Urgam valley-Uttarakhand’s pristine beauty
Uttarakhand is blessed with pristine beauty and the valley of Urgam is one the example. Situated in 2134mts Urgam valley is situated in Chamoli district, near Joshimath. Main station for Urgam valley is Helang, the connectivity to helang is motorable via Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag, Nandprayag, Pipalkoti. From Helang the trek route starts, here the small tracker and small vehical can run upto salna village. For treck it is 9 km and could take 3-4 hours. There is thick forest full of flora and fauna. There is Zigzag trek all the way down to the valley. Salna is the first village you reach, next is Lyari where you found Panch Dhara (five small stream), after is Dhyan Badri (one of the panch badri). There are many small ancient temple in Urgam Valley mostly founded by Adi Guru Shankracharya.There are guest houses in Devgram village where tourist can stay.
Urgam is lush green valley with fascinating picturesque. Urgam valley is famous for Kalpnath( one of the Panch kedar), its apple orchard, terrance field, Rajma (kidney beans), and potatoes.
Urgam valley is full of resources and natives are laborious and hospitable. Where in most of the villagers of uttakhands are moving to cities for employment, the villagers of urgams hardly go out for earning. Bee farming, sheep farming and basket making are also other proffesion of earning.
There are many places in Urgam village to see like Urvarishi ashram by which the Urgam valley named, is a small Lord Shiv temple and is a small hut of sage Urvarishi in Bansa village.it is on the trek of 3km. Other place is to see is Phoolya narayan, here it is a temple of lord Vishnu it is believed that there is a rock idol of lord Vishnu which is believed to be as lighter as flower and a small temple of Nanda devi. It is the best place for meditation and many sages came here for meditation. Bansi narayan is a thrilling trek route which is 10km from Devgram village. Bansi Narayan is a temple of Krishna and as by local people Lord Krishna play here Raas leela with their friends and who trust in Krishna unconditionly can hears the voice of bansi (flute). There is also small ancient temple founded by Adi guru Shankracharya like copy of Kashi Vishwanath, copy of Badrinath temple.
Other places near to Urgam valley are Badrinath, Atri muni ashram, Adi badri and many more.
To reach Urgam valley nearest Airport is Jolly grant, Dehradun. Nearest Rail head is Rishiesh-Dehradun. Motorable roads is well connected to Helang.
Asan Berrage-Dehradun
Asan barrage is located 40 km west of Dehradun o the Shimla highway, at the altitude of 790mt.It is on the confluence of Asan and Yamuna River.It was created on 1967.
Asan Barraj is a water resorts which attracts the tourist for still water sports and birdwatching . The surrounding of the Asan Lake is peaceful and tourist can come here to relax. The climate of Asan barraj is moderate.
Asan barraj is getting famous for still water sports and bird watching. Tourist can enjoy water skiing, boating, kayaking, canoeing etc. It is a very good picnic spot to enjoy whole day. In the winter season various birds migrate here from different place to dwell, one can see mallard, red crested pochard, gadwall, brahminy duck, pintail, common pochard, wigeon , coot, tufted duck, common teal, shoveller between Octobers to March.
Asan barrage is well connected by motor roads, and nearest railhaid is Poata sahib.
Govind Wild life in Uttarakhand
Govind wild life sanctuary is situated in the altitude ranges between 1300mt to 6315mt, in the beautiful place Purola of the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is established in the year 1955, covering the area of 953sq. kms. This sanctuary has dense forest rich in flora and fauna. The area has some of the medical plants, which are the important lives saving drugs. It is a natural habitant of a lot of endangered animals. In the Eight year Plan Snow leopard is signifies as the most endangered animal which inhabits the Govind national park.
There are fifteen type of species of mammals and 150 species of birds. The important mammals are Bharal, Black Bear, Brown Bear, Common Leopard, Himalayan Thar, Musk Deer, Serow and Snow Leopard.
The endangered birds found in the area are Bearded Vulture, Black Eagle, Himalayan Snow Cock, Golden Eagle, Monal Pheasant, Koklas Pheasant, Steppe Eagle and Western Tragopan. Other important bird found here are Buntings, Bulbuls, Cuckoos, Finches, Minivets, Owls, Pigeons, Parakeets, Thrushes, Tits and Warblers.
Nearby tourist destinations of Govind wildlife sanctuary are Har-ki-Doon, Ruinsara Tal, Deokyara, Kedarkantha and Bhratsar .Swargarohini, Black Peak and Banderpunch are the important peaks in the area.
Temperature in summer temperature ranges 15 degree Celsius. to 25 degree Celsius. Winters are harsh. Heavy rainfall during Mansoon.
Best season to visit is March to June and September to November.
Nearest Airport is Jolly grant, Dehradun, Railway station is Dehradun –Rishikesh. Uttarkashi is well connected with motorable roads.
