Uttarakhand.docx

A PROJECT REPORT At

Uttarakhand

Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of Bachelor Degree In Department Of Tourism Management Affiliated to M.D.University, Rohtak Session: 2018-19

Submitted to:

Submitted by :

Dr. Preeti Raina

Shobha

H.O.D.

Class: B.T.T.M 4 th Year Roll No. –

GOVT. COLLEGE FOR WOMEN FARIDABAD

Certificate This is to certify that Ms. Shobha is a student of B.T.T.M 8th Semester in Govt. College For Women Faridabad. She has gone to her training programmed in Uttrakhand.She has prepared her job training report by herself.

Dr. Preeti Raina H.O.D Tourism Department Govt. College for women, Faridabad

DECLARATION I am Shobha hereby declare that the study titled at in “Uttrakhand.”is based on my own Project Report. Indebtedness to other work/publications, if any, has been duly acknowledged at the relevant places. I also assure that the report is prepared as a partial fulfilment of graduation in BTTM at Department of Tourism Management and has not been produced before any other university or college or institution. I also assure that the data used in this report will be used for academic purpose only.

Shobha Department of Tourism Management Govt. College For Women Faridabad

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I own my sincere thanks to Mrs. Preeti Raina for allowing me to work as a trainee in Royal Collection Hotels and Resort And I would like to special thanks Mrs. Preeti Rawat, Mrs. Jyoti Dhankar & Mrs. Poonam Dhankar who gave me training. My training has added to my practical knowledge and built my confidence. Thanks again to all the family members of Royal Collection Hotels And Resort With the active support to which I was able to complete my report work successfully. I would like to convey thanks to Dr. Preeti Raina (H.O.D), for their ready assistance, keen interest and valuable suggestions, I am extremely thankful to my parents, and all my friends for their unconditional support and ready assistance.

Shobha B.T.T.M Roll No. -

PREFACE The 4th year full time program of Tourism Management Course helped in lots of learning. Such has been the presentations and projects which enhanced our learning by adding on to our world of knowledge and training is one of the parts to enhance our Skills & Knowledge.

It was a life time experience for which I thank to all the staff members of Royal Collection Hotel and Resort Pvt. Ltd., my parents, faculty members, administration of the Department of Tourism Management, affiliated to Maharishi Dayanand University Rohtak.

UTTARAKHAND

Uttarakhand ,formerly known as Uttaranchal is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Devabhumi (literally "Land of the Gods") due to a large number of Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres found throughout the state. Uttarakhand is known for the natural environment of the Himalayas, the Bhabhar and the Terai. On 9 November 2000, Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of India, being created from the Himalayan districts of Uttar Pradesh. It borders Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north; the Sudurpashchim Pradesh of Nepal to the east; the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the south and Himachal Pradesh to the west and north-west. The state is divided into two divisions, Garhwal and Kumaon, with a total of 13 districts. The interim capital of Uttarakhand is Dehradun, the largest city of the state, which is a railhead. The High Court of the state is located in Nainital.

Archaeological evidence supports the existence of humans in the region since prehistoric times. The region formed a part of the Uttara Kuru Kingdomduring the Vedic age of Ancient India. Among the first major dynasties of Kumaon were the Kunindas in the 2nd century BCE who practised an early form of Shaivism. Ashokan edicts at Kalsi show the early presence of Buddhism in this region. During the medieval period, the region was consolidated under the Kumaon Kingdom and Garhwal Kingdom. In 1816, most of modern Uttarakhand was ceded to the British as part of the Treaty of Sugauli. Although the erstwhile hill kingdoms of Garhwal

and Kumaon were traditional rivals, the proximity of different neighboring ethnic groups and the inseparable and complementary nature of their geography, economy, culture, language, and traditions created strong bonds between the two regions which further strengthened during the Uttarakhand movement for statehood in the 1990s. The natives of the state are generally called Uttarakhandi, or more specifically either Garhwali or Kumaoni by their region of origin. According to the 2011 Census of India, Uttarakhand has a population of 10,086,292, making it the 20th most populous state in India. Etomology Uttarakhand's

name

is

derived

from

the Sanskrit words uttara meaning

'north',

and khaṇḍa meaning 'land', altogether simply meaning 'Northern Land'. The name finds mention in early Hindu scriptures as the combined region of "Kedarkhand" (present day Garhwal) and "Manaskhand" (present day Kumaon). Uttarakhand was also the ancient Puranic term for the central stretch of the Indian Himalayas. However, the region was given the name Uttaranchal by the Bharatiya Janata Party led central government and Uttar Pradesh state government when they started a new round of state reorganisation in 1998. Chosen for its allegedly less separatist connotations, the name change generated enormous controversy among many activists for a separate state who saw it as a political act. The name Uttarakhand remained popular in the region, even while Uttaranchal was promulgated through official usage. In August 2006, Union Cabinet of India assented to the demands of the Uttaranchal Legislative Assembly and leading members of the Uttarakhand statehood movement to rename Uttaranchal state as Uttarakhand. Legislation to that effect was passed by the Uttaranchal Legislative Assembly in October 2006, and the Union Cabinet brought in the bill in the winter session of Parliament. The bill was passed by Parliament and signed into law by then President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in December 2006, and since January 1, 2007 the state has been known as Uttarakhand.

History Ancient rock paintings, rock shelters, paleolithic stone tools (hundreds of thousands of years old), and megaliths provide evidence that the mountains of the region have been inhabited since prehistoric times. There are also archaeological remains which show the existence of early Vedic (c. 1500 BCE) practices in the area. The Pauravas, Nandas, Mauryans, Kushanas, Kunindas, Guptas, Gurjara-Pratihara, Katyuris, Ra ikas, Palas, Karkotas, Chands, Parmars or Panwars, and the British have ruled Uttarakhand in turns. It is believed that the sage Vyasa scripted the Hindu epic Mahabharata in the state. Among the first major dynasties of Garhwal and Kumaon were the Kunindas in the 2nd century BCE who practised an early form of Shaivismand traded salt with Western Tibet. It is evident from the Ashokan edict at Kalsi in Western Garhwal that Buddhism made inroads in this region. Folk shamanic practices deviating from Hindu orthodoxy also persisted here. However, Garhwal and Kumaon were restored to nominal Hindu rule due to the travels of Shankaracharya and the arrival of migrants from the plains. Between the 4th and 14th centuries, the Katyuri dynasty dominated lands of varying extent from the Katyur (modern day Baijnath) valley in Kumaon. The historically significant temples at Jageshwar are believed to have been built by the Katyuris and later remodelled by the Chands. Other peoples of the Tibeto-Burman group known as Kirata are thought to have settled in the northern highlands as well as in pockets throughout the region, and are believed to be ancestors of the modern day Bhotiya, Raji, Buksa, and Tharupeople. By the medieval period, the region was consolidated under the Garhwal Kingdom in the west and the Kumaon Kingdom in the east. During this period, learning and new forms of painting (the Pahari school of art) developed. Modern-day Garhwal was likewise unified under the rule of Parmars who, along with many Brahmins and Rajputs, also arrived from the plains. In 1791, the expanding Gorkha Empire of Nepal overran Almora, the seat of the Kumaon Kingdom. It was annexed to Kingdom of Nepal by Amar Singh Thapa. In 1803, the Garhwal Kingdom also fell to the Gurkhas. After the Anglo-Nepalese War, this region was ceded to the British as part of the Treaty of Sugauli. The Garhwal Kingdom was then re-established from a smaller region in Tehri.

After India attained independence from the British, the Garhwal Kingdom was merged into the state of Uttar Pradesh, where Uttarakhand composed the Garhwal and Kumaon Divisions. Until 1998, Uttarakhand was the name most commonly used to refer to the region, as various political groups, including the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Uttarakhand Revolutionary Party), began agitating for separate statehood under its banner. Although the erstwhile hill kingdoms of Garhwal and Kumaon were traditional rivals the inseparable and complementary nature of their geography, economy, culture, language, and traditions created strong bonds between the two regions. These bonds formed the basis of the new political identity of Uttarakhand, which gained significant momentum in 1994, when demand for separate statehood achieved almost unanimous acceptance among both the local populace and national political parties. The most notable incident during this period was the Rampur Tiraha firing case on the night of 1 October 1994, which led to a public uproar. On 24 September 1998, the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council passed the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, which began the process of creating a new state. Two years later the Parliament of India passed the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 and thus, on 9 November 2000, Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of India.

Uttarakhand is also well known for the mass agitation of the 1970s that led to the formation of the Chipko environmental movement and other social movements. Though primarily a livelihood movement rather than a forest conservation movement,

it

went

on

to

become

a

rallying

point

for

many

future environmentalists, environmental protests, and movements the world over and created a precedent for non-violent protest. It stirred up the existing civil society in India, which began to address the issues of tribal and marginalized people. So much so that, a quarter of a century later, India Today mentioned the people behind the "forest satyagraha" of the Chipko movement as amongst "100 people who shaped India". One of Chipko's most salient features was the mass participation of female villagers. Both female and male activists played pivotal roles in the movement. Gaura Devi was the main activist who started this movement other participants were Chandi Prasad Bhatt, Sunderlal Bahuguna, and Ghanshyam Raturi, the popular Chipko poet.

