Uttarakhand a true paradise and home to Himalayas Seeded in the year 2006, Uttarakhand was once known as Abode

e of God. An ideal tourist destination, it has emerged out to be a preferred Industrial and Business hub. Initially known as Uttaranchal, it was carved from the state Uttar Pradesh in the year 2000, resulting which it became the 27th state of the Republic India. Uttaranchal, which mainly comprises of the hilly areas of Uttar Pradesh, then adopted the name Uttarakhand in the year 2006. The state shares its border with Uttar Pradesh in the South, Himachal Pradesh in the northwest and international boundaries with China and Nepal. A glimpse into the history of the state: The initial references of the state can be seen in Mahabharata and Skanda Purana as Kedarkhand. A glimpse into the past:
8th century: Ruled by the Chand Dynasty 9th and 11th century: Domination of Katyuri Dynasty. Shah Dynasty came into

power and ruled till the 17th century, when the often invasions of the Gharwals by Kumaon resulted Shah King defeating Chand King of Kumaon. 17th Century: Shah King took over his capital Almora. 19th Century: Kingdom was then overcome by the Gurkhas of Nepal. The state witnessed a massive earthquake and famine. This led to the British influence and consequently appointment of the British Commissioner as ruler of the region. Establishment and promotion of cities like Mussorie and Nainital. Post Independence: With the arrival of independence, the princely state Tehri Gharwal joined other states to form Uttar Pradesh. In 2000, the Government of India announced its approval of the statehood for Uttaranchal, the name of which was finally changed to Uttarakhand in the year 2006. How to reach the state: Uttarakhand waits for people to accept the open invitation to visit the state. The admirable rail and road connectivity to the state is extremely user friendly. The state hosts an assortment of festivals and colorful fairs all around the year. If you are planning to visit the state, the preferable time is between the summer/spring season in the months of March and June. Looking out for ways to reach Uttarakhand? Here is a list of some of the ways to reach the Abode of Gods:
By Air: There are two airports which operate regular private and public flights to

Dehradun. These are Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and the other is in Pant Nagar of Nainital. By Road: A wide-ranging road network covers the state of Uttarakhand. It shares exceptional road connectivity with Delhi and major state highways. The road network provides connectivity to popular tourist destinations like Haridwar, Rishikesh and Corbett National Park. You can travel by car, private deluxe and state buses which run frequently to Uttarakhand.

 By Rail: Another convenient mode of travel is super-fast express and passenger

trains. The main railway stations in Uttarakhand are Kathgodam, Haridwar and Dehradun.

Uttaranchal as tourist destination: The state is prominently known for its hill stations which are considered as the gateways to some veiled captivating place which offers exquisiteness with beauty. Located on the mountains of the massive Himalayan range, the state offers captivating views, serene environs and salubrious weather. Honeymooners often visit the hill stations to spend romantic time together, creative persons visit to enhance their level of creativity with fresh ideas while the corporate and families take break to enjoy the pristine scenery of the Himalayas. Some of the hill stations of Uttarakhand which are flooded with tourists all around the year are: Chamba Mussoorie Ranikhet Nainital Kanatal Almora Chaukori Pithorgarh etc Besides visiting the hill stations, the state allures people from all around the world to plan a trip and take pleasure in pilgrimage, trekking, skiing, river rafting and many other adventurous activities. Things to do in Uttarakhand: The state of Uttarakhand has high and lofty mountains which touch the never-ending sky. Besides enjoying the serene and lush green hills of Mussorie and Nainital, one can engage in number of other activities and make the trip most memorable. Go out for shopping, as whenever we are out on holidays, we love to take presents and mementos for folks back at home. It is a compulsive delight to shop at Uttarakhand. Shop at little shops and bring home wood carvings, organic items, scenic paintings and the famous Dehradun Basmati Rice. Engage in various adventurous activities like camping, river crossing, trekking, paragliding, rock climbing, etc. Uttarakhand is enriched by major pilgrimages of the country. Described as the Devabhumi by traditional Hindu population, one often visits the place to clean his soul. As the most popular destination, tourists looking for bustle and hustle should visit the place in summers.