105-549: Haridwar district ( Hindi: [ɦəɾɪd̪waːɾ] ), also spelled Hardwar , is part of Uttarakhand , India that lies in the Doab region, where people traditionally speak Khariboli . It is headquartered at Haridwar which is also its largest city. The district is ringed by the districts Dehradun in the north and east, Pauri Garhwal in the east and the Uttar Pradesh districts of Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor in
210-435: A municipal commissioner , municipal councils and, nagar panchayats (town councils), each of them administered by a chief executive officer . Rural areas comprise the three tier administration; district councils , block panchayats (block councils) and gram panchayats (village councils). All state and local government offices have a five-year term. According to the 2011 census, Dehradun , and Udham Singh Nagar are
315-425: A Chinese traveller, Huan Tsang , who visited India in 629 CE, during the reign of King Harshavardhan (590–647). He records Haridwar as 'Mo-yu-lo', the remains of which still exist at Mayapur, a little to the south of the modern Haridwar town; among the ruins are a fort and three temples, decorated with broken stone sculptures. He also mentions the presence of a temple, north of Mo-yu-lo called 'Gangadwara', Gateway of
420-536: A belt from 2,600 to 1,500 metres (8,500 to 4,900 ft) elevation. Below 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) elevation lie the Himalayan subtropical pine forests . The Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests and the drier Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands cover the lowlands along the Uttar Pradesh border in a belt locally known as Bhabar . These lowland forests have mostly been cleared for agriculture, but
525-461: A diversity of flora and fauna. It has a recorded forest area of 34,666 km (13,385 sq mi), which constitutes 65% of the total area of the state. The vegetation of the state majorly comprises alpine trees and tropical rainforests. The state is home to rare species of plants and animals, many of which are protected by sanctuaries and reserves. National parks in Uttarakhand include
630-620: A few pockets remain. Uttarakhand has a temperate but varies greatly from north to south. The climatic conditions experienced in the state vary subtropical in the southern part to alpine in the upper reaches of the Himalayan mountain in the northern parts. The winter season from December to February, is extreme with temperatures fluctuating anywhere between 5 °C (41 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F). In higher altitudes and mountainous regions, temperatures often drop below freezing point. Cold winds blow across Uttarakhand, especially in
735-549: A form of Shakti draws many pilgrims. There are two ways to reach the temple – trekking or it can also be reached through a ropeway. Piran Kaliyar Sharif : This famous 'Dargah' (Shrine) of Hazrat Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari , a 13th-century Sufi Saint of Chishti Order , was built by Ibrahim Lodhi , a Delhi Sultanate ruler. Also known as Sarkar Sabir Pak , it is located in Kaliyar village, 7 km from Roorkee , and
840-722: A goat's head. Maya Devi Temple : This temple of the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar is considered one of the Siddhapeethas and is said to be the place where the heart and navel of Goddess Sati had fallen. It is one of the few ancient temples still standing in Haridwar, along with Narayani Shila Temple and Bhairav Temple. Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Rishi Sarovar , where the Ganges split herself into seven currents so that seven great sages on its bank would not be disturbed by
945-506: A painting by Mola Ram Garwhali Miniature painting is a form of miniature painting that flourished in the region between the 17th and 19th century. Mola Ram is credited as the true father of the Garhwali Branch of the wider Pahari School. Kumaoni art often is geometrical in nature, while Garhwali art is known for its closeness to nature. Aipan is a GI certified Kumaoni ritual folk art done mainly during special ceremonies,
1050-565: A place near Haridwar, where the Ganges split into seven currents, so that the rishis would not be disturbed by the flow. In the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata , where sage Dhaumya tells Yudhishthira about the tirthas of India, Gangadwara, i.e. Haridwar and Kankhal , have been referred to; the text also mentions that the sage Agastya performed a penance here, with the help of his wife, Lopamudra (the princess of Vidharba ). It
1155-435: A population of 10,086,292 comprising 5,137,773 males and 4,948,519 females, with 69.77% of the population living in rural areas. The state is the 20th most populous state of the country having 0.83% of the population on 1.63% of the land. The population density of the state is 189 people per square kilometre having a 2001–2011 decadal growth rate of 18.81%. The gender ratio is 963 females per 1000 males. The crude birth rate in
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#17327799999341260-598: A rallying point for many future environmentalists , environmental protests, and movements the world over and created a precedent for non-violent protest. It stirred up the existing civil society in India, which began to address the issues of tribal and marginalised people. So much so that, a quarter of a century later, India Today mentioned the people behind the "forest satyagraha" of the Chipko movement as among "100 people who shaped India". One of Chipko's most salient features
1365-453: A ranking of 244th in India (out of a total of 640 ). The district has a population density of 817 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,120/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 30.63%. Haridwar has a sex ratio of 880 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 73.43%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 21.76% and 0.33% of the population respectively. Among various communities found in
