Introduction
Uttarakhand boasts of a rich flora and fauna and is home to some of the most beautiful pilgrimage destinations in the country. Because of the location of this state in the western Himalayas, the state has a lot to offer to the adventure sport lovers.
Capital
Dehradun is the official capital of Uttarakhand and is also the largest city in the state. The city has the headquarters of many National Organizations and Institutes like Survey of India, Forest Research Institute, ONGC and Indian Institute of Petroleum.
Culture
Uttarakhand has a rich cultural history dating back to the prehistoric times. The state is a storehouse of art and paintings. Wood carving and stone carving are two well known art forms found in the state. Wood carving can still be seen in many temples located in the state.
Weather
Uttarakhand experiences very cold winters and summers rarely exist here. The weather is pleasant because of the Himalayas, which act as a natural coolant. The winters also bring snowfall in the state which makes the place even more beautiful.
Lifestyle
The folks of Uttarakhand have a colorful and cultured lifestyle. Different traditions and customs are followed by people belonging to different religions which make their lifestyle even more unique.
Major crops grown
Agriculture is not a much profitable work in the state because of the undulating topography and lack of means of irrigation. The major crops grown here are rice, wheat, sugarcane, soybean, maize, oilseeds and pulses.
Costume and ornaments
People of Uttarakhand wear dresses that are economical, simple as well as suited for the hilly region. Rangwali Pichora is a garment worn by the women on special occasions and during festivals. Men mostly wear dhoti or lungi teamed up with a Kurta.
Major festivals
Mostly all the major Indian festivals are celebrated by the people of Uttarakhand. Other festivals that hold importance include bhitauli, basant panchami, phool dei, harela, the nanda devi fair, , the purnagiri fair and the haathalika fair.
Tourist attractions
The state of Uttarakhand is blessed with a lot beautiful places, including snow-clad peaks, shrines and other holy places. The picturesque views of the Himalayas are worth watching. Other places of interest include Kedarnath, Badrinath, Corbett national park, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
Kinds of homes
The rural population resides in small linear villages. The rural houses generally have two stories in which the lower floor is used for keeping animals. They have access to basic amenities. The urban population resides in well built houses with all the modern facilities.
Famous personalities
Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to reach the top of the Everest was born in Uttarakhand. Abhinav Bindra, shooter and Olympic gold medalist are also from this state. Other famous personalities include Sunder Lal Bahuguna, a social activist and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
