UTTARAKHAND : THE ABODE OF GODS

PritiResearch Scholar

Deppt. of History,P.U., Patna

Before the creation of Uttaranchal State (UA) in Nov 9,2000 this region, com-prised 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 Uttarakhandhas been referred as Hemwat. Subsequently the region. Hemwat was named as Uttrakuru inpost-vedic period, Uttar-panchal in upnishad period, Uttar-Kaushal in epic period and Uttara-path and karupath in Kautiya’s Arthshastra. In mythology the three division of then Uttarkuruviz, Himwatkhand, Manaskhand and kedarkhand were named after their regional locations re-spectively as Nepal, Kumaon and Garhwal. In Skand Puran, Uttarkuru has been viewed in fourdivisions namely Himadrikhand, Manaskhand, Kailashkhand and Kedarkhand. In course of timethe entire territory due to the racial dominance was named as Kiratmandal and Khasmandalrespectively. 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, Uttar-Panchal, Uttarapath) and the suffix i.e. Khand of mythological names of the territory(Himadrikhand, Manaskhand, Kailsahkhand and kedarkhand) Jointly created a new appellationi.e. Uttarakhand which became more popular and prolonged in the tongue of the mankind dueto its appealing nature corresponding to itsgeographical situation. Thus Uttaranchal the real-ity of today, has a long history of its periodic development and transformation from Uttarkuruto Uttranchal. Uttaranchal as such has also witnessed further changes owing to the reorganiza-tion and demarcation of its boundaries as a new state of India.1

Administrative DivisionsPresently 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 in-cluding municipal Board (MB), Cantonment Board (CB) Nagarpalika Parished (NP), Munici-pal Corporation (M Corp), Cenus Town (CT) and Industrial Township (ITS).2

Demographic ProfileAccording 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 is946 female per thousand male and the density of population is 159 persons per sq km whichvaries from 37 p/km2 in Uttarkashi district to 612 p/km2 in Haridwar district. The populationdistribution is drastically uneven and conditioned by environmental, climatic conditions andthe topography of the regions. The total literacy in the state is 72.28% out of which the maleliteracy is 84.01% and the female literacy is 60.28%.3

The ecological distribution of population in UA shows that the majority of thepopulation 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 totalurban population) in rudraprayag district to 96.56% (2048%) of the total urban population) inHaridwar district.4

The work-participation rate and the occupational structure exhibits that themajority of the working population is engaged in agriculture and subsidiary agricultural pur-suits 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 castespredominantly of the Khas descent including nearly 2% OBCs. The Scheduled caste popula-tion constitutes 16.70% of the total population while the rest 3.50% population is formed bythe 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 SpotsPredominantly a mountainous region, Uttaranchal offers a captivating panorama

of snow clad peaks and valleys from where emerge the images of various gods and goddessesleading to the spiritual feelings of mankind. In real, the natural beauty of the region may beaddressed as heart-stopping sunrise, towering snow peaks, lush forests, glacial snow, unend-ing carpets of flowers and cascading rivers, streams, waterfalls and sapphire lakes set amidstrocky splendour. This is the awe-inspiring beauty of the Himalayan mantle, which the regionof Uttaranchal wears proudly like a talisman. This, too, is the reality of a finely balancedmountain 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 ofthe epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is a coincidence that landscapes of incredible beautyhouse temples and shrines and witness the setting of the four most hallowed pilgrimage ofYamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, Known as the Chardham. The same holds treufor the settings of significant temples at Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, and Adikailash, the shrineof Surkanda Devi and the Gurudwaras Shri Hemkkund Sahib, Meetha Reetha Sahib and NanakMatta.6

Hera each peak glacier each shimmering jewel of the lakes has its own legendof 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 andspiritual 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 thegreat epics the Mahabharata were written. This is the region where the sacred Ganga and Yamunawith several other rivers and their tributaries originate. This is the land where the Panchkedar-Kedarnath, Madmaheswar, Tungnath, Rudranath, Kalpewar, the Panch Badri- the BadrinathBhavishya 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 NarsinghShila, Varahi Shila, Garurh Shila and Markandeya Shila are located. Thus the region has alwaysbeen 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, reveredshrines whose sanctity is emphasized in the ancient scriputres as, there are many scared spotsof pilgirmage in the heavens, earth and the nether world, but there has been none equal toBadri, nor shall there be. However the region-wise description of the religious places (Pre-dominantly 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 offlora 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.

CultureThe culture of Uttaranchal is mingled indistinguishably in the life style of its

populace divided into different castes, communities and religious groups. The various cul-tural 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 communitieswho have embraced the same sine the time immemorial but with some inherent periodic andparochial variations. in this context Uttranchal today has a lavish melody of various communi-ties. Among these, the tribes of Uttaranchal hold an important places as they are the autocthonsof the land. The tribes of Uttaranchal are the Bhotiyas. Tharus, Buxas, Jaunsaris, Jads and theRajiis. 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 cor-responding traditional musical instruments. The major folk dances are the Chholia. Thadya,Chaupula, Jhora, Chanchari, Chhapeli, Jaagar etc. The folk songs recited by idfferent folkcommunities in different occasons can broadly be categorized as-divine songs, asupicoussongs. religious songs, heroic songs, ghost songs, seasonal songs, love songs, moral songsand there are yet some other songs which include the Nyoli, Phag, Baira, Barahmsa TraditionalMusical 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 fokartist with artistic rhythm corresponding to the cermony.8

Arts and Crafts- Aipan, Himanchal, Bar Boond, Patta, Rangoli, Rock arts and wood carvingon 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 anycommunity. These are manifested in different forms at different occasions. The faris andfestivals 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 Uttaranchalare-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 andShakti widely worshipped by the people of Uttaranchal. Infact the Uttaranchal Himalaya hasever been at the centre of Hindu mythology. The temple of Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and God-dess Shakti are found all over Uttaranchal. While worshipping these Gods and Goddess onecan easily observe the impace of parochialization of the respective regions/localities and atplaces 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 respecitvelyby different castes and caste-communities. The worship place of these deities is generallyknown as than. Besides Than, there are some temples having historical improtance and builtby local rulers in different ages. Out of the numerous temples, the Jageshwar, Tungnath,Kedarnath, Adi Badri, Badrinath and Loard Shiva’s temple -Vairaskund. Gopeshwar, Vishwanathtemple of Uttarkashi, Shiva temple of Lakhamandal Budakedar, Bagnath temples of Bageshwaretc are of great reverence.9

Apart form this, Badrinath and Triyuginarayan temples temples etc are dedi-cated to the Lord Vishnu. The temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti are also present all overUttaranchal. 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 Almora-Ranikhet 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 thekarn are also worshipped in the variousdedicated to them.Them aforesaid makes it vivid that Uttranchal is a land of Mythology and faith, the abode ofGods.References :1. Dr. Vikash Ranjan Kumar, Uttarakhand Ka Itihas, Gargi Prakashan, Agra, 2009. P-132. Ibid3. Ibid, P-304. Shyam Narayan Singh, Puratataw Sangrahalaya Haridwar, G.K. Univeristy, Haridwar, P-65. Ibid, P-266. Ibid, P- 387. Pahad: 10. P-2178. E.J. Rapsan, Indian Quains, 1970, P-139. Bhagat Singh Pawar, Uttarakhand Sangrahalaya Darshan, Omega Publication, 2007, P-83