Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is a Himalayan state in northern India, revered as the land of the gods for its sacred rivers, pilgrimage sites and mountain shrines. Its capital is Dehradun. The source of the Ganges and home to soaring peaks and national parks, it is a center of spirituality and adventure tourism.

Uttarakhand rises from the Gangetic plain through forested foothills to the high Himalayas, including peaks such as Nanda Devi. The sacred Ganges and Yamuna rivers originate from its glaciers. The climate ranges from subtropical to alpine.

The state is deeply spiritual, home to the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, the holy towns of Haridwar and Rishikesh, and a yoga and meditation tradition that draws seekers worldwide. Mountain folk culture and crafts are also strong.

Long a region of Himalayan kingdoms and sacred pilgrimage, the area was part of Uttar Pradesh before a statehood movement led to its creation as Uttaranchal in 2000, renamed Uttarakhand in 2007. It balances pilgrimage, tourism and conservation.