Geography

Uttarakhand has a total area of 53,483 km2, of which 86% is mountainous and 65% is covered by forest. Most of the northern part of the state is covered by high Himalayan peaks and glaciers. In the first half of the nineteenth century, the expanding development of Indian roads, railways and other physical infrastructure was giving rise to concerns over indiscriminate logging, particularly in the Himalaya. Two of the most important rivers in Hinduism originate in the glaciers of Uttarakhand, the Ganges at Gangotri and the Yamuna at Yamunotri. They are fed by myriad lakes, glacial melts and streams. These two along with Badrinath and Kedarnath form the Chota Char Dham, a holy pilgrimage for the Hindus. The state hosts the Bengal tiger in Jim Corbett National Park, the oldest national park of the Indian subcontinent. The Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the upper expanses of Bhyundar Ganga near Joshimathin Gharwal region, is known for the variety and rarity of its flowers and plants. One who raised this was Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, who visited the region. As a consequence, Lord Dalhousie issued the Indian Forest Charter in 1855, reversing the previous laissez-faire policy. The following Indian Forest Act of 1878 put Indian forestry on a solid scientific basis. A direct consequence was the founding of the Imperial Forest School at Dehradun by Dietrich Brandis in 1878. Renamed the 'Imperial Forest Research Institute' in 1906, it is now known as the Forest Research Institute. The model “Forest Circles” around Dehradun, used for training, demonstration and scientific measurements, had a lasting positive influence on the forests and ecology of the region. The Himalayan

ecosystem

provides

habitat

for

many

animals

(including bharal, snow

leopards, leopards and tigers), plants, and rare herbs. Uttarakhand lies on the southern slope of the Himalaya range, and the climate and vegetation vary greatly with elevation, from glaciers at the highest elevations to subtropical forests at the lower elevations. The highest elevations are covered by ice and bare rock. Below them, between 3,000 and 5,000 metres (9,800 and 16,400 ft) are the western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows. The temperate western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests grow just below the tree line. At 3,000 to 2,600 metres (9,800 to 8,500 ft) elevation they transition to the temperate western Himalayan broadleaf forests, which lie in a belt from 2,600 to 1,500 metres (8,500 to 4,900 ft) elevation. Below 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) elevation lie the Himalayan

subtropical pine forests. The Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests and the drier TeraiDuar savanna and grasslands cover the lowlands along the Uttar Pradesh border in a belt locally known as Bhabar. These lowland forests have mostly been cleared for agriculture, but a few pockets remain. In June 2013 several days of extremely heavy rain caused devastating floods in the region, resulting in more than 5000 people missing and presumed dead. The flooding was referred to in the Indian media as a "Himalayan Tsunami". Demographics The native people of Uttarakhand are generally called Uttarakhandi and sometimes specifically either Garhwali or Kumaoni depending on their place of origin in either the Garhwal or Kumaon region. According to the 2011 Census of India, Uttarakhand has a population of 10,086,292 comprising 5,137,773 males and 4,948,519 females, with 69.77% of the population living in rural areas. The state is the 20th most populous state of the country having 0.83% of the population on 1.63% of the land. The population density of the state is 189 people per square kilometre having a 2001–2011 decadal growth rate of 18.81%. The gender ratio is 963 females per 1000 males. The crude birth rate in the state is 18.6 with the total fertility rate being 2.3. The state has an infant mortality rate of 43, a maternal mortality rate of 188 and a crude death rate of 6.6. Ethnic groups Uttarakhand has a multiethnic population spread across two geocultural regions: the Garhwal, and the Kumaon. A large portion of the population is Rajput (various clans of erstwhile landowning rulers and their descendants), including members of the native Garhwali, and Kumaoni as well as a number of immigrants. According to a 2007 study by Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Uttarakhand has the highest percentage of Brahmins of any state in India, with approximately 20% of the population being Brahmin. 18.76% of the population belongs to the Scheduled Castes (an official term for the indigenous aboriginal lower castes in the traditional Caste system in India). Scheduled Tribes such as the Tharu, Jaunsari, Buksa, Bhotiya and Raji constitute 2.89% of the population.

Languages Hindi belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages is the official language of Uttarakhand and is spoken by 89.15% of the population (2011 Census of India figure includes Garhwalispoken by 23.03%, Kumaoni spoken by 19.94% and Jaunsari spoken by 1.35% of the population as variants of Hindi). Sanskrit is given the status of second official language. Garhwali and Kumaoni are endangered languages listed by UNESCO. Apart from Hindi, Urdu is the most spoken language with

4.22%

speakers

followed

by Punjabi (2.61%), Bengali (1.50%), Nepali (1.05%)

and Maithili (0.54). Many Tibeto-Burman languages are also spoken in this region, including Jad, Rongpo, Darmiya, Byangsi, Chaudangsi, Raji and Rawat. Religion More than four-fifths of Uttarakhand's residents are Hindus. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, and Jains make up the remaining population with the Muslims being the largest minority. Following the Constitution of India, Uttarakhand, like all Indian states, has a parliamentary system of representative democracy for its government. The Governor is the constitutional and formal head of the government and is appointed for a five-year term by the President of India on the advice of the Union government. The present Governor of Uttarakhand is Baby Rani Maurya. The Chief Minister, who holds the real executive powers, is the head of the party or coalition garnering the majority in the state elections.

The

current Chief

Minister

of

Uttarakhand is Trivendra

Singh

Rawat.

The unicameral Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly consists of has 71 members, known as Members of the Legislative Assembly or MLAs, and special office bearers such as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, elected by the members. Assembly meetings are presided over by the Speaker, or the Deputy Speaker in the Speaker's absence. The Uttarakhand Council of Ministers is appointed by the Governor of Uttarakhand on the advice of the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and reports to the Legislative Assembly. Auxiliary authorities that govern at a local level are known as gram panchayats in rural areas, municipalities in urban areas and municipal corporations in metro areas. All state and local government offices have a five-year term. The state also elects 5 members to Lok Sabha and 3 seats to Rajya Sabha of the Parliament of

India. The judiciary consists of the Uttarakhand High Court, located at Nainital, and a system of lower courts. The incumbent Chief Justice of Uttarakhand is Justice Ramesh Ranganathan. Politics in Uttarakhand is dominated by the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Since the formation of the state these two parties have ruled the state in turns. Following the hung mandate in the 2012 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election, the Indian National Congress, having the maximum number of seats, formed a coalition government headed by Harish Rawat that collapsed on 27 March 2016, following the political turmoil as about nine MLAs of INC rebelled against the party and supported the opposition party BJP, causing Harish Rawat government to lose the majority in assembly. However, on 21 April 2016 the High Court of Uttarakhand quashed the President's Rule questioning its legality and maintained a status quo prior to 27 March 2016 when 9 rebel MLAs of INC voted against the Harish Rawat government in assembly on state's money appropriation bill. This has been seen as a big blow to central government which is expected to take the matter to the Supreme Court of India to challenge the verdict of High Court. On 22 April 2016 the Supreme Court of India stayed the order of High Court till 27 April 2016, thereby once again reviving the President's Rule. In later developments regarding this matter, the Supreme Court ordered a floor test to be held on 10 May with the rebels being barred from voting. On 11 May at the opening of sealed result of the floor test, under the supervision of Supreme Court, the Harish Rawat government was revived following the victory in floor test held in Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly. Culture Uttarakhand's diverse ethnicities have created a rich literary tradition in languages including Hindi, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Jaunsari, and Bhoti. Many of its traditional tales originated in the form of lyrical ballads and chanted by itinerant singers and are now considered classics of Hindi literature. Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna, Badri Datt Pandey, Ganga Prasad Vimal, Harikrishna Raturi, Mohan

Upreti, Naima

Khan

Upreti, Prasoon

Joshi, Shailesh

Matiyani, Shekhar

Joshi, Shivani, Shiv Prasad Dabral 'Charan', Taradutt Gairola, Tom Alter; Lalit Kala Akademi fellow — Ranbir Singh Bisht; Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardees — B. M. Shah, Prem Matiyani and Urmil Kumar Thapliyal; Sahitya Akademi Awardees — Leeladhar Jagudi, Manglesh Dabral, Manohar

Shyam

Joshi, Ramesh

Chandra

Shah, Ruskin

Bond and Viren

Dangwal; Jnanpith Awardeeand Sahitya Akademi fellow Sumitranandan Pant are some major literary, artistic and theatre personalities from the state. Prominent philosophers, Indian

independence activists and environmental activists Gaura Devi, Govind Ballabh Pant, Chandi Prasad

Bhatt, Kalu

Singh

Mahara, Mukandi

Lal, Shri

Dev

Suman, Sunderlal

Bahugunaand Vandana Shiva are also from Uttarakhand. Crafts Among the prominent local crafts is wood carving, which appears most frequently in the ornately decorated temples of Uttarakhand. Intricately carved designs of floral patterns, deities, and geometrical motifs also decorate the doors, windows, ceilings, and walls of village houses. Paintings and murals are used to decorate both homes and temples. Pahari painting is a form of painting that flourished in the region between the 17th and 19th century. Mola Ram started the Garhwal Branch of the Kangra school of painting. Guler State was known as the "cradle of Kangra paintings". Kumaoni art often is geometrical in nature, while Garhwali art is known for its closeness to nature. Other crafts of Uttarakhand include handcrafted gold jewellery, basketry from Garhwal, woollen shawls, scarves, and rugs. The latter are mainly produced by the Bhotiyas of northern Uttarakhand. Cuisine The primary food of Uttarakhand is vegetables with wheat being a staple, although nonvegetarian food is also served. A distinctive characteristic of Uttarakhand cuisine is the sparing use of tomatoes, milk, and milk based products. Coarse grain with high fibre content is very common in Uttarakhand due to the harsh terrain. Crops most commonly associated with Uttarakhand are Buckwheat (locallycalled Kotu or Kuttu) and the regional crops, Maduwa and Jhangora, particularly in the interior regions of Kumaon and Garhwal. Generally, either Desi Ghee or Mustard oil is used for the purpose of cooking food. Simple recipes are made interesting with the use of hash seeds Jakhiya as spice. Bal Mithai is a popular fudge-like sweet. Other popular dishes include Dubuk, Chains, Kap, Bhatiya, Phana, Paliyo, Chutkani and Sei. In sweets; Swal, Ghughut/Khajur, Arsa, Mishri, Gatta and Gulgulas are popular. A regional variation of Kadhi called Jhoi or Jholiis also popular. Dances and music The dances of the region are connected to life and human existence and exhibit myriad human emotions. Langvir Nritya is a dance form for males that resembles gymnastic movements. Barada Nati folk dance is another dance of Jaunsar-Bawar, which is practised during some religious festivals. Other well-known dances include Hurka Baul, Jhora-Chanchri, Chhapeli,

