Uttarakhand, a state in northern India crossed by the Himalayas, is known for its Hindu pilgrimage sites. Rishikesh, a major centre for yoga study, was made famous by the Beatles’ 1968 visit. The city hosts the evening Ganga Aarti, a spiritual gathering on the sacred Ganges River. The state’s forested Jim Corbett National Park shelters Bengal tigers and other native wildlife.
Garhwal, the western region where the Ganges arises, draws Hindu pilgrims and trekkers to high Himalayan temples at Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri. Mussoorie is a onetime British Raj hill station with views of Doon Valley, home to state capital Dehradun. In Kumaon, the eastern region, the resort town Nainital is set around picturesque Naini Lake. Nainital’s Snow View observation point (at 2,270m) has views of Nanda Devi, Uttarakhand’s highest peak. Across the state there are numerous areas for hiking, mountain climbing and whitewater rafting.
Destinations:
Rishikesh :
Rishikesh is a city in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River. The river is considered holy, and the city is renowned as a center for studying yoga and meditation. Temples and ashrams (centers for spiritual studies) line the eastern bank around Swarg Ashram, a traffic-free, alcohol-free and vegetarian enclave upstream from Rishikesh town.
At the confluence of 3 rivers, the Triveni Ghat is regarded as a sacred bathing spot for spiritual cleansing. A fire ritual known as ganga aarti is performed there nightly, where oil lamps are floated downstream. Upstream, the pedestrian-only iron suspension bridges, Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula, join the banks of the river around Swarg Ashram. The elaborate, 13-story Trayambakeshwar temple stands by the Lakshman Jhula bridge. Numerous ashrams offer yoga courses, and local companies arrange trekking tours into the mountains, kayaking and white-water rafting trips.
Jim Corbett National Park :
India’s oldest national park, opened in 1936, with a Bengal tiger reserve, visitor centre & safaris.
Most of Jim Corbett National Park is only open to visitors Nov 15–Jun 15. Peak season is May–Jun. Temperatures are cooler Dec–Mar, when days are sunny. Tigers are more likely to be spotted during these months, and it’s also a good time for birdwatching. Apr–Jun is hotter, leading up to the central part of the park closing at the start of monsoon season (mid Jun–Sep). A festival at Sitabani temple marks the holy day of Ramnavami (Mar/Apr).
Haridwar :
Haridwar is an ancient city and important Hindu pilgrimage site in North India’s Uttarakhand state, where the River Ganges exits the Himalayan foothills. The largest of several sacred ghats (bathing steps), Har Ki Pauri hosts a nightly Ganga Aarti (river-worshipping ceremony) in which tiny flickering lamps are floated off the steps. Worshipers fill the city during major festivals including the annual Kanwar Mela.
Accessible by cable car or steps, the ornate hilltop temples of Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi offer panoramic views of the plains from opposite sides of the Ganges. Another important pilgrimage temple is Maya Devi by Birla Ghat. Daksheswara Mahadev Temple lies amid havelis (mansions), sacred ashrams and an ancient banyan tree just south of Haridwar in the town of Kankhal. Near Haridwar, Rajaji National Park in the Shivalik Hills offers jungle safaris to see tigers, elephants, leopards and more than 300 species of birds, plus rafting on the River Ganges.
Nainital :
Nainital is a Himalayan resort town in the Kumaon region of India’s Uttarakhand state, at an elevation of roughly 2,000m. Formerly a British hill station, it’s set around Nainital Lake, a popular boating site with Naina Devi Hindu Temple on its north shore. A cable car runs to Snow View observation point (at 2,270m), with vistas over the town and mountains including Nanda Devi, Uttarakhand’s highest peak.
Naina Peak, at 2,600m, is within hiking distance. back in town, Bara Bazaar is a popular shopping destination. South of downtown Nainital is Raj Bhawan, a Victorian-era governmental manor offering tours of its grounds, plus a public golf course. Elsewhere in the region, forested Jim Corbett National Park is a reserve for endangered Bengal tigers and other native wildlife. Naukuchiatal (9-Cornered Lake) and Sattal (7 Lakes) are rustic locales for boating and fishing.
