Dehradun (the capital city)

Dehradun: Dehradun is the capital city of the State of Uttarakhand in northern India. Located in the Garhwal region, it is 255 km north of India's capital New Delhi and consists of 6 tehsils, 6 community development blocks, 17 towns and 764 inhabited villages.[1] The city has been chosen as one of the "Counter Magnets" of the National Capital Region (NCR) and is being developed as an alternative centre of growth to help ease the migration and population explosion in the Delhi metropolitan area.[2]Dehradun is renowned for its natural resources, publishing services, and for its prestigious educational institutions such as the Forest Research Institute, Indian Military Academy and several day and boarding schools which are highly reputed across the country. It is also home to national foundations such as the Indian Institute of Petroleum,Survey of India, Wildlife Institute of India and the Oil and Natural Gas Committee.[3]Located on the foothills of the Himalayas, the Doon Valley is nestled between two of India's mightiest rivers - theGanges on the east and the Yamuna on the west. Dehradun is famous for its picturesque landscape and pleasant climate and provides a gateway to the surrounding region. It is well connected and in close proximity to popular Himalayan tourist destinations such as Mussoorie, Nainital and Auli and Hindu holy cities of Haridwar andRishikesh along with the Himalayan pilgrimage circuit of Char Dham.Education: Dehradun is home to some of India's most ancient and elite educational institutions.[15] The Doon School, Rashtriya Indian Military College, Welham Girls School, Welham Boys School, St. Joseph's Academy, SelaQui International School, are considered to be some of India's most prestigious and well performing schools. Several Indian luminaries have attended these schools including former prime ministers and film stars.Dehradun is also well renowned for Indian Administrative Service (IAS) training and military services. The Indian Military Academy, a premier institution for training the nation's military officers, is located there. In addition, other national foundations like Oil and natural gas Committee, Survey of India, Indian Institute of Petroleum and FFP are also located here. There are numerous forest officials in India who have attended the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, and Doon University, said to be one of the best institutions of their kind in the country, are located in Dehradun. It is also home to many different religious schools as well as public schools. Yoga, Ayurveda and meditation also have a great influence in Dehradun.Some key organisations are in the process of doing important work in the field of education. Among which National Institute for Visually Handicapped[16] (NIVH) plays a key role in helping the blind people. It is first such institute in India and also the first press for Braille script. This campus is spread over large area and is located in Rajpur Road. The employees board in the campus itself. In addition, there is also a part of this campus which is located in Rajpur and named Sharp Memorial School for the Blind,[17]which provides education and service to the blind children. There is other institute called Bajaj institute of learning which is built up for people with hearing problems and other disabilities. All these organisations and institutes are located in Rajpur Marg. Uttarakhand government had also built up institute for the mentally challenged children which is called Kruna Vihar[18] All these organisations and institutes support to improve the life of the residents here.

Garhwali Dance forms

Langvir Nritya

This is an acrobatic dance and is performed by the men folk only. In this dance, a long bamboo pole is fixed at a place. The dancer-acrobat climbs to the top of this pole and then balances himself on his stomach on the top. Under the pole, a band of musicians play the 'Dhol' and 'Damana', while the dancer rotates on the top of the pole, performing other feats with his hands and feet. This dance is popular in the Tehri Garhwal region. Barada Nati

The Barada Nati folk dance is a popular dance of the Jaunsar Bhawar area of Chakrata Tehsil in Dehradun district. The folk dance is performed on the eve of some religious festivals or on the occasion of some social functions. Both boys and girls take part in the dance dressed in colourful traditional costumes. Pandav Nritya

The Pandav Nritya, which is related to the story of the Mahabharata, has been very popular, particularly in the Garhwal region. Pandavas Nritya is nothing but a simple narration of the story of the Mahabharata in the form of dance and music. It is mostly enacted on the occasion of 'Dussehra' and Diwali. Pandavas Nritya is popular in Chamoli district and Pauri Garhwal.

lifestyle

People over here have a very typical dressing style.
Mens wear kurta and payjama whereas womens where simple saari or ghagra and top and tie turbans on there heads to carry loads of wood n grass.
Although in town side like Dehradun and Uttarkashi people were more casual clothes like jeans,shirt and punjabi suit.

Pilgrimage

Uttaranchal is one the most famous place for its pilgrimage places.
It is said that god once resided here n people of uttaranchal still have faith that god still resides here.and why not god will reside here after all god has showered all his beauty of nature on this sacred place.
The famous temples in uttaranchal are
1: BADRINATH TEMPLE.
2: BAGESHWAR TEMPLE.
3: BAIJNATH TEMPLE.
4: BALESHWAR TEMPLE.
5: CHITAI-GOLU DEVTA TEMPLE.
6: HEMKUND SAHIB TEMPLE.
7: JAGESHWAR TEMPLE.
8: NANAKMATA TEMPLE.
9: PURNAGIRI TEMPLE.
10:TUNGNATH TEMPLE.

Introduction

Welcome friends to world's one of the most beautiful place on this mother Earth.
The place where it is said God lives over here,the place which is famous for its rich heritage n culture.The place where nature has showered all its beauty.
Its regarded as the crown of our nation,India.

Its none other than our very own lovely place UTTARANCHAL.

The land of Gods, the home of Himalayas and truly a paradise on earth, allures everyone from everywhere. The fresh air, the pure water, the chilling snow, the adversing mountains, the scenic beauty, the small villages, the simpler people and a tougher lifesytle is what that distinguishes Uttaranchal from rest of the world.

Uttaranchal is a 'paradise' for nature lover's and adventure sports enthusiasts. Mussoorie, the 'Queen of Hills'; Nainital, the 'Lake District'; Almora, the 'Switzerland of India'; Ranikhet, Pithoragarh, Pauri and Munsyari are just few highlights for the nature lovers. For adventure and excitement, one may choose Mountaineering (Bhagirathi, Chowkhamba, Nanda Devi Kamet, Pindari, Sahastrataal, Milam, Kafni, Khatling, Gaumukh), Trekking, Skiing (Auli, Dayara Bugyal, Munsyari, Mundali), Skating, Water Sports like rafting, boating and angling and Aero Sports like Hand Gliding, Paragliding (Pithoragarh, Jolly Grant, Pauri).

The State is also a treasure house of exotic flora and fauna and is an ideal location for eco-tourism, as well as wildlife tourism. The world-famous Corbett National Park is the pride of Uttaranchal. Other important sanctuaries are, Rajaji National Park , Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Asan Barrage, Chilla etc.