Knowledge of light scattering and absorption properties of atmospheric aerosols is of vital importance in evaluating their types, sources and estimating the radiative forcing of climate. This is of particular interest over the Gangetic-Himalayan (GH) region due to large aerosol loading over the plains and the uplift over the Himalayan range causing serious effects on atmospheric heating, glaciology and monsoon circulation. In this respect, Ganges Valley Aerosol Experiment (GVAX) was initiated over the region aiming to examine the aerosol properties, source regions, uplift mechanisms and aerosol-cloud interactions. Present study examine the temporal (monthly, seasonal) evolution of scattering and absorption coefficients, their wavelength dependence, role of the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP), boundary-layer dynamics and long-range transport in the aerosol uplift over the Himalayan foothills.