Mussoorie :
Mussoorie is a hill station and a municipal board in the Dehradun District of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is about 35 kilometres from the state capital of Dehradun and 290 km north of the national capital of New Delhi. The hill station is in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan range. The adjoining town of Landour, which includes a military cantonment, is considered part of ‘greater Mussoorie’, as are the townships of Barlowganj and Jharipani. The pin code for Mussoorie is 248179. Mussoorie is at an average altitude of 1,880 metres. To the northeast are the Himalayan snow ranges, and to the south, the Doon Valley and Shiwalik ranges. The second highest point is the original Lal Tibba in Landour, with a height of over 2,275 metres. Mussoorie is popularly known as The Queen of the Hills.
Dehradun:
Dehradun is the capital of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, near the Himalayan foothills. At its core is the 6-sided Ghanta Ghar clock tower. To the southwest is Paltan Bazaar, a busy shopping area. Just east is the Sikh temple Gurdwara Nanaksar, topped with ornate white and golden domes. In Clement Town to the city’s southwest, Mindrolling Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist center with shrine rooms in its Great Stupa.
In the city’s northwest, the over-100-year-old Forest Research Institute contains a large museum with sections including pathology and timber. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, nearby Tapkeshwar Mandir is a Hindu temple on the Asan River attracting many pilgrims, especially to its sacred cave. Farther northeast, a cold river stream flows through a natural cave formation known as Robber’s Cave (also called “Guchupani”). Northeast of the cave, deer and Indian antelope roam Malsi Deer Park, a popular picnic spot.
Badrinath:
Badrinath is a holy town and a nagar panchayat in Chamoli district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the four sites in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage and gets its name from the temple of Badrinath
Ranikhet:
Ranikhet is a hill station in Uttarakhand State, northern India. It’s known for its views of the Himalayas. Hundreds of bells adorn Jhula Devi Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. Fruit trees grow on the terraced orchards of Chaubatia Gardens, with views of peaks including Nanda Devi. Mahatma Gandhi stayed in a hut, Gandhi Kuti, in nearby Tarikhet village during the independence struggle.
Kedarnath:
Kedarnath is a town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and has gained importance because of Kedarnath Temple. It is a nagar panchayat in Rudraprayag district. The most remote of the four Chota Char Dham sites, Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas, about 3,583 m above sea level near Chorabari Glacier, the head of river Mandakini, and is flanked by snow-capped peaks, most prominently Kedarnath mountain. The nearest road head is at Gaurikund. The town suffered extensive destruction during June 2013 from flash floods caused by torrential rains in Uttarakhand state.
Gangotri:
Gangotri is a town and a Nagar Panchayat in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi and origin of River Ganges. It is on the Greater Himalayan Range, at a height of 3,100 metres. According to popular Hindu legend, it was here that Goddess Ganga descended when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair.
Kausani:
Kausani is a hill station and Village situated in Bageshwar district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is famous for its scenic splendour and its spectacular 300 km-wide panoramic view of Himalayan peaks like Trisul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli. Mahatma Gandhi called this place the ‘Switzerland of India’, due to similarity in landscapes.
Auli, India:
Auli is a Himalayan ski resort and hill station in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. It’s surrounded by coniferous and oak forests, plus the Nanda Devi and Nar Parvat mountains. A long cable car links Auli to the town of Joshimath. North of Auli are the colorful Badrinath Temple, a Hindu pilgrimage site, and the Valley of Flowers National Park, with its alpine flora and wildlife like snow leopards and red foxes.
Uttarkashi:
Uttarkashi, meaning Kashi of the north, is a town in Uttarakhand, India. It is the district headquarters of Uttarkashi district. Uttarkashi is situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi at an altitude of 1158 m above sea level. Uttarkashi is generally known as a holy town close to Rishikesh. It is located in the state of Uttarakhand in India. Uttarkashi is home to a number of ashrams and temples and also to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. The name of the town reflects its similarity to and location the city of Kashi. Similar to Varanasi, town of Uttarkashi is situated on the Ganges, lies next to a hill named Varunavat, on confluence of two rivers Varuna and Asi, has a ghat called Manikarnika Ghat and has a temple dedicated to Shiva similar to in Varanasi, in the center of the town.
Mukteswar:
Mukteshwar is a town and tourist destination in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India. It sits high in the Kumaon Hills at an altitude of 2286 meters, 51 km from Nainital, 72 km from Haldwani, and 343 km from Delhi.
Chopta:
Chopta is a small region of meadows and evergreen forest area which is a part of kedarnath wildlife sanctuary located in Uttarakhand state, India and a base for trekking to Tungnath, third temple of Panch Kedar, which lies 3.5 kilometres away. Located at a distance of 1.5 kilometres from Tungnath is Chandrashila, a rising to over 4,000 metres. Chopta is an unspoiled natural destination lying in the lap of the Uttarakhand Himalayas and offers views of the imposing Himalayan range including Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. It is located at an elevation of 2,680 metres above sea level. Chopta village is surrounded by forests of pine, deodar and rhododendron and is rich in flora and fauna include rare species of birds and musk deer.
