakhand has a wealth of heritage sites, including ancient temples, forts, palaces, and monuments. Some of the popular heritage sites in the region include the Kedarnath Temple, Badrinath Temple, and the Raj Bhawan in Nainital.

Uttarakhand Monuments

Uttarakhand is home to several historical monuments, such as the George Everest House, which was once the residence of the famous surveyor and geographer Sir George Everest. Other popular monuments in the region include the Clock Tower

in Dehradun and the St. John's Church in Nainital.

Uttarakhand's history is a fascinating blend of ancient kingdoms, colonial rule, and modern statehood. The region's rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty continue to attract tourists from all over the world. By exploring Uttarakhand's history, one can gain a deeper understanding of the region's significance and contribution to India's cultural tapestry.

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A Brief Introduction of Uttarakhand

The 27th state of Republic of India, Devbhoomi Uttarakhand that was formed in the year 2000 after being separated from the large state of Uttar Pradesh, is a destination to explore the riches of Indian culture, history, and natural beauty. The state that borders Tibet to the north; Nepal to the east; the state of Uttar Pradesh to the south; and Himachal Pradesh to the west and north-west, is divided into regions, Garhwal and Kumaon, which further break into 13 districts. Earlier, the state was named Uttaranchal by Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) led central government and Uttar Pradesh State Government when they started a fresh round of state reorganisation in 1998. However, in 2006, Union Cabinet of India to the agreed to the demands of the Uttaranchal Legislative Assembly and leading members of the Uttarakhand Statehood Movement and renamed Uttaranchal as Uttarakhand. The state also finds its mention in history as a part of the Kuru and the Panchal kingdoms (mahajanpads) during the Vedic age. In Hindu mythology also, Uttarakhand has been recognized as a part of the famed Kedarkhand (Now Garhwal) and Manaskhand (Kumaon). It is also believed the famous sage Vyas composed the epic of Mahabharata in Uttarakhand. The signs of the practise of Shaivism in ancient times along with Buddhism and Folk Shamanic religion was also found in the state.

Famed for their simple lifestyle, honesty, and humility, the people of Uttarakhand reflect a sincere bond with nature and gods. Although, the state has a fair amount of cities that are plush with all state-of-the-art amenities and crowd from other parts of the country, however, this could not take the people of Uttarakhand away from their culture and traditional values. The culture of Uttarakhand still revolves around its traditional ethics, moral values, the simplicity of nature and a rich mythology.

People are divided into regions and are thus better recognized as Kumaoni (Inhabitants of Kumaon Region) and Garhwali (Inhabitants of Garhwal Region).

Apart from these two major inhabitants, Uttarakhand is also home to ethnic groups like Bhotias, Jaunsaries, Tharus, Bokshas, and Rajis. Although the major part of the region is seen speaking native languages like Kumaoni and Garhwali, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi are also widely spoken. Various tribal communities are both nomadic and those hailing from the Indo-Aryan descent are part of the ethnicity of Uttarakhand. Constituting of Proto-Australoid, Mongoloid, Nordic races and the Dravidians, the state is amongst one of the most historically affluent places in India. The ethnic groups like Jaunsari and Bhotias are further divided into small groups that corroborate the diverse population and culture in Uttarakhand.

The people of Uttarakhand indulge in vivid celebrations and performing of rituals around the year due to their deep-rooted collection with nature and the rich mythology. Like their simple lifestyle, the festivals and fairs in Uttarakhand are also simple yet culturally rich. Each season is welcome with hearty folk songs and dance and so are the agricultural periods. The ancestor spirit worship is exclusive to the state, Jaagar, as it is locally called, is held to wake the Gods and the local deities up from their inactive stage to solve their problems and shower on them many blessings. Dances like Barada Nati, Bhotiya Dance, Chancheri, Chhapeli, Choliya Dance, Jagars, Jhora, Langvir Dance, Langvir Nritya, Pandav Nritya, Ramola, Shotiya Tribal Folk Dances, Thali-Jadda, and Jhainta are performed on various occasions in Uttarakhand. The primary role of women is seen during the festivals as they are involved in preparing traditional dishes and singing folk songs. Dressed traditionally in Ghagra-Choli with a Rangwali (veil), these women look beautiful and their beauty is further enhanced by the big Nose Rings that are made of gold. Truly, every day in Uttarakhand is a day of the festival; the noble and humble people take immense delight in celebrating even a small success with a grateful heart.

