Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Capital City:Dehradun
Population:10,116,752
Geo Location:North
Area :53,483 square kms
Average Climate: The climate varies according to the season. Winters are cold & summers are pleasing. Snowfall during Winters (December – February)
Best time to visit: Uttarakhand is visited throughout the year, although the best time to visit Uttarakhand in Summers (April – June).
The Indian state of Uttarakhand is bordered by the state of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The state is mainly divided into two regions: Garhwal and Kumaon. Mahatma Gandhi once referred to the state as the ‘Switzerland of India’.
Mostly covered with mountains, the state has a number of Hindu pilgrim sites and thus is filled with tourists during the pilgrim season. Nanda Devi, the second highest peak of India lies in this state. Uttarakhand has diverse flora and fauna. Many rare species of plants and animals are found here which are protected by wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. The Himalayan Musk Deer is the state animal.
The state has a very distinct and unique culture. The diverse ethnicity of this area has resulted in a rich literary culture, with many folk tales and ballads originating in the area. The dances of the region are connected to life and human existence and exhibit myriad human emotions. Langvir nritya is a dance form for males that resembles gymnastic movements. Barada nati folk dance is another famous dance of Dehradun, which is practiced during some religious festivals. Other well-known dances include hurka baul, jhumaila, chauphula, and chholiya. Music is also a very important part of the culture of the state. Wood Carving is a famous and old craft of the region.
The cuisine is divided into Gharwal and Kumaon cuisine. Buckwheat is a crop closely associated with the cuisine of the region. The food mostly consists of whole coarse grains with high fiber content. Milk and milk products are also very famous in the state. Bal mithai is a popular fudge-like sweet. Other popular dishes include dubuk, chains, kap, chutkani, bhatt ki chutkani, sei, and gulgula.
The famous places to visit are Nainital, Mussorie, Sattal, Almora, Kausani, Bhimtal, and Ranikhet. One can also visit the Kumbh Mela which takes place every 12 years. One can also find Hemkund Sahib, a famous Sikh pilgrimage.
No words can ever be enough to perfectly describe this blessed land. The incredulous variety of experiences – both spiritual and sensory – goes beyond any language or dialect.
Tourist destinations in Uttarakhand
Almora, Auli, Badrinath, Barkot, Bhimtal, Chamba, Corbett national park, Dehradun, Devprayag, Dhanaulti, Doonagiri, Gangotri, Gaumukh, Gaurikund, Gopeshwar, Guptkashi, Haldwani, Hanuman Chatti, Haridwar, Hemkund, Joshimath, Karanprayag, Kedarnath, Lansdowne, Mukteshwar, Mussoorie, Nainital, Naukuchiatal, Pauri, Ranikhet, Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, Rudrapur, Sattal, Tehri, Yamunotri, Shivpuri
