Garhwal
Garhwal also written as Gurwal is a divine region with numerous famous temples of different gods. Garhwal is an administrative division of Uttarakhand state which was previously known as Uttarakhand. Most of the Garhwal region is lies in the sivalik range and inner range of the highest mountain belt, the Himalayas. Garhwal is surrounded with by Tibet in the north, Kumaon region on the east, Uttar Pradesh on the south, and by Himachal Pradesh on the west. There are total 13 districts in Uttarakhand state from which 7 districts lies in the Garhwal region. The districts are named as Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Chamoli and Uttarkashi. The town of Pauri is the administrative center for Garhwal division. Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of India on 9th November 2000 as Uttaranchal. The State is carved out of Uttar Pradesh occupying 17.3% of India’s total land area with 51,125 sq km.
Almost all the region of Garhwal is covered with green dense forests and mountains. Garhwal region is the source of the two major rivers of India, Ganga and Yamuna which carries profuse water with them holding divine powers as well. Most of the region of Garhwal is covered with the majestic lower Himalayan mountain ranges everywhere. Some places are separated by rivers and streams and narrow valleys adding charm and beauteousness to the natural beauty of the place. The districts of Garhwal which are entirely in the mountains are Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi. Pauri Garhwal, Haridwar and Dehradun are the commencement point to enter the foothills of Himalayas, so they are partly covered in plains and also in mountains. Millions of tourists visits Garhwal region of Uttarakhand every year as the place provides relief from stress and work. Garhwal region renders ample opportunities for adventure sports like, rafting, skiing, kayaking, jungle safari, trekking, mountaineering, boating, paragliding etc. Garhwal is popular for its divine temples which millions of devotee visits every year by crossing all the obstructions. Garhwal is also known as “the abode of gods” because of the deific temples situated here. Temples like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are visited by true devotees every year during the time it is opened. Panch Badri of Lord Vishnu, Panch Kedar of Lord Shiva is situated in the Garhwal region. Prayag is a place where two rivers or streams join to unite and flow together. There are Panch Prayags (5 confluences)in Garhwal region of which Devprayag holds great importance, as it is the meeting point of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, where the united streams bear the name of the Ganges. The language spoken here are Garhwali, Hindi, English.
The highest mountain of India lies in the north of Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand state named as Nanda Devi set at an elevation of 25,661 ft or 7,817mts above sea level. The other principal peaks of the region are Kamet (25,413 ft), Trisul (23,382 ft), Badrinath (23,210 ft), Dunagiri (23,181 ft) and Kedarnath (22,853 ft).
Garhwal is older than the Ramayana and Mahabharata as in earlier times Garhwal was known as Kedarkhand. Garhwal is the region several myths and stories and it is also said that every stone, every tree and every mountain of Garhwal has some association with our mythology and has a untold story. The nature and mountains of Garhwal is the house of all the sadhus who worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
The name Garhwal was derived after its 52 Garhs or 52 petty chieftainships with independent fortress (Garh). Kartipur was the first recorded name of the Garhwal region. Later the name was converted as Giriavil (Giri – mountains) since the place was surrounded by mountains on all sides, after some years the name of the region was finally converted as Garhwal.
Bhanupratapa was the first known king of Garhwal and kingdom was known as Chandpur Garhi. Later his son-in-law Kanakpal took over the place. King Kanakpal came to Garhwal from Rajasthan and brought with him the Bagerhi language, therefore Garhwali and Bagerhi language are very much similar to each other in writing and speaking.
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