Carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, this Himalayan state, Uttarakhand, nourished by some of Hinduism’s most sacred rivers is developing into India’s most high-potential tourism destination The state of Uttarakhand (pop. 10.4 million) is arguably India’s most high-potential tourism destination. Carved out of the mammoth state of Uttar Pradesh (pop. 215 million) in 2000, this quaint and charming Himalayan state, initially called Uttaranchal and renamed in 2006, attracts over 35 million domestic and foreign tourists annually. Spread over an area of 53,483 sq. km, of which nearly 93 percent is mountainous and 63 percent under forest cover, Uttarakhand (‘Land of the North’) encompasses the hill regions of Garhwal and Kumaon. Blessed with rolling hills and snow-covered mountains, it is nourished by some of Hinduism’s most sacred rivers, including the Ganges, which originates in Gaumukh in the far north of the state and winds its way to the plains through the pilgrimage centres of Rishikesh and Haridwar. Richly endowed with natural splendour, Uttarakhand offers tourists panoramic vistas of the Himalayan ranges. Snow-capped peaks, magnificent glaciers, pilgrimage centres including the char dhams — the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri) — rich cultural traditions, hill stations and a cool and invigorating climate make this state an idyllic destination for stressed visitors from the plains. Planned development of trekking and yatra (pilgrimage) routes and adventure sports such as river rafting, paragliding, skiing, mountaineering etc, have positioned Uttarakhand in the ‘A’ list of adventure and wildlife enthusiasts. The history of Uttarakhand dates to the era of the Mahabharata (1000 BC). In the epic the Pandava brothers are said to have ascended to heaven by climbing the Swargarohini peak in western Garhwal. The Mahabharata also describes this region as the home of the Kirata, Pulinda and Tangara tribes. However recorded history is available only up to the time of the Macedonian march across the Himalayan foothills. Later in 330 AD, the Gupta dynasty instituted an imperialist tradition, which was followed by the Vardhanas until 400 AD. The downfall of the Vardhana empire led to the emergence of a number of small principalities ruled by local chieftains. Subsequently during the Turkish invasions of the plains these principalities changed in size and power as additional waves of migration were experienced. Today, if a resident is asked about the history of the region, the answer is more likely to be shaped by myth rather than chronicle. The region was part of the United Province of Agra and Awadh which was delineated in 1902 when the British stepped in to repulse invading Gorkhas. Later the British created replicas of little England in the hills of the region. After India gained independence, the United Province was renamed Uttar Pradesh (1950) and Uttarakhand remained a part of Uttar Pradesh until this new state of the Indian Union was decreed in 2000. Uttarakhand owes much of its religious and spiritual traditions to Adi Shankaracharya, the revered saint who was almost entirely responsible for the renaissance…
