Famous State of Uttarakhand in india

  By Dhananjai | September 4, 2012 | INDIAN CULTURE

History Much of the history of Uttarakhand is closely tied up – in many cases completely entangled – with Hindu mythology. Legends and tales connected with the gods and goddesses invariably link them to the mountains and rivers, the temples and forests of this region. Whatever it may be, at least one thing is certain: that these hills have been inhabited for centuries altogether. The two divisions of Uttarakhand – Garhwal and Kumaon- were known in ancient texts respectively as Kedarkhand and Kurmanchal. Garhwal remained a loosely knit conglomeration of local and immigrant tribes until the 15th century, when King Ajai Pal unified the area, merging the 52 principalities of the region into one state. The state, with its capital at Srinagar, managed to survive for the next three centuries, until it was besieged by invading Gurkhas in the 18th century, and annexed by the British a century later. Kumaon, unlike Garhwal, emerged as a strong and unified kingdom fairly early. By the 7th century, this area had been brought under the reign of the Katyuri dynasty, a powerful house which ruled over parts of Nepal and Garhwal as well from their capital at Baijnath. After the decline of the Katyuris in the 11th century, Kumaon’s fortunes remained at a low ebb till the Chand kings of Pithoragarh came to power. Both Garhwal and Kumaon became part of British India in the end of the 19th century, and since then their course of history has followed that of the United Provinces (later Uttar Pradesh). During the last two decades or so, demands for a separate hill state, distinct from the plains areas of Uttar Pradesh, had being growing stronger. Political pressure and demands from other pressure groups eventually resulted in the formation of the state of Uttarakhand on November 9, 2000.

Economy One of the most backward states of northern India, Uttarakhand, despite being rich in natural resources, has one of the country’s lowest per capita incomes- nearly 70% of the population lives below the poverty line. Uttarakhand depends largely upon agriculture for its income; manufacturing industries are virtually non-existent in the state. The bulk of the state’s population is rural and survives by cultivating food grains – Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, the Doon Valley and Nainital district being the important agricultural areas. Horticulture may be a more lucrative option in areas where growing grain is not economically viable. There’s a lot of scope for growing apple, pear, plum, apricot, litchi, grape, and more- provided agricultural research, storage and distribution systems are improved. Another potential contributor to the economy could be the cultivation of medicinal plants and herbs for the pharmaceutical industry- an activity fairly small at the moment. The other important revenue earner for Uttarakhand is tourism. Always a crowd-puller as far as Hindu pilgrims are concerned, Garhwal and Kumaon are now also becoming an attractive destination for adventure seekers who want to go wildlife-watching, trekking, white water rafting, angling, mountaineering and skiing. The tourist infrastructure in many places, however, is still inadequate and a lot of development is essential before the moolah-laden, high-spending tourists come rolling in.

language The hills of Uttarakhand are inhabited by a number of different ethnic groups, mostly fairly heterogeneous- at least at first glance- but with distinctive traditions and customs of their own. The bulk of the population is rural and lives in villages which look as if they were caught in a time-warp ancient temples, slate-roofed houses, terraced fields and traditional costumes included. Among the prominent ethnic groups of the state are the Bhotias, the Jaunsaries, the Tharus, the Bokshas and the Rajis. In the lowlands of Uttarakhand is a sprinkling of Sikh migrants from West Punjab, and in the upper tracts of the mountains live the Van Gujars, a nomadic tribe of Muslims whose main occupation is animal husbandry. Polygamy, bigamy and child marriages have virtually disappeared from urban and literate areas, but are still prevalent in less accessible parts of Uttarakhand. The languages of Uttarakhand are akin to Hindi, although they fall into a separate group known as `Pahari’. Pahari has its origins in Sanskrit, Sauraseni Prakrit and Nepali, and has been further influenced by the languages of neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. Pahari has a number of dialects, spoken mainly in localised areas; Jaunsari, for instance, is spoken in the Jaunsari-Bhabar area and its surrounding tracts; Jadhi is spoken in parts of Uttarkashi district, and Sailani is the lingua franca in parts of Tehri Garhwal. In most places, Hindi is also used, and in larger or more touristy places you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding someone who understands English.