Thadya, Jhumaila, Pandav, Chauphula, and Chholiya. Music is an integral part of the Uttarakhandi culture. Popular types of folk songs include Mangal, Basanti, Khuder and Chhopati. These

folk

songs

are

played

on

instruments

including dhol,

damau,

turri, ransingha, dholki, daur, thali, bhankora, mandan and mashakbaja. "Bedu Pako Baro Masa" is a popular folk song of Uttarakhand with international fame and legendary status within the state. It serves as the cultural anthem of Uttarakhandi people worldwide. Music is also used as a medium through which the gods are invoked. Jagar is a form of spirit worship in which the singer, or Jagariya, sings a ballad of the gods, with allusions to great epics,

like Mahabharat and Ramayana, that describe the adventures and exploits of the god being invoked. Basanti Devi Bisht, Chander Singh Rahi, Girish Tiwari 'Girda',

Gopal

Babu

Goswami,

Heera

Singh

Rana, Narendra

Singh

Negi and Meena Rana are popular folk singers and musicians from the state, so is country music singer Bobby Cash. Festivals and fairs One

of

the

major

Hindu

pilgrimages, Haridwar

Kumbh

Mela,

takes

place

in

Uttarakhand. Haridwar is one of the four places in India where this mela is organised. Haridwar most recently hosted the Purna Kumbh Mela from Makar Sankranti (14 January 2010) to Vaishakh Purnima Snan (28 April 2010). Hundreds of foreigners joined Indian pilgrims in the festival which is considered the largest religious gathering in the world. Kumauni Holi, in forms including Baithki Holi, Khari Holi and Mahila Holi, all of which start from Vasant Panchami, are festivals and musical affairs that can last almost a month. Ganga Dashahara, Vasant Panchami, Makar Sankranti, Ghee Sankrant, Khatarua, Vat Savitri, and Phul Dei are other major festivals.

In addition, various fairs like Kanwar Yatra, Kandali Festival, Ramman, Harela mela, Kauthig, Nauchandi Mela, Giddi Mela, Uttarayani Mela and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Mela take place. Economy The Uttarakhand state is the second fastest growing state in India. It's gross state domestic product (GSDP) (at constant prices) more than doubled from ₹24,786 crore in FY2005 to 60,898 crore in FY2012. The real GSDP grew at 13.7% (CAGR) during the FY2005–FY2012 period. The contribution of the service sector to the GSDP of Uttarakhand was just over 50% during FY 2012. Per capita income in Uttarakhand is ₹1,03,000 (FY 2013) which is higher than the national average of ₹74,920 (FY2013). According to the Reserve Bank of India, the total foreign direct investment in the state from April 2000 to October 2009 amounted to US$46.7 million. Like most of India, agriculture is one of the most significant sectors of the economy of Uttarakhand. Basmati rice, wheat, soybeans, groundnuts, coarse cereals, pulses, and oil seedsare the most widely grown crops. Fruits like apples, oranges, pears, peaches, litchis, and plums are widely grown and important to the large food processing industry. Agricultural export zones have been set up in the state for leechi, horticulture, herbs, medicinal plants, and basmati rice. During 2010, wheat production was 831 thousand tonnes and rice production was 610 thousand tonnes, while the main cash crop of the state, sugarcane, had a production of 5058 thousand tonnes. As 86% of the state consists of hills, the yield per hectare is not very high. 86% of all croplands are in the plains while the remaining is from the hills. Other key industries include tourism and hydropower, and there is prospective development in IT, ITES, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and automobile industries. The service sector of Uttarakhand mainly includes tourism, information technology, higher education, and banking. During 2005–2006, the state successfully developed three Integrated Industrial Estates (IIEs) at Haridwar, Pantnagar, and Sitarganj; Pharma City at Selakui; Information Technology Park at Sahastradhara (Dehradun); and a growth centre at Sigaddi (Kotdwar). Also in 2006, 20 industrial sectors in public private partnership mode were developed in the state. Flaura & Fauna Uttarakhand has a diversity of flora and fauna. It has a recorded forest area of 34,666 km2 which constitutes 65% of the total area of the state. Uttarakhand is home to rare species of plants and animals, many of which are protected by sanctuaries and reserves. National parks in Uttarakhand

include the Jim Corbett National Park (the oldest national park of India) at Ramnagar in Nainital District, and Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi National Park in Chamoli District, which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A number of plant species in the valley are internationally threatened, including several that have not been recorded from elsewhere in Uttarakhand. Rajaji National Park in Haridwar District and Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary and Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi District are some other protected areas in the state. Leopards are found in areas which are abundant in hills but may also venture into the lowland jungles. Smaller felines include the jungle cat, fishing cat, and leopard cat. Other mammals include four kinds of deer (barking, sambar, hog and chital), slothand Himalayan black bears, Indian

gray

mongooses, otters, yellow-throated

martens, bharal, Indian

pangolins,

and langur and rhesus monkeys. In the summer, elephantscan be seen in herds of several hundred. Marsh crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris), gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) and other reptiles are also found in the region. Local crocodiles were saved from extinction by captive breeding programs and subsequently re-released into the Ramganga river. Several freshwater terrapins and turtles like the Indian sawback turtle (Kachuga tecta), brahminy river turtle(Hardella thurgii), and Ganges softshell turtle (Trionyx gangeticus) are found in the rivers. Butterflies

and

birds

of

the

region

include red

Helen (Papilio

helenus),

the great

eggfly (Hypolimnos bolina), common tiger (Danaus genutia), pale wanderer(Pareronia avatar avatar), jungle

babbler, tawny-bellied

babbler, great

slaty

woodpecker, red-breasted

parakeet, orange-breasted green pigeon and chestnut-winged cuckoo. In 2011, a rare migratory bird, the bean goose, was also seen in the Jim Corbett National Park. Evergreen oaks, rhododendrons, and conifers predominate in the hills. sal (Shorea robusta), silk cotton tree (Bombax ciliata), Dalbergia sissoo, Mallotus philippensis, Acacia catechu, Bauhinia racemosa, and Bauhinia variegata (camel's foot tree) are some other trees of the region. Albizia chinensis, the sweet sticky flowers of which are favoured by sloth bears, are also part of the region's flora. A decade long study by Prof. Chandra Prakash Kala concluded that the Valley of Flowers is endowed with 520 species of higher plants (angiosperms, gymnosperms and pteridophytes), of these 498 are flowering plants. The park has many species of medicinal plants including Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Picrorhiza kurroa, Aconitum violaceum, Polygonatum multiflorum, Fritillaria roylei, and Podophyllum hexandrum. In the summer season of 2016, a large portion of forests in Uttarakhand caught fires and rubbled to

ashes during Uttarakhand forest fires incident which resulted in the damage of forest resources worth billions of rupees and death of 6 people with hundreds of wild animals died during fires. Transport Uttarakhand has 28,508 km of roads, of which 1,328 km are national highways and 1,543 km are state highways. The State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC), which has been reorganised in Uttarakhand as the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, is a major constituent of the transport system in the state. The Corporation began to work on 31 October 2003 and provides services on interstate and nationalised routes. As of 2012, approximately 1000 buses are being plied by the "Uttarakhand Transport Corporation" on 35 nationalised routes along with many other nonnationalised routes. There are also private transport operators operating approximately 3000 buses on non-nationalised routes along with a few interstate routes in Uttarakhand and the neighbouring state of U.P. For travelling locally, the state, like most of the country, has auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws. In addition, remote towns and villages in the hills are connected to important road junctions and bus routes by a vast network of crowded share jeeps. The air transport network in the state is gradually improving. Jolly Grant Airportin Dehradun, is the busiest airport in the state with six daily flights to Delhi Airport. Pantnagar Airport, located in Pantnagar of the Kumaon region have 1 daily air service to delhi and return too . There government

is

planning

to

develop Naini

Saini

Airport in Pithoragarh, Bharkot

Airport in Chinyalisaur in Uttarkashi district and Gauchar Airport in Gauchar, Chamoli district. There are plans to launch helipad service in Pantnagar and Jolly Grant Airports and other important tourist destinations like Ghangaria and Hemkund Sahib. As over 86% of Uttarakhand's terrain consists of hills, railway services are very limited in the state and are largely confined to the plains. In 2011, the total length of railway tracks was about 345 km. Rail, being the cheapest mode of transport, is most popular. The most important railway station in Kumaun Division of Uttarakhand is at Kathgodam, 35 kilometres away from Nainital. Kathgodam is the last terminus of the broad gauge line of North East Railways that connects Nainital with Delhi, Dehradun, and Howrah. Other notable railway stations

are

at Pantnagar, Lalkuan and Haldwani. Dehradun railway station is a railhead of the Northern Railways. Haridwar station is situated on the Delhi–Dehradun and Howrah–Dehradun railway lines. One of the main railheads of the Northern Railways, Haridwar Junction Railway Station is connected by broad gauge line.

Roorkee comes under Northern Railway region of Indian Railways on the main Punjab – Mughal Sarai trunk

route

and

is

connected

to

major

Indian

cities.