Bhimtal:
Bhimtal is a town and a nagar panchayat in Nainital district in the state of Uttarakhand, India, situated at an altitude of 1370 meters above sea level and is about 22 kilometers from Nainital. The major attraction in Bhimtal is the Bhimtal Lake, which has an island at its centre. Besides tourism, Bhimtal has also now become a mini district headquarters since most of the district administration offices have been shifted to the newly constructed Vikas Bhawan, the building complex for district administrative offices.
Joshimath:
Joshimath, also known as Jyotirmath is a city and a municipal board in Chamoli District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Located at a height of 6150 feet, it is gateway to several Himalayan mountain climbing expeditions, trekking trails and pilgrim centres like Badrinath. It is home to one of the four cardinal pīthas established by Adi Shankara.
Dhanaulti:
Dhanaulti is a hill station situated in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan range located 24 km from the hill station of Mussoorie.
Almora:
Almora is a municipal board and a cantonment town in the Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Almora district. Almora is located on a ridge at the southern edge of the Kumaon Hills of the Himalaya range, at a distance of 363 km from the national capital New Delhi and 415 km via Saharanpur Rd, 351 km via NH109 and 388.6 km via Ambala- Dehradun- Haridwar Rd from the state capital Dehradun. According to the provisional results of the 2011 national census of India, Almora has a population of 35,513. Nestled within higher peaks of the Himalaya, Almora enjoys a year-round mild temperate climate. Almora was founded in 1568 by King Kalyan Chand, however there are accounts of human settlements in the hills and surrounding region in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Almora was the seat of Chand kings that ruled over the Kumaon Kingdom. It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
Lansdowne:
Lansdowne is a hill station in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. It was founded as a military garrison under the British Raj, and the Garhwali Museum traces the history of the Garhwal Rifles regiment, which still trains in the town. Close to colonial-era St. Mary’s Church, Tip-n-Top viewpoint is perched up on a ridge overlooking forested hills. Hindu devotees worship Shiva at the centuries-old Kaleshwar Temple.
Rudraprayag:
Rudraprayag is a town and a municipality in Rudraprayag district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Rudraprayag is one of the Panch Prayag of Alaknanda River, the point of confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. Kedarnath, a Hindu holy town is located 86 km from Rudraprayag. The man eating Leopard of Rudraprayag hunted and written about by Jim Corbett dwelled here.
Devprayag:
Devprayag is a town and a nagar panchayat in Tehri Garhwal district in the state of Uttarakhand, India, and is one of the Panch Prayag of Alaknanda River where Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet and take the name Ganga.
Chakrata:
Chakrata is a cantonment town in Dehradun district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is between the Tons and Yamuna rivers, at an elevation of 2118 m, 98 km from state capital, Dehradun; it was originally a cantonment of the British Indian Army. To the west lies Himachal Pradesh, and to the east are Mussoorie and Garhwal.
Jageshar Dham:
Jageshwar Temples, also referred to as Jageswar Temples or Jageshwar valley temples, are a group of over 100 Hindu temples dated between 7th and 12th century near Almora, in the Himalayan Indian state of Uttarakhand. The valley has a number of temple clusters such as the Dandeshwar and Jageshwar sites. Some locations have attracted construction of new temples through the 20th-century. Together these clusters over the valley consist of over 200 structural temples built from cut stone. Many are small, while a few are substantial. They predominantly illustrate North Indian Nagara style of architecture with a few exceptions that show South and Central Indian style designs, many are dedicated to god Shiva, while others in immediate vicinity are dedicated to god Vishnu, Shakti goddesses and Surya traditions of Hinduism. Jageshwar is a Hindu pilgrimage town and one of the Dhams in the Shaivism tradition. The site is protected under Indian laws, and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. It includes Dandeshwar Temple, Chandi-ka-Temple, Jageshwar Temple, Kuber Temple, Mritunjaya Temple, Nanda Devi or Nau Durga, Nava-grah temple, a Pyramidal shrine, and Surya Temple.