Religion Religion is big business in Uttarakhand, not just because it’s one of the important attractions for domestic tourists, but also because it’s a vital part of daily life for the people of these hills. Large segment of the people in Uttarakhand, especially in the upper reaches, are heterodox Buddhists and Hindus. This is the area which has been known as `Dev Bhoomi’- the land of the gods. Many of Hinduism’s most important shrines lie within Uttarakhand, tucked away in the mountains and along the rivers of the state. Amongst these, the most sacred are the `Char Dham’- the four shrines of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath, a pilgrimage of which is supposed to ensure instant salvation. The sacred Ganga, on its foaming path down to the plains, meets its tributaries at what are called the Panch Prayag- the five sacred `sangams’ of the river at Vishnuprayag, Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag. And that’s not all; Hardwar and Rishikesh are two of Hinduism’s most prominent destinations for pilgrims, while the historical Gurudwara of Hemkund Sahib, near the Valley of Flowers, is an important shrine for Sikh pilgrims. At any time, in any season, Uttarakhand’s many shrines swarm with pious devotes, coming en famille from across the country, and beyond, to worship. All along the Ganga and its tributaries are ashrams, ghats, temples and shrines by the dozen, and even the smallest village will be dominated by its own temple.

Food Food habits vary across the length and breadth of Uttarakhand, and are governed largely by the accessibility of the area concerned. Higher villages rarely have access to fresh vegetables and fruit, so meat- often sundried- is an important constituent of the diet, along with plenty of locally brewed liquor to ward off the winter chills. Coarse, local grains such as mandua and barley are consumed more than wheat or rice, both of which are scarce. In the lower hills, vegetables and lowland grains like wheat, rice and lentils are consumed more commonly; the incidence of vegetarianism is also much higher than in the colder parts of the state. The use of dairy products is fairly limited, and you’ll usually see it only in the endless glasses of tea which make up a normal day in the life of a Pahari villager. Food is often cooked in pure ghee- where it can be afforded- and is high in hot spices such as red chillies. Popular dishes include chainsoo (a dish of black gram dal), ras (a mixture of dals), jholi (a thick gravy with potatoes, tomatoes and other vegetables), kafuli (a spinach dish), and local breads such as chapattis, mandua ki roti and gahat ke paranthe. Chutneys made from sesame seeds, hemp seeds and other local ingredients help perk up meals. Popular sweets include the famous baal mithai of Almora, studded with tiny globules of sugar and made from milk cooked till it’s brown and semi-solid; and singhodi, made from desiccated coconut and khoya, and wrapped in a fragrant leaf.

Culture and Crafts The `Hindi film-bhangra pop-chhola bhatura’ ethos which has permeated much of northern India is present in Uttarakhand’s cities and towns too, but not as much as in some other states. And in the villages and smaller towns, Garhwali and Kumaoni culture haven’t succumbed to the onslaught of the mundane. Here, for instance, daily meals often use the same ingredients and the same cooking styles which have been used for centuries; age-old religious rites and rituals are followed; and wandering folk singers and dancers still provide some of the most wholesome entertainment around. Dances like the Langvir Nritya, Dhurang, Pandav Nritya, Chholiya, Hurka Baul and Jharva are popular, particularly during fairs and festivals. These dances are usually accompanied by folksy tunes performed on local instruments like the murli (a flute), the dhol and the hurka, both traditional drums. Both Kumaon and Garhwal are a rich repository of traditional literature. Originally in the form of lyrical ballads and folklore chanted by itinerant singers, the tales of this region are now considered part of Hindi literature’s best works. Among the prominent local crafts is wood carving, which appears most frequently in the ornately decorated temples of Uttarakhand. Intricately carved designs- of floral patterns, deities and geometrical motifs- also decorate the doors, windows, ceilings and walls of village houses. Beautifully worked paintings and murals are used to decorate both homes as well as temples. Kumaoni art often is geometrical in nature, while Garhwali art has long been known for its closeness to the Mughal style of painting- a style which was introduced centuries ago and became very popular. Other crafts of Uttarakhand include handcrafted jewellery- usually of gold; basketry from Garhwal; woollen shawls and scarves and rugs. The latter are mainly produced by the Bhotias of northern Uttarakhand.

Tourist info centres

Two tourism development organisations- the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) look after the development of tourism and the dispensation of tourist information for Uttarakhand.
On the whole, both do a good job, and all across the region, in all the areas which tourists visit, you will find convenient resthouses operated by the GMVN or KMVN.
They also have helpful tourist information offices in all major towns of Uttarakhand, including Kausani, Nainital, Almora, Joshimath, Hardwar, Pauri and Uttarkashi. The headquarters of GMVN and KMVN can be approached for further information at:
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd
74/1 Rajpur Road
Dehradun
Tel: 91-135-2740896, 2746817, 2749308
Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd
Oak Park House
Mallital
Nainital
Tel: 05942- 236356, 236209, 235700

How to get there by Air There are a couple of domestic airports in Uttarakhand: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, Pantnagar airport and Pithoragarh’s Naini Saini Airport. However, at the best of times, flights to all these airports are highly erratic, so it may be best to check if flights are operational.