Other

railheads

are Rishikesh, Kotdwar and Ramnagarlinked to Delhi by daily trains. Tourism Uttarakhand has many tourist spots due to its location in the Himalayas. There are many ancient temples, forest reserves, national parks, hill stations, and mountain peaks that draw large number of tourists. There are 44 nationally protected monuments in the state. Oak Grove School in the state is on the tentative list for World Heritage Sites. Two of the most holy rivers in Hinduism the Ganges and Yamuna, originate in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand has long been called "Land of the Gods" as the state has some of the holiest Hindu shrines, and for more than a thousand years, pilgrims have been visiting the region in the hopes of salvation and purification from sin. Gangotri and Yamunotri, the sources of the Ganges and Yamuna, dedicated to Ganga and Yamunarespectively, fall in the upper reaches of the state and together with Badrinath(dedicated to Vishnu) and Kedarnath (dedicated to Shiva) form the Chota Char Dham, one of Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious pilgrimage circuits. Haridwar, meaning "Gateway to the God", is a prime Hindu destination. Haridwarhosts the Haridwar Kumbh Mela every twelve years, in which millions of pilgrims take part from all parts of India and the world. Rishikesh near Haridwar is known as the preeminent yoga centre of India. The state has an abundance of temples and shrines, many dedicated to local deities or manifestations of Shiva and Durga, references to many of which can be found in Hindu scriptures and legends. Uttarakhand is, however, a place of pilgrimage not only for Hindus. Piran Kaliyar Sharif

near Roorkee is

a

pilgrimage

site

to Muslims, Gurdwara

Hemkund

Sahib, Gurdwara Nanakmatta Sahib and Gurdwara Reetha Sahib are pilgrimage centers for Sikhs. Tibetan Buddhism has also made its presence with the reconstruction of Mindrolling Monastery and its Buddha Stupa, described as the world's highest at Clement Town, Dehradun. Auli and Munsiari are well-known skiing resorts in the state. The state has 12 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries which cover 13.8 percent of the total area of the state. They are located at different altitudes varying from 800 to 5400 metres. The oldest national park on the Indian sub-continent, Jim Corbett National Park, is a major tourist attraction.

Vasudhara Falls, near Badrinath is a waterfall with a height of 122 metres (400 ft) set in a backdrop

of

snow-clad

mountains. The

state

has

always

been

a

destination

for mountaineering, hiking, and rock climbing in India. A recent development in adventure tourism in the region has been whitewater rafting in Rishikesh. Due to its proximity to the Himalaya ranges, the place is full of hills and mountains and is suitable for trekking, climbing, skiing, camping, rock climbing, and paragliding. Roopkund is a trekking site, known for the mysterious skeletons found in a lake, which was featured by National Geographic Channel in a documentary. The trek to Roopkund passes through the meadows of Bugyal. Uttarakhand Land formerly Uttaranchal, state of India, located in the northwestern part of the country. It is bordered to the northwest by the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, to the northeast by the TibetAutonomous Region of China, to the southeast by Nepal, and to the south and southwest by the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Its capital is the northwestern city of Dehra Dun. Relief Uttarakhand has a highly varied topography, with snow-covered peaks, glaciers, deep canyons, roaring streams, beautiful lakes, and a few patches of dusty plains in the south. Some of the highest mountains in the world are found in Uttarakhand. Most notably, these include Nanda Devi (25,646 feet [7,817 metres]), which is the second highest peak in India, Kamet (25,446 feet [7,756 metres]), and Badrinath (23,420 feet [7,138 metres]). Uttarakhand can be divided into several physiographic zones, all running parallel to each other from northwest to southeast. The northern zone, popularly known as the Himadri, contains segments of the Zaskar and the Great Himalaya ranges, with elevations ranging roughly from 10,000 to 25,000 feet (3,000 to 7,600 metres). Most of the major peaks are located in this zone. Adjacent to and south of the Great Himalayas is a zone containing the Lesser Himalayas, known popularly as the Himachal, with elevations between about 6,500 and 10,000 feet (2,000 to 3,000 metres); the zone has two linear ranges—the Mussoorie and the Nag Tibba. To the south of the Himachal is a stretch of the Siwalik Range. The entire area containing the Himadri, the Himachal, and the Siwaliks is broadly known as the Kumaun Himalayas. The southern edge of the Siwalik Range merges with a narrow bed of gravel and alluvium known as the Bhabar, which interfaces to the southeast with the marshy terrain known as the Tarai. The combined SiwalikBhabar-Tarai area ranges in elevation from 1,000 to 10,000 feet (300 to 3,000 metres). South of the Siwaliks are found flat-floored depressions, known locally as duns, such as the Dehra Dun. Drainage

The state is drained by various rivers of the Ganges (Ganga) system. The westernmost watershed is formed by the Yamuna River and its major tributary, the Tons. The land to the east of this basin is drained by the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda—which join to form the Ganges at the town of Devaprayag—and the Mandakini, Pindar, and Dhauliganga, all principal tributaries of the Alaknanda. To the east again are the southward-flowing Ramganga and Kosi rivers, and draining to the southeast in the same region are the Sarju and Goriganga, both of which join the Kali at Uttarakhand’s eastern border with Nepal. Soils Uttarakhand has various types of soil, all of which are susceptible to soil erosion. In the north, the soil ranges from gravel (debris from glaciers) to stiff clay. Brown forest soil—often shallow, gravelly, and rich in organic content—is found farther to the south. The Bhabar area is characterized by soils that are coarse-textured, sandy to gravelly, highly porous, and largely infertile. In the extreme southeastern part of the state, the Tarai soils are mostly rich, clayey loams, mixed to varying degrees with fine sand and humus; they are well suited to the cultivation of rice and sugarcane. Climate The climate of Uttarakhand is temperate, marked by seasonal variations in temperature but also affected by tropical monsoons. January is the coldest month, with daily high temperatures averaging below freezing in the north and near 70 °F (21 °C) in the southeast. In the north, July is the hottest month, with temperatures typically rising from the mid-40s F (about 7 °C) to about 70 °F daily. In the southeast, May is the warmest month, with daily temperatures normally reaching the low 100s F (about 38 °C) from a low around 80 °F (27 °C). Most of the state’s roughly 60 inches (1,500 mm) of annual precipitation is brought by the southwest monsoon, which blows from July through September. Floods and landslides are problems during the rainy season in the lower stretches of the valleys. In the northern parts of the state, 10 to 15 feet (3 to 5 metres) of snowfall is common between December and March. Plant and animal life Four major forest types are found in the Uttarakhand, including alpine meadows in the extreme north, temperate forests in the Great Himalayas, tropical deciduous forests in the Lesser Himalayas, and thorn forests in the Siwalik Range and in parts of the Tarai. According to official statistics, more than 60 percent of Uttarakhand is under forest cover; in actuality, however, the coverage is much less. The forests provide not only timber and fuel wood but also extensive

grazing land for livestock. Only a small portion of the state’s total land area has permanent pastures. Common tree species of the temperate forests include Himalayan cedar (Deodar cedar), Himalayan (blue) pine, oak, silver fir, spruce, chestnut, elm, poplar, birch, yew, cypress, and rhododendron. Tropical deciduous forests of sal, teak, and shisham—all hardwoods—occur in the submontane tract. Thorn forests of dhak (a type of flowering tree), babul (a type of acacia), and various bushes occur in the south. Uttarakhand has a rich array of animal life. Tigers, leopards, elephants, wild boars, and sloth bears are among the state’s large mammals. Common birds include pigeons, doves, ducks, partridges, peacocks, jays, quail, and woodpeckers. Crocodiles are found in some areas. Lions and rhinoceroses have become extinct in the region. A number of national parks and sanctuaries have been established to preserve Uttarakhand’s wildlife. People Population composition Uttarakhand has a multiethnic population spread across two recognized geocultural regions: the Gahrwal, which corresponds roughly to the northwestern half of the state, and the Kumaun, which spans the southeast. Rajputs (various clans of landowning rulers and their descendants)— including members of the indigenous Garhwali, Gujjar, and Kumauni communities, as well as a number of immigrant peoples—constitute a large portion of the population. Of the total population, nearly one-fifth belongs to the Scheduled Castes (an official designation for those groups that traditionally have occupied a low position within the Indian castesystem); these people are collectively called Kols or Doms. Scheduled Tribes (an official category embracing indigenous peoples who fall outside the Indian social system), such as the Raji, who live near the border with Nepal, account for less than 5 percent of the population. Most of the people of Uttarakhand speak Indo-Aryan languages. Hindi is the official language of the state. Hindustani, which contains words from both Hindi and Urdu, is the principal spoken language. Other languages used in Uttarakhand include Garhwali and Kumauni (both Pahari languages), Punjabi, and Nepali. More than four-fifths of Uttarakhand’s residents are Hindu. Muslimsconstitute the largest religious minority, accounting for about one-tenth of the population. Smaller communities of Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, and Jains make up most of the remainder of Uttarakhand’s people.