Guptkashi:
Guptakashi, Gupta Kashi or Guptkashi is a fairly large town located at an elevation of 1,319 metres in the Kedar-khanda, in Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district in Uttrakhand, India. It is known for its ancient Vishwanath Temple dedicated to the god Shiva, which is similar to the one in Varanasi. The other well known temple here is dedicated to Ardhanareshvara, a half man half woman form of Shiva and Parvati. The name Guptakashi has legendary significance linked to the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Its religious importance is considered next to that of Varanasi, believed to be the most pious of all Hindu pilgrimage places. The temple town is located on the way to the Kedarnath, one of the Chota Char Dhams and Panch Kedars. It has the scenic backdrop of the snow-covered peaks of Chaukhamba and enjoys a salubrious weather throughout the year.
Ramnagar:
Ramnagar is a small town and municipal board in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India. It is located approximately 65 kilometres from Nainital, the headquarters of the district. Ramnagar is the gateway to the Corbett National Park, the oldest national park and a famous tourist destination of India. Garjiya Devi Temple and Sitabani temple, Sitabani Wildlife Reserve located nearby also attract many visitors.
Kathgodam:
Kathgodam is a town in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state of India. It is part of the twin township of Haldwani-Kathgodam, and is immediately north of Haldwani. It is one of the important collection centres for forest products obatained from Kumaon Himalayas.
Chamba:
Chamba is a town and in Tehri Garhwal district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is situated at a junction of roads connecting Mussoorie and Rishikesh with the Tehri Dam reservoir and New Tehri.Its nearby tourist places are Dhanaulti, Surkanda Devi Temple, Ranichauri, New Tehri, and Kanatal, halfway between Chamba and Dhanaulti.About 50 km fromMussoorie, the small hill town of Chamba, Uttarakhand, is another of those destinations yet unknown to most tourists and therefore unspoilt and fresh like a daisy for the lucky few who venture out seeking new places to explore and enjoy. Chamba is situated at an altitude of 1600m above sea level. There are pleasant forests of pine and deodar trees, with some good views. Unlike Mussoorie, this place is fairly quiet and picturesque, hence an excellent place to relax and wash off the city blues. One can reach Chamba in about 7-8 hrs from Delhi via Haridwar, Rishikesh and Narendranagar. One can also combine a stay at Chamba with a visit to Mussoorie or Dhanolti and reach via Dehradun, Mussoorie and Dhanolti. How to Reach Chamba By Bus: Chamba is well connected by public and private transport buses from neighbouring cities.
Haldwani:
Haldwani is the second most populous city, the largest commercial market in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. With a population of 556,078 in 2011, it is also the largest city of the Kumaun region. Haldwani is located in the Nainital District, and is one of its eight Subdivisions. The Haldwani Urban agglomeration has 1032,095 people, and is the third most populous UA in Uttarakhand, after Dehradun and Haridwar. Being situated in the immediate foothils of Kumaon Himalayas, Haldwani is known as the “Gateway to Kumaon”. The name “Haldwani” is an anglicised version of the Kumaoni word “Halduvani”, named after the tree of “Haldu”, known to botanists as Haldina cordifolia. The Haldu trees were found in abundance prior to deforestation for agriculture and settlement. The place was regionally known as Halduvani until George William Traill took over as Commissioner of Kumaon and renamed it to Haldwani in 1834. Located in the Bhabhar region in the Himalayan foothills on the banks of the Gaula River, the town of Haldwani was established in 1834, as a mart for hill people who visited Bhabar during the cold season.
Pithoragarh:
Pithoragarh is a western Himalayan town with a Municipal Board in Pithoragarh district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the largest unorganised semi-urbanised village cluster in the hills of Uttarakhand. Local governing bodies have been trying hard to provide basic amenities to people since ages, however it is hard to find the evidence of their struggle on ground.
Mana:
Mana is a village in the district of Chamoli in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, located at an altitude of 3,200 meters. It is located on the northern terminus of National Highway 58, Mana is the last village before the Mana Pass and is 24 kilometres from the border of India and Tibet The village is at a distance of about 3 km from the Hindu Pilgrimage Badrinath and the two places are culturally connected with each other.
Things to do:
- Valley of flowers national park :
Valley of Flowers National Park is an Indian national park, located in North Chamoli, in the state of Uttarakhand and is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, and blue sheep. Birds found in the park include Himalayan monal pheasant and other high altitude birds. At 3352 to 3658 meters above sea level, the gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east. Together, they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya. The park stretches over an expanse of 87.50 km2 and it is about 8 km long and 2 km wide. Both parks are encompassed in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve(223,674 ha) which is further surrounded by a buffer zone (5,148.57 km2).
