Tourism in Uttarakhand

2024-03-17T17:18:47Z

K G Paras: Minor edit - added a link about tourism information about Uttarakhand.

{{short description|Tourism in the Indian state of Uttarakhand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2017}}
'''Uttarakhand''' is an Indian state in the [[Himalayas]]. The state is popularly known as Devbhumi (land of Gods) due to the presence of numerous [[Hindu]] pilgrimage sites. As a result, religious tourism forms a major portion of the tourism in the state.<ref>{{cite news|title=Celebrating Uttarakhand Sthapna Diwas! Ten best cities of Uttarakhand one must visit|url=https://humaribaat.com/celebrating-uttarakhand-sthapna-diwas-ten-best-cities-of-uttarakhand-one-must-visit/|access-date=29 December 2017|agency=Humari Baat|issue=Travel|publisher=Humari Baat|date=11 November 2017}}</ref> The tourism business in [[Uttarakhand]] generated {{INR}}23,000 crores during 2013-14.<ref>{{cite web|title=Uttarakhand Tourism Business fails to recover even 12 months after Tragedy|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/06/uttarakhand-tourism-business-fails-to-recover-even-12-months-after-tragedy/|work=IANS|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|access-date=17 June 2014}}</ref>

==Char Dham==
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Badrinath Valley, along the Alaknanda River, Uttarakhand.jpg|Badrinath Valley, along the Alaknanda River, Uttarakhand.
File:Kedarnath 2.jpg|Kedarnath II
File:Gangotri temple.jpg|Gangotri temple
File:Yamunotri temple and ashram.jpg|Yamunotri temple and ashram
</gallery>
[[Uttarakhand]] is famous for Char Dham Yatra, which literally meaning 'journey to four centres'. These four religious centres in [[Uttarakhand]] are represented by [[Badrinath]] (dedicated to Lord Vishnu), [[Kedarnath]](dedicated to Lord Shiva), [[Gangotri]] (the holy origin of river [[Ganga]])and [[Yamunotri]] (the holy origin of river [[Yamuna]]).

The Char Dham Yatra begins around the first to second week of May every year. These dates are announced in the national media. The base for the yatra is generally the [[Rishikesh]] town which has all the amenities available for pilgrims and tourists alike. Pilgrims and tourists generally book their journey through the local travel agents to all the four locations.

===Badrinath===
[[Badrinath]] is the abode of Lord Vishnu, who is called 'Badri Vishal', Badri the Big One. Legend has it that [[Badrinath]] was the abode of Lord Shiva, who used to reside there with his consort Parvati. It is Located in Chamoli District of [[Uttarakhand]]. Lord Vishnu happened to like the place and wished to reside there permanently, so He took the form of an infant and started crying inconsolably. Mother Parvati's heart melted and she picked up the infant Vishnu and started cradling Him. The crying of the infant, however, disturbed the meditation of Lord Shiva and unable to bear the crying He left for higher reaches of the Himalayas and made Kedarnath His home. Once Lord Shiva left, Mother Parvati too followed, which gave an opportunity to Lord Vishnu to take His original form and remain at Badrinath forever. The priests of Badrinath are from the southernmost part of [[India]], i.e. [[Kerala]]. This is according to the rules laid down by [[Adi Shankara]]. [[Badrinath]] remains out of bounds for pilgrims for 6 months a year, from October to May.

===Kedarnath===
[[Kedarnath]] is the abode of Lord Shiva. [[Kedarnath]] is one of the 12 Jyotirlingams of [[India]] and the only one in the [[Uttarakhand]]. While there is a motorable road to [[Badrinath]], [[Kedarnath]] could only be reached by foot. The 18 km trek begins from [[Gaurikund]]. After the 2013 Himalayan floods, the trek currently is of more than 18 km due to washing away of trekking paths.

===Gangotri===
[[Gangotri]] is the origin of the holy [[Ganga river|Ganga]]. [[Ganga River|Ganga]] is revered as a mother throughout [[India]]. According to the [[Hindu philosophy]], a place considered extremely holy if a river running through it flows in the northern direction. [[Gangotri]] is a place which is not only the origin of [[Ganga river|Ganga]] but also where [[Ganga river|Ganga]] flows in a northerly direction, hence the name [[Gangotri]]. The river Ganga flows out from the melting Gangotri glacier, which is at a distance of around 18 km from the Gangotri town. Close to the temple is Bhagirath Shila, which according to the Hindu philosophy is the place where Bhagirath did penance for 5500 years to seek the blessings of Mother Ganga and requested her to descend to the Earth from her heavenly abode to cleanse the sins of his ancestors.

