What images come to mind when you think of India? Dusty plains? Teeming cities? Magnificent Hindu temples? It’s time then, to discover another India – a tranquil India of lush green valleys, wooded mountain slopes and vast wildlife reserves. For the adventurous, it’s also an India that offers skiing, trekking, mountaineering, wildlife adventures and even white water rafting. Welcome to the Indian state of Uttarakhand: In this, the first in a series of stories, we want to intrigue you with a little background on Uttarakhand, the 27th and newest state of the Republic of India. Historically, Uttarakhand is believed to be the land where the Vedas and the Shastras were composed and the great epic, the Mahabharata, was written.
Many places in Uttarakhand like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Badrinath, Kedarnath find mention in Hindu myths and legends. The state lies on the south slope of the Himalayas, and the climate and vegetation varies from glaciers on the highest peaks to tropical forests in the foothills. The region plays host to a large number of animals that include bharal, snow leopards and tigers, as well as exotic plants and rare herbs. Two of India's mightiest rivers, the Ganga (Ganges) and the Yamuna rise in the glaciers of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand has long been a cultural and spiritual crossroads, and this is reflected in both the state’s numerous religious sites and significant educational institutions. Not surprisingly then, catering to the needs of travellers has long played a major role in the economy and visitors can expect a warm and friendly reception. For Hindu pilgrims, Uttarakhand is an important religious destination. The four most sacred and revered Hindu sites, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri (collectively known as the Char Dham Yatra) are located within its borders. For Sikhs too, this is a very important site. The origins of the name of Dehradun (the states’ provisional capital) stem from the word ‘Dehra’ it is believed this refers to a camp established by Ram Rai – the son of the seventh Guru in Sikh history. A Sikh temple or ‘Gurdwara’ now marks the place. In ancient times, Uttarakhand was known as the abode of gods and goddesses. In more recent history, it was a favored destination for the British Raj as a place to escape the blistering heat of lowland summers. Famous Hill Stations such as Mussoorie and Nainital are located here.
For adventure seekers, Uttarakhand is a fabulous destination, with challenges that include river rafting, mountaineering, skiing and trekking. For nature lovers, Uttarakhand offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas. National Parks include Jim Corbett National Park (the oldest in India), Valley of Flowers National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Rajaji National Park, Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Gangotri National Park. HOW TO GET THERE: Air: Jolly Grant Aerodrome services the state of Uttarakhand and is located 25 km from the capital Dehradun. Daily flights connect Dehradun to Delhi – the nearest international airport. Road: Uttarakhand has excellent road connection with the city of Delhi and other key destinations. Public bus transport provides easy access to important places like Corbett National Park, Haridwar and Rishikesh. Rail: India’s rail network is legendary. The service offers super-fast express passenger train services to Uttarakhand’s major Railway Stations including Dehradun, Haridwar and Kathgodam. Dehradun, the provisional capital, is a major railhead on the Northern Railway line with direct trains to almost all the major cities of India. The Shatabdi Express is the best option for tourists coming from Delhi, while the Dehradun-Mumbai Express connects the city to Mumbai. There are also trains to Varanasi, Kolkata and Lucknow. THE ACTION: Skiing: High in the hills amongst the glaciers, the Garhwal region is an ideal venue for the avid long-distance skier. Cross-country runs of 10-20 km are now available, with the added advantages of fresh powder snow and little likelihood of encountering other skiers’ tracks.
The ‘Auli’ resort even has snow beaters who keep the slopes fit for skiing at all times. Best time to visit? December to March. River Rafting: Try the half day raft trip from Brahmpuri to Muni Ki Reti (11 km), suitable for adventurers of all ages. After preparation and a safety briefing, your raft will pass ‘Initiation’, ‘Double Trouble’, ‘Hilton’ and ‘Terminator’ rapids. Towards the end of the trip, you’ll enjoy a spectacular view of the ashrams and temples of Rishikesh – a point of pilgrimage for the pious and a subject of a further story. Trekking / Climbing: Uttarakhand’s position in the western Himalayas offers challenges ranging from mountain peaks to glaciers, alpine passes and meadows, as well as trekking routes through rain and alpine forest that take in the headwaters of the Ganga and Yamuni rivers. Wildlife (Uttarakhand’s National Parks are usually closed during the Monsoon season): At Corbett National Park you can encounter up to 600 species of birds, which is greater than the total number of species found in Europe. Out of India’s 69 species of raptors, 49 can be seen in Corbett.
The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary offers mountain peaks that rise to 6,315m. Animal species to be encountered include Himalayan black bears and snow leopards. Rajaji National Park is surrounded by mountains, and covers an area of approximately 820 sq km. The wildlife here includes elephants, tigers, panthers and bears. Nanda Devi National Park abuts Nanda Devi Peak (at 7816 m, the second highest mountain in India) is home to brown and Himalayan black bears, Himalayan thar, snow leopards, serow and chir pheasants. Askot Sanctuary in Pithoragarh lies in the lap of the Kumaon Himalayas at a height of 1600 m. Snow-capped mountain peaks and fine temples provide a backdrop for snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, musk deer and numerous bird species. In the next article, we will focus on Uttarakhand’s provisional capital, Dehradun. For further information, visit http://www.euttaranchal.com/ and http://www.uttaranchaltourism.com/