- Yamunotri :
Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the Goddess Yamuna in Hinduism. It is situated at an altitude of 3,293 metres (10,804 ft) in the Garhwal Himalayas and located approximately 30 kilometers (19 mi) North of Uttarkashi, the headquarters of the Uttarkashi district in the Garhwal Division of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the four sites in India‘s Chhota Char Dhampilgrimage. The sacred shrine of Yamunotri, source of the river Yamuna, is the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, perched atop a flank of Bandar Poonch Parvat. The chief attraction at Yamunotri is the temple devoted to the Goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs at Janki Chatti (7 km. Away).
The actual source, a frozen lake of ice and glacier (Champasar Glacier) located on the Kalind Mountain at a height of 4,421 m above sea level, about 1 km further up, is not frequented generally as it is not accessible; hence the shrine has been located on the foot of the hill. The approach is extremely difficult and pilgrims therefore offer puja at the temple itself.
The temple of Yamuna, on the left bank of the Yamuna, was constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The deity is made of black marble. The Yamuna, like the Ganges, has been elevated to the status of a divine mother for the Hindus and has been held responsible for nurturing and developing the Indian civilization.
- Nanda Devi :
Nanda Devi is the second highest mountain in India, and the highest located entirely within the country. (Kangchenjunga, which is higher, is on the border of India and Nepal.) It is the 23rd-highest peak in the world. It was considered the highest mountain in the world before computations in 1808 proved Dhaulagiri to be higher. It was also the highest mountain in India until 1975 when Sikkim, the state in which Kangchenjunga is located, joined the Republic of India. It is part of the Garhwal Himalayas, and is located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, between the Rishiganga valley on the west and the Goriganga valley on the east. The peak, whose name means “Bliss-Giving Goddess”, is regarded as the patron-goddess of the Uttarakhand Himalaya. In acknowledgment of its religious significance and for the protection of its fragile ecosystem, the peak as well as the circle of high mountains surrounding it—the Nanda Devi sanctuary—were closed to both locals and climbers in 1983. The surrounding Nanda Devi National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
- Rajaji National Park :
Rajaji National Park is an Indian national park and tiger reserve that encompasses the Shivaliks, near the foothills of the Himalayas. The park is spread over 820 km2, and three districts of Uttarakhand: Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal. In 1983, three wildlife sanctuaries in the area namely, Chilla, Motichur and Rajaji sanctuaries were merged into one. The Ganga and Song rivers flow through the park.
Rajaji National Park has been named after C. Rajagopalachari , a prominent leader of the Freedom Struggle, the second and last Governor-General of independent India and one of the first recipients of India’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna (in 1954).
- Nainital Lake :
Nainital Lake, a natural freshwater body, situated amidst the township of Nainital in Uttarakhand State of India, tectonic in origin, is kidney shaped or crescent shaped and has an outfall at the south-eastern end.
Nainital is most popular hill station of Kumaon district. It is famous for its Naini Lake located at the centre of the town and several other lakes of nearby areas.
Nainital Lake, in the Nainital district called the Lake District of India, is one of the four Lakes of Kumaon hills; the other three lakes are the Sattal Lake, the Bhimtal Lake and the Naukuchiyatal Lake.
- Roopkund :
Roopkund (locally known as Mystery Lake, Skeletons Lake) is a high altitude glacial lake in the Uttarakhand state of India. It lies in the lap of Trishul massif and is famous for the hundreds of human skeletons found at the edge of the lake. The area is uninhabited, in the Himalayas at an altitude of 16,470 feet (5,020 m). Surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers and snow-clad mountains, the lake is a popular trekking destination.
A shallow lake, having a depth of about two metres, Roopkund has attracted attention because of the human skeletal remains that are visible at its bottom when the snow melts. Researchers have concluded that the skeletons are the remains of people killed in a sudden, violent hailstorm in the 9th century. Because of the human remains, the lake has been called Skeleton Lake in recent times.
- Lakshman Jhula :
Lakshman Jhula is a suspension bridge across the river Ganges, located 5 kilometres (3 mi) north-east of the city of Rishikesh in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The bridge connects the two villages of Tapovan in Tehri Garhwal district, on the west bank of the river, to Jonk in Pauri Garhwal district, on the east bank. Lakshman Jhula is a pedestrian bridge that is also used by motorbikes. The bridge is currently closed. Despite its location on the outskirts of the city, it is one of the iconic landmarks of Rishikesh. A larger bridge 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) downstream from Lakshman Jhula is Ram Jhula.
