You are on page 1of 4

UTTARAKHAND : THE ABODE OF GODS

Priti Research Scholar Deppt. of History,P.U., Patna Before the creation of Uttaranchal State (UA) in Nov 9,2000 this region, comprised the eight hill districts of Kumaun and Garhwal division of erstwhile Uttar Pradesh (UP), and was popularly known as Uttarakhand. In ancient literature the region of Uttarakhand has been referred as Hemwat. Subsequently the region. Hemwat was named as Uttrakuru in post-vedic period, Uttar-panchal in upnishad period, Uttar-Kaushal in epic period and Uttarapath and karupath in Kautiyas Arthshastra. In mythology the three division of then Uttarkuru viz, Himwatkhand, Manaskhand and kedarkhand were named after their regional locations respectively as Nepal, Kumaon and Garhwal. In Skand Puran, Uttarkuru has been viewed in four divisions namely Himadrikhand, Manaskhand, Kailashkhand and Kedarkhand. In course of time the entire territory due to the racial dominance was named as Kiratmandal and Khasmandal respectively. So far as the etymology of Uttarakhand is concerned, It seems that the prefix i.e. Uttar of the pre-mythological names of the territory (the Uttar-kuru, Uttar-Kaushal, UttarPanchal, Uttarapath) and the suffix i.e. Khand of mythological names of the territory (Himadrikhand, Manaskhand, Kailsahkhand and kedarkhand) Jointly created a new appellation i.e. Uttarakhand which became more popular and prolonged in the tongue of the mankind due to its appealing nature corresponding to itsgeographical situation. Thus Uttaranchal the reality of today, has a long history of its periodic development and transformation from Uttarkuru to Uttranchal. Uttaranchal as such has also witnessed further changes owing to the reorganization and demarcation of its boundaries as a new state of India.1 Administrative Divisions Presently the state of UA consists of two commissionaires-Kumaun and Garhwal, and 13 dstricts namely Almora, Bageswar, Nainital, U.S. Nagar, Pithoragarh, Champawat ( Kumaun region) Chamoli, Rudra, Prayag, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri, Dehradun, Haridwar, Uttarkashi (Garhwal region). The districts further divide into 79 Tahsils, 65 Blocks, 671 Nayay Panchayats, 6804 Gramsabhas, 16828 revenue villages and 86 urban centers including municipal Board (MB), Cantonment Board (CB) Nagarpalika Parished (NP), Municipal Corporation (M Corp), Cenus Town (CT) and Industrial Township (ITS).2 Demographic Profile According to census 2001, the total population of UA is 84,79,562 out of which the male population is 43,16,401 and the female population is 41,63,161. The sex ration is 946 female per thousand male and the density of population is 159 persons per sq km which varies from 37 p/km2 in Uttarkashi district to 612 p/km2 in Haridwar district. The population distribution is drastically uneven and conditioned by environmental, climatic conditions and the topography of the regions. The total literacy in the state is 72.28% out of which the male literacy is 84.01% and the female literacy is 60.28%.3 The ecological distribution of population in UA shows that the majority of the population i.e.63,00,488 (74.33%) reside in the rural areas and the rest 31,71,074 (25.67%) live in urban. The distribution of urban population varies form 1.20% (0.12%) of the total urban population) in rudraprayag district to 96.56% (2048%) of the total urban population) in Haridwar district.4

