The Sanskrit word Dev Bhoomi means “The Land of God” and the holy land Uttarakhand has been anointed this way by mythological spiritual experts Rishis and Muni. Uttarakhand is known by the name of Dev Bhoomi, a title that has been carried since ancient times. This name is derived from the fact that these sages greatly respected this area.
Dev Bhoomi is believed in legends to have been divided into five Khand or parts which are known as Kashyapa (Kashmir), Kangra, Kedar, Kurma, and Kailash. Among these, two of them namely Kedar and Kurma lie within the Uttarakhand boundaries. Kedar Khand is under the Garhwal Kingdom and Kurma Khand also known as Manas Khand or Kumaon.
The compelling feature of Uttarakhand as Dev Bhoomi also lies in it being a sacred ground that is used for meditation where people seek to get connected with the divine world. Uttarakhand delivers an atmosphere that’s conducive to meditation devoid of distractions and disruptions, where one can fully dive into the spiritual journey as well as assimilate oneself into the divine.
Uttarakhand’s History
Uttarakhand, once called Uttaranchal, sits in the northwest of India. It shares borders with China, Himachal Pradesh, Nepal, and Uttar Pradesh. Dehradun is its capital in the northwest.
The state has two parts – Garhwal in the west and Kumaon in the east. Different dynasties like Kutuyi, Chand Rajas, and Guptas ruled here. In the 18th century, Gurkhas from Nepal invaded Kumaon. Garhwal joined forces with the British through the Sigauli Treaty in 1817. After independence, it became part of Uttar Pradesh. But in 2000, following a separatist movement, Uttarakhand became its state.
There are several reasons why Uttarakhand is called by the title Dev Bhoomi and some sacred spots in Uttarakhand are:
- Uttarakhand has been a favorite of gods like Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Its Hindu temples are major tourist attractions. Rishikesh and Haridwar, known as the “Gateway” to this holy region, are perfect for a soul-refreshing experience before embarking on spiritual journeys. There are also many stories and traditions about Uttarakhand.
- Haridwar hosts the Maha Kumbh Mela, the biggest human gathering, and is a stop on the Chardham Yatra, which covers Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.
- Uttarakhand has important religious sites like Panch Badri, Panch Kedar, and Panch Prayag.
- There’s the Katarmal Sun Temple, the second sun temple in India after the one in Odisha.
- For the Shaivite sect, the Panch Kedar Yatra covers Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheswar, and Kalpeshwar.
- The Panch Prayag Yatra honors river confluences – Rudraprayag, Karnprayag, Nandprayag, Vishnuprayag, and Devprayag.
- The Panch Badri Yatra covers Badrinath, Adi Badri, Vridha Badri, Bhavisya Badri, and Yogadhyan Badri.
- The Patal Bhubaneshwar Cave in Uttarakhand is said to have Lord Shiva and many other gods. One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath, is also in Uttarakhand.
- In Hindu culture, Prayag means the meeting point of two or more rivers where people perform ritual baths before worship. In the sacred land of Uttarakhand, there are five such confluences known as Panch Prayag:
- Vishnuprayag: Here, the Alaknanda River meets the Dhauliganga River near Joshimath.
- Nandaprayag: The Alaknanda River joins the Nandakini River at this confluence.
- Karnaprayag: The Pindar River merges with the Alaknanda river in Karnaprayag.
- Rudraprayag: This is where the Alaknanda River meets the Mandakini River.
- Devprayag: The Alaknanda River combines with the Bhagirathi River at Devprayag to form the holy river Ganga.
- Uttarakhand is also home to temples dedicated to other deities like Goddess Nanda Devi and Golu Dev Ji, drawing devoted followers.
- Valley of Flowers National Park is in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. It’s like a piece of heaven because there are lots of beautiful flowers on the foothills of the Himalayas and near the rivers. The park is quite big, covering 87.50 square kilometers. It’s about 8 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide in Chamoli district. Also, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it even more special.
Conclusion
Uttarakhand is an amazing place to explore if you enjoy nature and traveling. It offers a mix of sacred places, festivals, tasty food, and beautiful landscapes. For travelers, it will feel like a dream come true. Whether you’re on a honeymoon or looking for a romantic escape, hill stations like Mussoorie and Nainital are perfect.
Uttarakhand, also called Dev Bhoomi, is not just pretty but also a holy spot where the Lord is believed to reside. It’s one of the most sacred places in India.
