Uttaranchal

Location: Western Himalayan Region
Capital: Dehradun
Languages Spoken: Kumaoni, Garhwali
Best Time To Visit: April to June & September To Mid-November

Lying in the north of the vast and bountiful expanse of India and cradled in the awesome beauty and calm serenity of the stately Himalayas, Uttaranchal - the "Devbhumi" that has attracted tourists and pilgrims from world over since time immemorial. 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.

Nanda Devi is the highest mountain situated completely in India, and forms part of the main axis of the Great Himalayan Range. To the North of the Himalayas, the Zanskar range forms a formidable divide between India and Tibet. To the south of the Himalayan range the main tributaries of the Ganges and the Kali River form rugged gorge country before cutting though the Shivalik range, where the peaks rarely exceed 3,000m.

The Peak Regions
KumaonThe Great Himalayan Range forms the backbone of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttaranchal. In Eestern Garhwal, it includes the Swargarohini range with Swargarohini I (6,252m) at the head of the Tons River, and the Bandarpunch range, including Bandarpunch (6,316m) forming the main divide between the headwaters of the Yamuna and the Bhagirathi Rivers.

The main Himalayas extends to the Gangotri region, where a huge concentration of peaks almost encloses the Gangotri glacier. The peaks include Yogeshwar (6,678m), Sri Kailash (6,932m) and Mana Parbat (6,794m) to the North; and Kedarnath (6,490), Kedar Dome (8,831m) and Bhirigupanth I (6,772m) to the south. Up at the head of the glacier, the Chaukhamba range, including Chaukhamba I (7,068m), provides an impressive divide between the headwaters of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Rivers.

To the east of Badrinath, the peaks of Nilgiri Parbat (6,474m), Ghori Parbat (6,708m) and Hathi Parbat (6,727m) are the highest of the Himalayan peaks, while to the North, Kamet (7,756m), Mana Peak (7,272m), Abl Gamin (7,355m), and Mukut (7,242m) are some of the 7,000m peaks forming the main axis of the Zanskar range.

Climate Of Uttaranchal
With the exception of the remote valleys to the North of the Great Himalayan Range, the Uttaranchal region is subject to the Indian monsoon. The monsoon begins by mid-June, with the first heavy rainfall generally occurring by the first heavy rainfall generally occurring by the first week of July. Rain continues through August until the first week of September.

The first of the winter snows falls in mid to late October. Heavy snowfall on the main Himalayan range during the winter months, and it is not until the beginning of May that the snow starts melting. To the south of the Himalayan range, some of the valleys, including the Har Ki Dun, enjoy milder climates. At lower altitudes the snowfall is not so severe, still the best time to visit Uttaranchal is from April to June, and after the Monsoon, from September to mid-November.

Pilgrimage Centres In Uttaranchal
KedarnathSacred pilgrimages of different religions including the world famous “Char Dham” or the four Hindu pilgrimage destinations of Shri Badrinath - Kedarnath - Gangotri - Yamunotri; the sacred Sikh pilgrimage of Hemkund - Lokpal, Nanakmatta and Meetha - Reetha Sahib and Piran Kaliyar have drawn pilgrims and seekers for spiritual fulfillment to Uttaranchal. Kailash Mansarovar, Tholingmath are all in the Chinese occupied Tibet, but for the people of yesteryears, these were some of the most important landmarks in Uttaranchal.

Garhwal & Kumaon
Uttaranchal is undoubtedly India’s most beautiful canvas. Studded with green strokes, wild splashes and quaint highlights. What makes Uttaranchal a holidayer’s delight are the sketches of Kumaon and Garhwal. Enchanting, captivating in their own ways. Mesmerising, spellbinding to the last kilometre. Unspoilt, untouched and unbelievable. If Kumaon is a green table spread, Garhwal is a challenger’s delight. If Kumaon plays host to clear lakes, chirpy forests, floral rainbows, garhwal flaunts its snow-clad peaks, quaint retreats and infinite mountain rivers.

Uttaranchal is undoubtedly India’s most beautiful canvas. Studded with green strokes, wild splashes and quaint highlights. What makes Uttaranchal a holidayer’s delight are the sketches of Kumaon and Garhwal. Enchanting, captivating in their own ways. Mesmerising, spellbinding to the last kilometre. Unspoilt, untouched and unbelievable. If Kumaon is a green table spread, Garhwal is a challenger’s delight. If Kumaon plays host to clear lakes, chirpy forests, floral rainbows, garhwal flaunts its snow-clad peaks, quaint retreats and infinite mountain rivers.

Cultural Heritage Of Uttaranchal

Culturally, Uttaranchal has a rich a vibrant heritage. There are several local fairs and festivals like Jhanda Mela, Surkanda Devi Mela, Magh Mela, Nanda Devi Mela, Chaiti Mela, Purnagiri Mela, Piran Kaliyar Mela, Joljivi Mela and Uttarayani Mela, incicative of the immense possibilities for cultural tourism in Uttaranchal.

Culturally, Uttaranchal has a rich a vibrant heritage. There are several local fairs and festivals like Jhanda Mela, Surkanda Devi Mela, Magh Mela, Nanda Devi Mela, Chaiti Mela, Purnagiri Mela, Piran Kaliyar Mela, Joljivi Mela and Uttarayani Mela, incicative of the immense possibilities for cultural tourism in Uttaranchal.

Adventure Sports In Uttaranchal

Auli
The queen of hills, Mussoorie, the lake district of India - Nainital, Kausani, Pauri, Landsdowne, Ranikhet, Almora, Pithoragarh, Auli, Munsiyari and many more attractive tourist destinations are part of Uttaranchal.

The queen of hills, Mussoorie, the lake district of India - Nainital, Kausani, Pauri, Landsdowne, Ranikhet, Almora, Pithoragarh, Auli, Munsiyari and many more attractive tourist destinations are part of Uttaranchal.

Wildlife In Uttraranchal
Along with the world-famous Corbett National Park, Uttaranchal has several breath taking destinations for wildlife tourism. These are the Rajaji National Park, Govind Pashu Vihar, Asan Barrage, Chilla and Saptarishi Ashram, the last four being a delight for bird watchers.

Uttraranchal has a flora and fauna, which is diverse as well as rare. Making this state an ideal location for Eco-Tourism. Eco tourism includes Jungle Safaris, Trekking on forest trails, Nature Walks, catch and release of Mahaseer and other fish species. However, the utmost priority in all these activities is given to retaining the ecological fragility of the region.