1470-637: A second official language, by the BJP government for its allegedly historic association with the region. At present the language has no native speakers and its use is constrained to educational and religious settings. There are also sizeable populations of speakers of some of India's other major languages: Urdu (4.2 per cent) and Punjabi (2.6 per cent), both mostly found in the southern districts, Bengali (1.5 per cent) and Bhojpuri (0.95 per cent), both mainly present in Udham Singh Nagar district in
1575-407: A series of channels separated from each other called aits, most of which are wooded. Other minor seasonal streams are Ranipur Rao, Pathri Rao, Rawii Rao, Harnaui Rao, and Begam Nadi. A large part of the district is forested. Average temperatures are mostly cooler than that of other parts of the country. The wooded Rajaji National Park , a wildlife sanctuary, is within the bounds of the district and
1680-423: A single Parliamentary Constituency, and 11 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly constituencies including, Haridwar , Haridwar Rural , BHEL Ranipur , Jwalapur , Bhagwanpur , Roorkee , Piran Kaliyar , Khanpur , Manglaur , Jhabrera and Laksar . Current Member of Parliament (MP) from Haridwar (Lok Sabha constituency) is Nishank Pokhriyal , and Member of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly from Haridwar City
1785-401: Is ₹ 2.87 lakh crore (US$ 34 billion). The state contributes five seats to the lower house Lok Sabha and three seats and the upper house Rajya Sabha. Inhabitants of the state are called either Garhwali or Kumaoni depending on their region of origin. Hinduism is practiced by more than three-fourths of the population, with Islam being the next-largest religious group. Hindi
1890-531: Is Hindi , which according to the 2011 census is spoken natively by 43 per cent of the population, and also used throughout the state as a lingua franca. The major regional languages of Uttarakhand are Garhwali , which according to the 2011 census is spoken by 23 per cent of the population, mostly in the western half of the state, Kumaoni , spoken in the eastern half and native to 20 per cent, and Jaunsari , whose speakers are concentrated in Dehradun district in
1995-449: Is ' Madan Kaushik '. Agriculture is the mainstay of this well irrigated district. Industrialisation had commenced with the establishment of Central Government owned Public Sector plants (PSUs) of [Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (IDPL)] and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited , in pre-Uttarakhand 1960s period. The State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand (SIDCUL) has now established one new 'industrial development zone' in
2100-600: Is a living example of religious harmony in India; it is visited by devotees from all over the world, during the annual ' Urs ' festival, which is celebrated from 1st day (of sighting the new moon) to 16th day of Rabee-ul-awwal month of Islamic calendar. Uttarakhand Uttarakhand ( English: / ˈ ʊ t ər ɑː k ʌ n d / , / ˌ ʊ t ər ə ˈ k ʌ n d / or / ˌ ʊ t ə ˈ r æ k ə n d / ; Hindi: [ˈʊtːərɑːkʰəɳɖ] , lit. ' Northern Land ' ), formerly known as Uttaranchal ( English: / ˌ ʊ t ə ˈ r æ n tʃ ʌ l / ;
2205-503: Is accessible through different gates; Ranipur and Chilla Gates are just about 9 km from Haridwar. Sureshvari Devi Mandir , a temple of Goddess Sureshwari, is situated in Rajaji National Park. Cheela Dam is a picnic spot with a dam and a man-made lake nearby; elephants and other wild animals could be easily spotted here. Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar is a bird sanctuary, situated on the main Ganges river, or Neel Dhara, at
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#17327799999342310-456: Is administered by a district magistrate . The districts are further divided into sub-divisions, which are administered by sub-divisional magistrates ; sub-divisions comprise tehsils which are administered by a tehsildar and community development blocks , each administered by a block development officer . Urban areas are categorised into three types of municipalities based on their population; municipal corporations , each administered by
2415-455: Is also home to two World Heritage sites . Uttarakhand's name is derived from the Sanskrit words uttara ( उत्तर ) meaning 'north', and khaṇḍa ( खण्ड ) meaning 'section' or 'part', altogether simply meaning 'Northern Part'. The name finds mention in early Hindu scriptures as the combined region of "Kedarkhand" (present day Garhwal ) and "Manaskhand" (present day Kumaon ). Uttarakhand
2520-531: Is covered by forest. Most of the northern part of the state is covered by high Himalayan peaks and glaciers. In the first half of the nineteenth century, the expanding development of Indian roads, railways, and other physical infrastructure was giving rise to concerns over indiscriminate logging, particularly in the Himalaya . Two of the most important rivers in Hinduism originate in the glaciers of Uttarakhand,
2625-580: Is in Roshnabad, at a distance of about 12 km from Haridwar railway station. The office of Chief Development Officer is in Vikas Bhawan, Roshnabad. The Collectorate, Vikas Bhawan, District Judiciary, S.S.P. Office, Police line, District Jail, District sports stadium, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya etc. are the prime establishments of this area. Many other administration offices like Lok Seva Ayog and Sanskrit Academy are established here. The district has
2730-507: Is of prime importance. A majority of the present ghats were largely developed in the 1800s. Sati Kund : It is the well-known mythological Sati immolation heritage situated in Kankhal . Daksheswara Mahadev Temple : The ancient temple of Daksha Mahadev, also known as Daksheswara Mahadev Temple , is situated in the south of Kankhal town and is a tribute to the legends of Sati's self-immolated and king Daksha's death and later life with
