Garhwal is a region of the state of Uttarakhand located in the lap of the Himalayas. It comprises the districts of Chamoli, Dehradun, Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Pauri and Rudraprayag. Home to the people of the mountains paharis, the region is famous for its beautiful mountainous surroundings and greenery.
Pauri is considered to be the administrative centre of Garhwal. The region consists of tall rugged hills and mountains separated by narrow valleys or deep ravines. Nevertheless, the mountains of Garhwal are well known for their scenic beauty and are a famous tourist attraction. That being said, the place is also known as Devbhoomi and is celebrated for the presence of various gods and the related traditions and culture.
The Culture
Garhwal is home to an interesting culture which represents the essence of both indigenous population and the immigrants who have come and settled in the region from time to time. The local people of the region are hard-working and lead difficult lives in the lack of facilities. They are often associated with various tribes that have their own traditions and heritage.
Folk dance and music form a crucial part of the Garhwali culture and are inherent in the descendants of the region who today are living in bigger cities.
The major religion of the region is Hinduism and Brahmins constitute a major portion of the Garhwali population. There are various languages spoken that contribute to the diversity of Garhwal. These include Kumaoni, Garhwali, Bhotia, Hindi and Jaunsari.
The people of Garhwal celebrate all major Hindu festivals with great zeal and delight. The festival of Diwali, Holi, Makar Sankranti, Basant Panchami are some of them.
The essence of the culture of Garhwali people lies in the simplicity of their natures and their hard-working attitude. They are amazing people with a very humble outlook. Having spent their lives in hardships, they have a tendency to face difficulties with ease. They live simple lives that are accompanied by simple and healthy food that makes them physically and mentally strong.