About Religion

A major section of the people in Uttarakhand are Hindus. However, the state maintains a secular ambience with significant number of people belonging to other faiths like Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and Christianity. According to the census conducted in 2011, there were Hinduism about 82.97% of the total population of Uttarakhand, whereas people following Islam were 13.95% and those following Sikhism were 2.34%, Christianity (0.37%), Buddhism (0.15%), and Jainism (0.09%).

About Art & Craft

The land of Uttarakhand is full of artisans and variety of art and craft. Both the rural and urban people indulge in producing/manufacturing some incredible crafts that are worth witnessing. Woodwork is a significant art form that the locals of Uttarakhand practise, apart from it, paintings from Garhwal School of Paintings and murals like Aipan demonstrate skills of the natives. The Ringaal Handicraft that is practised by a backward community named the same, is quite appreciable. The Rambaan Handicraft done by using Jute and Hemp also reflects the rich art and craft of Uttarakhand. Apart from it the woollen knitted wear and embroidered cushion covers, carpets, bedsheets and curtains by the rural women or urban women groups are a must buy from Uttarakhand. The candle making skills in the state are also at par excellence, there is an entire market in Nainital that is dedicated to this art.

About Literacy

The literacy rate of Uttarakhand is 79.63% with 88.33% literacy for males and 70.70% literacy for females according to the census in 2011. The state stands at 17th position in India when it comes to literacy.

The lifestyle in Uttarakhand is heterogenous and one can mark the difference between the urban and rural life in the state. Since Uttarakhand comprises of both hilly and plain terrains that eventually demarcate the lifestyle in the state, and then there are areas in the hill that are remote and difficult to access, where obviously the way of life is entirely different. The urban areas like Dehradun, Nainital, Haldwani, Haridwar and a few others enjoy access to most of the modern facilities like top notch schools, hotels, shopping areas and restaurants with better job offers and economic status. The people are often seen engrossed in trying out the new technology, building better infrastructure and also working towards social reforms. Whereas, in the rural areas, life moves at its own pace, women here are seen taking care of their household  as well as the agricultural work and collecting of woods from the forest. With the interference of NGOs and Government aid, many rural areas in Uttarakhand are making their living by selling organic products, handicrafts and homestays. While the urban people in Uttarakhand entertain themselves by going to the cinema or watching tv or indulging in modern sports, the rural gentry still enjoys organizing fairs, performing folk dance and devoting time in traditional art and craft.

Source of Economy

Uttarakhand is largely dependent on its agriculture for the revenue. Basmati rice, wheat, soybeans, groundnuts, coarse cereals, pulses, and oil seeds are the most widely grown crops in the state. There are also fruits like apples, oranges, pears, peaches, litchis, and plums that are widely grown in the state and bring a good amount of revenue. Other key industries for the source of economy include tourism and hydropower, and recently development in IT, ITES, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and automobile industries can also be seen in the state.

About Old & New Generation Dresses/Costumes

The traditional dress for women in Uttarakhand remains Sarong, a mantle-type dress, tightened with a blouse and an Odani and Khorpi. Whereas in the weddings or special occasion, native women are seen wearing the attractive Rangwali Pichora or Ghagra Choli. A significantly large nose ring (nath) and necklace called Galoband are also worn by the women during festivals/special occasion. The Rangwali Pichora is the dress worn by married women as it represents prosperity. There is also a region wise  dress demarcation, in Garhwal Region, the tribal women living in the upper ranges of Uttarkashi and Chamoli wear warm woollens while those in lower regions or valleys can be seen wearing cotton clothes. The Rajput women of the region wear woollen garments  made of Angora for most part of the year along with cotton Pagras and colourful Lehengas with silver necklace. The Garhwali men wear Kurta Pyjama or Kurta dhoti and tie a turban specially in the colder months. They can also be seen wearing long necklaces made of silver and kadas on their hands. In Kumaon Region, the dresses are slightly different for women and so is the choice of colours. Ladies in Kumaon also have a different neck piece called Hansuli. Kumaoni men can be seen wearing same Kurta and Dhoti like the Garhwali men but they seem to be more fond of jewellery and often seen wearing a variety of it in neck and hands. There are different dresses of Jaunsari and Bhotiya tribes in the state. However, in the recent time, the people in Uttarakhand for daily life wear the modern jeans/trousers and t-shirt/shirt irrespective of gender. The women can also be seen in sarees and ladies suit.

