Symbols of the Uttarakhand state, a state of North India, also describes the identity associated with the state. Each country or state has its own emblem that identifies the cultural, natural heritage associated with it and its people’s identities.
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Symbols of the Uttarakhand state
On 9th November 2000, Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of India. It was created in Uttar Pradesh. Most of the parts of this northern state are covered by Himalayan peaks and glaciers. After the formation of Uttarakhand state symbols and aser state symbols were decided and declared in 2001.
Symbols of the Uttarakhand state are animal Musk Deer, State Bird—Monal, State flower-Brahma Kamal, and State tree-Buransh were declared which are considered as the property of the state. Their protection and nourishment are the paramount duty of the state government and all citizens of the Uttarakhand state.
- State symbol – Below Ashok Pillar a series of three mountains below which the streams of the Ganga
- State animal – Musk Deer
- State Language – Hindi and Sanskrit
- State flower – Brahma Kamal
- State tree – Buransh (Rhododendron)
- State Bird – Monal
- State Instrument – Dhol
- State Butterfly – Common peacock
- State Song – Uttarakhand Devabhumi Matribhumi
In the symbols of the Uttarakhand state, on a kite-shaped from a series of three mountains topped by the great pillar of King Ashoka with streams of the Ganga below is conceptualized. This symbol is used in all the records of the Uttarakhand Government. The Emblem of Uttarakhand is the official state seal used by the Government of Uttarakhand and is carried on all official correspondences made by the State of Uttarakhand. It was adopted by the newly formed Interim Government of Uttarakhand at the establishment of the state on 9 November 2000.
State Language Of Uttarakhand: Hindi and Sanskrit
The official language of this state, separated from Uttar Pradesh, is also Hindi, but if we talk about the common language, not one or two but 13 Folk languages are spoken here. Different forms of these languages are seen. The languages of Uttarakhand fall under the category of Pahari languages.
The languages spoken in Uttarakhand can be divided into two major groups: Kumaoni and Garhwali which are spoken in the state Kumaon and Garhwal divisions in 13 districts respectively. Due to the availability of many Sanskrit words in these two languages, they are considered to be developed from Sanskrit. Jaunsari and Bhotia (जौनसारी और भोटिया) are two other dialects spoken by the tribal communities in the west and north respectively.
But the most prominent language of the state is Hindi. It is the official and working language of the state as well as the language of communication between the intergroup. Sanskrit is the second major official language of the state. Sanskrit has got the status of the second official language in Uttarakhand since January 2010.
State Tree Of Uttarakhand: Buransh (Rhododendron)
Buransh (बुरांश) (Rhododendron) saturated with medicinal values its botanical name is Rhododendron arboreum. the tree rhododendron, also known as Burans बुरांश or Laligurans or simply Gurans (गुराँश) in Nepal, is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a showy display of bright red flowers. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Thailand. It is found up in the height of 5000 feet in hills. its average height is 20-25 feet its main fascination is its bright red flowers.
At lower altitudes, its flowers are deep red whereas at higher altitudes they become somewhat light red and at the height of 11000 feet white-colored flowers of Rhododendron are found. exceptionally, somewhere at lower altitude white-coloured Gowers are found too. Amid green leaves, the red flower attracts even from far. It blooms in bunches. It is useful in beverages or syrup made from its flowers. It is useful for the heart- patients. flowers are used for making color also. Because of the illegal felling of the Buransh plant/tree for fuel, it has been declared a conserved tree in the forest act 1974.
State Flower Of Uttarakhand: Brahma Kamal
Declared as a state flower, called Kaul Padma (क़ौलपद्म) in the local dialect of Uttarakhand, Brahma Kamal (ब्रह्म कमल) is an evergreen plant of rare species. It is named Brahma Kamal in the local dialect, its scientific name is Saussurea obvallata. It is found at the height of 3600 to 4500 meters in Kashmir, Middle Nepal, Valley of flowers in Uttarakhand, Kedarnath, Shivling Base, Pindar Glacier, etc. regions.
Its height is 70-80 cm. It blooms in between July and September. There are 24 species of Brahma Kamal in Uttarakhand and in the whole world there are 410 species of it. In its blooming time, the area is filled with fragrance. This rare flower is described in the Vedas mythological Indian literature and Mahabharat at various places.
In the ninth episode of the Mahabharat, this ower is described as a fragrant flower. In the temples of Gods and Goddess in some of the Himalayan regions, there are the traditions of offering “Kaul Padma”. Because it is found in some of the Himalayan regions and offered in religious rites while worshipping, so it is named Brahma kamal. Its roots have medicinal values.