Corbett National Park-Uttarakhand
Uttarakand has been famous for tigers and leoporard. Dense forest of Himalaya was full of wild animal especially tigers and bird. To protect these species Jim Corbett national parks had been established
Jim Corbett national park is the India’s first National park spreading over 534 square kilometer on the altitude of 1214mt. It established in the year 1935 by the name Haili National park but changed in the year 1957 as Jim Corbet National Park in the memory of hunter Jim Corbet. He was nature lover and he author of the books ‘Man eater of Kumaun’ and “Man eater of Rudraprayag”. He killed many man-eater tigers.
The park is the 30km to Ramnagar .Animals which can be spotted are Elephants, Tiger, Leopard, Chital, Sambher, Bear, Dear, Kaker , Wild dog, Neelgai, Wolf, fox etc One have to stay whole day to spot animals. Dear and Pig can be seen easily.
Corbet national park is a paradise for bird watcher, around 600 species of bird found here.the birds which can be spotted are Kingfisher, Eagle, Peacock Himalayan Greyheaded Fishing Eagle, Cinerous Vulture, Crested Serpent Eagle, Kestrel, Black Partridge, Kaleej Pheasant, Red Junglefowl, Common Peafowl, Redwattled Lapwing, Spurwinged Lapwing, Pintailed Green Pigeon, Blue Rock Pigeon,Turtle Dove, Rufous Turtle Dove, Indian Ring Dove, Spotted Dove, Emerald Dove, Alexandrine Parakeet, Roseringed Parakeet, lossomheaded Parakeet, Common Hawk, Himalayan Pied Kingfisher, Lesser Pied Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Storkbilled Kingfisher, Whitebreasted Kingfisher, Chestnutheaded Beeater, Bluetailed Beeater, Green Beeater, Indian Roller, Broadbilled Roller, Hoopoe, Common Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill, Great Hill Barbet, Lineated Barbet, Bluethroated Barbet, Crimsonbreasted Barbet, Blacknaped Green Woodpecker, Lesser Goldenbacked Woodpecker.
Along the Ramganga River shores, one can spot the long-snouted, fish-eating Gharial Crocodile and the ‘Mugger’ Crocodile.
Clothing for the park should be light color.
Best time to visit is November to June. For Bird Watching November to March is the best season. Park usually closed for Mansoon season.The temperature in summer is 46°C 19°C & winter is 25°C 4°C.
Phooldai Sankrant
Phooldai Sankrant is one of the local festivals celebrated in Garhwal-Kumaun region. This festival is the sign of inviting spring season when flowers and trees starts blooming. After winters season when spring season comes it brings excitement in the people and nature. Every place looks colorful with different flowers yellow phyooli flower, red Buras flower, peach, mustard etc.
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Kumbh Mela
The word Kumbh means Pot. Kumbh Mela is one of the biggest sacred fair of Hindu religion. Kumbh Mela has its religious importance. Kumbh Mela takes place after every 12 year when the planet Vrahaspati (Jupiter) enters Kumbh (aquarian) and Surya enters Mesh Rashi by Hindu mythology. This fair is celebrated in one of these four places.
Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Nasik (Maharastra), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh).
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PANCH BADRI
Panch Badris are the place in which Lord Vishnu is worshiped to give him honour. There is a legend that one day Narad Muni was passing one the way of Lord Vishnu he saw that Lord Vishnu was reclining on the Shesh Shaiya, and Godess Laxmi was caressing his feet. By seeing the blissful scene Narad Muni reprimand Vishnu to enjoy wordly comfort.
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PANCH KEDAR
Panch Kedar includes all the five Kedars. These shrines has importance place among the Hindus. The famous Panch Kedar’s is situated in Uttakhand state in the kedar valley. Panch kedar are the famous shrines of Lord Shiva. According to an epic after the famous battle of Mahabharata Pandavas want to pay homage to Lord Shiva and wanted to apologize for killing their brothers in battle but Lord Shiva did not wanted to meet and forgive them because they were guilty of Gotra Hatya (killing blood relatives). Lord Shiva came to Kedar Valley and converts him as a Bull. When Pandavas spot this Place Bhima (One of the Pandava) recognizes and chases Shiva as bull and caught the tail. Lord Shiva Spilt himself and these parts of bull divided in five parts of Kedar valley and different parts known as Panch Badri by different name.
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Famous five series of Uttarakhand
1. Panch Badri
a. Adi Badri
b. Badrinath
c. Bhavishya Badri
d. Dhyan Badri
e. Yog Badri
2. Panch Kedar
a. Kedarnath
b. Kalpnath
c. Tungnath
d. Rudranath
e. Madmaheshwar
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Festival of UttaraKhand
Festivals are the mirrors of the culture and society. Some place are identifies by theirs fairs and festivals. Uttarakhand has also its fairs and festival which shows its culture. These festivals and fairs gives breathe to folks songs and dances of Uttaranchal and are alive because of these. Mainly, the purpose of these fairs and festivals are to remember the Devtas (God) and make a get together with their relatives.
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