UTTARAKHAND

Uttarakhand is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the "Devbhumi" (literally "Land of the Gods")[27] due to its religious significance and numerous Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres found throughout the state. Uttarakhand is known for the natural environment of the Himalayas, the Bhabar and the Terai regions. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north; the Sudurpashchim Pradesh of Nepal to the east; the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the south and Himachal Pradesh to the west and north-west. The state is divided into two divisions, Garhwal and Kumaon with a total of 13 districts. The winter capital of Uttarakhand is Dehradun, the largest city of the state, which is a rail head. Gairsain, a town in Chamoli district is the summer capital of Uttarakhand. The High Court of the state is located in Nainital. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of humans in the region since prehistoric times. 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 2nd century BCE who practised an early form of Shaivism. Ashokan edicts at Kalsi show the early presence of Buddhism in this region. 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. In 1816, most of modern Uttarakhand was ceded to the British as part of the Treaty of Sugauli. Although the erstwhile hill kingdoms of Garhwal and Kumaon were traditional rivals, the proximity of different neighbouring ethnic groups and the inseparable and complementary nature of their geography, economy, culture, language, and traditions created strong bonds between the two regions, which further strengthened during the Uttarakhand movement for statehood in the 1990s.

Uttarakhand has a total geographical area of 53,483 km², of which 86% is mountainous and 65% is covered by forest.Most of the northern parts of the state are part of Greater Himalayan ranges also known as Himadri, covered by the high Himalayan peaks and glaciers, while the lower foothills were densely forested till denuded by the British log merchants and later, after independence, by forest contractors. Recent efforts in afforestation, however, have been successful in restoring the situation to some extent. The unique Himalayan ecosystem plays host to many animals (including bharal, snow leopards, leopards and tigers), plants and rare herbs. Two of the India's great rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna take birth in the glaciers of Uttarakhand state, and are fed by myriad lakes, glacial melts and streams.It is fed by Ganges and Yamuna rivers

The Transport Department was constituted in 1945 under the provisions of Section 133 A of the Motor Vehicles' Act 1939. Headed by the Transport Commissioner U.P, when Uttarakhand was a part of U.P. before 9th day of November 2000 i.e. the date of reorganization of U.P. As Uttarakhand State came into existence along with the Transport Department of Uttarakhand, headed by the Transport Commissioner, Uttarakhand. The other main constituent of the Transport system is State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC), which has also been reorganized in Uttarakhand as "Uttarakhand Transport Corporation". The Corporation of Uttarakhand began to work on 31 October 2003 and is providing services on nationalized routes as well as on interstatel routes. Presently 1000 (aprox) Buses are being plied by "Uttarakhand Transport Corporation" on 35 nationalized routes along with many other non nationalized routes. 3000(aprox) buses are being plied by the private transport operators on non-nationalised routes along with a few interstatel routes of Uttarakhand and U.P. Uttarakhand State is covered by major Hill routes and is being plied by the buses of wheel base (166 inches) with not more than 50 percent over hang whereas the buses plying on plain routes have larger than 166 inches wheelbase and more seating capacity and upto 60 percent overhang.

Uttarakhand is famous for Char Dham Yatra, which literally meaning 'journey to four centres'. These four religious centres in Uttarakhand are represented by Badrinath (dedicated to Lord Vishnu), Kedarnath(dedicated to Lord Shiva), Gangotri (the holy origin of river Ganga)and Yamunotri (the holy origin of river Yamuna). The Char Dham Yatra begins around the first to second week of May every year. These dates are announced in the national media. The base for the yatra is generally the Rishikesh town which has all the amenities available for pilgrims and tourists alike. Pilgrims and tourists generally book their journey through the local travel agents to all the four locations. Gangotri is the origin of the holy Ganga. Ganga is revered as a mother throughout India. According to the Hindu philosophy, a place considered extremely holy if a river running through it flows in the northern direction. Kedarnath is the abode of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingams of India and the only one in the Uttarakhand. While there is a motorable road to Badrinath, Kedarnath could only be reached by foot. Badrinath is the abode of Lord Vishnu, who is called 'Badri Vishal', Badri the Big One. Legend has it that Badrinath was the abode of Lord Shiva, who used to reside there with his consort Parvati.