Vibrant Garhwal

 The Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand denotes mainly the westernmost region of the state of Uttarakhand. In ancient times, this rugged mountain region was home to many forts, or ‘garhs’ which were then conquered and united to create the Kingdom of Garhwal. Apart from a rich history, this region is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, and some of the most famous birdwatching destinations of Uttarakhand.

Rishikesh is situated at the foothills of Garhwal Himalayan Range and offers fantastic views of hills covered with jungles. The Ganges river is visible (which runs at a speedy pace) from many places and the banks are full of ashrams. These ashrams have their roots in history and are popular worldwide for practicing yoga and meditation. 

It is said that in the Vedic age, many sages were attracted to Rishikesh as the calm surroundings of this place were best-suited for practicing yoga and meditation. This is why today Rishikesh is an abode for many sanyasis and sage. The place has popular spots like Laxman Jhula, which is believed to be built at a place where Laxman once crossed the holy river Ganges using a jute rope. 

Other than this, the place has various temples which have interesting religious back-stories. For the adventure lovers, the place offers water and mountainous sports like river rafting, skiing, trekking, hiking etc.

Historically, Dehradun was a part of the Garhwal Kingdom, and was also known as 'Kedarkhand'. It was founded by Ajai Pal, around 1400. The history of Dehradun is also linked to the story of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is believed that after the battle between Ravana and Lord Rama, Lord Rama and his brother Lakshman visited this site. Evidences such as ancient temples and idols have been found in the areas surrounding Dehradun which have been linked to the mythology of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The city was also an important site during the colonial British Raj, home to several military establishments even today.

Mussoorie lies about 30 km from Dehradun. This hill station, situated in the foothills of the Himalaya ranges, is also known as the Queen of the Hills, Being at an average altitude of 2,000m (6,600 ft), Mussoorie, with its green hills and varied flora and fauna, is a fascinating hill resort. Commanding snow ranges to the north-east and glittering views of the Doon Valley and Shiwalik ranges in the south, the town was once said to present a 'fairyland' atmosphere to tourists.