The work-participation rate and the occupational structure exhibits that the majority of the working population is engaged in agriculture and subsidiary agricultural pursuits followed respectively in household and small scale enterprises, services (government & private), trade and commerce, business, baning, political, social and religious sectors. Though the caste-wise census of the state has not been conducted, however, according to an estimation the majority of the population i.e. 79.80% belongs to upper castes predominantly of the Khas descent including nearly 2% OBCs. The Scheduled caste population constitutes 16.70% of the total population while the rest 3.50% population is formed by the scheduled tribes. All caste categories consist of a number of casts and sub-caste groups, which are interrelated socially with each other in a certain hierachical order.5 Pilgrimage, Tourist Interest Places and Picnic Spots Predominantly a mountainous region, Uttaranchal offers a captivating panorama of snow clad peaks and valleys from where emerge the images of various gods and goddesses leading to the spiritual feelings of mankind. In real, the natural beauty of the region may be addressed as heart-stopping sunrise, towering snow peaks, lush forests, glacial snow, unending carpets of flowers and cascading rivers, streams, waterfalls and sapphire lakes set amidst rocky splendour. This is the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayan mantle, which the region of Uttaranchal wears proudly like a talisman. This, too, is the reality of a finely balanced mountain ecological system that has shaped the lives and culture of the people of Uttaranchal. The Himalayan peaks also provide the setting for the most significant parts of the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is a coincidence that landscapes of incredible beauty house temples and shrines and witness the setting of the four most hallowed pilgrimage of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, Known as the Chardham. The same holds treu for the settings of significant temples at Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, and Adikailash, the shrine of Surkanda Devi and the Gurudwaras Shri Hemkkund Sahib, Meetha Reetha Sahib and Nanak Matta.6 Hera each peak glacier each shimmering jewel of the lakes has its own legend of divinity, and each has its own role in preserving the ecology and magnetism of the region. Even Gods nestle in nature here. The nature has endowed it with so much natural beauty and spiritual hliss that the region is known as the Abode of Gods. In fact this is the region where nestle the Chardhams -Badrinath, Kedarnath, Ganotri and Yamunotri. This is the land where Vedas and Shastras were Composed and the great epics the Mahabharata were written. This is the region where the sacred Ganga and Yamuna with several other rivers and their tributaries originate. This is the land where the PanchkedarKedarnath, Madmaheswar, Tungnath, Rudranath, Kalpewar, the Panch Badri- the Badrinath Bhavishya Badri, Yogdhayan Badri, Bridha Badri and Adi Badri, the Panch Prayag- Vishnu Prayag, Nandprayag, Karan prayag, Rudra Prayag, Deo Prayag and the Panch Shila-Narad Shila Narsingh Shila, Varahi Shila, Garurh Shila and Markandeya Shila are located. Thus the region has always been the source of tranquility, peace, inspiration, sanctity and salvation for the nature lovers, peace seekers, devotees and asectics.7 Besides this there are number of sacred and scenic spots, temples, revered shrines whose sanctity is emphasized in the ancient scriputres as, there are many scared spots of pilgirmage in the heavens, earth and the nether world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be. However the region-wise description of the religious places (Predominantly found every where in high hills, river valleys, snow-covered peaks, rocks and caves) the antiquities, the majestic snow clad mountains, the drainage ent work, lakes, plethora of flora and fauna, beautiful sposts which may be visited by the pilgrims, nature lovers, devotees, explorers, connoisseurs and the tourists for once eternal peace, tranquility and amusement.

