Interesting Facts About Uttarakhand: Exploring Temples, Shrines, and Forts

The area has some intriguing and unknown temples, shrines, and forts, making it ideal for explorers. But the scenery and architecture should not be the only reasons to visit Uttarakhand.

Other aspects also entice travelers from across the globe to see the state. If you visit Rishikesh, book your stay at the top resorts in Rishikesh so you can receive all the amenities under a single roof.

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You Should Know These 10 Facts About Uttarakhand:

1. A Mystery in the Lambi Dehar Mines or the Monastery

Regarding eerie sites, Uttarakhand is home to among the scariest spots on the earth. The locals claim that as many as 50,000 mineworkers perished in 1990 due to improper mining procedures at the Dehar Mines.

The locals claim to have heard eerie howling and crying at night, perhaps coming from the spirits of the long-lost laborers who formerly toiled in the Dehar Mines.

2. Haridwar’s Traditional Ganga Aarti

The Ganges River is worshiped in a ceremony called Ganga Aarti. Prayers are devoted to gods and goddesses. In Hinduism, the Ganges is more than a river; it embodies the Holy Mother. The water from the Ganges is a source of life.

Similarly, a plunge in the holy water washes away sins. The Ganges also serves as a spiritual liberator. It’s not only a river but an entire civilization itself. There have always been millions of people living in the Ganges delta region.

3. India Has First Protected Wilderness Area

To ensure the safety of tigers, in 1936, the government of India created Jim Corbett National Park in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Rajaji National Park & Nanda Devi National Park are two more well-known national parks in the state.

4. Symbols of Uttarakhand

In the middle of the mountain peaks, the National Emblem of India depicts Satyamev Jayate, while the emblem of Uttarakhand features a mountain ridge with the flow of the holy river Ganga.

The Himalayan musk deer, the Himalayan monal, Brahma Kamal as the state flower, and the Burash as the state tree represent the state’s official flora and fauna.

5. The 400-year-old Water Canal of Madho Singh Bhandari

Everyone in the small village of Maletha in the Uttarakhand district of Tehri knows the story of Madho Singh Bhandari. The brave leader of the Maletha village in the 17th century is mainly remembered for constructing the irrigation canal (renowned as Maletha ki Kool) that delivered water to the area.

From the surrounding river to his hamlet, he and the other villagers dug a tunnel between two large boulders that were two kilometers in length.

6. The Nanda Devi Raaj Jaat Is The Longest Pilgrimage In The World (230 Km)

Goddess Nanda Devi, often known as the “Lady of Happiness”, is a popular goddess among devotees in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal and Kumaon regions. Large numbers of believers go on the pilgrimage once every 12 years. Nanda Devi Raaj Jaat is the longest expedition in terms of distance traveled (230 kilometers) and time spent on the road (three weeks).

The journey begins at Nauti hamlet next to Karnaprayag. It ends close to Roopkund, situated around 5,000 meters among the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas.

7. The Official National Flower Is The Brahma Kamal

The state flower of Uttarakhand is the mysterious Brahma Kamal. It is thought that Lord Brahma holds a white lotus in his hand, elevating the sacredness of this flower to a whole new level.

8. Uttarakhand’s Governmental Districts

The state is divided into the regions of Garhwal and Kumaon. It wasn’t until 1891 that two districts in Kumaon and Tarai were reorganized and given new names—Nainital and Almora, respectively—after their respective administrative centers. Pauri was chosen as the new capital of the newly formed Garhwal division.

9. Only A Blindfolded Priest May Enter The Latu Devta Temple

The Chamoli district of Uttarakhand is home to Latu Devta Temple, conveniently located close to the hamlet of Wan. It is one of the most unusual temples in the state, and it is dedicated to Latu Devta, the goddess Nanda Devi’s adoptive brother. Why? Because worshippers are not permitted into the temple.

To ignite the lamp, even the priest must do so in darkness. Once a year, the temple welcomes far-flung worshippers to offer their prayers. During the once-every-12-year Nanda Devi Raaj Jaat Yatra, the palanquin of Nanda Devi is escorted from Wan village to the higher elevations of Homkund.

10. Mountaineering Institutes in Uttarakhand

The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi is the oldest and most prestigious of Uttarakhand’s two renowned mountaineering schools, initially opening its doors in 1965. It offers many classes, including adventure, search and rescue, teaching strategies, and more. Another is the Pandit Nain Singh Surveyor Mountaineering Training Institute in Munsiyari, Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district.

For example, the Uttarkashi region is the home of Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Abhinav Bindra, a notable sportsman, and shooter made history at the Beijing Olympics by being the first Indian to win a gold medal in shooting. A socialist and liberationist, Govind Vallabh Pant fought for the people’s rights in his country. A well-known Hindi author, Sumitranandan Pant, also called the state home.

Conclusion

That sums up the best information about Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand is a region of stunning natural beauty, deep cultural roots, and lively customs. The state is rich in natural beauty, historical sites, outdoor activities, and endless tourist attractions.

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Uttarakhand: 10 Interesting Facts You Should Know

You Should Know These 10 Facts About Uttarakhand: