UTTARAKHAND - The land of Gods: Dev-Bhoomi

Uttarakhand is one of the most beautiful state of North India. It is known for its natural beauty, snow covered mountains and various religious places. It is also on the bucket list of the traveler and tourists across the world. The summer capital of the state is Gairsain and the winter capital is Dehradun.

History of the state:-

Mountains of the state are since prehistoric times as per the evidences provided by paleothlic stone tools and megaliths. Archaeological remains show the existence of early vedic (c. 1500 BCE) practices in the state.

The following kingdoms have ruled in the state - Pauravas, Khasas, Kiratas, Nandas, Mauryas, Kushanas, Kunindas, Guptas, Karkotas, Palas, Gurjara,Pratiharas, Katyuris, Raikas, Chands, Parmars or Panwars, Mallas, Shahs. The British have also ruled in the state.

It is believed that Garhwal and Kumaon were restored to nominal vedic because of Shankaracharya visit and migrants that came from the plains.

In the medieval period, there was Garhwal Kingdom in the west and the Kumaon Kingdom in the east. Garhwal was unified under Parmars who were both Brahmins and Rajputs, they also migrated from plains from the plains. In 1791, Gorkha Empire of Nepal overran Almora, the seat of the Kumaon Kingdom. It was annexed to Kingdom of Nepal by Amar Singh Thapa. In 1803, the Garhwal Kingdom also fell to the Gurkhas.

The Garhwal Kingdom was then re-established from a smaller region in Tehri

After independence from the British, the Garhwal Kingdom was merged into the state of Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand composed Garhwal and Kumaon Divisions.

Uttarakhand's name is derived from the Sanskrit words uttara meaning 'north', and khaṇḍa meaning 'land'.

It was given the name Uttaranchal by the Bharatiya Janata Partyin 1998. The name Uttarakhand remained popular in the region, even while Uttaranchal was promulgated through official usage. Since 1 January 2007 the state has been known as Uttarakhand.

Connection of the state:-

Uttarakhand has a total area of 53,483 km2 (20,650 sq mi), of which 86% is mountainous and 65% is covered by forest. Most of the northern part of the state is covered by high Himalayan peaks and glaciers.

Two of the most important rivers in Hinduism originate in the glaciers of Uttarakhand, the Ganges at Gangotri and the Yamuna at Yamunotri.

Climate :-

The climate is very cold in hilly areas and hot in plain areas. The best time to visit the sate is summers. The state also experiences snowfall throughout the year in few parts.

Location:-

Uttarakhand has many tourist places –

· Haridwar

· Rishikesh

· Hemkund sahib

· Badrinath

· Kedarnath

National Parks:-

· Jim Corbett national park

· Rajaji national park

· River/Lakes

· Ganga

· Naini lake, Nainital

· Sat taal

· Bhimtal

· Tehri lake

Other Places:-

· Forest Research Institute

· Buddha temple

· Munsyari

· Auli

· Chaukauri

· Joshimath

· Valley of flowers

Folk dance, Songs, Languages:-

Mostly the Hindi is the known language but local people do speak Kuamouni and Garhwali also Jaunssari.

Kumaouni holi includes baithak Holi, Khadi Holi, Mahila holi. Apart from this dance forms like jhoda, chholiya are very popular.

Local festivals and fair include the Vasant Panchami, fool deyi, vat Savitri, khatarua, makar Sankranti, harela, ganga dusshera, Uttarayani Mela and Raj-jat Mela take place.

Folk instruments Dhol, Damau, Turri, Ransingha, Dholki, Daur and Mashkbaj. Bedu paak barah maso is a popular folk song of Uttarakhand with international fame and legendary status within the state

Education:-

On 2010 there were 15,331 primary schools with 1,040,139 students and 22,118 working teachers in Uttarakhand. At the 2011 census, the literacy rate of the state was 78.81% with 87.4% literacy for males and 70% literacy for females.

There is Uttarakhand boards, CBSE, ICSE and language mode of learning is Hindi and English.