The northern state of Uttarakhand - formerly Uttaranchal - often referred to as the Land of Gods, is known for its natural beauty and presence of a multitude of Hindu pilgrimage spots. The word Uttarakhand is derived from the Sanskrit word uttara meaning north and khand meaning state.

The state was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in November 2000. Uttarakhand borders the Tibet Autonomous Region on the North, Nepal on the East and Uttar Pradesh to the South, Haryana to the West and Himachal Pradesh to the North West.