Garhwal Division Districts

Tehri Garhwal

Pauri Garhwal

Rudraprayag

Kumaon division districts.

Pithoragarh

Udham Singh Nagar

Popular Local Languages

Religious Faiths

• Vaishnavism

Popular Local Food

Daal, Bhaat, Kafuli, Phaanu, Baadi, Ras, Bhatt Ki Churdkani, Arsa, Gulgula, Gahat ke Paranthe, Bhang Ki Chutney, Aalu Ka Jhol, Chainsoo, Aalu Gutook, Kumaoni Raita, Sisunak Saag, Thhatwani, Dubuk, Singodi, Jhangora Ki Kheer.

Local Folk Music & Dance

Chhopati, Chounphula, Jhumeila, Basanti, Mangal Barada Nati, Bhotiya Dance, Chancheri, Chhapeli, Choliya Dance, Jagars, Jhora, Langvir Dance, Langvir Nritya, Pandav Nritya, Ramola, Shotiya Tribal Folk Dances, Thali-Jadda, and Jhainta.

Popular Local Music Instruments

Dhol, Damoun, Daur, Dholki, Turri, Thali, Bhankora, Ransinghla, Masakbeen.

Popular Local Fairs

Devidhura Mela, Nanda devi Mela, Ardh Kumbh Mela, Gauchar Mela, Purnagiri Mela,

Popular Local Festivals

Harela, Diwali, Basant Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, Ganga Dasseera, Bitauli, Holi, Navratri.

Art and Craft

Aipan/Alpana, Bar Boond, Patta, Rangwali, Rock Arts, Wood Carving.

Uttarakhand Travel Information at a Glance

• About Uttarakhand
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• How to Reach Uttarakhand
• Uttarakhand Travel by Road
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• Tourism Map
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• Uttarakhand

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Uttarakhand history.

• Chipko Movement
• Uttarakhand Map
• HillStations
• Almora - Town of Temples
• Bageshwar - Land of Lions
• Chamoli - Heaven on Earth
• Champawat - Nature's Paradise
• Pithoragarh - Mini Kashmir of India
• Pauri Garhwal - Quite and Peaceful
• Tehri Garhwal - Perfect Getaway
• Rudraprayag - Beautiful
• Haridwar - The Gateway of God
• Nainital - The Lake District
• Dehradun - The Capital City
• Udham Singh Nagar - Food Bank
• Uttarkashi - Land of Lord Shiva

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Uttarakhand or Uttaranchal was carved out of 13 districts of Uttar Pardesh in 9th of Nov2000. It became the 27th state of the Indian Union and Dehradun was made the state capital. The initial name Uttarakhand was renamed to Uttaranchal and finally again changed to Uttarakhand in 2006.

Uttarakhand is home to the holiest rivers the Ganga and Yamuna and the mightiest of the mountains the Himalayas. The Char Dham, Haridwar and Rishikesh are considered as the holiest place in the world. It is surrounded by huge mountains and around 70% of the state land is situated in the hilly region.

This exceptionally beautiful state is believed to be created by gods for themselves as their second home hence it is also called as the Abode of Gods.

Complete best encyclopedia on Uttarakhand - Tourism - Hotels - CharDham Yatra - Mussoorie and more..

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Uttarakhand shares its political boundaries with Tibet on the north, Nepal on the east, the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the south, Himachal Pradesh to the west and Northwest and Haryana in the south western corner. Read More..

Capital - Dehradun

Dehradun is the capital city and a happening place, once a retirement home has given way for large malls and multiplexes. I hope that we should maintain the natural beauty of Dehradun, contribute towards nature and also welcome modern development with the best of city planning and sincerely strive to make it one of the best city in the world.

• | 24 hotels |
• | 10 sightseeing |

There are in all 70 MLA in the government and are elected in the 13 districts of the state. Dehradun - 10, Haridwar - 11, Almora - 6, Bageshwar - 2, Champawat - 2, Chamoli - 3, Rudraprayag - 2, Pauri Garhwal - 6, Pithoragarh - 4, Tehri Garhwal - 6, Nainital - 6, Udham Singh Nagar - 9, Uttarkashi - 3 .. Read More..

Uttarakhand has had around 11 CM after its formation as an independent state. Presently Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami is the present Uttarakhand CM ( chief minister ). He is the executive head of the elected party as well as the elected government by the people.. Read More..

The Uttarakhand High Court is situated in Nainital the Lake District of Uttarakhand at an elevation of around 2000 ft above sea - level.. Read More..

