Uttarakhand is a state in northern India.

This state is cradled by the Himalayas and it known for its scenic beauty and Hindu pilgrimage sites like Rishikesh. Internationally Rishikesh, a major center for yoga study, was made famous by the Beatles’ 1968 visit. Jim Corbett National Park shelters Bengal tigers and other native wildlife.

For us as a family, the state of Uttarakhand is special as the awe-inspiring Himalayan Range of the state offers a respite from the summer heat.

It also offers lovely treks we can do with children. Then, of course, there are old temples and interesting tales from mythology.

Discovering Indian Mythology during our Family Travels.

During our stay in a village homestay in Munsiyari, Uttarakhand, we were awestruck by the beautiful Himalayan Range.

The group of five snow-capped Himalayan peaks forms the Panchachuli range. ‘Panchachuli’ is derived from two Hindi words – ‘Pancha’ means Five and ‘Chuli’ means Chimney.

The legend is that the 5 peaks represent the five cooking hearths (chuli) of the five Pandav brothers who cooked their last meal on these peaks before proceeding for heaven and hence the name ‘Panchachuli’.