===Yamunotri===
[[Yamunotri]] is the origin of the holy river [[Yamuna]]. A temple dedicated to the holy river [[Yamuna]] is situated at the place. The actual origin of the river is the Yamunotri glacier further up into the Himalayas where very few pilgrims go due to the difficulty it entails.
{{Panch Kedar}}
{{kml}}

==Panch Kedar==
'''Panch Kedar''' ({{lang-sa|पंचकेदार}}) refers to five [[Hindu temple]]s or holy places of the [[Shaivite]] sect dedicated to god [[Shiva]]. They are located in the [[Garhwal Division|Garhwal]] [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] region in [[Uttarakhand]], India. They are the subject of many legends that directly link their creation to [[Pandavas]], the heroes of the [[Hindu]] [[Indian epic poetry|epic]] [[Mahabharata]].<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/08/12/stories/1312106f.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050221142234/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/08/12/stories/1312106f.htm |url-status= usurped |archive-date= 21 February 2005 |title= Eight days of bliss |access-date=5 July 2009}}</ref>

The five temples designated in the strict pecking order to be followed for pilgrimage for worship are the [[Kedarnath]] ({{lang-sa|केदारनाथ}}) at an altitude of {{convert|3583|m|ft|abbr=on}}, the [[Tungnath]] (तुंगनाथ)({{convert|3680|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}}), [[Rudranath]] (रुद्रनाथ) ({{convert|2286|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}}), [[Madhyamaheshwar]] (मध्यमहेश्वर) or Madmaheshwar ({{convert|3490|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}}) and [[Kalpeshwar]] (कल्पेश्वर) ({{convert|2200|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}}). The Kedarnath is the main temple, which is part of the four famous [[Chota Char Dham]]s (literally 'the small four abodes/seats') or pilgrimage centers of the Garhwal Himalayas; the other three dhams are the [[Badrinath]], [[Yamunotri]] and [[Gangotri]]. Kedarnath is also one of the twelve [[Jyotirlingas]].<ref name=bisht>{{Cite book |author= Harshwanti Bisht |title= Tourism in Garhwal Himalaya |access-date=5 July 2009 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6C6DGU73WzsC&q=rudranath+Capildeo&pg=PA84 |work=Panch Kedar |pages=84–86 |publisher= Indus Publishing |year=1994 |isbn= 9788173870064}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gov.ua.nic.in/transport/chardham.htm |title=Chard Dham Yatra |access-date=14 July 2009 |publisher=Government of [[Uttarakhand]], Official website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512200341/http://gov.ua.nic.in/transport/chardham.htm |archive-date=12 May 2009 }}</ref>

The Garhwal region is also called the Kedar-Khanda after Kedar — the local name for Lord Shiva. The region abounds in emblems and aniconic forms of Shiva sect of Lord Shiva, much more than the [[Vaishnava]] sect. The western part of this region in particular, which constitutes half of [[Chamoli district]] being known as Kedar-Kshetra or Kedar mandala, encompasses in its ambit all the five temples constituting the Panch Kedar.<ref name=uttar>{{cite book |author= J. C. Aggarwal |author2=Shanti Swarup Gupta |title= Uttarakhand: past, present, and future |work=Chamoli district |page=222 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=alRh51xE_v0C&q=Panch+Kedar&pg=PA222 |publisher= Concept Publishing Company| year=1995|isbn=9788170225720}}</ref>

===Legend of Panch Kedar===
The most famous folk legend about Panch Kedar relates to the [[Pandavas]], the heroes of the Hindu epic [[Mahabharata]]. The Pandavas defeated and killed their cousins — the [[Kauravas]] in the epic [[Kurukshetra war]]. They wished to atone for the sins of committing [[fratricide]] (''[[gotra]] [[hatya]]'') and [[Brāhmanahatya]] (killing of [[Brahmin]]s — the priest class) during the war. Thus, they handed over the reins of their kingdom to their kin and left in search of the god [[Shiva]] and to seek his blessings. First, they went to the holy city of [[Varanasi]] (Kashi), believed to Shiva's favourite city and famous for its Shiva temple. But, Shiva wanted to avoid them as he was deeply incensed by the death and dishonesty at the Kurukshetra war and was, therefore, insensitive to Pandavas' prayers. Therefore, he assumed the form of a bull ([[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]]) and hid in the Garhwal region.

