UTTARAKHAND-THE CRADLE OF
EARLY CIVILISATION

1 had ample opportunity of travel in the interiors of central
Himalayas which has been given the ascription of Uttara-
khand. Uttarakhand presents a panorama of infinite diversity,
thickly wooded Tarai forests, arid zones, high altitude tracts,
popular hill resorts, small isolated hamlets, roads and rivers,
cooler 'places, green valleys, succulent pastures, places of
pilgrimage and perpetual snows. It comprises of the four
hill districts of Tehri, Pauri, Nainital and Almora and the
three border districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithora-
garh. It borders Tibet in the north, Nepal in the east, the
plains of Uttar Pradesh in the south and Mahashu and Kinn-
aur district of Himachal Pradesh in the west. This area of
18530 sq. miles in the central Himalayas with its rising peaks
and densely wooded valleys, has from time immemorial lent
glory and dignity to the image of India. The Holy Dhams of
Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrlnath are situated
in this area and have ever since been the source of culture,
tradition and reverence for the people of the Indian sub-conti-
nent. Every year, thousands of pilgrims from different parts
of India flock here thus cementing the emotional unity of the