State Bird Of Uttarakhand: Monal
Known as the Himalayan Peacock, it is one of the most beautiful birds not only of Uttarkhand but also of the world. it is the national bird of Nepal and the state bird of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It is found everywhere in the Himalayas from 2300 to 5000 meters of high dense forests.
Monal’s (मोनाल) scientific name is Lophophorus impejanus. The bird which is found in the northeast Of Assam hills and in high snow-covered mountains of Uttarakhand is called Manyal (मान्यल) or Monal (मोनाल) in the local dialect. The male bird is of blue brown color and has a peacock a crown on its head. The female bird is of brown color. It eats roots, fruits, plants, and flower seeds, and insects. Monal comes under such kinds Of birds that Are seen rarely even in the places specially meant for them.
State Animal Of Uttarakhand: Musk Deer
It is a rare animal found in the Himalayan region and famous for its musk. Its scientific name is Moschus chryso-gaster. It is also known as the Himalayan Musk deer (कस्तूरी मृग). From ancient times, it has been used for medicinal purposes and scents. It likes to inhabit areas where there is no possibility of human interference.
Musk existing in its belly-button specializes in this animal. Living up to the height of 2 to 5 thousand meters high mountains and snow-covered peaks from thousands of years. This musk deer has four species here. It has a brown coat spotted With black and yellow spots. The male deer has a little balled tail. It does not have horns. It has two long teeth curved backward in its jaw used for self-defense and digging herbs and vegetations. It has four hoves on each leg.
Musk develops after it has completed one year. Usually, one deer has 30 to 45 grams of musk in it. It is extracted from a gland near the genetic organ of a male below its belly. This extracted substance is collected in a pouch-shaped place existing below the belly skin. from this pouch, the musk is obtained. The scent made from musk is famous for its specialty. In the medical industry musk is used the medicines useful for; asthma, fir, brochures pneumonia, Typhoid, and heart disease.
Musk deer has a strong sense of smell, for this reason, it runs fast sensing impending danger. But the habit of turning back after running for 40-50 meters proved to be fatal for it. because of this, once it was found everywhere in the Himalayan region, now this animal is found only in Chamoli, Uttarkashi, and Pithoragarh districts in limited number. The sex ratio is decreasing rapidly because of the killing of male deer for musk.
For the Conservation of musk deer, the Uttar Pradesh Government established ‘Kasturi Mrig Vihar’ in Kedarnath under Wild Life Department in 1972. Its area is 1972. Its area is 967.2 square km. In 1982, under, Kedarnath Wildlife Department, musk dear breeding center was established in ‘Kanchula Karkha’. Likewise (Askot Kasturi sanctuary) was established in Pithoragarh.
State Butterfly Of Uttarakhand: Common peacock
There are about 1300 species of butterflies in India, out of which 500 species are found only in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand is called the home of butterflies, hence Uttarakhand has included the Common peacock (कॉमन पीकॉक) Butterfly as the state butterfly in its state emblems. Uttarakhand is the second state in India to do so. Earlier in 2015, Maharashtra included Blue Mormon (ब्लू मॉरमॉन) in its state emblem. To popularize and preserve the species of butterflies found in the hill state, the government has established two butterfly parks in the Garhwal (Dehradun) and Kumaon (Nainital) regions.
On November 7, 2016, the “Common Peacock” was chosen as the state butterfly at a meeting of the State Wildlife Board chaired by the then Chief Minister Harish Rawat.
Common Peacock’s scientific name is ‘Papilio bianor’. “Common Peacock Butterfly” derives its name from its peacock-like appearance. In India, it is found in the states of Himachal Pradesh, North East besides Uttarakhand. Apart from India, it is found in China, Australia, and Southern Himalayas. Also found in Asian countries. The Common Peacock is found in elevations over 7000 feet. The life of this beautiful butterfly is one and a half months. Its size is about 90 to 130 mm. This butterfly can be easily seen in the spring season from March to the beginning of winter in October. In 1996, the most amazing butterfly was given the title of Limca Book of Records.
State Instrument Of Uttarakhand: Dhol
Dhol and Damaun (ढोल दमाऊं) are the most ancient and popular musical instruments of Uttarakhand. They are also known as “Mars instruments”. They were initially used to create excitement among soldiers on the battlefield. From the battlefields, the dhol went into the social life of the Damauans. The auspicious works of the mountain were incomplete without the echoes of Dhol-Damaun (ढोल दमाऊं), the instruments of Uttarakhand. Dhol (ढोल) was declared as the Uttarakhand State Instrument in the year 2015.