Not finding Shiva in Varanasi, the Pandavas went to [[Garhwal Division|Garhwal]] [[Himalayas]]. [[Bhima]], the second of the five Pandava brothers, then standing astride two mountains started to look for Shiva. He saw a bull grazing near Guptakashi ("hidden Kashi" — the name derived from the hiding act of Shiva). Bhima immediately recognized the bull to be Shiva. Bhima caught hold of the bull by its tail and hind legs. But the bull-formed Shiva disappeared into the ground to later reappear in parts, with the hump raising in Kedarnath, the arms appearing in Tunganath, the nabhi (navel) and stomach surfacing in Madhyamaheshwar, the face showing up at Rudranath and the hair and the head appearing in Kalpeshwar. The Pandavas pleased with this reappearance in five different forms, built temples at the five places for venerating and worshipping Shiva. The Pandavas were thus freed from their sins. It is also believed that the fore portions of Shiva appeared at Pashupatinath, [[Kathmandu]] — the capital of [[Nepal]].<ref name=bisht/><ref name=travel>{{Cite web |url=http://traveluttarakhand.com/panchkedar.html#madhyamaheshwar#madhyamaheshwar |title= Panch Kedar Yatra |access-date=5 July 2009}}</ref><ref name=ecology>{{Cite book |author= Kapoor. A. K. |author2=Satwanti Kapoor |title= Ecology and man in the Himalayas |pages=250 |year=1994 |publisher= M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. |isbn=9788185880167}}</ref>

A variant of the tale credits Bhima of not only catching the bull, but also stopping it from disappearing. Consequently, the bull was torn asunder into five parts and appeared at five locations in the ''Kedar Khand'' of Garhwal region of the Himalayas.<ref name=travel/> After building the Panch Kedar temples, the Pandavas mediated at Kedarnath for salvation, performed [[yagna]] (fire sacrifice) and then through the heavenly path called the Mahapanth (also called Swargarohini), attained heaven or salvation.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}}

After completing the pilgrimage of Lord Shiva's [[Darśana|darshan]] at the Panch Kedar temples, it is an unwritten religious rite to visit [[Lord Vishnu]] at the [[Badrinath Temple]], as a final affirmatory proof by the devotee that he has sought blessings of Lord Shiva.<ref name=jyoti>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jyotirlinga.com/panchakedar.htm |title=Panch Kedar |access-date=15 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831110615/http://www.jyotirlinga.com/panchakedar.htm |archive-date=31 August 2009 }}</ref>

==Panch Prayag==
{{Panch Prayag}}
'''Panch Prayag''' ({{lang-sa|पंच-प्रयाग}}) is an expression in [[Hindu]] religious ethos, specifically used to connote the five sacred river confluences in the [[Garhwal Himalaya]]s in the state of [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]. The five ''prayag''s - prayag meaning "confluence" in Sanskrit - also termed as "Prayag pentad", namely the five river confluences, are Vishnu Prayag, Nand Prayag, Karn prayag, Rudra Prayag and Dev Prayag, in the descending flow sequence of their occurrence.