2835-409: Is said that while Pandavas were going to Himalayas through Haridwar, prince Bhima drew water from the rocks here, by thrusting his knee (goda) into the ground at the present site of 'Bhimagoda' situated at a distance of about 1 km from Har-ki-Pauri. Archaeological findings have proved that terra cotta culture dating between 1700 BCE and 1200 BCE existed in this region. Haridwar came under
2940-620: Is the most widely spoken language and is also the official language of the state, along with native regional languages include Garhwali , Jaunsari , Gurjari and Kumaoni . The state is often referred to as the "Devbhumi" ( lit. ' Land of the Gods ' ), due to its religious significance and numerous Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres found throughout the state. Along with several historical, natural and religious tourist destinations, including Char Dham , Haridwar , Rishikesh , Panch Kedar , Himalayas , and Sapta Badri . Uttarakhand
3045-567: The Bhimgoda Barrage ; it is visited by bird watchers and home to migratory birds during the winter season. A discourse of Bhishma in the Vana Parva (Tirtha-yatra Parva) Section XC of The Mahabharata notes: According to Hindu literature , Daksha Prajapati , father of Dakshayani ( Sati ), Shiva's first wife, was a ruler here. He performed a yagna , to which he deliberately did not invite Shiva. When he arrived uninvited, he
3150-726: The British have ruled Uttarakhand in turns. Among the first major dynasties of Garhwal and Kumaon were the Kunindas in the second century BCE who practised an early form of Shaivism and traded salt with Western Tibet . It is evident from the Ashokan edict at Kalsi in Western Garhwal that Buddhism made inroads in this region. Shamanic Hindu practices deviating from Hindu orthodoxy also persisted here. However, Garhwal and Kumaon were restored to nominal Vedic Hindu rule due to
3255-702: The Ganges at Gangotri and the Yamuna at Yamunotri . They are fed by myriad lakes, glacial melts, and streams. These two along with Badrinath and Kedarnath form the Chota Char Dham , a holy pilgrimage for the Hindus. Uttarakhand lies on the southern slope of the Himalaya range, and the climate and vegetation vary greatly with elevation, from glaciers at the highest elevations to subtropical forests at
Haridwar district - Misplaced Pages Continue
3360-590: The Indian Federal Legislation – 'Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000' – and thus on 9 November 2000, Haridwar district became part of the newly formed Uttarakhand (then Uttaranchal), the 27th state in the Republic of India . According to the 2011 census Haridwar district has a population of 1,890,422, roughly equal to the nation of Lesotho or the US state of West Virginia . This gives it
3465-937: The Jim Corbett National Park (the oldest national park of India) in Nainital and Pauri Garhwal District , and Valley of Flowers National Park & Nanda Devi National Park in Chamoli District , which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site . A number of plant species in the valley are internationally threatened, including several that have not been recorded from elsewhere in Uttarakhand. Rajaji National Park in Haridwar , Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal District and Govind Pashu Vihar National Park & Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi District are some other protected areas in
3570-636: The Parliament of India passed the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 and thus, on 9 November 2000, Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of India . Uttarakhand is also well known for the mass agitation of the 1970s that led to the formation of the Chipko environmental movement and other social movements. Though primarily a livelihood movement rather than a forest conservation movement, it went on to become
3675-487: The southwest monsoon season. The total annual rainfall for the state as a whole is 133 cm and total annual number of rainy days are about 63 cm. Although, rainfall in the state varies from place to place due to its rugged topography. Precipitation is not heavy and occurs in the form of rain and snow. Winds are generally light of the order of 1 to 4 kmph in the valleys and 5 to 10 kmph at elevations of 2 km increasing further with higher altitudes. Uttarakhand has
3780-428: The 16th century during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar , refers to Maya (Mayapur), known as Hardwar on the Ganges , as sacred city of Hindus. It also mentions that during his travels, and also while at home, Mughal Emperor Akbar drank water from the Ganges river, which he called 'the water of immortality'. Special people were stationed at Sorun and later Haridwar to dispatch water, in sealed jars, to wherever he
3885-490: The Ganges touches it at all times. Devout Hindus perform ritualistic bathing here on the banks of the river Ganges , an act considered to be the equivalent of washing away one's sins to attain moksha . Seven sages or Saptarishis , namely Kashyapa , Vashishta , Atri , Vishvamitra , Jamadagni , Bharadvaja and Gautama , are said to have meditated at the site of the Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Rishi Sarovar,
3990-463: The Ganges. It is believed that Adi Shankracharya had visited this region and the existing main statue of Chandi Devi Temple was established by him in 8th century A.D. Haridwar region was a part of Delhi Sultanate . The armies of Emperor Timur (1336–1405), a Turkic conqueror, had passed through this region on 13 January 1399 to attack Delhi . During his visit, first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak (1469–1539) bathed at Haridwar's 'Kushwan Ghat', wherein
4095-553: The Garhwal Kingdom was re-established from a smaller region in Tehri as a princely state . In the southern part of Uttarakhand in Haridwar district (earlier part of Saharanpur till 1988), the dominance and kingship (rajya) was exercises by Gujar chiefs, the area was under control of Parmar (Panwar or Khubars) Gujars in eastern Saharanpur including Haridwar in kingship of Raja Sabha Chandra of Jabarhera (Jhabrera). Gujars of
