What to do what not to do in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is the home of the Himalayas and commonly known as the Land of God. Snow-covered peaks, scenic beauty, waterfalls, and small towns make Uttarakhand a special place for tourism. The other name given to Uttarakhand is Uttaranchal and on November 9, 2000 it was declared as the 27th state of the Republic of India. Both nature lovers and sports lovers would love this place. Some of the major tourist attractions to see here are Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dhanaulti. Try adventure sports like river rafting, trekking, and paragliding. The various safaris which add spark to a holiday are Corbett Jungle Safari and Jeep Safari. You can also go for mountaineering, trekking and skiing at Bhagirathi, Chowkhamba, Auli, and Dayara Bugyal. There are two zones in which Uttarakhand has been divided and they are: Kumaon and Garhwal.

What to Do in Uttarakhand

Visit the following places in Uttarakhand and make your holiday a special one.

Mussoorie 

One of the most fascinating hill resorts in North India is Mussoorie. The flora, fauna, green hills and the wonderful natural beauty sites offer a panoramic view to cherish. At an elevation of 2000 meters from the sea level, the history of this place dates back to 1827. This place is mainly famous for the scenic beauty. The major tourist attractions in this place include The Mall, Gun Hill, Municipal Garden, Childer's Lodge, Bhatta Fall,Nag Devta Temple and Mussoorie Lake. This beautiful hill station is a popular tourist destination since ages. 

 

Rishikesh

Another popular tourist attraction in North India, which is a pilgrimage center as well, is Rishikesh. This place attracts tourists from India and abroad. Rishikesh is famous as the Yoga Capital of the World, too. The Ganges flowing along Rishikesh makes it more beautiful. The journey of the Char Dham begins from here and it is considered as a famous pilgrimage center for Hindus. Two bridges over the Ganges in the north-east direction; Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula are popular tourist attractions. There are several ghats by the bank of the Ganges like Triveni Ghat, which is worth a visit. The other places to see here are Bharat Mandir, Gita Bhavan, and Parmarth Niketan. Adventure lovers can try adventure sports like whitewater rafting, rappelling, rock climbing, cliff jumping and kayaking.

Haridwar

Haridwar in North India is a holy city and is known as the Gateway to the Gods. It is believed that Gods have left their footprints here and it is one of the seven sacred places of the Hindus. It is auspicious to float diyas on the Ganges to commemorate the ancestors. This place is the gateway to three other places: Rishikesh, Badrinath, and Kedarnath. A religious festival named Kumbh Mela, which attracts millions of people, takes place in Haridwar. The other festivals organized here are Kanwar Mela and Kartik Purnima. The places to see here are Har ki Pauri, Maya Devi Mandir, Daksh Mandir, and Bharat Mata Mandir.

Nainital

In the Kumaon region surrounded by the Naini Lake, Nainital is like an ornament of India. Seven mountains surround the city, adding diverse landscape and beauty. This place is an ideal holiday retreat especially during the summer. Scented candles of Nainital are something which also make this place famous. The main attractions of Nainital are Naina Devi Temple, yachting, Naini Lake, Aerial Ropeway, Governor’s House, and the Flatts.

Ranikhet 

The word Ranikhet means Queen’s field and this place was literally a Ranikhet. The beautiful scenic beauty made Rani Padmini, the Queen of Raja Sudhardev fall in love with this place. Since then, this place has been named as Ranikhet. The heavenly Himalayas, snow-capped Nanda Devi, wildlife and forests make Ranikhet a paradise on earth. The places which you should not miss out to see are Chaubatia, Majhkhali, and Bhalu Dam.

Kausani

Pine forests and the majestic Himalayas make Kausani’s beauty incomparable.  The Kumaon Hills contribute to the scenic beauty and that makes Kausani a treat to the eyes. Earlier, this place was known as Valna. The peaks of Trisul and Panchhuli are visible from here. Kausani is also famous as the Switzerland of India. The places to see here are Anashakti Ashram, Lakshmi Ashram, Kafni Glacier, and Bageshwar.

Almora

Almora is a historic and busy town with rich cultural heritage. The exceptional beauty of the place makes visitors come here often. The exquisite handicrafts and the wildlife of Almora attract footfalls round the year. History says that Katyuri king Baichaldeo ruled this place and later donated it to a Gujarati Brahmin called Sri Chand Tiwari. The major attractions of Almora are Chitai Temple, Kosi Temple, Gananath and Someshwar.

Corbett National Park 

Uttarakhand is an ideal location for people who like natural beauty and wildlife. The Jim Corbett National Park covers parts of Pauri Garhwal, Bijnor, and Nainital District in Uttarakhand. You can visit selected areas and view the splendid landscape and diverse wildlife of this national park. More than 70,000 visitors come here every year from India and abroad.

Trekking at Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is an ideal place for trekking in India as the lower mountains are filled with forest and wildlife and the upper level houses the snow-covered peaks. Trekking inside Nanda Devi Sanctuary is also allowed. The other places where you can trek are Pindari Glacier, Panwali Bugyal Trek, Madmaheshwar Trek, and Kalindi Khal Pass Trek.

Cuisine of Uttarakhand

Eat the specialty of Uttarakhand like chainsoo, pear and mango chutney, kafuli, jholi and phaanu although different types of cuisines like Indian, Chinese and Continental dishes are available here as well. The local food items are always preferred by the tourists. Do not miss out on Garhwal ka Fannah, Bhatt ki Churdkani, Kulath ki Dal, Urad Bhuda, and Jhangora ki Kheer.

[ You can also check out top 5 summer holiday destinations in uttarakhand ]

What not to do in Uttarakhand

For your own safety, you should follow few tips to make your stay at Uttarakhand a safe one.

•  The roads are tricky, so be a little careful.

•  Do not drink and drive.

• Keep the emergency numbers handy.

• Strangers should be avoided.

• Identity card and passport (if applicable) should be carried, always.

To know more about Uttarakhand, Mussoorie ,Rishikesh ,Nainital Hill Station ,Almora Hill Station ,Ranikhet Hill Station ,Jim Corbett National Park ,please visit :- http://www.indianholiday.com