Uttarakhand is described as the land of celestial beauty. Uttarakhand is one of the most bewitching and enchanting regions of northern India. Each and every corner of this place is worth seeing. Uttarakhand is also known as the Land of Gods or Dev Bhoomi, as it is the land of enormous beauty and spiritual bliss. It is believed that the peaks and valleys of this state were abodes of gods and goddesses. Ganga, Yamuna and scores of other rivers originate in Uttarakhand. It is difficult to describe the beauty of Uttarakhand in words as it has profound beauty. It seems that nature has blessed Uttarakhand immensely. The rivers, snow clad mountains, cliffs all add to the natural beauty of the place. Uttarakhand is both the new and traditional name of the state that was formed from the hill districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. Historically, Uttarakhand is believed to be the land where the Vedas and the Shastras were composed and the great epic, the Mahabharata, was written. Rishikesh is widely considered the Yoga capital of the world.
History of Uttarakhand
To its credit the name of Uttarakhand finds mention even in the early Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavat. Uttarakhand was also the ancient Puranic term for the central stretch of the Indian Himalayas. Its peaks and valleys were well known in ancient times as the abode of gods and goddesses and source of the Ganga River. The Pauravas, Kushana Empire, Kunindas, Gupta Dynasty, Katyuris, Pala Dynasty, the Chands, and Paramara Dynasty or Panwars and the British have ruled Uttarakhand in turns. The region was originally settled by Kols, an aboriginal people who were later joined by Indo-Aryan Khas tribes that arrived from the northwest in the Vedic period. At that time, the region also served as a haunt for Rishis and Sadhus. Among the first major dynasties of Garhwal and Kumaon were the Kunindas in the 2nd century B.C. who practiced an early form of Shaivism. They traded salt with Western Tibet. It is evident from the Ashokan edict at Kalsi in western Garhwal that Buddhism made inroads in this region. Between the 7th and 14th centuries, the Katyuri dynasty of Khas origin dominated lands of varying extent from the Katyur valley in Kumaon. Other peoples of the Tibeto-Burman group known as Kiratas are also said to have settled in the northern highlands as well as in pockets throughout the region. Further, in the year 1791 the growing Gurkha Empire invaded Almora, which was the seat of the Kumaon Kingdom. Later on, in the 19th century, expansion of the Gurkha Empire was brought to an end by British annexation of these regions. Garhwal and Kumaon had to yield to the British as part of the Treaty of Sugauli. After the Independence of the country, the state of Tehri was amalgamated into Uttar Pradesh where Uttarakhand composed of the Garhwal and Kumaon Divisions. The present state of Uttaranchal was earlier a part of the United Province of Agra and Awadh. In January 1950, the United Province was renamed, as Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal remained a part of Uttar Pradesh. It emerged as an individual state on 9th November 2000. It was formed as the 27th state of India.
Culture and Geography of Uttarakhand
Bordering Tibet and Nepal on the northeast of Delhi, the mountains of Garhwal and Kumaon ascend from the lush and fertile Sub-Himalayan plains. This state was formed from the hill districts of Uttar Pradesh. The peaks and valleys of this state were known as the abode of gods and goddesses. Uttarakhand is situated between 77 degree 34 minutes to 81 degree 2 minutes east longitude and 28 degree 4 minutes to 31 degree 27 minutes north latitude. The climate of the state varies from subtropical in valleys to temperate on higher slopes. Uttarakhand is rich in natural resources as forest and water, as it has many glaciers, dense forests, mountain peaks and a network of mighty rivers namely Ganga, Yamuna River, Ramganga, Kosi River, etc. Uttarakhand has a total geographic area of 53,483 sq kms, of which 93 percent is mountainous and 64 percent is covered by forest. Most of the northern parts of the state are part of Greater Himalaya ranges, covered by the high Himalayan peaks and glaciers, while the lower foothills were densely forested. The unique Himalayan ecosystem plays host to a large number of animals, plants and rare herbs. Two of India`s mightiest rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna take birth in the glaciers of Uttarakhand, and are fed by myriad lakes, glacial melts and streams in the region.
Flora and fauna of Uttarakhand Uttarakhand lies on the south slope of the mighty Himalayan ranges, and the climate and vegetation vary greatly with elevation, from glaciers at the highest elevations to tropical forests at the lower elevations. Indian National Parks in Uttarakhand include the Corbett National Park (the oldest national park of India) at Ramnagar in Nainital District, Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi National Park in Chamoli District, Rajaji National Park in Haridwar District, and Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi District.