4200-504: The Khubar (Panwar) gotra held more than 500 villages there in upper Doab, and that situation was confirmed in 1759 in a grant by a Rohilla governor of 505 villages and 31 hamlets to one Manohar Singh Gujar (written in some records as Raja Nahar Singh son of Sabha Chandra). In 1792 Ram Dayal and his son Sawai Singh were ruling the area but due to some family reasons Ramdayal left Jhabrera and went to Landhaura village, now some villages were under
4305-601: The Landhaura villages numbered 794 under Raja Ram Dayal Singh. Raja Ram Dayal Singh died on 29 March 1813. These holdings, at least those in the original grant made by the Rohilla governor, were initially recognised by the British in land settlements concluded with Ram Dayal and his heirs. As the years passed, more and more settlements appear to have been made with the village communities, however, and by 1850 little remained of
Haridwar district - Misplaced Pages Continue
4410-577: The Minister and the Additional Chief Secretary / Principal Secretary . For administration, the state is divided into two divisions and 13 districts. Divisional Commissioner , an IAS officer is the head of administration on the divisional level. The administration in each district is headed by a District Magistrate , who is also an IAS officer, and is assisted by several officers belonging to state services. District Magistrate being
4515-855: The Speaker's absence. The Uttarakhand Council of Ministers is appointed by the Governor of Uttarakhand on the advice of the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and reports to the Legislative Assembly. Leader of the Opposition leads the Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly. The state contributes five seats to Lok Sabha , the lower house of the Indian Parliament , and three seats to Rajya Sabha ,
4620-546: The West ;: Being a place of intense religious significance, Haridwar also hosts several religious festivals throughout the year; popular among them are the Kavad Mela, Somvati Amavasya Mela, Ganga Dashara, Gughal Mela, in which around 2–2.5 million people take part. Apart from these, there is the mammoth Kumbh Mela which takes place once in every twelve years, when the planet Jupiter ( Brihaspati ) comes into
4725-466: The advice of the chief minister. The governor remains a ceremonial head of the state, while the chief minister and his council are responsible for day-to-day government functions. The Council of Ministers consists of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State (MoS). The Secretariat headed by the Chief Secretary assists the council of ministers. The Chief Secretary is also the administrative head of
4830-468: The capital of Shiva. The Ganges Canal was opened in 1854 after the work began in April 1842, prompted by the famine of 1837–38. The unique feature of the canal is the half-kilometre-long aqueduct over Solani river at Roorkee , which raises the canal 25 metres above the original river. In 1947, when India achieved independence from the British colonial subjugation, the region of present Haridwar district
4935-530: The chief Opposition. Among the prominent local crafts is wood carving known as Likhai , which appears most frequently in the ornately decorated temples of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand. Intricately carved designs of floral patterns, deities, and geometrical motifs also decorate the doors, windows, ceilings, and walls of village houses. Paintings and murals are used to decorate both houses and temples. File:Abhisarika-nayika-mola-ram.jpg| Abhisarika Nayika ,
5040-428: The city of Roorkee . Education in Sanskrit based classics and Hindu religious/cultural disciplines is an age-old tradition in the district, mainly centred in and around Haridwar city. Some of the important institutions of this genre are: Modern Ashrams are also being established in the district for imparting training in yoga and meditation to people coming now from near and far, including foreign countries of
5145-546: The control of Raja Ramdayal Singh at Landhaura, and some under his son Sawai Singh at Jhabrera. Hence, there were two branches of Jabarhera estate (riyasat) main branch at Jabarhera and the second one at Landhaura, both father and son were ruling simultaneously without any conflicts till the death of Raja Sawai Singh of Jabarhera in 1803. After the death of Sawai Singh total control of powers transferred to Ram Dayal Singh at Landhaura, but some villages were given to descendants of Sawai Singh and her widow to collect revenue. By 1803
5250-408: The district, Brahmins , Jats (dominating) and Vaishya , Punjabis , Sainis are considered as major votebanks. Languages of Haridwar district (2011) The main language of Haridwar is Hindi (87.3%), Urdu at 9.7%. Punjabi and Garhwali are also spoken by small minorities. The Haridwar district is ringed by Saharanpur in the west, Dehradun in the north west and north, Pauri Garhwal in
5355-550: The district, adjacent to Shivalik Nagar near Haridwar, to encourage industrialisation; with industrial giants like Hindustan Lever, Patanjali Group of companies, Dabur, Mahendra & Mahendra and Havells having moved in, it is making the desired progress. Not insignificant to the district's economy is the contribution of Hindu pilgrims who visit the holy places and attend the religious fairs in large numbers. Haridwar district has several academic institutions, covering studies in sciences, engineering, technology and advanced research in
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#17327799999345460-610: The early presence of Buddhism in this region. Ancient rock paintings, rock shelters, paleolithic age stone tools (hundreds of thousands of years old), and megaliths provide evidence that the mountains of the region have been inhabited since prehistoric times. There are also archaeological remains that show the existence of early Vedic ( c. 1500 BCE ) practices in the area. The Pauravas , Khasas , Kiratas , Nandas , Mauryas , Kushanas , Kunindas , Guptas , Karkotas , Palas , Gurjara-Pratiharas , Katyuris , Raikas , Chands , Parmars or Panwars , Mallas , Shahs and