===Vishnu Prayag===
The Alaknanda River, which originates in the eastern slopes of [[glacier]] fields of [[Chaukhamba]], is joined by the Saraswathi River near [[Mana]] (that originates on the south from the international border), and then flows in front of the Badrinath temple, one of the most revered Hindu shrines. It then meets the Dhauli Ganges River, whose origin is from the Niti Pass, after traveling a distance of {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} from its source to form the Vishnu Prayag {{nowrap|({{coord|30.5626|79.5754|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline|format=dms|name=Vishnu Prayag}}).}} This stretch of the Alaknanda River is called the Vishnu Ganges. Legend narrates the worship offered by sage [[Narada]] to god Vishnu at this confluence. An octagonal shaped temple - located near the confluence - dated to 1889, is credited to Maharani of [[Indore]] - Ahalyabai. Though originally built to install a Shiva [[linga]], it now houses a Vishnu image. A stairway from this temple leads to the Vishnu kund (kund means pool of water or lake) at the confluence, which is seen in a tranquil state.<ref name =Rawat>{{Cite book|last=Rawat|first=Ajay.S|title= Garhwal Himalaya|work=River Systems|pages=12–13|access-date=3 August 2009|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=olP_A60L-CMC&q=Panch+Prayag&pg=PA13|publisher= Indus Publishing |year= 2002 |isbn= 9788173871368 }}</ref><ref name=vikas>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/districts/chamoli/prayags.aspx|title=Prayags|access-date=3 August 2009|publisher=Garhwal Manadal Vikas Nigam: A Government of Uttarakhand Enterprise|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520150732/http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/districts/chamoli/prayags.aspx|archive-date=20 May 2009}}</ref>

===Nanda Prayag===
Nand Prayag {{nowrap|({{coord|30.3321|79.3154|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline|format=dms|name=Nand Prayag}})}} is the second prayag in the cascade sequence of the confluences where the Nandakini River joins the main Alaknanda River. According to one tale, a noble King Nanda performed [[Yagnya]] (fire-sacrifice) and sought blessings of God. Hence, the confluence is named after him. The other version of the legend states that the confluence derives its name from the [[Yaduvanshi|Yadava]] king [[Nanda (mythology)|Nanda]], the foster-father of god [[Krishna]]. According to the legend, Vishnu granted a boon of the birth of a son to Nanda and his wife [[Yashoda]] and also the same boon to [[Devaki]], wife of [[Vasudeva]]. Placed in a dilemma, since both were his disciples, he ensured that Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, was born to Devaki and Vasudeva but was fostered by Yashoda and Nanda.<ref name=Rawat/><ref name=vikas/> There is temple for [[Gopal (Krishna)|Gopal]], a form of Krishna, here.<ref name=kishore>{{Cite book |last=Kishore |first=Dr. B.R. |author2=Dr Shiv Sharma |title= India - A Travel Guide |work=The Panch Prayag of Uttaranchal |pages=259–260 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=COHI7LlpkSAC&q=Panch+Prayag&pg=PA259 |publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. |year=1905 |isbn=9788128400674 }}</ref> The legends also narrate that sage [[Kanva]] did penance here and also that wedding of King [[Dushyanta]] and [[Shakuntala]] took place at this venue.<ref name=Bansal>{{Cite book |last=Bansal |first=Sunita Pant |title=Hindu Pilgrimage |work=Badrinath (Panch Prayag)|pages=34–35|access-date=10 August 2009 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F303Zb7EC0kC&q=panch+prayag&pg=PT34 |publisher=Pustak Mahal |year=2008 |isbn=9788122309973 }}</ref>

===Karna Prayag===
Karn Prayag {{nowrap|({{coord|30.2637|79.2156|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline|format=dms|name=Karn Prayag}})}} is the location where Alaknanda River is joined by the [[Pindar River]] that originates from the Pindar glacier, below the Nanda Devi hill range.<ref name= Rawat/> The epic [[Mahabharata]] legend narrates that [[Karna]] did penance here and earned the protective gear of ''Kavacha'' (armour) and ''Kundala'' (ear rings) from his father, the [[Surya|Sun god]], which gave him indestructible powers. The name of the confluence is thus derived from the name of Karna.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} There is reference to this site in [[Meghaduta]], a [[Sanskrit]] lyrical poetic drama written by the legendary poet [[Kalidasa]], which attributes that Satopanth and Bhagirath glaciers joined here to form the Pindar River. Another classic work by the same author called the [[Abhijñānaśākuntalam|Abhijnana-shakuntala]] also mentions that [[Shakuntala]] and king Dushyanta's romantic daliance occurred here.<ref name=Nigam>{{Cite book|last= Nigam|first=Devesh|title= Tourism, environment, and development of Garhwal Himalaya|work=Prayag|pages=123–124 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MK1nAp5hTWsC&q=Panch+Prayag&pg=PA123|publisher=Mittal Publications|year=2002|isbn= 9788170998709 }}</ref> It is also mentioned that [[Swami Vivekananda]] mediatated here for eighteen days.<ref name=vikas/>

