UTTARAKHAND DEHRADUN NAINITAL MUSSORIE ALMORA.
Uttarakhand (or Uttarnachal,) both mean "region of the North," is a new state, created in 2000, from the larger state of Uttar Pradesh, separated from the latter to meet the aspirations of the Garhwali and Kumoani people of this Himalayan region.
Running from the north west to the east in an arc, the Himalayan ranges start in eastern Kashmir, down south through Himachal Pradesh, then turn south east through Uttarakhand, before entering Nepal on Uttarakhand's/India's border with that country.
Uttarakhand rivals Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh for great views of magnificent peaks, and glaciers; but more, this state has more resorts/hill stations- and pilgrim centers than Himachal. Superb resort towns are Mussorie, Nainital, Landsdowne and Almora, and great pilgrim centers of Haridwar, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Rishikesh. Devout Hindus believe more sages and sadhus (holy men) wandered these snow clad regions here than in any other northern region of India............the region is mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures as the abode of gods and goddesses-- the river Ganges (goddess Ganga descended on earth in the form of a river) flows from the matted hair of the great Hindu God Shiva!
The Ganges, the most sacred river in Hinduism, and the Yamuna (the Taj Mahal is built on its banks in the river's middle reaches in Uttar Pradesh,) flow from their glacial source in Uttarakhand.
Dehradun, capital of Uttarakhand, at 2080 feet, is a major town and hill resort/hill station; it boasts of several institutions which are of national importance- the Archaelogical Survey of India, and the Indian Military Academy (the Sandhurst of India); and the Forest Research Institute and one of India's best schools, the Doon School. see link.
Getting there.
Nainital, at 6360 feet above sea level, an important town and hill resort in the southern region of the state, has a great legend behind its name: Sati, the first consort of Lord Shiva, who from a very young age wanted to marry the great god, was later, after being happily married to Shiva, much grieved by her father's wrath and hate for Shiva. Sati, in despair immolated herself and Shiva, with uncontrollable grief and anger destroyed her family. He carried her charred remains through the regions of the world............Sati's eyes ....'Nain'........fell here, and so the name Nainital!! (Sati, with her great love of Shiva, reincarnated as Parvati, his second consort!!)
see link
The Sherwood College, St Joseph's School, and some other schools give Nainital the reputation of being one of the best educational centers in India. Nainital getting there.
The Jim Corbett National Park, named after the famed tiger hunter (he would track down man eaters -see the book "Man Eaters of Kumaon"), is a must visit........it is India's oldest animal park famed for its Tiger Project, the preservation of a tiger habitat.
Mussoorie, a beautiful hill resort just 36 kilometers from Dehradun, at 6600 feet, is also a favorite vacation destination, home to the LBS National Academy of Administration that trains India's administrative officers who run its various ministries and departments; other prestigious institutions are, an international school, the Woodstock School, and St George's College founded in 1893. Getting there.
Almora, east of Nainital, a picturesque town at an altitude of 5400 feet, and center of the Kumoan people; the famous actress Uma Thurman spent her childhood here.
Pictures from top: pics 1 & 2: Dehradun- Forest Research Institute (left,) and Indian Military Academy (right.) Pics 3 to 5: views of Nainital (pic 5 is Governor's House at Nainital.) Pics 6 to 11: views of Mussorie (pic 10 Woodstock School and pic 11 Musssorie mall.) Pic 12 and 13-Almora and pic 14 : typical Mall street on a Sunday.
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