5565-473: The east, Muzaffarnagar in south and Bijnor in the south-east. Prior to its inclusion in the newly created state of Uttarakhand in 2000, this district was a part of Saharanpur Divisional Commissionary. The district is administratively subdivided into four tehsils : Haridwar, Roorkee , Bhagwanpur and Laksar . It is further divided into six development blocks: Bhagwanpur , Roorkee , Narsan , Bahadrabad , Laksar , and Khanpur . The district headquarters
5670-425: The erstwhile hill kingdoms of Garhwal and Kumaon were traditional rivals the inseparable and complementary nature of their geography, economy, culture, language, and traditions created strong bonds between the two regions. These bonds formed the basis of the new political identity of Uttarakhand, which gained significant momentum in 1994, when demand for separate statehood achieved almost unanimous acceptance among both
5775-572: The famous, 'watering the crops' episode took place. His visit is today commemorated by a gurudwara (Gurudwara Nanakwara); according to two Sikh Janamsakhis , this visit took place on the Baisakhi day in 1504 CE. He later had also visited Kankhal en route to Kotdwara in Garhwal . Besides this, third Sikh Guru, Sri Amar Das also visited Hardwar twenty two times during his lifetime. The Mughal period : Ain-e-Akbari , written by Abul Fazal in
5880-495: The festival of Diwali, marriages and other religious rituals. It's predominantly female practitioners believe that it invokes a divine power which brings about good fortune and deters evil. The art is special as it is done on empty walls, which are brick-red in colour, called Geru . The actual art is done with a white paste made of rice flour . Jyuti patta is a class of water color paintings done on rituals, called Jyuti. Some scholars also consider Jyuti to be synonymous with
5985-523: The flow. Bhimgoda Tank : This tank, where Bhima is said to have drawn water from the rocks by thrusting his knee into the ground, is situated at a distance of about 1 km from Har-ki-Pauri. Chandi Devi Temple : The present temple, commemorating the ancient Chandi legend, was constructed in 1929 CE by the Dogra King of Kashmir , Suchat Singh; it can also be reached through a ropeway. Mansa Devi Temple : The temple dedicated to Mansa Devi,
6090-625: The four sites where drops of the elixir of immortality, Amrita , accidentally spilled over from the pitcher , in which it was being carried away by the celestial bird Garuda , after the Samudra manthan by the Devas and the Asuras . The famous Kumbh Melas are held at these four sites in rotation, to commemorate the event. Thomas Coryat , an English traveller, who visited the city in the reign of Emperor Jahangir (1596–1627) mentions it as 'Haridwara',
6195-556: The government. Each government department is headed by a minister, who is assisted by an Additional Chief Secretary or a Principal Secretary , who is usually an officer of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary serves as the administrative head of the department they are assigned to. Each department also has officers of the rank of Secretary, Special Secretary, Joint Secretary etc. assisting
6300-598: The great-grandson of the Suryavamsha King Sagara , (an ancestor of Rama ), is said to have brought the river Ganges down from heaven , through years of penance in Satya Yuga , for the salvation of 60,000 of his ancestors from the curse of the saint Kapila . Vishnu is said to have left his footprint on the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har-Ki-Pauri (literally, "footsteps of the Lord"), where
6405-481: The head of the district administration, is responsible for maintaining law and order and providing public services in the district. At the block level, the Block Development Officer (BDO) is responsible for the overall development of the block . The Uttarakhand Police is headed by an IPS officer of the rank of Director general of police . A Superintendent of Police , an IPS officer assisted by
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#17327799999346510-477: The higher altitudes and mountainous regions. These winds bring cold temperatures and often carry moisture, contributing to the heavy snowfall in places like the Himalayan ranges and hill stations. During Pre-monsoon or hot weather season from March to May, temperature starts to rise and steadily rises till it reaches its peak in May to the middle of June, when the mean maximum temperature in southern parts and valleys of
6615-648: The history of Uttarakhand goes back to Stone Age. Evidences of Stone Age settlements have been found in various parts of Kumaon and Garhwal, particularly notable are the rock shelters at Lakhudyar , Almora . The region formed a part of the Uttarakuru Kingdom during the Vedic age of Ancient India . Among the first major dynasties of Kumaon were the Kunindas in the second century BCE who practised an early form of Shaivism . Ashokan edicts at Kalsi show
6720-624: The judiciary of Uttarakhand . While the Uttarakhand civil judicial services comprise the Civil Judges (Junior Division)/Judicial Magistrates and civil judges (Senior Division)/Chief Judicial Magistrate, the Uttarakhand higher judicial service comprises civil and sessions judges. The State Politics is heavily dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 2017 with the Indian National Congress as
6825-482: The king was brought to life and given a goat's head by Shiva . The Skanda Purana mentions a legend, in which Chanda and Munda , the asuras who fought under Sumbha and Nisumbha were killed by goddess Chandi . This site, according to regional legend , is regarded to be at the location of the Chandi Devi Temple . Sage Kapila is regarded to have had an ashram here. The legendary King Bhagiratha ,
