Revered for its status as Devbhumi or Land of the Gods, Uttarakhand is characterised by its pristine natural beauty and sublime spirituality. Featuring imposing glaciers, eye-catching meadows, surreal lakes and steep Himalayan slopes, it is the source state of two of India’s most revered rivers – the Ganga and Yamuna. Uttarakhand sees a heavy footfall of pilgrims visiting the char dhams and adventure tourists seeking to scale new heights. The state’s diverse topography harbours some rare wildlife species such as tigers, antelopes, musk deer, ghorals, snow leopards and the colourful monal pheasant. Thanks to its long spiritual history, Ayurveda, Yoga, and meditation are learned and practised here. The region’s cultural ethos is steeped in a harmonious coexistence with nature.