Facts about Uttarakhand, aka the Dev Bhoomi, you should know!

The Himalayan land of mythology, dense forests, and wildlife, Uttarakhand, is home to many ancient temples, sanctuaries, scenic views, yoga schools, and more. It has a rich heritage, and there are some interesting facts that will make you look at it in awe. Keep reading to know these facts about Uttarakhand to admire its formation.

The 27th state of India, aka the lands of gods, temples, and forts, was formed on November 9th, 2000, after getting carved out from Uttaranchal. It is located on the north side of India, offers breathtaking views, and is a perfect spot for adventurers. But there's a lot more to this scenic state than just religious monuments and amazing weather. Here's a list of some of the most interesting facts about Uttarakhand that blew our minds.

1. Has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites 

 

The Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi National Park are the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are situated in the Garhwal region and across the main crest of the Great Himalayan Range, respectively. The Valley of Flowers is popular for the thousands of varieties of flowers, and medicinal plants, while The Nanda Devi National Park is known for its remote mountain wilderness.

2. Second highest peak in the country

 

The Nanda Devi Peak is the second-highest peak in India and is at Chamoli in the Garhwal District of Uttarakhand. It is located at an elevation of 7816 meters above sea level and looks stunning.

3. Highest dam in the country

 

Located on river Bhagirathi and 260.5 meters above sea level, Tehri Dam is the tallest dam in India and the 12th tallest dam in the world.

4. Tallest Shiva temple in the world

Tungnath temple is not just considered the highest Shiva temple but is also said to be over thousands of years old. It is also linked to the Pandavas and is located in the Rudraprayag district. Other than this epic temple, the state is also home to the famous Panch Prayag (the 5 rivers that merge into River Alaknanda and form the holy River Ganga), namely Devprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandprayag, Rudraprayag, and Vishnuprayag.

5. Has the yoga capital of the world

 

Rishikesh is commonly called the 'yoga capital of the world' and is home to many popular Yoga and meditation institutes. These centers are almost always crowded with followers and yoga practitioners from across the globe and are a hub for yoga enthusiasts.

6. First national park in India

A forested wildlife sanctuary in Nainital, Jim Corbett National Park is the very first official national park and was founded in 1936 to protect the Royal Bengal tigers. It currently has over 200 tigers, with 14 tigers per 100 square kilometers. Other than this, Uttarakhand also houses other important national parks, such as Rajaji National Park and Nanda Devi National Park.

7. Origin of Ganga and Yamuna

 

Two of India’s holiest and most revered rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna, start their journey in Uttarakhand. The River Ganga originates from Gangotri, while the Yamuna comes from Yamunotri in the Himalayas.

8. Sanskrit as its official language

 

Uttarakhand is the only state in India that has Sanskrit as its second official language. However, Hindi, Garhwali, Punjabi, Nepali, and Kumauni are the principal spoken languages here.

Aren't these facts about Uttarakhand amazing? Well, if you also want to explore this beauty, now is the time and so do plan a trip.