About Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is undoubtedly India’s most beautiful canvas. Studded with green strokes, wild splashes and quaint highlights. What makes Uttarakhand a holidayer’s delight are the sketches of Kumaon and Garhwal.

Char Dham Yatra : Char Dham is a term coined for the four most revered Hindu temples 'Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. According to the Puranas and various Hindu scriptures the Char Dham Yatra is of very high religious significance.

Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of India in November 2000. Carved out of the state of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand mainly comprises the hilly regions of Uttar Pradesh. A picturesque state, Uttarakhand has magnificent glaciers, majestic snow-clad mountains, panoramic views of the Himalayas, the valley of flowers, as well as some of Hinduism's most sacred pilgrim sites. The State's 13 Districts can be grouped into three distinct geographical regions, the High mountain region, the Mid-mountain region and the Terai region. This is the land where the Vedas and Shastras were composed and great Indian epic, The Mahabharatha, was written.

The state is very rich in natural resources especially water and forests as it has many glaciers, rivers, forests, mountain peaks. The famous peaks of Uttarakhand are Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Trishul, Bandarpunch and Mt Kamet. The major glaciers include Gangotri, Pindari, Milam and Khatling. The Ganga, The Yamuna, Ramganga and Sharda are principal rivers of this region.

Nanda Devi is the highest mountain situated completely in India, and forms part of the main axis of the Great Himalayan Range. To the North of the Himalayas, the Zanskar range forms a formidable divide between India and Tibet. To the south of the Himalayan range the main tributaries of the Ganges and the Kali River form rugged gorge country before cutting though the Shivalik range, where the peaks rarely exceed 3,000m.

The Great Himalayan Range forms the backbone of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand. In Eestern Garhwal, it includes the Swargarohini range with Swargarohini I (6,252m) at the head of the Tons River and the Bandarpunch range, including Bandarpunch (6,316m) forming the main divide between the headwaters of the Yamuna and the Bhagirathi Rivers. The peaks include Yogeshwar (6,678m), Sri Kailash (6,932m) and Mana Parbat (6,794m) to the North; and Kedarnath (6,490), Kedar Dome (8,831m) and Bhirigupanth I (6,772m) to the south. Up at the head of the glacier, the Chaukhamba range, including Chaukhamba I (7,068m), provides an impressive divide between the headwaters of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Rivers. To the east of Badrinath, the peaks of Nilgiri Parbat (6,474m), Ghori Parbat (6,708m) and Hathi Parbat (6,727m) are the highest of the Himalayan peaks, while to the North, Kamet (7,756m), Mana Peak (7,272m), Abl Gamin (7,355m), and Mukut (7,242m) are some of the 7,000m peaks forming the main axis of the Zanskar range.

Uttarakhand is undoubtedly India’s most beautiful canvas. Studded with green strokes, wild splashes and Quaint highlights. What makes Uttarakhand a holidayer’s delight are the sketches of Kumaon and Garhwal. Enchanting, Captivating in their own ways. Mesmerising, Spellbinding to the last kilometre. Unspoilt, Untouched and Unbelievable. If Kumaon is a green table spread, Garhwal is a challenger’s delight. If Kumaon plays host to clear lakes, Chirpy forests, Floral rainbows, Garhwal flaunts its snow-clad peaks, Quaint retreats and Infinite mountain rivers. Uttarakhand is undoubtedly India’s most beautiful canvas. Studded with green strokes, Wild Splashes and Quaint highlights. What makes Uttarakhand a holidayer’s delight are the sketches of Kumaon and Garhwal. Enchanting, captivating in their own ways. Mesmerising, Spellbinding to the last kilometre. Unspoilt, untouched and unbelievable. If Kumaon is a green table spread, Garhwal is a challenger’s delight. If Kumaon plays host to clear lakes, Chirpy forests, Floral rainbows and infinite mountain rivers.

In Sanskrit 'Himalaya' means Abode of Snow, truly characterizing the vast permanent snow fields above the snow line. In the heart of these majestic mountains lies the state of Uttarakhand with Kumaon region in its east and Garhwal in the west. The state is bordering Himachal Pradesh in the north-west and Uttar Pradesh in the South and has international borders with Nepal and China.

Rishikesh
Rishikesh is one of the most popular pilgrim centres and gateway to the Himalayan Shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Yoga Centres of Rishikesh have enhanced the significance of the place. From this point on, the great Ganges leaves behind her mountain home and enters the vast plains of Northern India. Rishikesh is located at a height of about 1360 feet above sea level. It is believed that several yogis and sages lived and practised penance here. Rishikesh represents the site where Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu.