Culture of Uttarakhand
The people of Uttarakhand are called by the name Garhwali or Kumaoni. Some people are also known as Paharis. Majority of the people here are Hindus. Most of the people who reside here belong to the upper castes. However the scheduled caste section of the population preceded the later migrants in settling the hills. The upper castes can be further subdivided into two Indo Aryan groups. They are the original Khasi tribe that arrived in the hills by the Vedic era and migrants from North-Central India that arrived in the medieval period. The other communities of the state are Jadh, Marcha, Tolcha, Shauka, Buksha, Tharu and the Gujjar tribe. The Gujjar`s are mainly cattle herders. Majority of the people speak Hindi language. Kumaoni and Garhwali dialects of Central Pahari are spoken by the people. The tribal communities use Jaunsari and Bhotiya dialects. Several festivals are celebrated here such as Kumbha Mela, Devidhura Mela (Champawat), Purnagiri Mela (Champawat), Nanda Devi Mela (Almora), Gauchar Mela (Chamoli), Baisakhi (Uttarakashi), Magha Mela (Uttarkashi), Vishu Mela, and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra.
Education in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand has several educational institutions of major importance. It is home to the oldest engineering college in Asia, the Indian Institute of Technology at Roorkee (formerly University of Roorkee). Other universities and institutes of prime importance include Dehradun Institute of Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, H.N.B. Garhwal University in Srinagar, Kumaon University in Nainital and Almora, G. B. Pant University in Pantnagar, Gurukula Kangri University in Haridwar, new Doon University in Dehradun, Govind Ballabh Pant Engineering College, Pauri, and Kumaon Engineering College, Dwarhat. Garhwal and Kumaun Universities were founded in 1973 as part of the upsurge of regional sentiment that led to the Uttarakhand statehood.
Economy of Uttarakhand
The state of Uttarakhand is rich in minerals like limestone rock phosphate, dolomite, magnesite, copper graphite, soap stone, gypsum, etc. The number of small-scale industries here are 41,216 and there is an asset of Rs. 305.58 crore. There are the presence of 191 heavy industries which runs on a profit of Rs.2, 694.66 crore. Most of the industries here are forest based. In the year 2003, a new industrial policy with tax benefits for investors was started and this led to a massive upsurge of capital investment. Economy of Uttarakhand is mostly dependent on agriculture as 90 percent of the population here depends on agriculture and allied activities. To its credit the state has an excellent potential for hydropower generation. There are several hydroelectric projects here.
Tourism in Uttarakhand
Leisure, adventure, and religious tourism play a prominent role in Uttarakhand`s economy, with the Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve and the nearby hill-stations of Nainital, Mussoorie, Almora, Kausani, Bhimtal and Ranikhet being amongst the most frequented destinations of India. The state also contains numerous peaks of interest for adventure lovers. Valley of Flowers along with Nanda Devi National Park forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are a number of pilgrimage sites in this state. Pilgrims have been visiting the region in the hopes of salvation and purification from sin. Gangotri and Yamunotri, the sources of both the Ganges and Yamuna fall in the upper reaches of the state and together with Badrinath (dedicated to Vishnu) and Kedarnath (dedicated to Shiva) form the Chardham of Uttarakhand, one of the most spiritually auspicious pilgrimage circuits. Rishikesh near Haridwar is known as the preeminent yoga centre of India while the spectacular view from Hemkund is of special significance to Sikhs. In addition, the state has an abundance of temples and shrines, many dedicated to local deities or manifestations of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga, references can be found in Hindu scriptures and legends. The architecture of most of these temples is typical of the region and slightly different from other parts of India, the ancient temples at Jageshwar being the most prominent for their distinct architectural features. Tibetan Buddhism has also made itself felt with the recent reconstruction of Mindroling Monastery and its Buddha Stupa, touted as the worlds highest, southwest of Dehradun. The district also offers scopes of mountaineering, trekking, skiing, and skating.
