Tourism in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is a state in North Indian region of Himalayas. The state is popular as Devbhumi (land of Gods) for the presence of numerous Hindu pilgrimage sites in the state. As a result religious forms a major portion of the tourists in the state.
Major attractions
Rishikesh
Rishikesh has been a magnet for spiritual seekers since late 60's when The Beatles rocked up Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram. Known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ because of the large number of ashrams teaching meditation and yoga. The northern part of the main town is the hotspot for all the action where the Ganges forested hills form a conducive environment for all the meditation. The evening aarti also draws a lot of crowd.[1] | [2]
Mussoorie
Established by the British in 1823 ,the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’ spends much of the year swathed in clouds. Mussoorie became hugely popular during the British Raj and its effects can be seen till today in the architecture of its churches, libraries, hotels and summer place.[3] | [4]
Haridwar
Located the point where the Ganges emerges from the Himalayas, Haridwar is an important city in the religious architecture of the country. The large number of people gathering on the bathing ghats on the holy ganges river give the place a chaotic feel. There are a number of Hindu temples, ashrams and dharamshalas (pilgrims’ rest houses) in the city. The city also serves as the entry point to the nearby Rajaji National Park.[5] | [6]
Nainital
Nainital is a famous hill station in northern India, it is situated on the banks of the Naini Lake. Nicknamed the Lake District, Nainital is a town whose life takes place on the Naini lake. Nainital is also the city that hosts the only zoological garden in the state of Uttarakhand.
Fairs and festivals
Kumbh mela (fair) is a major tourist attraction to the state. Haridwar is one of the four places in India where this takes place. Haridwar also has its big annual fair in the form of Magh mela in January–February which turns into a bigger event every 6 years in the form of Ardh Magh Mela. Nanda Devi Mela and Nanda Devi Raj Yatra are great festivals of Uttarakhand, famous in all nothern India. Nanda Devi Mela and Raj Yatra are the festivals of the goddess Nanda Devi, the bless-giving goddess.[5] Kumaoni Holi a region variant of the Hindu festival of Holi is also very well known.
Wildlife
Uttarakhand is home to the first national park in India.[7] There are 12 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries covering 13.8 percent of the total area of the state.[8] Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve and Valley of Flowers National Park are UNESCO World Heritage sites.[9]
Sleep
There are plenty of hotels and resorts in uttarakhand that indulge travellers with their food, outdoor activities, site seeing and other facilities.
Emerald Trail
Emerald Trail is colonial styled wooden cottage which gives perfect zest of rural or village tourism. It is one of the pet friendly and eco friendly homestay in uttarkhand. It indulge travellers with their favourite past time as reading books, mountain biking or cycling, paragliding, etc. [10]
References
- ^ "Rishikesh Travel Information and Travel Guide - India". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
- ^ "Rishikesh UTDB - India". Mussoorie Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
- ^ "Mussoorie Travel Information and Travel Guide - India". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
- ^ "Mussoorie UTDB - India". Mussoorie Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
- ^ a b "Haridwar Travel Information and Travel Guide - India". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
- ^ "Mussoorie UTDB - India". Haridwar - Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
- ^ Riley & Riley 2005: 208
- ^ "Ecotourism in Uttarakhand" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-10-25.
- ^ "Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. 2005-07-14. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
- ^ "Peaceful Homestay in Uttarakhand, India - Emerald Trail". Emerald Trail.
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