Auli
Auli, 16 kms from Joshimath, is an ideal winter resort. The divine slopes of Auli, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities have made it comparable with the best in the world.

Auli offers a 180 panoramic view of Himalayan peaks like the Nanda devi (7,817mts.) Kamet (7,756 mts.) Mana Parvat (7,273 mts.) And Dunagiri (7,066 mts.) seemingly only a snow ball thrown away.

Mussoorie
The hill resort of Mussoorie is often referred to as the "Queen of the Hills". Any tourist who experiences the magic of the hill resort will but agree with the sobriquet. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Mussoorie gets its name from the Mansur shrub that is commonly seen in the hill resort. The marvelous hill resort of Mussoorie is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. The hill station of Mussoorie is one of the most-loved tourist destinations of India. It has a number of waterfalls, picnic-spots, temples and tourist bungalows.

Ukhimath
182 kms. from Rishikesh. This is the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath, and worship is performed here during the winters, when the temple of Kedarnath remains closed. The temples of Usha and Anirudh, Shiva and Parvati are worth a visit.

Land of Usha (beautiful daughter of Demon Varasura). Temples of Onkareshwara, Usha, Shiva-Parvati. For accommodation, a tourist rest house, irrigation Dak bungalow, P.W.D. Inspection House and private hotels are available.

Chopta
Chopta situated on the Gopeshwar-Ukhimath Road about 40 kms. from Gopeshwar is at an altitude of about 2,900 m above sea level. One of the most picturesque spots in the entire Garhwal region, Chopta provides a breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges and the surrounding areas. Chopta provides a breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges and the surrounding areas.

Hemkund Sahib
Hemkund is a pilgrimage of the sikhs. Hemkund, as the name suggests, is a lake in the Himalayas. There are many lakes in the Himalayas, but few are set in as dramatic a setting as Hemkund is. At an altitude of 4,500 m above sea level, which is several hundred meters above the tree line, the lake is set like a jewel in a crown of seven of the most picturesque snow peaks of the Himalayas. In this surrealistic landscape, made up mostly of rock and ice, there is no habitation-animal or human. The place is as if made to order for a man in search of absolute peace to meditate upon the absolute truth.

Valley of Flowers
Accredited by Frank Smith ( the first botanist who explored this exotic abode) in his book " The Valley of Flowers" , as a place where god have shown his exclusive creativity by splashing magnificent colors. The book unfurled the beauty and floral splendors of the valley and thus threw open the doors of this verdant jewel to nature enthusiast all over the world.

Nainital
This lake town, situated in the hilly region of Kumaon, is built around the lake Naini. The city is surrounded by seven mountains, Sapta Shring. Nainital was the summer capital of Uttar Pradesh for many years during British rule and also after independence. According to mythology, when Lord Shiva was carrying the body of Sati, her eyes fell at this place and it came to be known as Naini Tal. Nearby places of interests are BhimTal and Sat Tal.

Almora
This hill district is in the central Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a beautiful scenic place situated at an altitude of 5900 ft. There is a cave where Swami Vivekananda meditated and was enlightened. Almora was captured by British from Gorkhas, who have left their mark on this town. Nanda Devi festival is celebrated here, during which devotees from all over India visit this place.

Kausani
Nesting amongst thick, dense pine forests, atop a narrow ridge and separated from the towering montains of the Nanda Devi range by low, medium mountains; at Kausani the grandeur of the Himalayan scenery comes alive. The view of the snow covered Trishul and Nanda Devi is so clear that one gets a feeling of the snow being within touching distance.

Ranikhet
Ranikhet is the place which mirrors the best of the heavenly Himalayas; lush green forests, majestic mountains, delivate plant life and attractive wild life. To view nature and its elements in full harmony, the right place is Ranikhet.

At an altitude of 1829 mts above sea level, ths hill resort is undoubtedly a tourist's paradise. The scented mountain breeze, fresh and pure, the singing of birds, the panoramic view of the Himalayas- the sights, sounds and smell leave the onlooker spellbound. Being a cantonment (the place was selected as a hill staion for British troops and accordingly the cantonment was established in 1869), the Kumaon regimental Centre, Museum and Memorial are the jewels of Ranikhet.