6930-652: The local populace and national political parties. The most notable incident during this period was the Rampur Tiraha firing case on the night of 1 October 1994, which led to a public uproar. On 24 September 1998, the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council passed the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, which began the process of forming a new state. Two years later
7035-438: The lower elevations. The highest elevations are covered by ice and bare rock. Below them, between 3,000 and 5,000 metres (9,800 and 16,400 ft) are the western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows . The temperate western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests grow just below the tree line. At 3,000 to 2,600 metres (9,800 to 8,500 ft) elevation they transition to the temperate western Himalayan broadleaf forests , which lie in
7140-613: The medieval period, the region was consolidated under the Garhwal Kingdom in the west and the Kumaon Kingdom in the east. During this period, learning and new forms of painting (the Pahari school of art) developed. Modern-day Garhwal was likewise unified under the rule of Parmars who, along with many Brahmins and Rajputs , also arrived from the plains. In 1791, the expanding Gorkha Empire of Nepal overran Almora ,
7245-582: The most populous districts, each of them having a population of over one million. Following the Constitution of India , Uttarakhand, like all Indian states, has a parliamentary system of representative democracy . The Legislative Assembly is unicameral consists of 70 members who are elected for five-year terms. Assembly meetings are presided over by the Speaker , or the Deputy Speaker in
7350-476: The native Garhwalis , and Kumaonis as well as a number of migrants. According to a 2007 study by Centre for the Study of Developing Societies , Uttarakhand has the highest percentage of Brahmins of any state in India, with approximately 20 per cent of the population. Uttarakhand is among the few Indian states where the historic Upper Caste forms a major share of the population. Of the rest 18.3 per cent of
7455-576: The newly formed Uttarakhand (then Uttaranchal), the 27th state of the Republic of India . As of 2011 it is the most populous district of Uttarakhand (out of 13 ). Important towns in the district are Haridwar , BHEL Ranipur , Roorkee , Manglaur , Dhandera , Jhabrera , Laksar , Landhaura , and Mohanpur . Haridwar district, covering an area of about 12.3 km per square, is in the southwestern part of Uttarakhand state of India. Its latitude and longitude are 29.96-degree north and 78.16-degree east respectively. The river Ganges flows through it in
7560-601: The north of the state. These include Jad (spoken in Uttarkashi district in the north-west), Rongpo (of Chamoli district), and several languages of Pithoragarh district in the north-east: Byangsi , Chaudangsi , Darmiya , Raji and Rawat . Another indigenous Sino-Tibetan language, Rangas , became extinct by the middle of the 20th century. Additionally, two non-indigenous Sino-Tibetan languages are also represented: Kulung (otherwise native to Nepal) and Tibetan . The Indian classical language Sanskrit has been declared
7665-461: The northern highlands as well as in pockets throughout the region, and are believed to be ancestors of the modern day Bhotiya , Raji , Jad , and Banrawat people. During the medieval period, the region was consolidated under the Katyuri rulers of Kumaon also known as 'Kurmanchal Kingdom'. After the fall of Katyuris, the region was divided into the Kumaon Kingdom and the Garhwal Kingdom . By
7770-570: The officers of the Uttarakhand Police Service, is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and related issues in each district. The Divisional Forest Officer, an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service manages the forests, environment, and wildlife of the district, assisted by the officers of Uttarakhand Forest Service and Uttarakhand Forest Subordinate Service. The judiciary in
7875-472: The official language. All the languages enumerated so far belong to the Indo-Aryan family. Apart from a few other minority Indo-Aryan languages, like Buksa Tharu and Rana Tharu (of Udham Singh Nagar district in the south-east), Mahasu Pahari (found in Uttarkashi in the north-west), and Doteli , Uttarakhand is also home to a number of indigenous Sino-Tibetan languages , most of which are spoken in
7980-410: The official name until 2007 ), is a state in northern India . The state is bordered by Himachal Pradesh to the northwest, Tibet to the north, Nepal to the east, Uttar Pradesh to the south and southeast, with a small part touching Haryana in the west. Uttarakhand has a total area of 53,483 km (20,650 sq mi), equal to 1.6 per cent of the total area of India. Dehradun serves as
8085-677: The once vast estate of the Landhaura Khübars. After India attained independence from the British , the Garhwal Kingdom was merged into the state of Uttar Pradesh , where Uttarakhand composed the Garhwal and Kumaon Divisions. Until 1998, Uttarakhand was the name most commonly used to refer to the region, as various political groups, including the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Uttarakhand Revolutionary Party), began agitating for separate statehood under its banner. Although
8190-421: The plains regions have a significant minority of Muslims and Sikhs. is divided into 13 districts under two divisions viz. Kumaon and Garhwal . Each division is administered by a divisional commissioner . Four new districts named Didihat, Kotdwar, Ranikhet, and Yamunotri were declared by then Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Ramesh Pokhriyal , on 15 August 2011 but yet to be officially formed. Each district
8295-707: The population is classified as Other Backward Classes (OBCs). 18.76 per cent of the population belongs to the Scheduled Castes (an official term for the lower castes in the traditional caste system in India ). Scheduled Tribes such as the Jaunsaris , Bhotiyas , Tharus , Buksas , Rajis , Jads and Banrawats constitute 2.89 per cent of the population. Several non-scheduled tribal groups such as Shaukas and Gurjars are also found here. Gurjars and Bhotiyas are nomadic tribes while Jaunsaris are completely settled tribe. The official language of Uttarakhand