Economy Agriculture and forestry Although roughly three-fifths of the working population of Uttarakhand is engaged in agriculture, less than one-fifth of the total area of Uttarakhand is cultivable. Steep slopes require careful terracing and irrigation, with water drained from the upper levels used to irrigate the lower ones. This method of terrace cultivationallows fields to be sown more than once per year. Wheat is the most widely cultivated crop, followed by rice and various types of millets, which are planted on the drier leeward slopes. Sugarcane is grown extensively in the gently rolling foothills of the southern region. Other important crops include pulses (legumes) such as peas and chickpeas, oilseeds such as soybeans, peanuts, and mustard seeds, and assorted fruits and vegetables. Many farmers of Uttarakhand practice animal husbandry. The largest concentration of cattle to support dairy farming is found in the southern foothills. Goats and sheep are more common in the mountainous areas, although some cattle are kept in every village. The search for flourishing grassland has resulted in a tradition of transhumance, whereby livestock are led to graze in the mountain pastures during the warmer months but are transferred to the lower elevations for the winter. Some communities in the Siwalik Range historically have specialized in such seasonal herding. Manufacturing Manufacturing activities have continued to expand in Uttarakhand; within just a few years of attaining statehood, the contribution of the sector to the state’s gross product, at about 25 percent, had exceeded that of agriculture. The government assists agriculture-based and food-processing industries such as sugar milling, as well as the manufacture of wood and paper products, woolen garments, and leather goods. Among Uttarakhand’s other notable manufactures are cement, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and other transportation equipment, and electrical products. Services The government of Uttarakhand has invested heavily in the services sector, particularly in the development of the information-technology and tourism industries. In the first decade of the 21st century, the sector already accounted for more than half of the state’s gross product. The tourism industry has shown significant growth, as the state’s snow-capped peaks, glaciers, lush green

river valleys, waterfalls, lakes, flora and fauna, wildlife sanctuaries, and pilgrimage sites attract a large number of domestic and international visitors. Transportation Roads of various descriptions connect nearly all towns of Uttarakhand. Although the central and southern portions of the state are served by several national highways, the northern border zones are not connected by official roads at all; rather, an extensive network of mountain trails links the villages with nearby towns. Several railway tracks extend from the plains of Uttar Pradesh into the valleys of southern and eastern Uttarakhand. Major towns served by these railways include Dehra Dun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ramnagar, Kathgodam, and Tanakpur. Airports at Dehra Dun and Pantnagar offer domestic service. Cultural Life Pilgrimage centres Some of Hinduism’s holiest shrines and temples, which are also pilgrimage centres, are located in the mountains of Uttarakhand. The Yamnotri temple, in the western part of the Garhwal region, lies at an elevation of about 10,600 feet (3,200 metres). Its chief deity is Yamuna, the Hindu river goddess. The Yamuna River emerges from the Yamnotri glacier nearby. The shrine of Gangotri, in the northwestern part of the state, is situated in a cedar- and pine-wooded area at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet (3,000 metres); submerged in a river at the site is the natural rock linga (phallic symbol of the god Shiva) where, according to mythology, Shiva sat when he received the goddess Ganga in his matted locks. At Kedarnath, somewhat to the southeast of Gangotri at an elevation approaching 12,000 feet (3,500 metres), is a stone temple to Shiva that is considered to be more than 1,000 years old; a large statue of the bull Nandi, one of Shiva’s chief attendants, stands outside the temple door. The Badrinath temple, located at an elevation of some 10,300 feet (3,100 metres) on the bank of Alaknanda River, is the abode of the god Vishnu; the temple’s idol of Vishnu, made of black granite, is said to have been installed by the 8thcentury philosopher Shankara. An important Sikh shrine and pilgrimage site is Hemkund Sahib. Perched at an elevation above 13,000 feet (4,000 metres) in north-central Uttarakhand, the shrine honours the 10th Guru of Sikh religion, Gobind Singh. It marks the place where the Guru spent years in meditation. Festivals Most of Uttarakhand’s festivals are tied to the Hindu calendar. Among the most popular of these events is Dussehra, which celebrates the victory of the prince Rama over the demon

king Ravana (as recounted in the Indian epic Ramayana); it is usually held in September or October. Diwali, which takes place in October or November, is a festival of lights dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Also important is Shivaratri, a day—normally in February— that is devoted to the worship of Shiva. Holi, a spring celebration held in February or March, is perhaps the most colourful of the Hindu festivals. Most of the major Muslim holidays and observances follow the lunar calendar, meaning that the time of their celebration shifts from year to year. The holiday of Muḥarram commemorates the martyrdom of the hero al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī. Ramadan is a month devoted to fasting, the close of which is marked by the canonical festival of ʿĪd al-Fiṭr. ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā signals the completion of the hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and is celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Within the Buddhist tradition, Buddha Purnima is a major festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha; it usually takes place in April or May. Mahavira Jayanti, the principal Jain celebration, honours the birth of Mahavira, the great reformer of the Jain monastic community. The birthday of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, is observed by the Sikh population. Christmas is the biggest religious holiday for Uttarakhand’s Christians. In addition to faith-based festivities, hundreds of smaller-scale fairs and festivals are held annually across the state; many of these are unique to particular villages. Recreation Uttarakhand is known for its spectacular natural environment. Among the favourite destinations of residents and visitors are the Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi national parks (together designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988) in the northern Kumaun Himalayas, Rajaji National Park in the western Siwaliks, and Corbett National Park in the Himalayan foothills. Many also enjoy visiting the state’s mountain lakes and glaciers, as well as its forested valleys and bugyals (lush mountain meadows). Mussoorie, Nainital, Ranikhet, Kausani, Almora, and Auli are popular mountain resorts, some of which offer fine slopes for skiing. History Uttarakhand is a land steeped in many layers of history, culture, ethnicity, and religion. Ancient rock paintings, rock shelters, Paleolithic stone tools (hundreds of thousands of years old), and megaliths indicate that the mountains of the region have been inhabited by humans since prehistoric times. Archaeological remains also support the existence of early Vedic (c. 1500 BCE) practices in the area. Aside from what has been learned from such archaeological evidence, very little is known about the early history of Uttarakhand. Early scriptures mention a number of tribes that inhabited the

Garhwal and Kumaun regions of what is now Uttarakhand. Among these early residents were the Akas, Kol-Munds, Nagas, Paharis(Khasas), Hephthalites (Hunas), Kiratas, Gujjars, and Aryans. The Paharis were the dominant group in both the Garhwal and the Kumaun areas until the coming of the Rajputs and high-caste Brahmans from the plains around the 13th century. It was only in postindependence India that the Uttarakhand region began to receive significant attention in the regional literature, when the autonomous princely state of Tehri-Garhwal was incorporated into the United Provinces of India in 1949. With the adoption of a new Indian constitution in 1950, the United Provinces was renamed Uttar Pradesh and became a constituent state of India. Grappling with a large population and a vast land area, the government of the new state—seated at the southeastern city of Lucknow—found it difficult to address the interests of the people in the far-northern region. Unemployment, poverty, lack of adequate infrastructure, and general underdevelopment ultimately led the people of Uttarakhand to call for a separate state shortly after the creation of Uttar Pradesh. Initially, protests were weak, but they gathered strength and momentum in the 1990s. The tension reached a climax on Oct. 2, 1994, when police fired on a crowd of demonstrators in the northwestern town of Muzaffarnagar, killing a number of people. The separatists continued their agitation for the next several years. Finally, in November 2000 the new state of Uttaranchal was created. In 2007 Uttaranchal became Uttarakhand, reclaiming the name by which the region had been known prior to statehood.

Nainital Nainital also known as Naini Tal, is a popular hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and headquarters of Nainital districtin the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of 2,084 metres (6,837 ft) above sea level, Nainital is set in a valley containing a mangoshaped lake, approximately two miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains, of which the highest are Naina (2,615 m (8,579 ft)) on the north, Deopatha (2,438 m (7,999 ft)) on the west, and Ayarpatha (2,278 m (7,474 ft)) on the south. From the tops of the higher peaks, "magnificent views can be obtained of the vast plain to the south, or of the mass of tangled ridges lying north, bound by the great snowy range which forms the central axis of the Himalayas." Geography & Climate Nainital is located at 29.38°N 79.45°E. The slopes of the nearby mountains are most populated, with an elevation ranging from 1,940–2,100 m (6,360–6,890 ft). The highest point nearby is Naina Peak or China Peak, with an elevation of 2,619 m (8,593 ft). Nainital experiences subtropical highland climate (Cwb) according to Köppen–Geiger climate classification system as the city's climate is influenced by the elevation. The city is a bit dry during winter and very wet during summer due to South Asian monsoon system. The lowest precipitation total occurs in November with total 7.9 millimetres (0.31 in), while the highest precipitation total occurs in July with total 725 millimetres (28.5 in). Like most places in temperate region, Nainital has relative cool summer. The hottest month is July with temperature ranging from 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) to 23.5 °C (74.3 °F), while the coldest month is January with temperature ranging from 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) to 10.7 °C (51.3 °F). Nainital is said to be one the best shining diamonds of Himalayan Belt. This city has 3 major lakes that contribute to make it cool and calm throughout the year.

History Early construction The Kumaon Hills came under British rule after the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–16). The hill station town of Naini Tal was founded only in 1841, with the construction of the first European house (Pilgrim Lodge) by P. Barron, a sugar trader from Shahjahanpur. In his memoir, he wrote: "It is by far the best site I have witnessed in the course of a 1,500 miles (2,400 km) trek in the Himalayas." In 1846, when a Captain Madden of the Bengal Artillery visited Naini Tal, he recorded that "houses were rapidly springing up in most parts of the settlement: some towards the crest of the military ranges were nearly 7,500 ft (2,300 m) above sea level: the rugged and woody Anyarpatta Aashish (Anyar-patt – in Kumaoni means – complete blackout. The reason for this nomenclature by the locals was because there were minimal sun rays due to its location and dense forests) was being gradually planted and that the favourite sites were on the undulating tract of forest land which stretched back from the head of the lake to the base of China and Deopatta (Camel's Hump). The church, St. John(1846) in the Wilderness, was one of the earliest buildings in Nainital, followed by Belvedere, Alma lodge, Ashdale Cottage(1860)..." Soon, the town became a health resort favoured by British soldiers and by colonial officials and their families trying to escape the heat of the plains. Later, the town became the summer residence of the governor of the United Provinces. Famous Landmak A popular hill station, Nainital has numerous tourist spots: 

Nainital Lake



Himalaya Darshan & Echo Zone



Naina Peak {8622 ft. From Sea level}



Tiffin Top



Snow View Point



Gurney House



Gurdwara Singh Sabha



Naina Devi Temple



Cave Garden



Sat Tal



Hanumangarhi



Mall Road



Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo, Nainital



Himalaya Darshan



St. John’s Church



Kilbury



Thandi Road



Tibetan Market

Nainital is located at a height of 1938 metres in the Central Himalayas in the Kumaon region. Kumaon is a glittering jewel in the Himalayan necklace, blessed with scenic natural splendour and varied natural resources. In the year 1841, Mr. P. Barron of Shahjahanpur was so moved by the scenic splendour of the place that he had a house constructed by the name "Pilgrim Cottage" and gradually a township sprung up around the lake. Nainital is a famous hill station and has a varied topography. There are various lakes in Nainital and as such it is also known as the Lake District of India. The main lake in Nainital is the Naini Lake and Nainital derives its name from this lake. This lake is ringed by hills and named after the goddess Naini. Nainital used to be the summer capital of the United Provinces during the British period and continued to remain so for many years even after independence. Its snow-capped peaks, verdant valleys, rolling meadows and crystal lakes have beckoned lovers of nature since ages. Nature has been generous in endowing Nainital with natural beauty and abundance of flora and fauna. Nainital was Jim

Corbett's home for many years. Some of the important places and tourist attractions in the Nainital are Haldwani, Kaladhungi, Ramnagar, Bhowali, Ramgarh, Mukteshwar, Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal. During winters, the hilly areas receives snowfall, while in summers, the plains experiences the temperature of 45 degree Celsius. Nainital can be visited throughout the year. The best time to visit Nainital is from April to May and October to November. Various tourists visit Nainital to explore its historical sites, wildlife reserve, fruit orchards, sanctified spots and the panoramic environment. Hindi, English and Kumaoni are the main languages which are spoken here.

