Uttarakhand - The Land of Gods
One of the most beautiful northern states of India enthralls everyone with its spectacularly scenic landscapes. Charming hill stations, quaint villages along winding mountain roads, rivers carving their way through hills, conservation parks, world heritage sites valley of flowers and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, waterfalls and serene lakes and religious heritage, longest cable car ride, enchanting destinations and many more…
Things to do:
Adventure sports
Blessed with appropriate topography, located at the foothills of Himalayan Mountains with the amalgamation of glacial rivers, Uttarakhand is known as one of the top destinations for adventure sports in India. Thrill seekers can come and quench their thirst for through activities like Skiing, trekking, rafting, camping, mountain biking, para gliding and much more.
Skiing has gained popularity as an alternative sport in winter months. Auli is a perfect ground for beginners and season skiers. Ski touring the glaciers is another enjoyable option.
Trekking the hilly terrain provides plenty of opportunities for mountaineering, trekking and rock climbing. Pithoragarh is often dubbed as “Miniature Kashmir” is abundant in natural beauty. Several interesting treks interlace the Gori Valley with some of the well traversed trekking routes.
Rafting is the most popular adventure sports. Over the years many rafting camps have come up. You could choose between fast and furious river currents or gently float along the hillside.
Camping is possibly the finest way to spend time in the lap of nature. Whether it is wildlife camping or normal camping, Indian topography offers everything for the adventure enthusiasts.
Mountain biking is all about speed, control and thrill and it is one of the latest ways of exploring and discovering new vistas of Himalaya landscape. It also gives tourists the opportunity to understand the challenges that mountains have in store for them. The rugged terrain and steep slopes, provide great mountain biking experience. After paragliding, mountain biking is the second most popular adventure sports in the state.
Nature & Eco
Pollution free environment where one can actually experience the serene beauty of what we call – Nature. Having a diverse flora and fauna, it comes out to be a healthy, balanced bio-diverse land and thus maintains a nutritious ecology. Consisting of heritage sites, rivers and lakes, mountains along with glaciers and Conservation Parks, Uttarakhand is a land full of pro-environment people and culture.
Lakes
The mighty rivers of Uttarakhand have brought people together and nurtured their way of life. The rivers flow down mountainous slopes into narrow gorges and widening into the plains. Some famous rivers are Naini lake, Bhimtal, Naukuchiya Tal, Hemkund lake, Tehri lakes and so on.
Mountain and Glaciers
The great Himalayas has also been referred to as ‘Dev Bhumi’ or the ‘The Land of Gods’. This accounts for the numberless Hindu and Buddhist lore associated with the very roots of its terrain.
Rivers
The rivers of Uttarakhand i.e Ganga, Yamuna, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Ramganga etc. bestow as they flow down mountainous slopes, into narrow gorges and widening into the plains. Born in the deep glacial chambers of the magnificent Himalayas, the mighty rivers of Uttarakhand have brought people together and nurtured their way of life.
UNESCO Heritage Site
A scenic place where the nature blooms with its entire vista can be accessible by a tedious but lovely stroll. Eye catching spectacles like the cascading waterfalls, small streams and above all the flowery meadows awaits the visitors all through the way. With the flamboyant paddocks, crystalline streams and majestic peaks, this baroque of flowers is a worthy watch spectacle.
Religious and Pilgrimage
India is a country that is richly gifted with heritage and mythology, to which Uttarakhand contributes the most. Uttarakhand is known as the ’Devbhumi or the Land of Gods’, pays homage to various religious sites for pilgrims. Blessed with a pure environment in the form of the mountains and the holy rivers, it truly proves out to be spiritually as well as religiously a divine experience. From hosting the pilgrimage tour, ‘Char Dham Yatra’ to offering an opportunity to witness the confluence of rivers, ‘Panch Prayag’, the pious State is also dubbed as the Land of Pilgrims. Lose yourself to this religious destination and gain atonement.
History and Heritage
Uttarakhand narrates a different story as one can see the historical monuments, sites and holy places that belong to different eras. The more you learn about the history and heritage of Uttarakhand, the more you will familiarize yourself with this heavenly state of India. Having its own ancient and medieval history. Bageshwar a land of ‘Sadashiva’ has attracted saints and devotees through ages. As described in the ‘Puran..., In Binsar the blanket of green hangs all around – rocks covered with unusual moss and ferns, flowers and shrubs – foliage sprouting out of every conceivable nook and corner of the hillside. The entire area is now a sanctuary. In Lohaghat, the Britishers were so overwhelmed by its beauty that they proposed to develop it as summer capital of the then British empire. A city with a remarkable past, amidst natural abundance and a mystic aura of hill romance and new found resurgence. So, deepen your knowledge and plan your next vacation to experience the great historic monuments and museums of Uttarakhand.
Wildlife
The state has 12 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries making it a destination where you can capture the indisputable expressions of various animals and birds. Apart from these, the State boasts of two Conservation Reserves - The Asan Barrage and Jhilmil Tal conservation Reserve; two World Heritage sites namely Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve and Valley of Flowers National Park. Travellers, here, get to see some of the most endangered and rarely seen animal species in the world. Not only for animal lovers but for bird watching enthusiasts as well, Uttarakhand has a number of surprises in store to satiate their thirst for witnessing wildlife. If you are an avid nature lover, photographer, traveller, adventurer or wildlife enthusiast, then Uttarakhand is the place for you.
Culture and people
Culture and people are very closely associated with each other. People from all communities participate in these Melas. Kumbh Mela is probably the largest religious gathering anywhere around the world. Though all the Kumbh Melas are attended by millions of pilgrims, the name of Haridwar comes at the top of all Indian pilgrimages. The place is termed as the gateway to heaven in Hindu mythological scriptures. The development of the Garhwal school of painting as a branch of the Pahari school of art is believed to have started in the 17th century and reached its zenith in the latter half of the 18th and first half of the 19th centuries.
Wellness and Spirituality
The 5 senses of a human body - taste, sight, smell, touch and sound; Uttarakhand scrupulously targets all of them in a unique way to help you peel off the negativity within. It offers an array of Yoga centres and trained Gurus. Moreover, people can also enjoy a detoxifying luxurious stay where they can fully indulge in activities like spa treatment and much more.
Cuisines
Snuggled in the foot hills of the majestic Himalayas, Kumaon and Garhwal are two distinct constituent regions where cuisine is high on taste and nutrition. The food habits of the people change according to the changing seasons. So, if in winters Mathir and Til Laddus or Madua Rotis are preferred, in summers, Dubkas with Chholia Rotis are savoured. To actually experience Uttarakhand, one should also savour its exquisite cuisine.
Contact UTDB
Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board
Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Paryatan Bhawan
Near ONGC Helipad, Garhi Cantt
Dehradun-248001 (India)
HelpLine Number Yatra Control Room Tourism
91- 135- 2559898, 2552626, 2552627
E-mail UTDB : info.utdb@gmail.com
Fax– +91 – 135 – 2559988
Website: uttarakhandtourism.gov.in