Uttarakhand

About Uttarakhand

The state is also known as the 'Dev Bhumi' or 'Land of God' because it houses various religious places that are regarded as the most sacred and propitious areas of devotion and pilgrimage. Uttarakhand was created by joining a number of districts from the Northwestern part of Uttar Pradesh and a portion of the Himalayan Mountain Range. The state is mostly famous for its scenic features and affluence of the Himalayas, the Terai and the Bhabhar. The autonomous territory of Tibet is situated to the north of the state.

The name of the state was formally altered from Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand in 2007. Dehradun serves as the capital of the state and it is also the biggest city in the state. The High Court of Uttarakhand is in Nainital, another important city in the state. The two major industries in the state are handicrafts and handlooms. It is also famous for being the origin of the Chipko Movement or Chipko Andolan.

On 9 November 2000, it became a full-fledged state of India with the formal induction of a separate state government.

Facts on Uttarakhand
Official Website www.uk.gov.in
Date of Formation Nov 9, 2000
Area 53,483 sq km
Density 189/Km2
Total Population (2011) 10,116,752
Males Population (2011) 5137773
Females Population (2011) 4948519
No. of District 13
Capital Dehradun
Rivers Ganges, Sarayu, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Dhauliganga, Ramganga, Asan Barrage etc.
Forests & National Park Rajaji NP, Jim Corbett NP, Gangotri NP
Languages Garhwali, Kumaoni, Hindi, Sanskrit, English
Neighbours State Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh
State Animal Alpine Musk Deer
State Bird Himalayan Monal
State Tree Rhododendron (Buransh)
State Flower Brahm Kamal
Net State Domestic Product (2011) 36368
Literacy Rate (2011) 86.27%
Females per 1000 males 963
Assembly constituency 70
Parliamentary constituency 5

History of Uttarakhand

The history of Uttarakhand sings the glorious past of the territory. It has a long history of its genesis and evolution, with highlights of great emperors and empires such as the Kushanas, Kudinas, Kanishka, Samudragupta, Katuria, Palas, Chandras and Pawaras. Talking about the history of Uttarakhand, it can be said that it finds reference in many holy Hindu scriptures. But its history can be best understood through the history of Garhwal and Kumaon. More Detail...

Geography of Uttarakhand

The state covers a total area of 53,483 sq km. Most of the areas of the state are hilly and forested. The distinctive flora and fauna of the state comprise creatures like snow leopards, bharal, tigers, leopards and uncommon shrubs and trees. The Yamuna and the Ganges, two biggest rivers of the Republic of India, have their headwaters in this state. The prominent geographical features of Uttarakhand are as follows:

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Demographics



Uttarakhand is situated in the Northern part of India. It has a population of 1,00,86,292 inhabitants as per the 2011 census. The state had a growth rate of 19.17% over the last census. The male to female ratio is 1000: 963. The population density is 189 per sq. km. The literacy rate of Uttarakhand is 79.63%. The state borders Tibet, Nepal, Himachal Pradesh and the Uttar Pradesh plains districts. Dehradun, the state's capital is about 240 km away from India's capital, New Delhi. There are 13 districts in Uttarakhand: Pithoragarh, Almora, Nainital, Bageshwar, Champawat, Uttar Kashi, Udham Singh Nagar, Chamoli, Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag and Haridwar (Urban).

Economy

The state's economy is one of the fastest growing in recent times. Agriculture is the most significant sector in Uttarakhand. Rice, soybeans, wheat, groundnuts, pulses, coarse cereals and oil seeds are the mainly grown crops. Apples, pears, oranges, peaches, plums and litchis are widely grown and are an important part of the food industry. The main cash crop of the state is sugarcane. The state has high expectations in becoming a striking tourist destination. Tourism is also coming up in the region and contributes in the annual earnings. This sector needs to be explored more and the state needs to invest more in tourism. Another sector where the state needs to progress is the agro industries as this will help boost its revenue.

Society and Culture

Uttarakhand's society implies the lifestyle and the customs and traditions of the state. It is a heterogeneous mixture of the various ethnic groups from the Kumaon and Garhwal regions. Most of the people belonging to the state's society are heterodox - Hindus and Buddhists; while Sikhs are also found in the state, who have migrated from West Punjab and settled in Uttarakhand since 1947. Dances in the region are associated with life and human existence; they exhibit countless human emotions. Music forms an integral part of the culture of Uttarakhand. The popular categories of folk songs comprise of basanti, mangals, khuded and chhopati. In local crafts, wood carving is quite prominent. Kumbh Mela, which is one of the major Hindu pilgrimages takes place in Haridwar, Uttarakhand and is considered the largest religious gathering in the world. Other major festivals in the state are Ghee Sankranti, Bat Savitri, Khatarua, Phool Dei, Harela mela, Nanda Devi Mela, etc. More Detail...