TOURIST ATTRACTION 

The main tourist attraction in Nainital is the Naini Lake. The other tourist attractions in Nainital are the Naina Peak, Snow View, High Altitude Zoo, Khurpatal, Kilbury, Hanuman Garh, Land's End and State Observatory.



Naini Lake:According to the Hindu mythology, the deep green Naini lake is one of the emerald green eyes of Parvati, Shiva's wife. It is said that the modern Naina Devi Temple at the northern end of the lake is the exact spot where her eye is said to have fallen, after Vishnu chopped up her body and scattered it all over the countryside to stop Shiva's cosmic dance of destruction. The kidney shaped naini lake with its clear water is the center of the town. The rowing and paddle boats for boating enthusiasts are available at the Naini lake.



Khurpatal: Khurpatal is situated about 10 kms. from Nainital on Nainital - Ramnagar road. The Khurpatal lake is a heaven for anglers, and is inhabited by a number of fishes.



Naina Peak: Naina Peak is the highest peak and the most popular picnic spot in Nainital. This peak is situated at a height of 2610 meters, about 5.5 kms. from Nainital. This peak offers a captivating view of the snow-clad Himalayan ranges and the bird's eye view of Nainital on a clear day. It is also one of the most beautiful treks with soft cool air, shades of tall trees, songs of birds and the quaint summerhouse. One can either trek or go on horse back.



Kilbury: Kilbury is situated at a height of 2528 meters and about 11 kms from the town. It an ideal place for bird watchers, nature lovers, quiet weekend holiday and picnic. Kilbury is part of a forest reserve and is rich in flora and bird life.



Hanuman Garh: Hanuman Garh is situated at a height of 1951 meters above and 3.22 kms. from Nainital. It is a place of religious interest, and also famous for spectacular view of the sunset.



Snow View: Snow View is a scenic spot and offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges. The Snow View Peak, at a height of 2270 meters is a popular vantage point in Nainital, accessible by a ropeway, horse and on foot. Its like a thrill for kids and adults for the ropeway ride from Aerial Express to Snow View.



High Altitude Zoo: The High Altitude Zoo is perched at an altitude of 2075 meters and about 1.5 kms. away from the Bus Station. The zoo houses a variety of species of animals living at higher altitudes and birds. Some of the endangered species of animals are the Siberian tiger, serow, leopard and Himalayan black deer. It is very important for researchers and scientists.



Land's End: The Land's End is situated at a height of about 2218 meters and 4.08 kms. trek from Nainital. The name Land's End suggests and one also feels that the end of the land has really come. This hill offers a panoramic view of Khurpatal, terraced fields, neighboring hills and valley. It is accessible by horse also.



State Observatory: State Observatory is situated at a height of 1951 meters, and 4.4 kms. from Nainital. The State Observatory undertakes astronomical studies and optical tracking of artificial earth satellites.

EXCURSION 

Bhimtal: Bhimtal is situated about 22 kms. from Nainital and blessed with a pristine aura. Bhimtal is one of the largest lakes in Kumaon and gets its name from the mighty Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers in Mahabharata. Bhimtal has emerged as a favourite tourist destination and facilities like boating, fishing, sailing, rowing, exploring the surrounding forests and apricot and peach orchards are available for the tourists. A restaurant at the centre of the lake offers panoramic views. There is the centre of the Kumaon Umang Mahila Samiti outlet on the Ranibagh Road for woollens and fantastic

homemade pickle. There is also the privately owned Folk Culture Museum at Mehragaon on the Bhowali Road. This museum was curated by Dr. Yashodhar Matpal and has an interesting collection of rock art. 

Naukuchiatal: The Naukuchiatal is the nine-cornered lake and the deepest lake in the area. Naukuchiatal is a quiet hideway filled with birdsong and peace. This misty blue lake is cradled by green mountains and fed by an underwater spring, which keeps its waters high. This lake has religious significance and situated about 4 kms. from Bhimtal and 26 kms. from Nainital. This lake also harbours the biggest mahaseer fish. On the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, various people gather here. It is believed that one attains Nirvana if he manages to see all its nine corners. A huge statue of Hanuman, within the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, is right at the entrance to Naukuchiatal.

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Sattal: The Sattal is a group of seven small inter-connected lakes, set against a backdrop of oak and pine trees beyond which tower the Himalayas in Nainital. The Sattal is situated at a distance of 23 kms. from Nainital and 12 kms. from Bhimtal. The Sattal lake is the most picturesque lake in the Kumaon region hills. This place is ideal for a secluded holiday, peaceful mountain scenery and quiet walks into the hills and resorts. It is surrounded by a cover of thick forests. The holiday in Sattal can be combined with a grand taste of wildlife and adventure. Trekking through the forests and mountains, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling, river crossing, swimming, boating, kayaking and fishing are the various adventurous activities which can be undertaken here.

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Bhowali: Bhowali is situated at a height of 1706 meters on the Ranikhet - Almora road. Bhowali is situated about 11 kms. from Nainital. Bhowali is a small town known for its Himalayan views and its scenic grandeur. Bhowali is also a beautiful health resort. The T.B. Sanatorium, named after King Edward is situated here. This sanatorium has treated luminaries like Subhash Chandra Bose and Kamala Nehru, wife of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Bhowali is a major export centre for fruits like Apples, Apricot, Plums, Pears and Peaches etc. Only 3 km from Bhowali is Ghorakhal, famous for the temple of Lord Golla, the God of Justice and Sainik School. A beautiful mosque with a hilly architecture is located nearby. Bhowali can be visited round the year.



Jeolikot: The tiny hilltop village of Jeolikot was founded by Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda. Jeolikot is known as a health centre. It is also famous for its butterflies,

honey mushrooms and fruits, including strawberries and leechies, it produces. The hills encasing Jeolikot are sprinkled with shrines and colonial structures. A tiny bunglow, once the home of a direct descendant of Napoleon Bonaparte and the house of Warwick Sahib, a retired major of the British army are some of the famous colonial buildings in the Jeolikot. 

Ramgarh: Ramgarh is situated at an altitude of 1789 meters on Bhowali - Mukteshwar road. Ramgarh is situated about 25 kms. from Nainital and 14 kms. from Bhowali. Ramnagar is situated on the banks of the Kosi river and was set up by Commissioner H. Ramsay (1856 - 1884). Ramgarh would have been known as a culture capital rather than a hotbed of horticulture, if Rabindranath Tagore had stuck to his original plan of setting up a centre of learning here. He was not only spell bounded by the orchards, forest hillsides, babbling brooks and views of snow-clad Himalayas. But, he also eventually gifted Shantiniketan to his home state, West Bengal. The famous poets Rabindranath Tagore and Mahadevi Verma have praised the serenity of this place and composed their poems Geetanjali and Sandhya Geet here. Ramgarh is known for a variety of Himalayan fruits and the spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges. It is also a horticultural heaven, the fruit bowl of Kumaon. Ramgarh also houses a fruit-processing factory run by the Government. In Ramnagar, one can visit the archaeological ruins of Dhikuli, the Garjia Devi temple and Sitabani. The Garjia temple is built on a huge rock in the midst of Kosi river and named after the deity Garjia Devi. The ruins of Kotabagh are situated about 10 kms. from Rangarh, which date back to the Chand rulers. Ramgarh can be visited round the year.



Mukteshwar: Mukteshwar is situated at an altitude of 2286 meters on BhowaliDevidhura road. Mukteshwar is situated about 50 kms. from Nainital and 25 kms. from Ramnagar. Mukteshwar is a small hill station covered with a thick wooded forest and offers a majestic view of the Himalayas. There is a very old Shiva temple at Mukteshwar. It is believed that the six ascetics have been engrossed in prayer for over a thousand years at the temple and are doing so even now. During Shivratri, the temple is the hub of much revelry. Near Mukteshwar is Chauli Ki Jali, a magnificent rocky cliff jutting out of the hillside. Leaning over the slanting rocks on the edge of this cliff, you can look all the way down to the base of the mountain. On a moonlit night, the place offers a spectacular view of the sparkling town of Almora and the majestic peaks of Adi Nampa of Nepal stretching

upto the Chaukhamba Peaks of Garhwal. It is also famous for the hundred year old Indian Veterinary Research Institute campus. This institution not only has a beautiful icycovered colonial building but also boasts of gorgeous and extensive grounds. On the IVRI's request, the Corbett visited the region. The institute has also taken on the responsibility of conserving and caring for the forests in the Mukteshwar range. 