Transport Guide

Uttarakhand Transport Corporation or UTC has a fleet of around 1143 buses. The buses travel around 3.50 lakhs kilometres per day providing an efficient and affordable mode of transportation. Read More..

Uttarakhand Tourism

उत्तराखंड , Uttarakhand or Uttaranchal God's own land is a top tourist destination. We bring Uttarakhand Tourism Latest Detailed Information Online on Char Dham, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Rishikesh and Uttarakhand district such as Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, Almora, Chamoli, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Bageshwar, Rudraprayag and Champawat online to millions of viewers round the world.

Uttarakhand is surrounded with high snow covered peaks, natural beautiful surroundings, major pilgrims centres and beautiful valleys, jungle safaris, adventure sports, mighty holy rivers and wellness resorts a complete package for the tourists in a single platter.

There are around 152 important tourist places to visit here in Uttarakhand. Some of them are are Mussoorie the queen of hills, Nainital the lake district, Almora the switzerland of india, Ranikhet the queen's fields ,Bageshwar the land of the lion, Chamoli and Uttarkashi and many more..

The char - Dhams - Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath is well known with around lakhs of pilgrims visiting the holy sites every year. Haridwar one of the seven scared cities in India lies in the foothills of Shivalik ranges. Hemkund Sahib, Lokpal, Nanakmatta, Meetha Reetha Sahib and Piran kaliyar very sacred and holy place visited by lakhs of pilgrims from all over the world.

Uttarakhand is also a paradise for adventure sport tourists, they may choose mountaineering in Bhagirathi, Chowkhamba, Pindari , Sahastrataal, Milam, Kafni, Khatling and Gaumukh. The tourists can enjoy the beautiful shiny peaks fully covered with snow, lush green jungles, alpine meadows, glaciers and scenic surroundings along with the excitement of the adventure sports.

In Uttarakhand, tourism for yatra CHARDHAM, DODHAM and for trekking and skiing, tourists may choose from Auli , Dayara bugyal , Munsyari and Mundali. Water Sports like Rafting , Bungee Jumping , Boating, Angling, Aero Sports and Hand Gliding and Paragliding in Pithoragarh, Nainital, Rishikesh Yoga Capital of the world and Pauri Garhwal.

Uttarakhand is rich in exotic flora and fauna and is well known for eco tourism and wildlife tourism. Some of the well known national park sanctuaries are The Corbett, The Rajaji National Park and the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary.

Uttarakhand Tourism Map

Uttarakhand is a one of the most beautiful states of India and an approx 10million tourist come here each year. Check out the important tourist places to visit here in Uttarakhand.

The Mussoorie Winter Line phenomenon is unique in the whole world. Mussoorie the queen of hills is a well known hill station around the world..Read more on Mussoorie

• | 34 hotels
• | 11 sightseeing |

Nainital the lake district of Uttarakhand is also one of the cleanest cities. It is a well known tourist place and well known for adventure sports..Find more of Nainital

• | 41 hotels
• | 12 sightseeing |

Haridwar Uttarakhand is one of the biggest pilgrimage sites and the gateway to the char dham yatra. Find more Information on Haridwar

• | 37 hotels

Rishikesh Uttarakhand is the yoga capital of the world, pilgrimage site and well known for adventure sports. Find more on this holy city on Rishikesh

• | 18 hotels |

This beautiful picnic spot with perfect climate and serene landscapes make it a perfect holiday getaway. Just 25kms from Mussoorie .. Read more this hillstation Dhanaulti

• | 9 hotels |

Lansdowne is one of the most peaceful and quietest hill - station of Uttarakhand. It is surrounded by thick pine and deodar forest .. Read more about Lansdowne

• | 12 hotels |

Corbett National Park

Enjoying the wildlife atop ur very own elephant makes you feel like the King of Uttarakhand. Enjoy jungle safari's in Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary and much more...Corbett National Park

• | 15 hotels |

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Geography and People

Uttarakhand is divided into 2 regions the Garhwal and the Kumaon. Both the regions are equally beautiful and have a surrounded by the majestic mountain peaks of Bhagirathi, Chowkhamba, Pindari, Sahastrataal, Milam, Nanda Devi, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Jogin Group and many more.