Government and Politics



Uttarakhand government is devoted whole-heartedly towards the betterment of this new Indian state formed in 2000. It comprises an extremely efficient legislature, backed by an equally committed judiciary and executive. All the functions of the government are based primarily in Dehradun of Garhwal division, the capital city of the state. There are total five Parliamentary constituency and 70 unicameral seats in the Legislature.More Detail...

Language


The two main regional languages are Garhwali and Kumaoni, but Hindi is the most commonly spoken language. The Garhwali and Kumaoni dialects are spoken in Garhwal and Kumaon regions. Some tribal communities in the west and north speak in Jaunsari and Bhotiya dialects. On the other hand, the urban population speaks mostly in Hindi, which is an official language of Uttarakhand along with Sanskrit.

Tourism



Opportunities for tourism are immense in this state, be it nature, wildlife, adventure, or pilgrimage tourism. The major destinations are Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Almora, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Jim Corbett National Park, Nainital, Ranikhet and Pithoragarh. If you are adventurous and like tough challenges, you can go for high- and low-altitude trekking, river rafting, para gliding, hang-gliding, mountaineering, skiing and many other activities.

Below is a list of some important tourist attractions in Uttarakhand:


Kedarnath

The Kedarnath Temple is one of the most important religious centers in Uttarakhand. It is located at an elevation of 11,500 feet above sea level near the Mandakini River. Kedarnath is among the holiest Hindu temples in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees travel from different corners of the country every year mostly during the month of April to pay their homage to the God of the region.


Rishikesh

This is another popular tourist destination in Uttarakhand. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is also a one-stop pilgrimage center for many Hindus. According to Hindu mythology, this city was one of the favourite places of Lord Shiva. Apart from its religious significance, Rishikesh is among the most naturally beautiful cities in India.


Nainital

Nainital is among the most frequented tourist destinations in Uttarakhand. Situated in the Kumaon hills, Nainital is famous for its enthralling landscapes. It is situated at a height of 1,938 meters and offers several tourist destinations that are unique to the region.


Ranikhet

A heaven for restoration and the peace loving traveller. Ranikhet promises a calm environment that is not found anywhere else in India. Known as a unique hill station for its clean and pollution free environment, tall coniferous trees, serene surroundings, Ranikhet promises to take you far from the maddening crowd.


The Jim Corbett National Park

Known as paradise for the animal lover, the Jim Corbett National Park is undoubtedly the most prized possession of Uttarakhand. Counted as one of the best animal habitats in the country, the Jim Corbett National Park is located in the Himalayan foothills. Stretching over an area of 1318.54 sq meters this national park in India is made up of a rich eco-system. More Detail...

The fascinating locales of the national parks of Uttarakhand are brimming with the noble presence of wildlife that reflects incredible diversity. But the flora is also not left far behind as these national parks at Uttarakhand are dowered with an entire caboodle of trees, flowering-plants, shrubs, herbs, climbers and many more intriguing varieties that will beyond a shadow of a doubt dazzle you. On most occasions, the national parks are reserve pieces of luscious landscapes that fall under the jurisdiction of a particular government belonging to a nation. The most significant and vital postulate that austerely demarcates the national parks from other wildlife preserving centers is the fact that any sort of human intrusion or dreaded pollution are sternly taboo. More Detail...

Transport

Uttarakhand in India is easily accessible by air, rail and road. The Jolly Grant airport near Dehradun is the most popular airport in the region. Some domestic airlines operate flights to and from Dehradun. Uttarakhand shares an excellent railway network with most of the Indian cities and towns. The major railway stations that connect the state to the other parts of the country are the Dehradun Railway Station, the Haridwar Railway Station, and the Kathgodam Railway Station. Uttarakhand is well-connected to most of the cities in India by a strong network of National Highways such as 58, 73, 74, and 87. The State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) manages and operates the bus services in the state.

Best Time to Visit Uttarakhand

The winter season is chilly in this state, while the summers are pleasant. So, you can plan your trip during summers as well as winters.