It is said that the Hindu deity Lakshmana crossed the Ganges on jute ropes where the bridge is built. Lakshman Jhula was completed in 1929.
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary :
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is perched on top of the Jhandi Dhar hills in the Himalayas. It is about 33 km north of the Almora town in Uttarakhand, India.
From a place called Zero Point in Binsar one can see the Himalayan peaks like Kedarnath Peak, Shivling, Trisul and Nanda Devi.
Binsar was the summer capital of the Chand Kings, who ruled over Kumaon from the 11th to 18th centuries AD. Binsar was established in 1988 for the conservation and protection of the shrinking broad leaf oak forests of the Central Himalayan region, and it has over 200 bird species.
- Hark Ki Pauri, Haridwar :
Har Ki Pauri is a famous ghat on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This revered place is the major landmark of the holy city of Haridwar. Literally, “Har” means “Lord Shiva” who is the god according to shaivite Rishav Bhagwan school of Hindu theology, “Ki” means “of” and “Pauri” means “steps”. Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are believed to have visited the Brahmakund in Har Ki Pauri in the Vedic times.
It is believed that it is precise spot where the Ganges leaves the mountains and enters the plains. The ghat is on the west bank of Ganges canal through which the Ganges is diverted just to the north. Har Ki Pauri is also the area where thousands of pilgrims converge and the festivities commence during the Kumbha Mela, which takes place every twelve years, and the Ardh Kumbh Mela, which takes place every six years and the Punjabi festival of Vaisakhi, a harvest festival occurring every year in the month of April .
- Chandrashila :
Chandrashila is summit of the Tungnath . It literally means “Moon Rock”. It is located at a height of about 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) above sea level. This peak provides views of the Himalayas, including Nandadevi, Trisul, Kedar Peak, Bandarpunch and Chaukhamba peaks. There are various legends associated with this place. According to one such legend, this is the place where Lord Rama meditated after defeating the demon-king Ravana. Another legend says that moon-god Chandra spent time here in penance.
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple :
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Nilkanth, an aspect of Shiva. The temple is situated at a height of 1330 meters and is located about 32 km from Rishikesh in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India.
The temple is one of the most revered holy shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site. It is surrounded by dense forests and is adjacent to the mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan. It is enveloped between the valleys of Manikoot, Brahmakoot, and Vishnukoot and is located at the confluence of the rivers Pankaja and Madhumati.
- Tungnath :
Tungnath is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world and is the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples located in the mountain range of Tunganath in Rudraprayag district, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Tunganath (literal meaning: Lord of the peaks) mountains form the Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. It is located at an altitude of 3,680 m (12,073 ft), and just below the peak of Chandrashila. The temple is believed to be 5000 years old and is the third (Tritiya Kedar) in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars. It has a rich legend linked to the Pandavas, heroes of the Mahabharata epic.
- Badrinath Temple :
Badrinath or Badrinarayan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu which is situated in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, India. The temple and town form one of the four Char Dham and Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The temple is also one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Badrinath—holy shrines for Vaishnavites. It is open for six months every year (between the end of April and the beginning of November), because of extreme weather conditions in the Himalayan region. The temple is located in Garhwal hill tracks in Chamoli district along the banks of Alaknanda River at an elevation of 3,133 m (10,279 ft) above the mean sea level. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers of India, having recorded 1,060,000 visits.
The image of the presiding deity worshipped in the temple is a 1 ft (0.30 m), the black stone statue of Vishnu in the form of Badrinarayan. The statue is considered by many Hindus to be one of eight swayam vyakta kshetras, or self-manifested statues of Vishnu.
- Shri Mata Mansa Devi Mandir , Haridwar :
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Mansa Devi in the holy city of Haridwar in the Uttarakhand state of India. The temple is located atop the Bilwa Parvat on the Sivalik Hills, the southernmost mountain chain of the Himalayas. The temple, also known as Bilwa Tirth is one of the Panch Tirth (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar.
