Garhwal means the area with forts + wal-forts. That is, the area in which there are many strongholds. The word garh means forts in hilly areas or on hills.In the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand, the word 'Garh' denotes hill forts, which were built on the tops of the hills for protection. According to Pt. Harikrishna Raturi, such a mountainous region which has many strongholds, was called Gadhdesh, Garhwar or Garhwala. Gradually, the word Garhwal came to be called Garhwal. These forts belonged to the earlier small Thakuri kings, chieftains and thokdars and also had different names of the state departments of those kings and chieftains, which are now known as parganas and patis. Children take children, Balnath Jogi gets the mention of 'Patisahideo Newle' as the child's address. The geographical area of Kedarkhand is considered to be from Gangadwara (Haridwar) in the south to the end of the Shvetang Parvat (Himalaya) ranges in the north and from Boudhanchal (possibly Badhan Patti) in the east to Tamasa (Tons) in the west. This is clear from this verse of the mythological text Kedarkhand.
Gangadwar Maryadam Shvetanta Var Varnini. Tamasa tatah purva marya buddhachalam shubham..28.
Regarding the name of Kedarkhand or Himwant region as Garhwal, litterateur Dr. Haridutt Bhatt 'Shailesh' is of the opinion that there are innumerable small and big streams in this area which are called 'Gad' and 'Gad' respectively. Both these words are from Vedic Sanskrit. Kashmir, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh and Nepal do not have so many streams in any mountainous region. Therefore, 'Gadwal' i.e. the region with small rivers became famous by the name of Garhwal over a period of time. Similarly, in Garhwal, the two major Nayar rivers are called Dhaijuli Gad (P. Nayar) and Seunsi or Kainur Gad (East. Nayar) in the initial stage. Some of the names of small and big rivers (Gad or Gad) of both these and all the major rivers (Gad) of Garhwal are as follows: Attagad, Rathgad, Dhondigad, Dhurpaligad, Lacchigad, Rikhagad, Pachauragad, Machaldagad, Musetigad, Bhainsgad , Madigad (North-facing Madhuganga), Santoligad, Chaumasgad, Padulgad, Kolagad, Khargad, Selgad, Kelgad, Pingad, Vidolgad, Sigad, Gadgad, Katuligad, Gaduligad, Amothagad, Kimoligad, Kaudagad, Dhangad and Bhelgad etc. ___ In the Garhwal region, in front of the names of the castes, the words 'Val' like Semwal. In the words Dangwal and Ikarant, 'Yal', like Thapliyal, Nautiyal, appears. The origin of the word 'Val' or 'Var' is also possible from 'Vari' (Water). There is no difference between 'Ra' and 'L' in Rlayormedh in Sanskrit. Therefore, it is also possible that the word 'Garhwal' may have originated from 'Garhwar'. Patiram has mentioned in his book (Garhwal Ancient and Modern) that the name Garhwal is derived from Garhpal, because the word 'Garhpal' has been used repeatedly in Sankalp Puja in Garhwal. Dhangad and Bhelgad etc. ___ In the Garhwal region, in front of the names of the castes, the words 'Val' like Semwal. In the words Dangwal and Ikarant, 'Yal', like Thapliyal, Nautiyal, appears. The origin of the word 'Val' or 'Var' is also possible from 'Vari' (Water). There is no difference between 'Ra' and 'L' in Rlayormedh in Sanskrit. Therefore, it is also possible that the word 'Garhwal' may have originated from 'Garhwar'. Patiram has mentioned in his book (Garhwal Ancient and Modern) that the name Garhwal is derived from Garhpal, because the word 'Garhpal' has been used repeatedly in Sankalp Puja in Garhwal. Dhangad and Bhelgad etc. ___ In the Garhwal region, in front of the names of the castes, the words 'Val' like Semwal. In the words Dangwal and Ikarant, 'Yal', like Thapliyal, Nautiyal, appears. The origin of the word 'Val' or 'Var' is also possible from 'Vari' (Water). There is no difference between 'Ra' and 'L' in Rlayormedh in Sanskrit. Therefore, it is also possible that the word 'Garhwal' may have originated from 'Garhwar'. Patiram has mentioned in his book (Garhwal Ancient and Modern) that the name Garhwal is derived from Garhpal, because the word 'Garhpal' has been used repeatedly in Sankalp Puja in Garhwal. It is also possible from 'Vari' (water). There is no difference between 'Ra' and 'L' in Rlayormedh in Sanskrit. Therefore, it is also possible that the word 'Garhwal' may have originated from 'Garhwar'. Patiram has mentioned in his book (Garhwal Ancient and Modern) that the name Garhwal is derived from Garhpal, because the word 'Garhpal' has been used repeatedly in Sankalp Puja in Garhwal. It is also possible from 'Vari' (water). There is no difference between 'Ra' and 'L' in Rlayormedh in Sanskrit. Therefore, it is also possible that the word 'Garhwal' may have originated from 'Garhwar'. Patiram has mentioned in his book (Garhwal Ancient and Modern) that the name Garhwal is derived from Garhpal, because the word 'Garhpal' has been used repeatedly in Sankalp Puja in Garhwal.
