An Introduction to Dev Bhoomi – UTTRAKHAND

Chardham Yatra

                           
1. Introduction to Dev Bhoomi - Uttarakhand
2. Scenic Spots on the Way to Yamnotri
3. Yamnotri - Origin of River Yamuna
4. Scenic spots on way to Gangotri
5. Gangotri - The origin of Holy river GANGA
6. Reverse gear to Dehradun 
7. On the way to Kedarnath  
8. Kedarnath   
9. Scenic beauty on the way to Badrinath   
10. Visit to BADRINATH and village MANA  

Instead of writing directly about my Char Dham yatra  I realized that I should give some brief description about the holy state Dev Bhoomi – Uttrakhand so that all the  readers can be benefited by  enhancing their knowledge to know about this place & I expect  the  same from the others who already have the information about this Holy state.

Uttrakhand – The abode of God (Dev Bhoomi) became the 27^th state of India on Nov. 9^th,  2000.  Uttrakhand name is derived from Sanskrit  word  uttara  (North) & Khand (part of country).  It borders TIBET on North, NEPAL on East , UTTAR PRADESH on south , HARYANA on west & HIMACHAL PRADESH on North-West.

 

Uttarakhand Map

In January 2007, the name of the state was officially changed from Uttaranchal, its interim name, to Uttarakhand. The provisional capital of Uttarakhand is Dehradun which is also a rail-head and the largest city in the region. The small hamlet of  Gairsen has been mooted as the future capital owing to its geographic centrality but controversies and lack of resources have led Dehradun to remain provisional capital. The High Court of the state is in Nainital.

The state also has big-dam projects, controversial and often criticized in India, such as the very large Tehri dam on the Bhagirathi river.. Uttarakhand is also well known as the birthplace of the Chipko environmental movement

Tehri dam

Chipko Andolan

Uttrakhand is divided into two regions ,  Garhwal in west  &  Kumaon in east. Both the region endowed with awesome natural beauty & calm serenity of the majestic Himalayas. They have studded snow covered mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, holy rivers and flora & fauna.

Fall

Glacier

River

Uttrakhand is also known as Dev Bhoomi because of the presence of multitude of Hindu pilgrims spots. It is believed that Sage Vyasa scripted the Mahabharat here as the Pandavas  are believed to have traveled and camped in the region.

There are 13 districts in Uttrakhand , 6 in Kumaon  & 7 in Garhwal. Details are given below:-

Region	Districts	Places of Interest
Garhwal	Haridwar	Haridwar
	Uttarkashi	Yamnotri , Gangotri, Govind National Park, Har ki Doon, Bhatwari
	Chamoli	Badrinath , Valley of Flower , Nanda devi National Park, Vishnuprayag , Nandprayag , Karanprayag , Gopeshwar , Chamoli
	Rudarprayag	Kedarnath , Rudarprayag , Ukhimath, Guptkashi ,
	Tehri	Devprayag, Chamba, New Tehri, Ghassyali , Dhanolti
	Dehradun	Dehradun , Mussoorie , Chakrata, Lakha Mandal , Rajaji National Park, Rishikesh
	Pauri	Pauri , Srinagar , Lansdown , Khirsu
Kumaon	Pithoragarh	Pithoragarh , Pindari Glaciers, Munsyari , Chaukori , Gangolighat ,
	Champawat	Devidhura , Lohrghat , Tanakpur
	Almora	Ranikhet , Almora, Binser , Jageshwar
	Bageshwar	Bageshwar , Baijnath ,temple
	Nanital	Nanital , Jim Corbett National Park, Kathgodam.
	Udham Singh Nagar	Kashipur , Rudrapur

Sub Holy Places of uttranchal

Panch Badri -  Lord Vishnu is worshipped at Panch Badri in different forms.

(1) Vishal Badri (Badrinath) - 300 Kms from Rishikesh

(2) Yogdhyan Badri - At Pandukeshwar , 24Kms from Joshimath

(3) Bhavishya Badri - At Subham beyond Tapovan about 15 Kms from Joshimath

(4) Vridha Badri - At Animath of Pipalkoti – Joshimath Road

(5) Adi Badri - On Rishikesh – Ramnagar Road, 18 Kms. From Karanprayag.

Panch Kedar - Lord Shiva is worshipped at the five kedars in different forms

           

 (1) Kedarnath                          - 19 Kms from Sonprayag

             

(2) Tungnath                           - 5 Kms from Chopta

(3) Rudranath                          - 28 Kms from Mandalchatti 

(4) Madhyamaheshwar - 30 Kms from Guptkashi

(5) Kalpeshwar - 9 Kms from Helang
   

Panch Prayag

(1)   Vishnu Prayag                   - 10 Kms from Joshimath (Sangam of  Alknanda & Dhauli Ganga)

(2)    Nand Prayag                    - 21 Kms from Karanprayag (Sangam of Alknanda & Nandakini)

(3)   Karn Prayag                      - 34 Kms from Rudrapryag ( Sangam of Alaknanda & Pindar)

(4)   Rudra Prayag                    - 71 Kms from Devprayag (Sangam of Alaknanda & Mandakini)

(5)   Dev Prayag                       - 93 Kms from Haridwar (Sangam of Alaknanda Bhagirathi )

Dev Prayag

Chardham Yatra

Pilgrimages to the sacred Char Dham yatra (Yamnotri , Gangotri , Kedarnath  & Badrinath) is a dream for every Hindu devotee.

It is said that yatra should be started from left to right i.e. Yamnotri – Gangotri – Kedarnath – Badrinath.

Distance

Dehradun to Yamnotri            180 Kms.

Yamnotri to Gangotri              230 Kms

Gangotri to Kedarnath            345 Kms

Kedarnath to Badrinath          230 Kms

Badrinath to Rishikesh           300 Kms

This is all about Uttrakhand as per my knowledge. Rest of my trip to Char Dham experience will be soon in next couple of posts.