Uttarakhand Travel Portal

Devbhumi Char Dham Shrines, Rishikesh Yoga Capital, Valley of Flowers & Kumaon-Garhwal Peaks

State Overview

Live Weather & State Leadership

Dehradun Capital Weather

22°C
Coordinates: 30.3165° N, 78.0322° E
Conditions: Pleasant Alpine Breeze / Clear Skies
Humidity: 58% • Ideal Visit: Mar–Jun & Sep–Nov

State Leadership & Administration

Governor: Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.)
Chief Minister: Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami
Winter Capital: Dehradun • Summer Capital: Gairsain
Official Language: Hindi & Sanskrit (Additional)
Travel Advisory

Char Dham Winter Closure & Monsoon Landslide Caution

Traveler Note: The holy Char Dham temples (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri) are open to pilgrims from May to October/November and close during winter when idol deities are shifted to Ukhimath and Joshimath. Heavy monsoon rains from July to August can cause severe landslides along the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway (NH-58); travelers are advised to register on the official Uttarakhand Tourism Char Dham portal and check live weather updates before embarking on high-altitude Himalayan treks.

Administrative Divisions

Explore All 13 Districts of Uttarakhand

Dehradun

Dehradun • Mussoorie & Forest Research Institute

Haridwar

Haridwar • Har Ki Pauri & Kumbh Mela Ghats

Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi • Gangotri & Yamunotri Glaciers

Chamoli

Gopeshwar • Badrinath, Valley of Flowers & Auli

Rudraprayag

Rudraprayag • Kedarnath & Tungnath Shiva Temples

Tehri Garhwal

New Tehri • Tehri Dam Reservoir & Dhanaulti

Pauri Garhwal

Pauri • Khirsu Meadows & Lansdowne Cantonment

Almora

Almora • Kasar Devi Ridge & Jageshwar Temples

Nainital

Nainital • Naini Lake, Bhimtal & Corbett Reserve

Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh • Panchachuli Peaks & Milam Glacier

Bageshwar

Bageshwar • Bagnath Temple & Pindari Glacier

Champawat

Champawat • Baneswar Temple & Abbot Mount

Udham Singh Nagar

Rudrapr • Terai Agricultural Belt & Pantnagar
Cultural Essentials

Garhwali & Kumaoni Traveler Vocabulary

Master these essential Pahari terms, greeting phrases, and traditional dishes used across the Himalayan valleys:

Jai Badri Vishal
Traditional holy greeting invoking Lord Badrinath
Bugyal
High-altitude alpine pasture / summer meadow above 3,000 meters
Kanti
Glacial stream / Fresh Himalayan mountain water spring
Ghat
Sacred riverbank bathing steps along the holy Ganges
Pahar
Mountain / Hill region
Pahari
Resident of the Himalayan hill districts of Uttarakhand
Kafuli
Traditional Garhwali leafy green stew prepared with spinach and fenugreek
Phaanu
Rich protein gravy made by soaking and grinding mixed Himalayan lentils
Chainsoo
Fragrant roasted black gram dal preparation unique to Garhwal
Aloo ke Gutke
Spicy stir-fried mountain potato dish seasoned with Jamboo herbs
Bhang ki Chutney
Tangy chutney made from roasted hemp seeds, lemon juice, and green chilies
Bal Mithai
Famous Almora sweet made of roasted khoya coated with white sugar balls
Singori
Traditional Kumaoni sweet wrapped in fresh green Malu leaves
Chutkani
Kumaoni black bhatt (soybean) soup slow-cooked in an iron wok
Bedu Pako
Famous folk song celebrating wild Himalayan figs (Bedu)
Dhol Damau
Traditional Garhwali percussion instruments played during temple rituals
Hurka
Hourglass-shaped hand drum used in Kumaoni Hurkiya Baul folk songs
Chholiya
Traditional sword dance performed during Kumaoni wedding processions
Jhora
Community circle dance performed during springtime festivals
Nanda Devi
Revered patron goddess of Uttarakhand / Highest peak entirely within India

Official Project Tiger Reserves

Official Tourism & Government Resources