Uttaranchal
Introduction to Uttaranchal
Uttaranchal became
the 27th state of the Republic of India on the 9th of
November 2000. The State is carved out of Uttar Pradesh.
It occupies 17.3% of India’s total land area with 51,125
sq. km. It has a population of about 6.0 million at 94.4
per sq. km. It borders Tibet, Nepal, Himachal
Pradesh.
Uttaranchal also has the largest number of tourist
destinations - this state is the source of the sacred
Ganga river, high in the mountains, and the spiritual
and physical life source of India. The mighty Himalayas
straddle the state, on its northern borders, and are
widely believed to be throne of Gods. The Gangetic
Plains forms three fourth of the state. Along with the
holy places of Hinduism, this region has also
distinctively shapedthe development of Buddhism and
Islam. For a traveller, a simple division would be the
Hills and the Plains.
Tourist
Attraction:
Pilgrimage: Hemmed by the
austere mountains, mighty glaciers bringing forth
gurgling hill brooks, flower beaded valleys and gentle
clouds entwined in unending affair with the snow-white
peaks - where else could be the abode of Gods. Many
places in Uttaranchal like: Haridwar, Rishikesh,
Badrinath, Kedarnath find several mentions in Hindu
myths and legends and are considered sacred by the
Hindus. Take a dip in the holy river the Ganges, visit
the temples to watch an evening aarti - even the
non-believer would have a soothing effect on the weary
soul. Some places have of late gained fame as a
prominent Yoga destination in India.
Hill Stations: The state also
boasts of a number of hill stations like: Mussoorie,
Nainital, Almora Ranikhet, Nainital to name a few.
Some of its hill station had even seduced the British
during the Raj era. The legacy still lingers there in
the picturesque malls and beautiful hamlets. The places
still continue to draw huge visitors for its fresh air,
thick woods and breathtaking mountains.
Wild Life: With numerous
national parks and game sanctuaries, Uttaranchal is a
wild life hotspot. The first-ever national park in India
was founded near Nainital in Corbett National Park where
Project Tiger was also launched later. Rajaji
National Park, Gangotri National Park are some other
tourist attractions in Uttaranchal, replete in a
plethora of rare birds and animals. The park remains
closed in the monsoons.
Adventure: For the adventure freak, there are a
host of tourist attractions in Uttaranchal. With its
rugged hilly terrains, rushing streams and the
green-coated valleys, the land offers ample opportunity
for adventures like: Skiing, Rafting, Golfing,
mountain climbing and trekking. The mighty rivers in
the Garhwal regions challenge the passionate
rafter whereas the snow-clad slopes in Auli,
Munsiyari lure the avid skier. The obscure
wilderness of the state would unfailingly invite you to
embark on an exciting trek.
How to Reach Tripura
By Air :
Jolly Grant near Dehradun is the only airport. There are
regular flights to Delhi by Indian Airlines. Otherwise,
one has the option to travel to Delhi by road or rail
and then take the air route to various destinations.
By Rail :
Dehradun, Haridwar, and Kathgodam are the major railway
stations connected to almost all parts of the country
with regular trains. Not many places in the state are
connected by rail because of tough terrains. For those
visiting places in the higher altitudes, trekking and
road routes are the only options available.
By Road :
All-weather metalled roads connect almost all the
important places in the state. Many places in the higher
altitudes may still remain off for a period in the year
due to landslides and snowfall. National Highways such
as 58, 73, 74, and 87 connect places in the state to
other parts of the country.
Regular
bus services connect Delhi and other major centres in
North India with Dehradun. The road distances of some
prominent destinations from Dehradun are as follows:
Musoorie, 35 km; Delhi, 255 km; Mumbai, 1927 km;
Chennai, 2488 km; Haridwar, 54 km; Rishikesh, 43 km;
Shimla, 221 km; Nainital, 485 km; Kedarnath, 270 km;
Badrinath, 344 km; Gangotri, 301 km; Yamunotri, 265 km;
Chakrata, 92 km; Corbett National Park, 236 km;
Har-Ki-dun, 187 km; Valley of Flowers and Hemkund, 342
km.
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