The stone seat where Karna did penance is also seen here. A temple built in recent times to commemorate Karna has the deity of goddess Uma Devi (daughter of the [[Himalayas]]) here. The stone temple was rebuilt by guru [[Adi Shankara]]charya. In the sanctum, the images of goddess [[Parvati]], her consort [[Shiva]] and her elephant-headed son [[Ganesha]] are installed, next to that of Uma Devi, apart from Karna’s image. A steep row of steps from the temple along a spur leads to the confluence point. And, down these steps, small shrines of Shiva and the ''Binayak Shila'' (the Ganesha stone) - that is believed to provide protection from danger - are located. Once in 12 years, a procession of the image of Uma Devi is taken around a few villages in the sub-divisional town of Karnaprayag.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

===Rudra Prayag===
At Rudra Prayag {{nowrap|({{coord|30.2878|78.9787|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline|format=dms|name=Rudra Prayag}})}} the Alaknanda meets the [[Mandakini River]]. The confluence is named after god Shiva, who is also known as [[Rudra]].{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} According to a widely narrated legend, Shiva performed the [[Tandava]] here, Tandava is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution. Shiva also played his favourite musical instrument the [[Rudra veena]] here. By playing the Veena, he enticed god Vishnu to his presence and converted him to water.<ref name=vikas/>

Another legend narrates that sage Narada had become conceited by his Veena playing skills. The gods requested Krishna in order to set things right. Krishna told Narada that Shiva and his consort [[Parvati]] were impressed by his musical talent. Narada was taken in by the praise and immediately set out to meet Shiva in the Himalayas. On the way at Rudra Prayag, he met several beautiful damsels called [[Raga#Rāga-Rāgini system|ragini]]s (musical notes) who were disfigured and the reason for such disfigurement was squarely attributed to Narada playing his Veena. Hearing this, Narada felt humbled and surrendered before Shiva and decided to devote himself to learning music as disciple of Shiva.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

According to another legend, the consort of Shiva - [[Dakshayani|Sati]] was reborn as [[Parvati]] as the daughter of Himalaya, after she self-immolated herself in protest of the insult of Shiva. In spite of Himalaya's protests, Parvati performed rigorous penance to get the boon of becoming Shiva’s wife in the new birth too.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

Temples dedicated to Rudranath (Shiva) and goddess [[Chamunda]] are located here.

===Dev Prayag===
Dev Prayag {{nowrap|({{coord|30.1453|78.5977|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline|format=dms|name=Dev Prayag}})}} is the confluence of the two holy rivers, the Bhagirathi - the chief stream of the Ganges and the Alaknanda. It is the first Prayag on the way to Badrinath. Beyond this confluence, the river is known as Ganges. The holiness of this place is considered equal to the famous [[Triveni sangam]] confluence at [[Allahabad]] where the Ganges, Yamuna and [[Saraswati river|Saraswati]] rivers merge.<ref name=vikas/>

The confluence of the Bhagirathi, which flows in rapids with strong currents meets a much calmer river in the Alaknanda and this has been vividly described by the British captain Raper as:<ref name=Foster>{{Cite book |last=Foster |first=Theodore |title=The London quarterly review, 1817 |work=Devprayag |page=409 |access-date=9 August 2009|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XPIRAAAAYAAJ&q=Haridwar&pg=PA404 |publisher=Theodore Foster |quote=digitized by New York Public Library |date=28 November 2007}}</ref>
<blockquote>The contrast between the two rivers joining here is striking. The Bhaghirathi runs down a steep declivity with rapid force, roaring and foaming flowing over large fragments placed in its bed, while the placid, Alakananda, flowing, with a smooth, unruffled surface, gently winds round the point till, meeting with her turbulent consort, she is forcibly hurried down, and unites her clamours with the blustering current.</blockquote>