Kaladhungi: Kaladhungi is a romantic hamlet, situated about 35 kms. from the Corbett National Park and 34 kms. from Nainital via Khurpatal. Kaladhungi has been an inseparable part of the endless tiger stories of Kumaon that focused around the legendary hunter Jim Corbett. Kaladhungi was the residence of the Jim Corbett and he spent most of his life here. Today, the house of Jim Corbett is a comprehensive museum and houses souvenirs, relics and mementos related to Jim Corbett and his famous exploits. The Corbett Fall is situated close to Kaladhungi. The Corbett Fall is a beautiful waterfall with a drop of 20 mts. in the midst of sub-tropical forest. This forest is very well maintained and extremely rich in birds and plants life. Some other added attractions for the visitors are the "Nature Walk" museum and the adventurous camping sites.



Pangot: Pangot is situated about 15 kms. from Nainital. Pangot is an island of tranquility, where you can either lie soaking in the sun or do some vigorous walking in the dense oak forests. Pangot is a great place for bird watchers and trekkers. Pangot is excellent for long walks through the thick oak, pine, bamboo, cedar and rhododendron forests. The walk from the Kilbury Forest Rest House to Pangot is very popular. HOW TO REACH



By Air:The nearest airport is located at Pantnagar. Pantnagar airport is located about 71 km away and connected by air from Delhi.



By Rail: The nearest railway station is located at Kathgodam, about 35 kms. and connected to Lucknow, Agra, Delhi and Kolkata.



By Road: Nainital is well connected to Almora, Badrinath, Bareilly, Dehradun, Delhi, Haridwar, Kausani and the different parts of the country.

 Mussoorie (Garhwali/Hindi: Masūrī)

is

a hill

station and

a municipal

board in

the Dehradun District of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is about 35 kilometres (22 mi) from the state capital of Dehradun and 290 km (180 mi) north of the

national

capital

of New

Delhi.

The

hill

station

is

in

the

foothills

of

the Garhwal Himalayan range. The adjoining town of Landour, which includes a military cantonment, is considered part of 'greater Mussoorie', as are the townships of Barlowganj and Jharipani. The pin code for Mussoorie is 248179.[1]  Mussoorie is at an average altitude of 1,880 metres (6,170 ft). To the northeast are the Himalayan snow ranges, and to the south, the Doon Valleyand Shiwalik ranges. The second highest point is the original Lal Tibba in Landour, with a height of over 2,275 metres (7,464 ft). Mussoorie is popularly known as The Queen of the Hills. History Mussoorie was founded by Lt. Frederick Young of East India Company. Lt. Young came to these hills for the purpose of shooting game.[ He was so enamoured by the beauty that he decided to build a hunting lodge (shooting box) on the Camel's Back Road with FJ Shore, Jt. Magistrate of Doon in 1823. He raised the first Gurkha Regiment and planted the first potatoes in the valley. His tenure in Mussoorie ended in 1844 and he further served in Dimapur and Darjeeling and retired as a General and went back to Ireland. There are no memorials to commemorate Young in Mussoorie. However, there is a Young Road in Dehradoon on which ONGC's Tel Bhawan stands. In 1832 Mussoorie was the intended terminus of the Great Trigonometric Survey of India that began at the southern tip of India. Although unsuccessful, the Surveyor General of India at the time, George Everest wanted to have the new office of the Survey of India based in Mussoorie. A compromise was to have it in Dehradun, where it still is. In 1850 the first beer brewery in India was built in Mussoorie.[4] By 1894 there were 22 breweries in India producing 6 million gallons a year. By 1901 Mussoorie's population had grown to 6,461, rising to 15,000 in the summer. Earlier, Mussoorie was approachable by road from Saharanpur, 58 miles (93 km) away. Accessibility became easier in 1900 with the railway coming to Dehradun, thus shortening the road trip to 21 miles (34 km).

Mussoorie view from the top of the hill (can be viewed while traveling on the way towards down of the hill)

Another view from top of a Hill The name Mussoorie is often attributed to a derivation of 'mansoor', a shrub which is indigenous to the area. The town is often referred to as 'Mansoori' by most Indians. The main promenade in Mussoorie is called, as in other hill stations, the Mall. In Mussoorie, the Mall stretches from Picture Palace at its eastern end to the Public Library at its western end. The Nehru family, including Nehru's daughter Indira (later Indira Gandhi) were frequent visitors to Mussoorie in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, and stayed at the Savoy Hotel . They also spent much time in nearby Dehradun, where Nehru's sister Vijayalakshmi Pandit ultimately settled full-time. During the 1959 Tibetan Rebellion, the Central Tibetan Administration of the 14th Dalai Lama was at first established in Mussoorie before being moved to its present location in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh. The first Tibetan school was established in Mussoorie in 1960. Tibetans settled mainly in Happy Valley. Today, some 5,000 Tibetans live in Mussoorie. Mussoorie today has an increased development of hotels and tourist lodges, given its relative proximity to Delhi, Ambala, and Chandigarh, and has serious problems of garbage collection, water scarcity and parking shortages, especially during the summer tourist season. Landour, Jharipani and Barlowganj have fewer such problems.

Geography and Climate Mussoorie has an average elevation of about 1,300 metres or 4,270 feet. The highest point is 'Lal Tibba', at a height of about 5,000 feet or 1,520 metres, although the name Lal Tibba is now also used to describe a lookout point, a short distance from the peak. Mussoorie has a fairly typical subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb) for the mid-altitude Himalaya. Summers are warm and very wet, with July and August averaging approximately 660 millimetres or 25.98 inches of rain per month due to orographic lift of the extremely moist monsoonal air. The pre-monsoon seasons in April and May is warm to very warm and generally dry and clear, giving way to heavy rainfall from mid-June, while the post-monsoon season is also dry and clear but substantially cooler. In winter, rainfall is a little more frequent than in the preand post-monsoon seasons, and the general weather cool and partly cloudy. Mussoorie usually receives a few spells of snowfall in December, January and February, although the number of snowy days has come down in recent years due to a combination of local and global factors, such as deforestation, construction activity and global warming.

Attraction Tourism is the most significant segment of Mussoorie's economy. It has a nature walk known as "Camel's Back Road". This road takes its name from a rocky outcrop in the shape of a camel's hump. The road contains hotels and motels, and a cemetery is about mid-way on the loop. There is "Gun Hill" where a cannon was used to sound out midday for many years. Gun Hill is accessible by the cable car on the Mall road. The oldest Christian church in the Himalayas, St Mary's, is above Mall Road and is undergoing restoration. Company Garden a tourist attraction, has a large collection of flowers and plants. At Happy Valley is a small Tibetan temple, constructed in 1960 by the Tibetan refugees, the first Tibetan temple to be built in India. Lal Tibba is another Mussoorie tourist attraction with views of the Himalayas, and is situated above Mussoorie in the cantonment area of Landour.

Nahata Estate Previously known as "Childer's Lodge", Nahata Estate is a property of more than 300 acres (120 ha), owned by the Harakh Chand Nahata family. It is the highest peak of Mussoorie near Lal Tibba with mountain views, 5 km (3 mi) from the Tourist Office. Gun Hill

A honeymooning couple on Gunhill in Mussourie Gun Hill is the second highest point of Mussoorie, at an altitude of 2,024 m (6,640 ft) located at 30.4953°N 78.0745°E Kempty Falls The Kempty Falls are on the hilly tracks of Uttarakhand, India, 15 km (9.3 mi) from Mussoorie along Kempty Fall Road. This place is nearly 1,364 m (4,475 ft) above sea level at 78°-02’ East longitude and 30° -29’ North latitude. The curious name of this waterfall is derived from the words ‘camp-tea’, which was popularised by British tea parties here during the colonial era. The falls are also a popular swimming and fishing destination in Mussoorie. Lake Mist About 5 km (3 mi) before Kempty Falls on the Mussoorie-Kempty road is Lake Mist, through which flows the Kempty river with its numerous small waterfalls. The resort of Lake Mist provides accommodation, restaurant facilities and boating. Municipal Garden The Municipal Garden provides an artificial mini-lake with paddle boats. It is 4 km (2.5 mi) by road transport and 2 km (1 mi) via Waverly Convent School road on foot.

Mussoorie Lake The newly developed Mussoorie Lake was built by City Board and Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority. The lake, providing pedal boats and views of Doon Valley and nearby villages, is 6 km (3.5 mi) from Mussoorie on the Mussoorie-Dehradun road. Bhatta Falls Bhatta Falls are 7 km (4.5 mi) from Mussoorie on the Mussoorie-Dehradun Road near the village of Bhatta. The falls are 3 km (2 mi) by foot from Bhatta. Jharipani Fall Jharipani Fall is 8.5 km (5.5 mi) from Mussoorie on Mussoorie-Jharipani road. From Jharipani fall is approximately 1.5 km (1 mi) by foot. Mossy Fall Mossy Fall is surrounded by a dense forest and is 7 km (4.5 mi) from Mussoorie, and is accessed via Barlowganj or Balahisar. Sir George Everest's House At Park Estate are the remains of the building and laboratory of Sir George Everest, the Surveyor-General of India from 1830 to 1843. It is after George Everest that the world's highest peak Mt. Everest is named. It is 6 km (3.5 mi) from Gandhi Chowk and a scenic walk from Library Bazaar, although accessible by road transport to at least Haathi Paon. The place provides a view of Doon Valley on one side and a panoramic view of the Aglar River valley and the peaks of the Himalayan ranges on the other. It is a scenic walk from Library Bazaar. Happy Valley

Happy Valley, Mussoorie

At Upbeat Valley is the IAS Academy, Tibetan sanctuaries and the Municipal Garden. The range of the valley lies on the western side of Library Point and prompts ] the Cloud's End, a place where land fringes of Mussoorie end. Nag Devta Temple The ancient Nag Devta Temple is dedicated to Snake God Lord Shiva, It is on Cart Mackenzie Road about 6 km (3.5 mi) from Mussoorie on the road to Dehradun. There is vehicular access to the temple, which provides a view of Mussoorie and the Doon Valley.