Culture The culture of Uttaranchal is mingled indistinguishably in the life style of its populace divided into different castes, communities and religious groups. The various cultural patterns-explicit or implicit are manifested in the behaviour patterns, customs, cosutmes, dialects, food habits, means and sources of livelihood, tools and techniques, songs and dances, arts and crafts, faris and festivals, architecture and technology of the indigenous communities who have embraced the same sine the time immemorial but with some inherent periodic and parochial variations. in this context Uttranchal today has a lavish melody of various communities. Among these, the tribes of Uttaranchal hold an important places as they are the autocthons of the land. The tribes of Uttaranchal are the Bhotiyas. Tharus, Buxas, Jaunsaris, Jads and the Rajiis. Each tribe has its own distinct and rich culture which makes it unique. Folk songs, folk dances- Uttaranchal has a rich treasure of folk songs, folk dances and corresponding traditional musical instruments. The major folk dances are the Chholia. Thadya, Chaupula, Jhora, Chanchari, Chhapeli, Jaagar etc. The folk songs recited by idfferent folk communities in different occasons can broadly be categorized as-divine songs, asupicous songs. religious songs, heroic songs, ghost songs, seasonal songs, love songs, moral songs and there are yet some other songs which include the Nyoli, Phag, Baira, Barahmsa Traditional Musical Instruments like Dhol, Dammu, Hurka, Murau, Dholak, Turturi, Binae, Mushak Been, Basuli (Muruli), Ranshingha, Nagfani, Jhal, Thal, Majiri are very popular and played by the fok artist with artistic rhythm corresponding to the cermony.8 Arts and Crafts- Aipan, Himanchal, Bar Boond, Patta, Rangoli, Rock arts and wood carving on wooden utensils, temples and houses are the major forms of arts and crafts in Uttaranchal. Fairs and Festivals- Fairs and festivals are an integral part of the socio-cultural life of any community. These are manifested in different forms at different occasions. The faris and festivals have some functional importance to the people belonging to different castes, creed, religion, and various sections of society. The major fairs and festivals celebrated in Uttaranchal are-Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, Bagwal , Magdh mela, Jilijatraand Deolang fair. Gods, Goddesses and the Shrines- There are the Gods and Goddesses like Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti widely worshipped by the people of Uttaranchal. Infact the Uttaranchal Himalaya has ever been at the centre of Hindu mythology. The temple of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti are found all over Uttaranchal. While worshipping these Gods and Goddess one can easily observe the impace of parochialization of the respective regions/localities and at places they are woshipped. Besides this the Kul Devtas and KUl Devis are alos worshipped by the people. The Golu, Harishaim, Asur, Nagarjun, Kalishaim, Kalachhini, Chhurmal, Airy, Chaumu, Gangnath, Jagnnath, Taleswar, Thalkedar, Malinath, Ganinath, Chhiflkedar, Mosta, Burfu, Kaibith, Bhagwati, Garh Devi are some of the Gods and Goddess worshipped as Esht Devtas respecitvely by different castes and caste-communities. The worship place of these deities is generally known as than. Besides Than, there are some temples having historical improtance and built by local rulers in different ages. Out of the numerous temples, the Jageshwar, Tungnath, Kedarnath, Adi Badri, Badrinath and Loard Shivas temple -Vairaskund. Gopeshwar, Vishwanath temple of Uttarkashi, Shiva temple of Lakhamandal Budakedar, Bagnath temples of Bageshwar etc are of great reverence.9 Apart form this, Badrinath and Triyuginarayan temples temples etc are dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. The temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti are also present all over Uttaranchal. The Kalimath, Rajrajeshwari,(Devigarh Pauri Garhwal), Jwalpa (Pauri Garhwal),

Hariyali Devi (Chamoli) Haat Kalika (Gangolihat-Pithoragrh). Doonagiri (Dwarahat-Almora), Punyagiri (Champawat), Kotmai (Bageshwar), Nanda Devi Temple (Almora), Naina Devi Temple (Nainital) are important ones. Katramal-the sun temple situated about 20 km. from Almora on the AlmoraRanikhet motor road, is antoher famous temple of Uttaranchal where Sun Devata is worshipped. The Yakshas, called Jakh Devta sages like agastyamuni and kanvasrama, the pandavas and the karn are also worshipped in the variousdedicated to them. Them aforesaid makes it vivid that Uttranchal is a land of Mythology and faith, the abode of Gods.

References :
1. Dr. Vikash Ranjan Kumar, Uttarakhand Ka Itihas, Gargi Prakashan, Agra, 2009. P-13 2. Ibid 3. Ibid, P-30 4. Shyam Narayan Singh, Puratataw Sangrahalaya Haridwar, G.K. Univeristy, Haridwar, P-6 5. Ibid, P-26 6. Ibid, P- 38 7. Pahad: 10. P-217 8. E.J. Rapsan, Indian Quains, 1970, P-13 9. Bhagat Singh Pawar, Uttarakhand Sangrahalaya Darshan, Omega Publication, 2007, P-83

You might also like