8400-641: The region. Albizia chinensis , the sweet sticky flowers of which are favoured by sloth bears, are also part of the region's flora. A decade long study by Prof. Chandra Prakash Kala concluded that the Valley of Flowers is endowed with 520 species of higher plants ( angiosperms , gymnosperms and pteridophytes ), of these 498 are flowering plants . The park has many species of medicinal plants including Dactylorhiza hatagirea , Picrorhiza kurroa , Aconitum violaceum , Polygonatum multiflorum , Fritillaria roylei , and Podophyllum hexandrum . In
8505-422: The region. Local traditional healers still use herbs, in accordance with classical Ayurvedic texts, for diseases that are usually cured by modern medicine. The native people of Uttarakhand are generally called Uttarakhandi and sometimes specifically either Garhwali or Kumaoni depending on their place of origin in either the Garhwal or Kumaon region. According to the 2011 Census of India , Uttarakhand has
8610-409: The rivers. Butterflies and birds of the region include red helen ( Papilio helenus ), the great eggfly ( Hypolimnos bolina ), common tiger ( Danaus genutia ), pale wanderer ( Pareronia avatar ), jungle babbler , tawny-bellied babbler , great slaty woodpecker , red-breasted parakeet , orange-breasted green pigeon and chestnut-winged cuckoo . In 2011, a rare migratory bird, the bean goose ,
8715-536: The rule of the Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), and later under the Kushan Empire (c. 1st–3rd centuries). It is believed that the sacred Ghat Har ki Pauri was constructed by King Vikramaditya (1st century BC) in memory of his brother Bharthari , who had come to Haridwar and meditated on the banks of holy Ganges and died here. First ancient era written evidence of Haridwar is found in the accounts of
8820-748: The seat of the Kumaon Kingdom. It was annexed to the Kingdom of Nepal by Amar Singh Thapa . In 1803, the Garhwal Kingdom also fell to the Gurkhas. After the Anglo-Nepalese War , this region was ceded to the British as part of the Treaty of Sugauli and the erstwhile Kumaon Kingdom along with the eastern region of Garhwal Kingdom was merged with the Ceded and Conquered Provinces . In 1816,
8925-477: The sign Aquarius ( Kumbha ). First written evidence of the Kumbha Mela can be found in the accounts of Chinese traveller Huan Tsang or Xuanzang (602 – 664 A.D.), who visited India in 629 CE. The 1998 Maha Kumbh Mela saw over 80 million pilgrims visiting this city, to take a dip in the holy river Ganges. Har ki Pauri : One of the holiest spots on earth for the Hindus, this ancient bathing ghat (Steps)
9030-431: The south and Saharanpur in the west. Haridwar district came into existence on 28 December 1988 as part of Saharanpur Divisional Commissionary , On 24 September 1998 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the 'Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Bill', 1998', eventually the Parliament also passed the Indian Federal Legislation – 'Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2000', and thus on 9 November 2000, Haridwar became part of
9135-458: The south-east, and Nepali (1.1 per cent, found throughout the state, but most notably in Dehradun and Uttarkashi). Religion in Uttarakhand (2011) More than four-fifths of Uttarakhand's residents are Hindus . Muslims , Sikhs , Christians , Buddhists , and Jains make up the remaining population, with the Muslims being the largest minority. Hill regions are almost entirely Hindu, while
9240-504: The southwest and make up 1.3 per cent of the state's population. These three languages are closely related, with Garhwali and Kumaoni in particular making up the Central Pahari language subgroup. The languages have been part of various scattered conservation efforts due to their active decline beginning in the later quarter of the 20th century. The decline is hypothesized to be the result of heavy state-sponsored promotion of Hindi as
9345-627: The state capital, with Nainital being the judicial capital. The state is divided into two divisions, Garhwal and Kumaon , with a total of 13 districts . The forest cover in the state is 45.4 per cent of the state's geographical area. The cultivable area is 16 per cent of the total geographical area. The two major rivers of the state, the Ganges and its tributary Yamuna , originate from the Gangotri and Yamunotri glaciers respectively. Uttarakhand's history dates back to prehistoric times , with archaeological evidence showcasing human habitation. It
9450-814: The state consists of the Uttarakhand High Court in Nainital , district courts and session courts in each district or Sessions Division, and lower courts at the tehsil level. The president of India appoints the chief justice of the High Court of the Uttarakhand judiciary on the advice of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India as well as the governor of Uttarakhand . Subordinate Judicial Service, categorised into two divisions viz. Uttarakhand civil judicial services and Uttarakhand higher judicial service are another vital part of
9555-460: The state is 18.6 with the total fertility rate being 2.3. The state has an infant mortality rate of 43, a maternal mortality rate of 188 and a crude death rate of 6.6. Uttarakhand has a multiethnic population spread across two geocultural regions: Garhwal, and Kumaon. A large portion (about 35 per cent) of the population is Rajput (also called Thakur) of various clans of erstwhile landowning rulers and their descendants), including members of
9660-447: The state is at about 34 °C (93 °F) C to 38 °C (100 °F) and mean minimum temperature is at about 20 °C (68 °F) to 24 °C (75 °F) C. June to September constitutes the southwest monsoon season and the period of October and November is of post monsoon season. The state receives rainfall mainly due monsoon depressions originating in the Bay of Bengal during