Jwalaji Temple (Benog Hill) At an altitude of 2,240 m (7,350 ft), this temple is in the 9 km (5.5 mi) west of Mussoorie. It is at the top of Benog Tibba (Hill) and contains an old idol of Goddess Durga. There is a view of the Aglar River valley. The temple cannot be accessed by vehicle although a motor road goes most of the way from Mussoorie. Cloud End Cloud End is surrounded by thick deodar forest. The bungalow, built in 1838 by a British major, was one of the first four buildings in Mussoorie and has been converted to a hotel. Van Chetna Kendra Van Chetna Kendra is 11 km (7 mi) to the south of Library Point, and is a sanctuary established in 1993, and covers an area of 339 hectares (840 acres). It is significant for the extinct bird species Mountain Quail (Pahari Bater), which was last spotted in 1876. Benog Wildlife Sanctuary This one is about 11 kilometers from Library Point but still interesting for those who like bird watching and the wildlife. Old-cedar trees and many medicinal plants growing in abundance along with pine trees will give a lot of happiness to a nature lover's heart. Plus there are chances of spotting The White Capped Water Redstart and the Red Billed Blue Magpie, or a panther, leopard, deer, bear and Himalayan goats f you are very lucky. Mall Road The Mall is a renowned shopping district situated in the heart of Mussoorie. It is dotted with shops, cafes and a host of colonial remnants that point to Mussoorie's past glories. There are several video game parlours and skating rinks here for travellers to revel in entertainment activities. The Mall also has a Methodist church and the Tibetan market place nearby makes for a diverse cultural mix.

Bhimtal Bhimtal is

a

town

and

a nagar

panchayat in Nainital

district in

the

state

of Uttarakhand, India, situated at an altitude of 1370 meters above sea leveland is about 22 kilometers from Nainital. The major attraction in Bhimtal is the Bhimtal Lake, which has an island at its centre. Besides tourism, Bhimtal has also now become a mini district headquarters since most of the district administration offices have been shifted to the newly constructed Vikas Bhawan, the building complex for district administrative offices.

Climate And Weather The climate of Bhimtal is pleasant and salubrious during summers but very cold during winters. Summer temperatures range from 15 °C to 29 °C, while winter temperatures range from 4 °C to 18 °C. History Bhimtal is an ancient place named after Bhima of Mahabharata. Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple, an old Shiva temple in the bank of Bhimtal lake, is believed to have been built when Bhima visited the place during the banishment (vanvas) period of Pandavas. The present temple was built in the 17th century, by Baz Bahadur (1638–78 AD), a King of the Chand dynasty, and the Raja of Kumaon. Bhimtal came under British rule after the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–16). Bhimtal is older than nearby Nainital as the city of Nainital is just 150–160 years old. But Bhimtal has been a stoppage for the travellers of the region from hills to plains or vice versa for a long time. The old pedesterial road is still in use here and this road connects nearby Kathgodam to all Kumaun region and even to Nepal and Tibet. It might have been the part of the famous ancient silk route.

Attraction in Bhimtal

Here the list of Attractions in Bhimtal. 

Bhimtal Lake



Bhimtal Lake Aquarium



Bhimeshwar Mahadev Temple



Victoria Dam



Hidimba Parvat



Vankhandi Ashram



Nal Damyanti Tal



Sayad Baba Ki Mazar



Lok Sanskriti Sangralaya

Haridwar also spelled Hardwar, is an ancient city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. According to popular Hindu legend, it was here that Goddess Ganga when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. The River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Gangetic Plain for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára. Haridwar or Hardwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places (Sapta Puri) to Hindus. According to the Samudra manthan, Haridwar along with Ujjain, Nashik and Prayagraj (Allahabad) is one of four sites where drops of Amrit, the elixir of immortality, accidentally spilled over from the pitcher while being carried by the celestial bird Garuda. This is manifested in the Kumbha Mela, which is celebrated every 12 years in Haridwar. During the Haridwar Kumbh Mela, millions of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists congregate in Haridwar to perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the river Ganges to wash away their sins to attain Moksha. Brahma Kund, the spot where the Amrit fell, is located at Har

ki Pauri (literally, "footsteps of the Lord") and is considered to be the most sacred ghat of Haridwar.[4] It is also the primary center of the Kanwar pilgrimage, in which millions of participants gather sacred water from the Ganga and carry it across hundreds of miles to dispense as offerings in Śiva shrines.[5] Haridwar is the headquarters and the largest city of the district. Today, the city is developing beyond its religious importance, with the fast developing industrial estate of State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand(SIDCUL), and the close by township of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited as well as its affiliated ancillaries. Haridwar presents a kaleidoscope of Indian culture and development. In the sacred writings it has been differently specified as Kapilsthan, Gangadwar and Mayapuri. It is additionally a passage indicate the Char Dham (the four principle focuses of journey in Uttarakhand viz, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri), subsequently, Shaivaites (adherents of Lord Shiva) and Vaishnavites (devotees of Lord Vishnu) call this place Hardwar and Haridwar individually, relating to Har being Shiv and Hari being Vishnu.

ATTRACTION OF HARIDWAR Ganga Aarti Ganga Aarti must be the holiest sights you can catch in Haridwar. Hundreds and thousands of devotees participate in the religious affair where a number of priests indulge in the prayers. Apart from devotees, a number of photographers from all over the world become a part of the aarti to capture its essence in their cameras. Held on the bank of the river Ganges every day, Ganga Aaarti is also a great opportunity for culture vultures to gets insights into the rich culture of India and to realise the great reverence of the river. If you are planning a visit to Haridwar to immerse into the spiritual aura of this sacred land, spending an hour to witness Ganga Aaarti is one of the must try experiences.

NEEL DHARA PAKSHI VIHAR Haridwar is a delight not only for those who wish to take a dive into a world of spirituality but also for nature lovers with options like neel dhara pakshi vihar available. It is a bird watching spot that enjoys fame among locals and travellers alike. The area teems with exotic species of flora and fauna, and is majorly known for the extensive range of bird species that can be spotted here. Including siberian crane. Pawan Dham Haridwar has a long list of temples that are visited by thousands of devotees every day, but Pawan Dham is one of those Hindu temples that enjoy great fame even among tourists. The temple is also referred to as “Glass Temple” and this name is attributed to the idols of gods and goddesses with unique mirror and glass work. These idols and the interiors of the temple are sure to impress you. The peaceful atmosphere of the temple makes it an ideal place for you to visit if the purpose of your visit to Haridwar is relaxation. Summing up, Pawan Dham definitely deserves to be on the list of the best places to visit in Haridwar. Rajaji National Park For spending a day full of jungle thrill, this is another great option for wildlife lovers. You can indulge in the activity of jungle safari to explore the deep areas of the forest and witness the uninterrupted wilderness in its purest form. With a number of species of wild animals and birds calling the park their home, you will get ample opportunities to watch Click these creatures in their natural habitat that sprawls over an area of 820 sq. km. Some of the prominent fauna species are tiger, panther, elephant, bear, and barking deer. Besides, almost 400 bird species also live here, making the park a paradise for bird watchers.

About Jim Corbett National Park Jim Corbett National Park, which is a part of the larger Corbett Tiger Reserve, a Project Tiger Reserve lies in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The magical landscape of Corbett is well known and fabled for its tiger richness. Established in the year 1936 as Hailey National Park, Corbett has the glory of being India's oldest and most prestigious National Park. It is also being honored as the place where Project Tiger was first launched in 1973. This unique tiger territory is best known as the father who gave birth of the Project Tiger in India to protect the most endangered species and the Royal of India called Tigers. Spans over an extent of 520 square kilometers, its whole area comprises of hills, marshy depressions, riverine belts, grasslands and large lake. It is among the few tiger reserves in India that allows overnight stays in the lap of the National Park. Nature watch and wildlife viewing in the park is done in an open four wheeler Jeep and on elephant back. Sheltering a healthy population of tigers and rare species like Otters and the endemic fish eating crocodile, the national park is one of the most sought after destinations for the wildlife buffs. Dhikala, situated at the border of the extensive Patil Dun valley, is the most popular destination in Corbett because of its superb location and sheer abundance of wildlife present.

EXPERIENCE

Work experience during your Project-

I would like to pay my gratitude to my mentor for giving me guidance and support. I would also want to thank Mr.Amit Dhanda for appointing me as a trainee in his Royal Collection Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. Delhi.

It was a great experience for me to work in India’s most famous travel company. I came to know about the corporate world. I learnt how to tackle the different situations. There are different types of customers having different kind of demands and I experienced that the operation person in travel industry should be able to mould herself according to the customer’s demands i.e. if they are quality oriented or budget oriented the operation person has to make herself according to the demands. I came to know that if anyone is working in a travel industry he/she must have a calm nature.

It is very important to learn the work of the company but first you have to be a true presenter, pleasant personality and good human being.

Regarding my work experience it was the most memorable and learning for me. Working in Royal Collection Hotels & Resort made me confident about my work. I learnt about the telephonic conversation, Hotel Booking, MACTA Entry, Voucher, Conformation Voucher for the Agent, Update Confirmations Seat For Hotel & Agents, Quotation for the Agents, Tour Packages, requirement taking and keeping them in record and last but not the least I learnt how to make myself capable of handling various situations.

CONCLUSION -

Training is a necessary part of every human being whether she is an employee or a student. It plays a vital role in the life of every human-being. Training gives us knowledge and ability gives us knowledge and ability for doing some new in our life. The most important impact of training is that it saves the time and enhances the confidence of a woman. This job training gave me more experience and ability to do worth in the tourism industry.

Suggestion As I work there as a trainee and I know them very well during my winter training period. There staff members’ behavior was very good towards me.That why I completed my winter training around good environment and lots of thing. I came to know about the corporate world. I learnt how to tackle the different situations.

But the only few thing that I suggest them and that is coordination between staff members. They should be coordinated with each staff member whether they manager, employee and trainee.

It was a great experience for me to work in India’s most famous travel company.