RELIGION

The people living in the inner dry valleys of Garhwal are mainly Hindus, although followers of other religions such as Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam are also present.

These people worship the local or village deity along with Durga and Shiva. They celebrate all religious occasions that are followed by Hindus living in other parts of India.

The population living in this region is also superstitious and has a firm belief in spirits and other supernatural powers.

Gods and Goddesses

Nanda Devi is the patron Goddess of both Kumaon and Garhwal. Known since ancient times as Uttarakhand, the combined terrain between Nepal's western border and the Tons River has featured prominently in the Puranas (Hindu scriptures) as the playground of the gods. Her idols are worshipped in villages and taken out in large processions during certain parts of the year. Also, there are many other gods and goddesses worshipped in different villages.

Almost all hill provinces claim to be "dev bhumi" -- the land sacred to the deities of Hinduism. But Garhwal is the only region that can truly claim to be so. One reason is that Garhwal possesses the "char dham", the quartet of sacred Himalayan shrines. Moreover, the sacred Ganga river flows exclusively through Garhwal before descending to the plains.