The temple is known for being the holy abode of Mansa Devi, a form of Shakti and is said to have emerged from the mind of the Lord Shiva. Mansa is regarded as the sister of the Nāga (serpent) Vasuki. She is also believed to be the daughter of Lord Shiva in his human incarnate. The term Mansa means wish and it is believed that the goddess fulfils all the wishes of a sincere devotee. There is a folk tale about this, once Mansa, a common girl who was unaware about her complete truth from her guardians decided to meet Lord Shiva and ask him about her truth. To meet Lord Shiva, she sat for Sadhana and after years of spiritual exercise, she got the fortune to meet Lord Shiva and clarify her truth from him. After learning her truth, she attained the powers of goddess of welfare for the world. Devotees who pray to Mansa Devi for fulfilling their wishes tie threads to the branches of a tree located in the temple. Once their wishes are fulfilled, people come back again to the temple to untie the thread from the tree. Goddess Mansa is also offered coconuts, fruits, garlands and incense sticks for prayer.
Mansa Devi Temple is a Siddh Peeth (These are known to fulfill the desires of the worshippers). It is one of three such Peeths located in Haridwar, the other two being Chandi Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple. The inner shrine has two deities, one with eight arms and the other one with three heads and five arms.
- Sattal :
Sattal or Sat Tal is an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes situated in the Lower Himalayan Range near Bhimtal, a town of the Nainital district in Uttarakhand, India. During the British Raj, the area had a tea plantation, one of four in the Kumaon area at that time.
The lakes sit at an altitude of 1370 metres below lush orchards in the Mehragaon valley.
Set amongst dense forests of oak and pine trees, Sattal is one of the few unspoiled and unpolluted freshwater biomes in India. These lakes are a paradise for migratory birds. It is home to a few camps being operated mostly by local people catering to tourists looking for outdoor vacations.
- Ram Jhulka , Rishikesh :
Ram Jhula is an iron suspension bridge across the river Ganges, located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north-east from the town Rishikesh in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The bridge connects the Sivananda Nagar area of Muni Ki Reti in Tehri Garhwal district to Swargashram in Pauri Garhwal district crossing the river from west to east. Built in the year 1986, the bridge is one of the iconic landmarks of Rishikesh.
There are many Hindu ashrams and religious centers established at both sides of the Ganges. It is also a connecting bridge between Sivananda Ashram located in Muni Ki Reti to Gita Bhawan, Parmarth Niketan and other temples located in Swargashram. Though similar in design, this bridge is bigger than Lakshman Jhula which is 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) upwards the river stream. This bridge is constructed with the span of 750 feet (230 m).
- Parmarth Niketan Ashram :
Parmarth Niketan is an ashram located in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
Parmarth Niketan is situated in the lap of the lush Himalayas, along the banks of the Ganges. The ashram was founded in 1942 by Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj (1901–1965). Since 1986, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj is the President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan.
As the largest ashram in Rishikesh with over 1000 rooms, Parmarth Niketan provides a clean, pure and sacred atmosphere as well as abundant, beautiful gardens to thousands of pilgrims, who come from all corners of the Earth. The daily activities at Parmarth Niketan include daily yoga specializing in Vinyasa yoga, general Hatha yoga and yoga Nidra. Daily activities also include morning universal prayers and meditation classes, daily satsang and lecture programs, kirtan, a Ganga aarti at sunset attended by hundreds of visitors each day at the shore of Ganges, as well as Nature Cure and Ayurvedic treatment and training. Parmarth Niketan is the home to a 14 feet Shiva statue on the banks of the Ganges which provides a perfect view to the ashram. The divine tree of heaven Kalpavriksha was planted at the premises of this ashram by Vijaypal Baghel of Himalaya Vahini.
Additionally, there are frequently special cultural and spiritual programs given by visiting revered saints, acclaimed musicians, spiritual and social leaders, and others.
There are frequent camps in which pilgrims come from across the world to take part in intensive courses on yoga, meditation, pranayama, stress management, acupressure, Reiki, Ayurveda and other ancient Indian sciences
Parmarth Niketan is also the headquarters of the Swami Shukdevanand Trust, a non-profit, religious/spiritual organization dedicated to religion, spirituality and culture, founded in 1942 by Pujya Swami Shukdevanandji Maharaj and registered in 1962 under the Societies Registration Act.
Parmarth Niketan is open to all visitors, with no discrimination on the basis of race, nationality, religion, caste or creed.
- Nag Tibba :
Nag Tibba, 3,022 metres (9,915 ft), is the highest peak in the lesser himalayan region of Uttarakhand state (Garhwal Division), and lends its name to the ‘Nag Tibba Range’, itself the next-northerly of the five folds of the Himalaya. It is situated 16 km (9.9 mi) away from Landour cantonment, and around 57 km from Mussoorie in Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The ‘Nag Tibba Range’ is amongst three principal ranges of the Lesser Himalayas, which includes the Dhauladhar, and the Pir Panjal, which branched off from the Great Himalayas.
