Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, the "Devbhumi" or land of the gods, is a Himalayan state of pilgrimage towns, snowy peaks and wildlife. The Char Dham shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, the yoga capital Rishikesh, the holy city of Haridwar, the lakes of Nainital and the forests of Jim Corbett National Park draw millions of visitors.

The region's two divisions, Garhwal and Kumaon, had their own long histories of kingdoms. Uttarakhand (then called Uttaranchal) was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000 and renamed in 2007. Dehradun is the capital, and Gairsain (Bhararisain) has been declared the summer capital.

The state rises from the Terai and Shivalik foothills to the Great Himalaya, including Nanda Devi, the second-highest mountain in India. The Ganga and Yamuna both rise here. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tourism and pilgrimage, hydropower, horticulture and industry in the plains – around Haridwar, Rudrapur and Dehradun – support the economy.

Hindi and Sanskrit are official languages, and Garhwali and Kumaoni are widely spoken. The Nanda Devi Raj Jat pilgrimage, Kumbh Mela at Haridwar and Phool Dei spring festival are important traditions.