Uttaranchal

Discover this fascinating zone of India which will make your tour to Uttaranchal an incredible experience. Blessed with magnificent glaciers, majestic snow-clad mountains, gigantic and ecstatic peaks, valley of flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, this 'Abode of Gods' includes many shrines and places of pilgrimage. Char-dhams, the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are nestled in the mighty Himalayas. March to July are the months in which you shall tour the spectacular region of Uttaranchal. Entice yourself as you enter this spectacular region of India.

Uttaranchal, blessed with magnificent glaciers, majestic snow-clad mountains, gigantic and ecstatic peaks, valley of flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, this 'Abode of Gods' includes many shrines and places of pilgrimage. Char-dhams, the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are nestled in the mighty mountain range of Himalayas. A picturesque state, with a breathtaking panoramic view of Himalayas, Uttaranchal promises its tourists a visit full of fun and unforgettable moments. Comprising of eight hill districts and an area and population that equals the state of Himachal Pardesh, Uttaranchal is an expression of divinity, austerity, meditation, penance and attainment

Getting There :

1. By Air: The main airports of Uttaranchal are Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (Garhwal) and Pantnagar Airport, Pantnagar (Kumaon). Both these airports are connected to Delhi, a major international airport of India. One can get taxis, buses and luxury coaches to move to different cities from these airports.

2. By Rail: The major rail heads of Uttaranchal are Dehradun, Haridwar, Kathgodam and Roorkee. These railway stations are connected to the major cities of India by direct trains.

3. By Road: The roadways network of Uttaranchal makes it conveniently connected internally as well with nearby states. The major gateways to Uttaranchal are dehradun and Nainital. Dehradun is on the NH 45. The Himachal road transport, Delhi and Haryana road transport, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan state transport buses, ply regularly to Dehradun. Some important distances are Agra- 381 Km, Gwalior- 499 Km, Jaipur- 493 Km, Shimla- 344 Km, Kolkata- 1562 Km, Delhi- 235 Km, Lucknow- 582 Km, Mumbai- 1578 Km and Varanasi- 895 Km. Nainital is connected to NH 87. Regular buses run from Delhi, Agra, Dehradun, Haridwar, Lucknow, Kanpur & Bareilly. Distances of some major cities from Nainital are Kathgodam- 34 Km, Bareilly- 140 Km, Lucknow- 400 Km, Agra- 403 Km, Delhi- 310 Km, Dehradun- 300 Km and Haridwar- 245 Km.

Fast Facts :

1. Area: 55,848 sq. km

2. Capital: Dehradun

3. Population: 7.045 Million

4. Religion: Hinduism

5. Languages: Hindi, Garhwali, Kumaoni

6. Best Time to Visit: April to July

7. Major Cities: Almora, Nainital, Haridwar, Dehradun, Mussoorie and Rishikesh.

Tourist Attractions :

Uttaranchal consists of two main regions, they are Garhwal and Kumaon. Both the regions are very similar on cultural terms.

Garhwal :
The Garhwal Himalayas area is remote and mountainous, filled with oak forests and alpine meadows. The forests are home to a number of endangered animal species and have historically been managed by local community institutions. In recent years, however, overgrazing and overharvesting in government-controlled forestlands has begun to threaten the area's biodiversity

Char Dham :
The state of Uttaranchal is considered the holy land or the Devbhoomi. The Garhwal division of Uttaranchal is famous for the Char Dham Yatra. It includes the four most revered and holy destinations of Garhwal Himalayas, namely, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. It is generally believed by the pilgrims that undertaking pilgrimages to these places not just wash away one's sins but also liberates from the cycle of birth and death. It is also believed that earlier all these dhams were placed together and with the onset of the Kalyuga, the distance between the four grew and they drifted apart. The Char Dham Yatra must be initiated from left to right or west to east, beginning from Yamunotri, Gangotri, moving to Kedarnath and ending in Badrinath.

Mussoorie :
Mussoorie, with its green hills and varied flora & fauna, is a facinating hill resort. Commanding snow ranges to the north-east, and glittering views of the Doon Valley & Shiwalik ranges in the south, the town presents a fairyland atmosphere. Mussoorie is famous for its scenic beauty

Kumaon :
Kumaon is a beautiful region in the newly formed state Uttaranchal . It is in the northern side of Uttar pradesh .Kumaon is derived from "Kurmanchal" which meanes Land of the Kurmavtar (the tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Preserver of Mankind as per hindu religion. Kumaon consists of six Districts Almora, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Champawat and Udhamsingh Nagar. Kumaon is situated in Central Himalayas .Himalaya in the north , "Kali" river in east, Garwal in the west and Plain area in south make the typial boundry of this region

Nainital :
A beautiful hill station in Kumaon hills, Nainital is popular for the its beautiful views, and boat rides. Hill Resorts in India provides complete information on the beautiful hill station Nainital. Nainital is located at an altitude of 1,938 metres in the state of Uttaranchal. Nainital has a number of tourist destinations that one can visit. Travel to Nainital with Hill Resorts in India.

Corbett National Park :
Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve lies 280 km north-east of New Delhi in the Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts of Uttaranchal. Named after the celebrated hunter turned naturalist, Jim Corbett who immortalized the area through his famous books, Corbett is India's first national park and was established in 1936.

Encompassing 1318 sq kms of foothills of the Western Himalayas and the adjacent terai region Corbett contains a wide range of habitats between 400 and 1200 meters. The thick Sal forests in the bhabar zone and the chaurs (or open grassland) are intersected by river valleys and streams ~ tributaries of the Ramganga and Kosi rivers creating primeval forests which are a hotspot of bio-diversity.

Haridwar :
Haridwar is one of the most sacred cities of India. The city is situated on the banks of Ganga and it is said that Ganga enters the plains in Haridwar. Haridwar means Gateway (Dwar) to gods (Hari). Tere are many temples and ashrams in the town. The city is also famous for being host to Kumbh mela, the most sacred fairs of Hindus. The water of Ganga is supposed to be medicinally very strong in Haridwar, due to herbal secretions of the plants and herbs.

Adventure Sports :
Uttaranchal is famous for its adventure sports activities. The state can boast about the host of adventure activities which it offers to visitors. The most famous ones are skiing, white water rafting, trekking, jungle safari and mountaineering. The geographical variations in the land of Uttaranchal offers some very intresting challenges.

Auli Skiing :
Auli, located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, is a new entrant in the tourist map of India. Located in the cradle of snow-capped mountains, Auli is one of the very few places in India where skiing is a major pastime. The bitter cold winds, the vast snow-covered landscape, the sylvan mountains, all add up to make Auli a skier's paradise. Representing man's constant endeavor to triumph over nature, Auli proves to be an ideal locale for the daring.