== Lakes of Kumaon Hills ==
{{main|Lakes of Kumaon hills}}
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Nainital lake in the morning.jpg|[[Nainital Lake|Nainital]]
File:Bhimtal.JPG|[[Bhimtal Lake|Bhimtal]]
File:Kayaking in Naukuchiatal Lake.jpg|[[Naukuchiatal]]
File:SatTal.jpg|[[Sattal]]
</gallery>
The [[Kumaon region]] of uttarakhand is home to several freshwater lakes. Most of these lakes are situated in [[Nainital district]], due to which, Nainital is also known as the Lake district of India,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Garg |first1=Chitra |title=Travel India: A Complete Guide to Tourist |date=2007 |publisher=Lotus Press |isbn=978-81-8382-084-4 |page=492 |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Travel_India/tSduAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Lamba |first1=Abha Narain |title=India |date=2002-09-01 |publisher=DK Pub. |isbn=978-0-7894-8395-9 |page=190 |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/India/-mU6pbkRC_wC |access-date=1 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> and four of them - [[Nainital Lake|Nainital]], [[Bhimtal Lake|Bhimtal]], [[Naukuchiatal]] and [[Sattal]] (which is a collection of seven different lakes viz Purna Tal, Ram Tal, Sita Tal, Laxman Tal, Nal Damayanti Tal, Sukha Tal and [[Pannatal|Garud Tal]]) are under restoration with funds provided by the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) of the [[Government of India]].<ref>http://www.worldlakes.org/uploads/Management_of_lakes_in_India_10Mar04.pdf Management of Lakes in India</ref> Other prominent lakes in the region include Khurpatal, Sariyatal, Malwatal and Kamaltal.

==Other attractions==

===Rishikesh===
[[File:Rishikesh view across bridge.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Rishikesh]] view and 13 stories Shiva temple across [[Lakshman Jhula]] bridge over the [[Ganges]].]]
[[Rishikesh]] has been a magnet for spiritual seekers since the 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/uttarakhand-uttaranchal/rishikesh |title=Rishikesh Travel Information and Travel Guide - India |publisher=Lonely Planet |access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/rishikesh.php |title=Rishikesh UTDB - India |publisher=Mussoorie Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board |access-date=29 October 2012}}</ref>

===Haridwar===
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 gives 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]].<ref name="lonelyplanet1">{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/uttarakhand-uttaranchal/haridwar |title=Haridwar Travel Information and Travel Guide - India |publisher=Lonely Planet |access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/haridwar.php |title=Mussoorie UTDB - India |publisher=Haridwar - Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board |access-date=29 October 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Har ki pauri panoramic view1.jpg|thumb|800px|center|<center>Panoramic view of [[Har ki Pauri]], Haridwar.</center>]]

==Fairs and festivals==
[[File:Third Shahi Snan in Hari Ki Pauri.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Pilgrims gather for the third ''Shahi Snan'' ("royal bath") at [[Har ki Pauri]] in [[Haridwar, Uttarakhand]] on 14 April 2010 during [[Haridwar Kumbh Mela]].]]
[[Haridwar 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 northern India. Nanda Devi Mela and Raj Yatra are the festivals of the goddess Nanda Devi, the bless-giving goddess.<ref name="lonelyplanet1"/> [[Kumaoni Holi]] a regional variant of the Hindu festival of Holi is also very well known.

==Wildlife==
{{See also|Category:National parks in Uttarakhand}}
Uttarakhand is home to the [[Jim Corbett National Park]], the first national park in India.<ref name=Riley1>Riley & Riley 2005: 208</ref> There are 12 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries covering 13.8 percent of the total area of the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uttarakhandforest.org/Data/SC_WildlifeEco-tourism.pdf |title=Ecotourism in Uttarakhand |access-date=2012-10-25}}</ref>
[[Nanda Devi National Park|Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve]] and [[Valley of Flowers National Park]] are UNESCO World Heritage sites.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/335/ |title=Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks - UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher=Whc.unesco.org |date=14 July 2005 |access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[http://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/ Uttarakhand Tourism]

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Uttarakhand}}
*{{URL|http://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/|Uttarakhand tourism government website}}
*{{URL|https://uttarakhandtourpackage.org/|Uttarakhand tourism & tour packages information}}

{{Tourism in India}}

{{Uttarakhand}}

[[Category:Tourism in Uttarakhand| ]]

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Tourism in Uttarakhand