The Garhwal region has around 7 districts while the kumaon region is made up of 6 districts. The Nanda devi mountain is the natural divide among the two regions. The districts in the Garhwal region are Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal,Pauri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag while the Kumaon region consists of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital,Pithoragarh and UdhamsinghNagar. It is further divided into 49 sub-divisions and 95 development blocks, 15,638 inhabited villages and 86 urban settlements in the state

Uttarakhand with a total area of around 53,483 sqkms has a total forest area of around 35,651 sqkms with majority of them are Oak and Pine forests.

The Yamuna and the Ganges are the two biggest rivers of Uttarakhand and also the most important. They are also one of the biggest rivers in India. The other important rivers passing through the state are the Sarayu, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Dhauliganga, Ramganga, Tons and Saraswati. These holy rivers give form to most of the important holy places such as the prayas, Haridwar and Rishikesh and provide a lifeline for almost a 5 million of people across 5 states in India.

Garhwali and Kumaoni are the two main regional languages, whereas Hindi is the most widely spoken language.

According to the latest census the state has a population of 10,086,292, making it the 19th most populous state in India. The men are around 51,54 178 while the women are 49,62,574 of the state population. A large portion of the population consists of Rajputs and Brahmins. More than 88% of the population follow Hinduism. Muslims are the largest minority in the state with Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, and Jains being the other major religions. Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar are the most populous districts of Uttarakhand.

Uttara means North and Khand means Land – Uttarakhand and the majority of the population still live in rural villages, an approximately 70 percent of population residing in villages and rural hills in about 16,763 villages. The state has come a long way in terms of growth and development with the strong will of the people.

Festival Culture and Cuisines

The people here celebrate all major festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Navratri. Some of the festivals related to Uttarakhand are Ghee Sankrant, Harela and Bhitauli. The people enjoy enacting the great hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana during the diwali festivals. The Pandav Nitya and the Jagars are one of the highlights of the festivals.

The Uttarakhandi are god fearing people. They have their share of beliefs in sprites ( ghosts ) and gods alike. Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga is worshipped here during all festivals. Many of the people have witnessed the power of the gods during the Doli ceremony. Sometimes god is invoked in a human being in order to search for an answer for a particular problem. Animals such as Goats and sheep were also sacrificed in order to please the Gods.

Uttarakhand is a poor state with agriculture as the primary occupation. The food also is very simple in the hills but as the people say that the water here is magical which increase the taste of any food tenfold. Here the use of spices and tomatoes is very minimal. Madua ( Buck wheat ) - Koda , Rajma, locally grown green vegetables, fish form their staple diet. Some of the famous cuisines of Uttarakhand are Tuasu, Kaplu, Jholi, Phaanu, Thechwani, Swala, Jhangora and Desserts are Arsa ,Methubhat, Gulgula, Jhangora ki kheer and Prasad ( mix of wheat flour and ghee ) . It is believed that a stay of 6months in garhwal can cure a man of obesity.

Music and dance form a essential part of festivals of the people of Uttarakhand. Some of the most common folk songs are Chhopati, Chounphula, Jhumeila and Basanti. Mangal is another popular folk song which is sung during the marriage ceremony by girls to tease the bridegroom and his friends. Langvir Nritya, Barada Nati and Pandav Nritya are some of the traditional folk dances of Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand has a rich history from the stone age to the modern age. The state is also mentioned in almost all the great vedas and purans and related with the great legendary epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Evidence has also been found of human habitation around the stone age in the Almora and Chamoli districts of Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand has also witnessed the wide spread pain and agony during the Gurkha rule and also has played his part in the struggle for freedom against the Britishers.

The people of the state also agitated against the UP Govt. for a separate state.

Chipko Movement of Uttarakhand

Chipko Movement was a daring act of non - violence carried out by the people of Uttarakhand in order to save the trees of the forest from being felled down due to the then government allocated tenders and policies.

The women of Uttarakhand also played a very active role in this movement.

ChandiPrasad Bhatt, Gaura Devi and all the people who took an active part in the movement were real heroes who faced the then mighty government with great courage and a firm determination.

The Chipko movement has also been carried out successfully all over the country in various other states.

Uttarakhand Education

Uttarakhand is very well known for education. Mussoorie, Dehradun and Nainital is home to some of India's best boarding schools. There are around approx 15,500 big and small primary schools in India.

The state is also coming strong in terms of higher education. Some of the universities in the state are as given below.

Uttarakhand has around 10 State Universities, 1 Central University, 4 Autonomous Institutes,3 Deemed Universities and around 10 private Universities.