13 Districts of Uttarakhand
The present administrative set-up of Uttarakhand is inherited from state of Uttar Pradesh. There are 49 tehsils, 95 development blocks, 71 municipal areas, 676 Nyay Panchayats and 6805 Gram Panchayats. In total there are 15669 villages at Uttarakhand. There are 13 districts in Uttarakhand. These districts of Uttarakhand are divided into two divisions. The two divisions are Garhwal division and Kumaon division. There are seven districts under Garhwal division and six districts under Kumaon division. The seven districts under the Garhwal division are Chamoli, Dehradun District, Haridwar District, Pauri Garhwal District, Rudraprayag District, Tehri Garhwal District, and Uttarkashi District. The six districts that come under Kumaon division are Almora District, Bageshwar District, Champawat District, Nainital, Pithoragarh District and Udham Singh Nagar District.
To its credit the name of Uttarakhand finds mention even in the early Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavat. Uttarakhand was also the ancient Puranic term for the central stretch of the Indian Himalayas. Its peaks and valleys were well known in ancient times as the abode of gods and goddesses and source of the Ganga River. The Pauravas, Kushana Empire, Kunindas, Gupta Dynasty, Katyuris, Pala Dynasty, the Chands, and Paramara Dynasty or Panwars and the British have ruled Uttarakhand in turns. The region was originally settled by Kols, an aboriginal people who were later joined by Indo-Aryan Khas tribes that arrived from the northwest in the Vedic period. At that time, the region also served as a haunt for Rishis and Sadhus. Among the first major dynasties of Garhwal and Kumaon were the Kunindas in the 2nd century B.C. who practiced an early form of Shaivism. They traded salt with Western Tibet. It is evident from the Ashokan edict at Kalsi in western Garhwal that Buddhism made inroads in this region. Between the 7th and 14th centuries, the Katyuri dynasty of Khas origin dominated lands of varying extent from the Katyur valley in Kumaon. Other peoples of the Tibeto-Burman group known as Kiratas are also said to have settled in the northern highlands as well as in pockets throughout the region. Further, in the year 1791 the growing Gurkha Empire invaded Almora, which was the seat of the Kumaon Kingdom. Later on, in the 19th century, expansion of the Gurkha Empire was brought to an end by British annexation of these regions. Garhwal and Kumaon had to yield to the British as part of the Treaty of Sugauli. After the Independence of the country, the state of Tehri was amalgamated into Uttar Pradesh where Uttarakhand composed of the Garhwal and Kumaon Divisions. The present state of Uttaranchal was earlier a part of the United Province of Agra and Awadh. In January 1950, the United Province was renamed, as Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal remained a part of Uttar Pradesh. It emerged as an individual state on 9th November 2000. It was formed as the 27th state of India.
Culture and Geography of Uttarakhand
Bordering Tibet and Nepal on the northeast of Delhi, the mountains of Garhwal and Kumaon ascend from the lush and fertile Sub-Himalayan plains. This state was formed from the hill districts of Uttar Pradesh. The peaks and valleys of this state were known as the abode of gods and goddesses. Uttarakhand is situated between 77 degree 34 minutes to 81 degree 2 minutes east longitude and 28 degree 4 minutes to 31 degree 27 minutes north latitude. The climate of the state varies from subtropical in valleys to temperate on higher slopes. Uttarakhand is rich in natural resources as forest and water, as it has many glaciers, dense forests, mountain peaks and a network of mighty rivers namely Ganga, Yamuna River, Ramganga, Kosi River, etc. Uttarakhand has a total geographic area of 53,483 sq kms, of which 93 percent is mountainous and 64 percent is covered by forest. Most of the northern parts of the state are part of Greater Himalaya ranges, covered by the high Himalayan peaks and glaciers, while the lower foothills were densely forested. The unique Himalayan ecosystem plays host to a large number of animals, plants and rare herbs. Two of India`s mightiest rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna take birth in the glaciers of Uttarakhand, and are fed by myriad lakes, glacial melts and streams in the region.
Flora and fauna of Uttarakhand Uttarakhand lies on the south slope of the mighty Himalayan ranges, and the climate and vegetation vary greatly with elevation, from glaciers at the highest elevations to tropical forests at the lower elevations. Indian National Parks in Uttarakhand include the Corbett National Park (the oldest national park of India) at Ramnagar in Nainital District, Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi National Park in Chamoli District, Rajaji National Park in Haridwar District, and Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi District.
