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and Garhwalis , both Indo-Aryan people with their own languages and societal structures .
The many mountain passes of Uttarakhand will provide a glimpse into the spirituality of the Hindu caste system . It ’ s common to come across a Brahmin on a pilgrimage , extolling the virtues of the Hindu religion whilst presiding over a festival or feast of enlightenment . It ’ s believed that more than twenty percent of the entire population of Brahmin live in this region . Most are open to a chat , the offer of a chai , or even help with a construction .
Hindi is the official language of Uttarakhand yet less than fifty percent of the population speak it . Garhwali , Kumaoni , and Jaunsari are all spoken throughout the land . Many regional dialects and languages are spread throughout the north as the people take on a more Sino-
Tibetan appearance and customs . The diversity is astounding .
Such a diverse cultural experience means that the traveller is never in need of discovery , it seems to fall at your feet as you visit a roadside dhaba for a chai and roti , or to refuel at a local petrol station . Roadside stops for a simple photograph are an even greater experience as someone will undoubtedly appear from nowhere like an apparition in the
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