Uttaranchal, oo tur AHN chuhl (pop. 8,479,562), is a state in northern India. Uttaranchal has some of the highest mountains in India. It has lush forests and many places of extraordinary beauty, as well as important pilgrimage sites (places visited for religious purposes). The Indian government created Uttaranchal in November 2000 from the northern districts of the state of Uttar Pradesh.