Culture of Uttarakhand
The people of Uttarakhand are called by the name Garhwali or Kumaoni. Some people are also known as Paharis. Majority of the people here are Hindus. Most of the people who reside here belong to the upper castes. However the scheduled caste section of the population preceded the later migrants in settling the hills. The upper castes can be further subdivided into two Indo Aryan groups. They are the original Khasi tribe that arrived in the hills by the Vedic era and migrants from North-Central India that arrived in the medieval period. The other communities of the state are Jadh, Marcha, Tolcha, Shauka, Buksha, Tharu and the Gujjar tribe. The Gujjar`s are mainly cattle herders. Majority of the people speak Hindi language. Kumaoni and Garhwali dialects of Central Pahari are spoken by the people. The tribal communities use Jaunsari and Bhotiya dialects. Several festivals are celebrated here such as Kumbha Mela, Devidhura Mela (Champawat), Purnagiri Mela (Champawat), Nanda Devi Mela (Almora), Gauchar Mela (Chamoli), Baisakhi (Uttarakashi), Magha Mela (Uttarkashi), Vishu Mela, and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra.
Education in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand has several educational institutions of major importance. It is home to the oldest engineering college in Asia, the Indian Institute of Technology at Roorkee (formerly University of Roorkee). Other universities and institutes of prime importance include Dehradun Institute of Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, H.N.B. Garhwal University in Srinagar, Kumaon University in Nainital and Almora, G. B. Pant University in Pantnagar, Gurukula Kangri University in Haridwar, new Doon University in Dehradun, Govind Ballabh Pant Engineering College, Pauri, and Kumaon Engineering College, Dwarhat. Garhwal and Kumaun Universities were founded in 1973 as part of the upsurge of regional sentiment that led to the Uttarakhand statehood.
Economy of Uttarakhand
The state of Uttarakhand is rich in minerals like limestone rock phosphate, dolomite, magnesite, copper graphite, soap stone, gypsum, etc. The number of small-scale industries here are 41,216 and there is an asset of Rs. 305.58 crore. There are the presence of 191 heavy industries which runs on a profit of Rs.2, 694.66 crore. Most of the industries here are forest based. In the year 2003, a new industrial policy with tax benefits for investors was started and this led to a massive upsurge of capital investment. Economy of Uttarakhand is mostly dependent on agriculture as 90 percent of the population here depends on agriculture and allied activities. To its credit the state has an excellent potential for hydropower generation. There are several hydroelectric projects here.
Tourism in Uttarakhand
Leisure, adventure, and religious tourism play a prominent role in Uttarakhand`s economy, with the Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve and the nearby hill-stations of Nainital, Mussoorie, Almora, Kausani, Bhimtal and Ranikhet being amongst the most frequented destinations of India. The state also contains numerous peaks of interest for adventure lovers. Valley of Flowers along with Nanda Devi National Park forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are a number of pilgrimage sites in this state. Pilgrims have been visiting the region in the hopes of salvation and purification from sin. Gangotri and Yamunotri, the sources of both the Ganges and Yamuna fall in the upper reaches of the state and together with Badrinath (dedicated to Vishnu) and Kedarnath (dedicated to Shiva) form the Chardham of Uttarakhand, one of the most spiritually auspicious pilgrimage circuits. Rishikesh near Haridwar is known as the preeminent yoga centre of India while the spectacular view from Hemkund is of special significance to Sikhs. In addition, the state has an abundance of temples and shrines, many dedicated to local deities or manifestations of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga, references can be found in Hindu scriptures and legends. The architecture of most of these temples is typical of the region and slightly different from other parts of India, the ancient temples at Jageshwar being the most prominent for their distinct architectural features. Tibetan Buddhism has also made itself felt with the recent reconstruction of Mindroling Monastery and its Buddha Stupa, touted as the worlds highest, southwest of Dehradun. The district also offers scopes of mountaineering, trekking, skiing, and skating.
13 Districts of Uttarakhand
The present administrative set-up of Uttarakhand is inherited from state of Uttar Pradesh. There are 49 tehsils, 95 development blocks, 71 municipal areas, 676 Nyay Panchayats and 6805 Gram Panchayats. In total there are 15669 villages at Uttarakhand. There are 13 districts in Uttarakhand. These districts of Uttarakhand are divided into two divisions. The two divisions are Garhwal division and Kumaon division. There are seven districts under Garhwal division and six districts under Kumaon division. The seven districts under the Garhwal division are Chamoli, Dehradun District, Haridwar District, Pauri Garhwal District, Rudraprayag District, Tehri Garhwal District, and Uttarkashi District. The six districts that come under Kumaon division are Almora District, Bageshwar District, Champawat District, Nainital, Pithoragarh District and Udham Singh Nagar District.
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