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 The combined region of Kumaon and Garhwal has been known as Uttarakhand since the time of the Puranas, the ancient Hindu scriptures. Uttarakhand, the 27th state of India, is often referred as the Land of Gods. It is a place blessed with the beauty of heaven and the grace of Gods. This is the place where the rivers passing through the huge rocks and wind passing through large pine trees produces a natural melody by itself. It was carved out of the state of Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000. It is one of the most beautiful state in the Indian union. Apart from the beautiful views of Himalayas, it is also home of the point of origin of Ganga and Yamuna. Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath are some of the places regarded sacred by Hindus. Uttarakhand borders China in the north and Nepal to the east, while its neighbour states are Himachal Pradesh to the west and Uttar in the south. The region is traditionally referred to as Uttarakhand in old literature and scriptures which derives from the Sanskrit for North Country. The provisional capital of Uttarakhand is Dehra Dun which is also a rail-head and the largest city in the region. The small hamlet of Gairsen has been mooted as the future capital owing to its geographic centrality but controversies and lack of resources have led Dehra Dun to be the provisional capital. The High Court of Uttarakhand is situated in Nainital though most of the litigation is in Dehra Dun or Haridwar.
The tourism industry is a major contributor to the economy of Uttarakhand, with the Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve and the nearby hill-stations of Nainital and Bhimtal and several other hill-stations like Mussoorie, Almora and Ranikhet being among the most frequented destinations of India. To this region also belong some of the holiest Hindu shrines, and for almost 2000 years now, pilgrims have been visiting the temples at Haridwar, Badrinath, Kedarnath and Jageshwar in the hope of salvation and purification from sin. Rishikesh near Haridwar has the major spiritual and yoga centers of India. Gangotri and Yamnotri, the sources of the Ganges and Yamuna also fall in this region and are revered by many. Besides these most popular pilgrim centers, the state has an abundance of temples and shrines, references to most of which 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 popular for their architectural importance. Uttarakhand
is comprised of two regions, the western half known as Garhwal and the
eastern region going by the name of Kumaon, the two having different
chieftains in history and different lingual and cultural influences
due to proximity and neighbourhood of different cultures. Inseparable
and complementary nature of their geography, economy, culture,
language and traditions, however, have formed strong bondages between
the two regions.
People
The Tharu
and Buksha can also be found in the hilly Terai region, although these
areas are now heavily populated by a mixed population from Punjab and
the adjoining plains.
Geography Uttarakhand
lies on the south slope of the mighty Himalaya range, and the climate
and vegetation vary greatly with elevation, from glaciers at the
highest elevations to tropical forests at the lower elevations. The
highest elevations are covered by ice and bare rock. The Western
Himalayan Alpine Shrub and Meadows ecoregion lies between 3000-3500
and 5000 meters elevation; tundra and alpine meadows cover the highest
elevations, transitioning to Rhododendron-dominated shrublands below.
The Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests lie just below the
tree line; at 3000-2600 meters elevation they transition to the
Western Himalayan broadleaf forests, which lie in a belt from 2,600 to
1,500 meters elevation. Below 1500 meters elevation lies western end
of the drier Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands belt, and the Upper
Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests. This belt is locally known as
Bhabhar.These lowland forests have mostly been cleared for
agriculture, but a few pockets remain.
Statistics Districts
Of Uttarakhand Uttarakhand
is divided into 13 districts: Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat,
Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Pauri (Pauri Garhwal), Pithoragarh,
Rudraprayag, Tehri (Tehri Garhwal), Udham Singh Nagar, and Uttarkashi.
These districts form two divisions; Garhwal division includes Chamoli,
Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Tehri, and Uttarkashi
districts, and Kumaon division includes Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat,
Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar.
UTTARAKHAND
THE 27 STATE OF INDIA
Some Facts About Uttarakhand
The trek to Kedarnath begins at Gaurikund. Ahead lie 14 km over a steadily rising mountain terrain. I look forward to the next five-seven hours. There are other people too on the train. Many are on foot, some on ponies and a few infants, the old and the infirm are being carried in kandi (a cut basket as backpack) and daandi (a sort of palanquin). Im not in any particular hurry, and walk with slow, measured steps. I know how easy it can be to break into a brisk walk at the beginning of the journey, or after short rests. But walking in the mountains is best done in a slow, rhythmic, almost monotonous motion. I have to last out fourteen kilometres and do not wish to unnecessary over-exert and tire myself. Click here to read the complete article. |
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Uttarakhand is a region of
outstanding natural beauty. 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
till denuded by the British log merchants and forest contractors after
independence. Recent efforts in forestation, however, have been
sucessful in restoring the situation to some extent. The unique
Himalayan ecosystem plays host to a large number of animals (including
bharal, snow leopards, leopards and tigers), 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.
The native people call
themselves Garhwali/Kumaoni and more than 90% of them are Hindus. Many
also colloquially call themselves Pahari meaning "hill person" to
distinguish themselves from Desis of the rest of India. Most of them
identify themselves in the upper castes. Other ethnic communities in
the region include Nepali who have arrived over the past century from
the neighbouring country of Nepal, and the Tibatan migrants settled
called as the Jadh, Marcha and Shauka on the Indo-Tibetan frontier,
collectively known as the Bhotiya, and nomadic cattle herders known as
Gujjar in the southern Terai region. Many Punjabis after the partition
of India, Bengalis, and Tibetans of Eastern Tibet region (KHAMPA) have
also settled in the southern plains part of the state.
Uttarakhand HIMALAYAS
It Is the most fascinating and beautiful part of the Himalayas and
provide water shed for Gangetic River System spanning 300 Km from
Satluj in the west to Kali river in the east. It is considered abode
of Devetas, Yakashyas, Kinners, Fairies and Sages . They all are
present here on glittering peaks, roaring rivers , beautiful hills
slopes and valleys in one or another form.
From time immemorial
Uttarakhand has been the destination of sages and intellectuals
seeking spiritual attainment. Holy shrines, mountains, glaciers,
rivers, meadows and colorful valleys are always visited and admired
alike by thousand of pilgrims , tourists and trekkers, thinkers and
philosophers, poets and artist et all.It is the Land of Gods (
Devbhumi ) blessed with splendid natural beauty, diverse mixture of
races and cultures and rich flora & fauna. It has to offer something
for everyone. Of course it has to be seen and felt. 
Uttarakhand Association of
North America (UANA)
2 Lakeview Ave, Suite #1A
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Phone:732-476-0714 Fax: 732-593-8099
Email: uanainfo@uttarakhand.org
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