Uttarakhand has around 10 State Universities, 1 Central University, 4 Autonomous Institutes, 3 Deemed Universities and around 10 private Universities. The well known among these are All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh, Indian Institute of Management in Kashipur, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and National Institute of Technology Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Economy

Uttarakhand is the five fastest growing states during 2005-14 are at around 19.57%. GDP per capita‎: ‎₹1.73 lakh (US$2,400) (2017-18) GDP rank‎: ‎20th GDP growth‎: ‎6.77% (2017-18) GDP‎: ‎₹2.586 lakh crore (US$36 billion)(2018-2019

Economy Issues Faced

Uttarakhand being a hilly region the changes of optimal use of land for economic development is rather minimal. Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and some parts of Dehradun and Nainital districts are in the plains and contribute to almost 80% of the the state economy. Most of the hilly areas are dependent on agriculture for livelihood whereas the scope of agriculture in the hilly regions are highly constrained due to various physical, geographical and environmental problems.

Tourism is also an important source of income for the state. Leisure tourism, Religious tourism, Adventure tourism and Wildlife tourism form a major part of the state economy. Progressive development in this sector can boost a big change in the state economic structure in terms of income and employment to the local people.

How to Reach Uttarakhand

Jolly Grant airport is a newly developed domestic airport of Uttarakhand. There are direct flights from Mumbai, Kolkatta, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and Lucknow. Lot of indirect flight from Delhi also reach Jollygrant on a daily basis.

Haridwar Junction and Dehradun are major railway station in Uttarakhand. It is well connected to all major cities in India.

Dehradun ISBT and Haridwar are major state bus terminals and have good road connectivity with some of the nearby major cities such as Jaipur, Shimla, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi.

CharDham Yatra

The Char Dham Yatra is an yatra of holy spiritual nature for the hindus. The holy Uttarakhand yatra in the garhwal make it one of the most unforgettable journey in the lifetime.

Uttarakhand Wild and Adventure

Uttarakhand is a land of extremes, here you can get yourself lost in the quite wilderness of the Himalayas or on the other side indulge yourself in madness of extreme sports such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, skiing. Trekking on the mighty Himalayan glaciers is also on the cards which will spoil you for choices during your vacations..

Uttarakhand Unexplored

Uttarakhand references.

Website - Wikipedia on Uttarakhand Official Website - Vidhan Sabha Official Website - CM Official Website - High Court Official Website - Dehradun

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India's Very First Astro-Tourism Campaign Is Making Uttarakhand Home To All The (Celestial) Stars

The combination of astronomy and tourism has given birth to a new form of travel known as astro-tourism, which is set to bloom in uttarakhand.

Astro-Tourism Is Making Uttarakhand Home To All The (Celestial) Stars

Mumbai may be where the Bollywood stars can be spotted but if it's celestial beings you're seeking, then head to Uttarakhand. Targeting the astrophiles across India, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board is all set to launch India's first-ever campaign promoting astro-tourism. Called Nakshatra Sabha , the project will be in partnership with Starscapes, which is India's leading astro-tourism company. Scheduled to commence in June 2024 at George Everest in Mussoorie, Nakshatra Sabha will span until mid of 2025, offering a series of immersive events at various locations throughout Uttarakhand. 

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What is Astro-Tourism?

What makes uttarakhand ideal for astro-tourism.

Uttarakhand has a large forest cover with nature-based tourism, easy access to all major cities and a well-developed hospitality sector. The campaign will cover dark sky potential sites in districts of Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Chamoli. The campaign aims to advocate for the preservation of dark skies, fostering a community of ambassadors dedicated to promoting dark sky conservation efforts throughout Uttarakhand. 

Astro-Tourism Activities in Nakshatra Sabha

Tourists will be given specialised equipment that will provide unparalleled opportunities for stargazing and celestial observation. In addition, they will also have access to trained guides.

Expert Talks

Many renowned faces from the travel industry will be part of Nakshatra Sabha. They will host engaging sessions as well as share insights about astro-tourism and the wonders of the universe.

Astrophotography Contest

To make the experience a little more exciting, the authorities will also host competitions. All they will have to do is to capture the breathtaking beauty of the night sky, with attractive rewards up for grabs.

Special Solar Observations

Apart from the stargazing, Nakshatra Sabha will feature special solar telescopes, through which participants can observe and explore deeply

Dark Sky Policy

Nakshatra Sabha will also build awareness, and train and create volunteers and dark sky ambassadors for the same.

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