Dhol is included in the major musical instrument because it invokes deities. It is said that the Dhol Damaun is a traditional instrument used to invoke its God and Goddesses during prayer.
In the Garhwal region, specific musical caste groups like the auji, das, or dholi have historically played the dhol and damau, the two folk instruments of the region, at special occasions or religious festivals according to the Dhol Sagar, an ancient treatise that was transmitted orally and by practical teaching.
State Song Of Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand Devabhumi Matribhumi
Uttarakhand Devabhumi Matribhumi (उत्तराखण्ड देवभूमि मातृभूमि शत शत वन्दन अभिनंदन) is the official state song of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The song is written by Hemant Bisht and composed by noted Uttarakhandi folk singer and musician Narendra Singh Negi. This song is trilingual with the first three of its seven verses written in Hindi, while the last four verses are written in Garhwali and Kumaoni languages.
On 6 February 2016, the song was officially announced as the state song, headed by the Council of Ministers of then Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. The theme of this song is set to reflect the geography, ecology, fauna and flora, culture, festivals, music, food, art, and lifestyle of the people of Uttarakhand.
State Sport Of Uttarakhand: Football
The state sport of Uttarakhand is football. Football was given the status of state sport in the year 2011 by the Sports Department during the BJP rule. Football is the most popular and popular sport in Uttarakhand. The game has produced many international players from the state, Who has won many medals at the national and international level. That is why football was declared a state sport.
Association football, commonly known as football is the most popular sport in Uttarakhand. Football in Uttarakhand is administered by the Uttarakhand State Football Association and has its own men’s and women’s football team competing in Santosh Trophy and Senior Women’s National Football Championship respectively. It also has a state-level professional football league.
Unofficial state symbols of Uttarakhand
Apart from the official Symbols of the Uttarakhand state, there are some other informal state symbols of Uttarakhand. People use them as symbols of the state, but officially they are not the symbols of the state of Uttarakhand, but these symbols are very famous, popular and unique things among people from somewhere that you in Uttarakhand Are easily found, And it is also related to the geography, ecology, fauna and flora, culture, festivals, music, food, art and lifestyle of the people of Uttarakhand.
State Fruit Of Uttarakhand : Kaphal/Kafal
Kafal काफल (Myrica esculenta) is a popular mountain fruit. It is an evergreen tree found in the central Himalayan regions. In the summer season, the fruit of the kaphal (काफल) tree is very tasty, which looks like a mulberry, but it is very different from the mulberry. This kaphal plant grows in areas ranging from 1300 m to 2100 m (4000 ft to 6000 ft). It is mostly found in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, north-eastern state of Meghalaya, and Nepal. It is also called box myrtle and bayberry. It has a sour-sweet mixture in taste and this wild fruit is beneficial for our body due to its anti-oxidant properties.
Uttarakhand State Nickname : Devbhoomi uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is also known by Devbhoomi देवभूमि (Land Of God) (भगवान की भूमि). Uttarakhand is often referred to as the Devabhumi (Sanskrit for “Land of the Gods”) due to a large number of Hindu temples and pilgrimage centers found throughout the state. A large number of Hindu temples and pilgrimage places are found mountain Himalayas area in Uttarakhand. Holy places of Hinduism, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri (Char Dham) also located in Uttarakhand. Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is also known for its natural beauty of the Himalayas, the Bhabhar (भाबर) and the Terai (तराई).
State Sweet Of Uttarakhand : Bal Mithai
Bal Mithai is a brown chocolate-like fudge, made with roasted khoa, coated with white and red sugar balls. It is one of the popular sweet from the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, especially regions around Almora. Almora’s Bal Mithai and Singoudi are famous all over the country.
State Vegetable Of Uttarakhand : Vegetable
In Garhwal division in Uttarakhand, Kandali (कंडाली) is known by many names like Kaldi Ala and Sisoun (काल्डी आला व सिसौण). In Hindi it is called scorpion grass or scorpion herb. If any part of the body touches Kandali, then there will be tingling at that place for the next two days, but on the other side, Kandali greens are very tasty and full of medicinal properties.
State River Of Uttarakhand : Ganga River
The Ganges (गंगा नदी) is the most important river not only in Uttarakhand, but also in India. It irrigates vast tracts from the Himalayas in Uttarakhand to the Sundarbans of the Bay of Bengal covering a distance of 2525 kilometers in India and Bangladesh. Therefore, the river Ganges also has the status of mother. The Ganges was declared the National River of India in 2008. The High Court of Uttarakhand declared the Ganges a legal person in 2017.