9765-473: The state. Bengal tigers and leopards are found in areas that are abundant in hills but may also venture into the lowland jungles. Smaller felines include the jungle cat , fishing cat , and leopard cat . Other mammals include four kinds of deer ( barking , sambar , hog and chital ), sloth , Brown and Himalayan black bears , Indian grey mongooses , otters , yellow-throated martens , bharal , Indian pangolins , and langur and rhesus monkeys. In
9870-673: The summer season of 2016, a large portion of forests in Uttarakhand caught fires and rubbled to ashes during Uttarakhand forest fires incident, which resulted in the damage of forest resources worth billions of rupees and death of 7 people with hundreds of wild animals died during fires. During the 2021 Uttarakhand forest fires , there was widespread damage to the forested areas in Tehri district. A number of native plants are deemed to be of medicinal value. The government-run Herbal Research and Development Institute carries out research and helps conserve medicinal herbs that are found in abundance in
9975-637: The summer, elephants can be seen in herds of several hundred. Marsh crocodiles ( Crocodylus palustris ), gharials ( Gavialis gangeticus ) and other reptiles are also found in the region. Local crocodiles were saved from extinction by captive breeding programs and subsequently re-released into the Ramganga river. Several freshwater terrapins and turtles like the Indian sawback turtle ( Kachuga tecta ), brahminy river turtle ( Hardella thurjii ), and Ganges softshell turtle ( Trionyx gangeticus ) are found in
10080-735: The travels of Shankaracharya and the arrival of migrants from the plains. Between the 4th and 14th centuries, the Katyuri dynasty dominated lands of varying extents from the Katyur valley (modern-day Baijnath ) in Kumaon. The historically significant temples at Jageshwar are believed to have been built by the Katyuris and later remodelled by the Chands. Other peoples of the Tibeto-Burman group known as Kirata are thought to have settled in
10185-405: The upper house. The Government of Uttarakhand is a democratically elected body in India with the governor as its constitutional head and is appointed by the president of India for a five-year term. The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Legislative Assembly is appointed as the chief minister by the governor, and the council of ministers is appointed by the governor on
10290-410: The word mother of the world. To give concrete form to the deity, two-dimensional geometry is given expression in the form of frescoes. This is a geometric or decorative semi-graphic structure in which different colours and symbols are used. This structure called Jyuti also gets a new dimension by the use of ochre or biswar of Tepan. Jyunti is prepared on the surface of wall or paper and
10395-540: Was a part of the then Saharanpur district , in the United Province of the British Raj ; the province was renamed as Uttar Pradesh state of India. The Haridwar district came into existence on 28 December 1988 as part of Saharanpur Divisional Commissionary . On 24 September 1998 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the 'Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Bill', 1998'; eventually the Parliament also passed
10500-507: Was also seen in the Jim Corbett National Park . A critically endangered bird, last seen in 1876 is the Himalayan quail endemic to the western Himalayas of the state. Evergreen oaks , rhododendrons , and conifers predominate in the hills. Prunus cerasoides (pahiyya), sal ( Shorea robusta ), silk cotton tree ( Bombax ciliata ), Dalbergia sissoo , Mallotus philippensis , Acacia catechu , Bauhinia racemosa , and Bauhinia variegata (camel's foot tree) are some other trees of
10605-474: Was also the ancient Puranic term for the central stretch of the Indian Himalayas . Archaeological evidence supports the existence of humans in the region since prehistoric times . Though initially, it was believed that due to harsh climate and mountainous terrain, this was a barren and uninhabited land. But after various excavations and the study of ancient literature, it is now established that
10710-578: Was further insulted by the king, seeing which Sati felt infuriated and self-immolated herself in the yajna-fire . This site is regarded to be at the Sati Kund as it is called now, situated in Kankhal . The heart and navel of Sati are believed to have fallen at the place which is the present site of the Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar , dating back to the 11th century. Daksha was later killed by Virabhadra , born out of Shiva's anger. Subsequently,
10815-503: Was part of the ancient Kuru and the Panchal kingdoms during the Vedic age , and later saw the rise of dynasties like the Kunindas and influence of Buddhism as evidenced by Ashokan edicts . Though primarily driven by agriculture and hydropower , the state's economy is now dominated by the service industry. The service sector comprises primarily travel, tourism, and hotel industry. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Uttarakhand
10920-401: Was stationed. It is said that Akbar's famous Commander-in-Chief, Raja Man Singh of Amber , laid the foundation of the present day city of Haridwar and also renovated the ghats at Har-ki-pauri. After his death, his ashes are also said to have been immersed at Brahma Kund by Mughal emperor Akbar himself. Brahma Kund (literally "Brahma's reservoir") at Har ki Pauri , Haridwar is one among
11025-417: Was the mass participation of female villagers. It was largely female activists that played pivotal role in the movement. Gaura Devi was the leading activist who started this movement, other participants were Chandi Prasad Bhatt , Sunderlal Bahuguna , and Ghanshyam Raturi, the popular Chipko poet. Uttarakhand has a total area of 53,483 km (20,650 sq mi), of which 86% is mountainous and 65%
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