How to get there by Rail More than three-fourths of Uttarakhand lies in the mountains, consequently, the railway network is fairly meager. Important junctions include Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Nainital, Kotdwar, Kathgodam, Pauri and Udham Singh Nagar- nearly all of them lying in the southern and south-western districts of the state. Train connections to other cities in northern India, including Delhi, Lucknow and Varanasi, are frequent, and from these towns regular buses travel northward to other parts of Uttarakhand.

How to get there by Road Technically, all of Uttarakhand is connected by road to the rest of north India- but the state of a road is often suspected. Hill roads tend to be neglected, and potholes, poor surfaces and landslides are common, especially in the more remote areas. Through much of the state, however, roads are the only means of getting around, so you’d better reconcile yourself to that fact. Major towns- including all the district headquarters- have bus connections to other towns and villages in the state, and to neighbouring states as well.

Getting around Train travel is possible between larger towns in the southern parts of Uttarakhand, in the plains and the foothills. Towns such as Nainital, Kathgodam, Kotdwar and Haridwar have railway stations, and trains go along the routes regularly. At higher altitudes, however, there’s no option but to use the roads which crisscross the mountains. They are not always good roads- potholes and landslides are common- but the view is invariably so good that it’s worth the discomfort. Buses connect all the major towns, passing through the less remote towns and villages as well. A lot of visitors prefer to bring their own vehicles- or hire a vehicle from a large town like Dehradun (or Delhi, which isn’t too far) and do their own driving. It’s easily one of the best ways of seeing this lovely area up close.

Where to Stay in Uttarakhand

Destinations catering to leisure tourists- such as Dehradun, Mussoorie and Nainital - offer perhaps the widest range of places to stay. These are the places with hotels- all the way from economy to deluxe- along with smart resorts and smaller guesthouses, rest houses and inns.
Room tariffs can vary considerably, from a few hundred rupees for a decent room to a few thousand for a fancy cottage or suite. Budget options include many tourist lodges and rest houses operated by the GMVN and the KMVN.
Important pilgrim centres- like Haridwar, Badrinath, Kedarnath and Rishikesh - are replete with ashrams and dharamshalas, where basic accommodation is available. Often these are free, or are very nominal, remuneration may be expected in the form of a voluntary donation to the establishment.

Best Time to Visit Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is an year-round destination, depending upon where you decide to go. Many of the region’s most popular attractions lie within the cool hills of the terai, and visiting them even at the height of summer isn’t a problem- it never gets too hot. Summer would be the best time to visitUttarakhand as temperatures are pleasant and the air bracing especially in the hills.{para] Winter is significantly colder than in many other parts of India, and there can be heavy snowfall in some places. Fine, if you’re keen on skiing or making snowmen, or simply love sub-zero temperatures, but not otherwise. Note that hill stations like Mussoorie and Nainital are immensely popular with India’s plains-dwelling urban middle class, and they descend on these cities in droves during the summer. If you prefer a bit of solitude, avoid coming here between May and July. Also stay away during the monsoons, when heavy rainfalls can cause dangerous landslides. The monsoons come down hard in Uttarakhand and it rains incessantly during July and August amking it damp and very wet.In the hills there maybe landslides so it may be best to avoid the monsoon months. Post the monsoons the weather is again very good, so you may time your visit from September to November too. The International Yoga Week is held annually at Rishikesh in February and is very well attended, so if you are a yoga enthusiast be there!

Climate Uttarakhand’s diversity in terms of altitude means a corresponding diversity of climate. And the range of temperatures is very wide indeed, all the way from tropical to perpetually sub-zero. Low lying areas, known as the Bhabhar plains (at the foothills of the Himalayas) fall within the warm tropical zone, and the higher you go, the lower the temperature goes- ranging, with increasing altitude, from sub-tropical, through warm temperate, temperate and alpine to glacial and perpetually frozen. Average temperatures range in summer from 30ºC in the plains to 14 or 15ºC in the mountains (snowbound regions are sub-zero throughout). Winter temperatures in the plains average 10 or 11ºC, and fall well below freezing higher up. Most of Uttarakhand is affected by the south-west monsoon in the summer months, and snowfall occurs in the mountainous zones.

Things to do in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand – the land of Gods – has a wide variety of things to do that would suit each and every holidaymaker. Take a trip to the holy city of Haridwar or Rishikesh and take a dip in the holy waters. Shop till you drop at the busy markets of Dehradun, Nainital, or Mussoorie and pick up stuff like shawls, candles, carved wood items or pickles and jams.
For adventure enthusiasts there are a bucket full of options that include trekking, angling, canoeing, kayaking, hang, para gliding, rock climbing, white water rafting man many more. If you don’t want to experiment with the adventure activities then simply take a stroll through the dense forests or just marvel at the nature in all its glory. Visit Uttarakhand to experience a memorable holiday.