Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is a beautiful gift of Mother Nature for the mankind. Blessed with imposing Himalayan peaks and verdant lowland jungles, the state remains on the list of every nature devotee seeking a peaceful location to escape the world of concrete. Uttarakhand is also known with the name of ‘Dev Bhoomi’ (the Land of Gods) as it has many renowned pilgrimages visited by thousands of travellers from all over the world. Uttarakhand has everything you can ever think of and remains a top tourist destination in India.

People & Culture of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand has age old cultures and traditions which show in its music, dance and art forms. People of Uttarakhand come from various backgrounds. Many Garhwali and Kumaonis reside here apart from Bhotias, Jaunsaries, Tharus, Bokshas and Rajis.

Women folk of Uttarakhand can be seen wearing colourful ghagra choli whereas men wear dhoti or pajamas with a kurta. Most of the people speak Hindu language. However, this is the only Indian state where Sanskrit is one of its official languages.

Historic Destinations in Uttarakhand
You will find many historical places to visit in Uttarakhand. Dwarahat is a popular historical lure which was raised by the Katyuri kings. The place flaunts a beautiful Gujarati style of architecture and hosts many Hindu festivals. Narendra Nagar also has a great historical significance. This town in the Garhwal region was ruled by Shah Rulers for years. Here you will find the gorgeous Ananda- Inn the Himalayas, a luxury spa resort.

History seekers must also visit Chaukhutia with many historical stories. The town has many temples and forts which tell a lot about the Katyuri dynasty. Lohaghat, on the banks of Lohawati River, also holds a great historical and mythological significance due to the Mayawati Ashram located here. Other popular historical sites in Uttarakhand are Kalsi, Chamoli, Patal Bhuvaneshwar Caves and Jageshwar.

Adventure in Uttarakhand
Thanks to its rich topography, Uttarakhand is an ideal destination to partake in some breathtaking adventure activities. Partake in paragliding in Mukteswar or skiing in Auli, enjoy white water rafting and bungee jumping in Rishikesh or experience wildlife safaris at the Corbett National Park every region here has something to treat the adventurer inside you.

Wildlife in Uttarakhand
Wildlife of Uttarakhand is astonishing. With numerous wildlife parks, the state lets you spend some time in the lap of nature. Jim Corbett national park is a popular place for exploring vivid flora and fauna. It was raised in 1936 as Hailey National Park and it is known for spotting tigers apart from Elephants, Chital, Sambar Deer, Nilgai, Gharial, etc. Rajaji National Park also catches the attention of wildlife lovers with its remarkable views of wild. It covers three districts of Uttarakhand - Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal. Here you can see 315 avian species. Travellers also visit the popular Gangotri National Park which acts home to over 15 species of mammals and 150 species of birds. Other popular places to spot remarkable wildlife in Uttarakhand include Kedarnath Sanctuary, Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Binsar wildlife sanctuary, Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary and Nanda Devi National Park.

Religious Destinations in Uttarakhand
This land of God has a range of religious hubs where you can soak yourself in seamless spirituality. Uttarkashi is the most renowned religious hub with two of the Four 'Char Dham', the holiest Shrines in Hindu mythology. You can also visit Kedarnath set in a beautiful location of Garhwali Himalayas.

Rishikesh is another popular place where spirituality resides in every corner. With holy river Ganga flowing in all its corners, it remains a blissful place with Hindu temples and yoga ashrams. Haridwar, Gateway to the Lord, is visited by thousands of pilgrims to attend the beautiful Ganga aarti at Har-ki-pauri. With endless number of temples, Haridwar also remains a place for celebration of the grand Kumbh Mela. Another popular place for experiencing spiritual powers in Uttarakhand is Badrinath at a height of 3133 meters. The place has a splendid nature around and gives you some moments of spirituality and serenity.

Other pilgrimages in Uttarakhand are Hemkund Sahib, Gupt Kashi, Ukhimath, Shankaracharya Samadhi and Panch Prayag.

Shopping in Uttarakhand
Shopping in Uttarakhand is all about buying simple handicrafts, gems, woodcrafts, woollen attires and Gharwali paintings. The Tibetan markets of Dehradun are also very popular. If you are visiting Nainital, then buy things like handmade candles, colourful lac bangles, fresh apples, etc.

Food in Uttarakhand
Due to the diversity prevailing here, food of Uttarakhand is also diverse. Some of the must try dishes of the state include Phanu, Kaful, Thechwani, Chainsoo and Garhwali Jhol. Also taste sweets like Baadi and Arsa which are made in every household here.

Fairs & Festivals in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand hosts some of the grandest fairs showcasing the rich traditions and cultures residing here. Kumbh Mela of Uttarakhand is the biggest cultural and religious celebration in the world. It is celebrated once in every twelve years at four locations. Sights of traditional dancing, singing, pilgrims taking holy bath and chanting are usual yet unusual here. Pilgrims also partake in the famous Kanvad Yatra dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Shiva. Another popular religious procession in the state is the Nanda Devi Raj Jaat celebrated once in every twelve years. Pilgrims start from Nauti village and reach Homkund after completing a trek of 19 days. The trek is a gorgeous one with remarkable views of the landscapes dotted around.

Other popular fairs and festivals of the state are Bissu Mela, Kangdali Festival, Magh mela, Uttarayani mela, Poornagiri mela and Syalde bikhauti mela.

Best Time to Visit
Though Uttarakhand retains its charms all year long, summer months are usually considered as a great time to relish its cool weather making outdoor activities a sheer pleasure. Winters are extremely cold here and see heavy snowfall which blocks some areas too.

How to Reach Uttarakhand
Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport, Pantnagar airport and Pithoragarh's Naini Saini Airport are three popular airports of Uttarakhand. The state has a good rail connectivity with junctions like Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Nainital, Kotdwar, Kathgodam, etc.

Road travel to Uttarakhand bestows beautiful views of nature, however, it can be difficult during winter and monsoons.