- Kedarnath Temple :
Kedarnath temple is a Hindu temple (shrine) dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located on the Garhwal Himalayan rangenear the Mandakini river, Kedarnath is located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open to the general public only between the months of April (Akshaya Tritriya) and November (Kartik Purnima, the autumn full moon). During the winters, the vigrahas (deities) from Kedarnath temple are carried down to Ukhimath and where the deity is worshiped for the next six months. Kedarnath is seen as a homogenous form of Lord Shiva, the ‘Lord of Kedar Khand’, the historical name of the region.
The temple is not directly accessible by road and has to be reached by a 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) uphill trek from Gaurikund. Pony and manchan service is available to reach the structure. According to Hindu legends, the temple was initially built by Pandavas, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, expounded in Tevaram. Pandavas were supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath. The temple is one of the four major sites in India’s Chota Char Dham pilgrimage of Northern Himalayas. This temple is the highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas. Kedarnath was the worst affected area during the 2013 flash floods in North India. The temple complex, surrounding areas, and Kedarnath town suffered extensive damage, but the temple structure did not suffer any “major” damage, apart from a few cracks on one side of the four walls which was caused by the flowing debris from the higher mountains. A large rock among the debris acted as a barrier, protecting the temple from the flood. The surrounding premises and other buildings in the market area were heavily damaged.
- Chota Char Dham :
The Chota Char Dham (literally translated as ‘the small four abodes/seats’, meaning ‘the small circuit of four abodes/seats’), is an important Hindu pilgrimage circuit on the under upgradation Chardham Road Highway and under construction Chota Char Dham Railway in the Indian Himalayas. Located in the Garhwal region of the state of Uttarakhand (formerly the northwestern section of Uttar Pradesh), the circuit consists of four sites—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Badrinath is also one of the four destinations (with each destination being in different corners of the country) of the longer Char Dham from which the Chota Char Dham likely draws its name.
The Annual Char Dham Yatra resumed in May 2014, after remaining suspended since the outbreak of 2013 Uttarakhand floods. The footfall has now improved due to proactive measures taken by the government of Uttarakhand.
Akha-Trij or Akha-Teej (Julian and Gregorian Calendars, May) marks the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra. The ‘Yatra’ typically closes 2 days after Diwali, on the day of Bhai-Bij (or Bhai Dooj).
Also, there are chances of roadblocks due to heavy rainfall in late July and August. In May and June, tourists flock in large numbers. So, there is very little time offered for ‘Darshan’. So, it is best to take the Char Dham Yatra in mid May to July and September – October.
Best time to visit:
Many visitors come in summer (May–Jun) for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing. The monsoon season is Jul–Sep. Climate varies widely depending on altitude, with winter (Nov–Feb) cold and snowy in mountain areas. Key events include the International Yoga Festival (Rishikesh, Mar); the Ardh Kumbh Mela and Kumbh Mela, which draw millions of Hindu pilgrims to bathe in the Ganges (Haridwar, Jan–Apr, every 6 & 12 years); and the Nanda Devi Fair (Almora, Sep), honouring a Hindu goddess with cultural celebrations.
How to reach:
Uttarakhand is gradually developing its connectivity with all three means of transport; however, roadways still remain the best means to explore this hilly state. There is efficient road connectivity both intrastate and interstate, making it easy for people to visit Uttarakhand anytime of the year and that too comfortably. The state at the moment has two operational airports and a few railway stations as well.
BY AIR
The airports, where the flights from different states fly in, go by the name of Pantnagar Airport which is situated in the Pantnagar in Kumaon Region, Jolly Grant situated in Dehradun and Naini Saini Airport in the Pithoragarh. Jolly Grant is the most well-connected of the three airports in Uttarakhand and Pithoragarh is yet to open for public.
BY RAIL:
Easing up the connection for the tourists, Uttarakhand railways department is maintaining 16 big and small railway stations which connect Uttarakhand with Lucknow, Delhi, Kolkata, and to several other major cities, towns in India. Haridwar, Dehradun, Kathgodam, Rudrapur, Tanakpur, Pantnagar are a few railways stations that contribute in making travelling easy inside the state as well as from other parts of the country.
BY ROAD
Roadways offer the best connectivity in the state. There are well-connected highways like NH 108, NH 109, NH 119, NH 121, NH 123 and NH 72A that connect the state with other parts of the country. With an efficient bus unit, Uttarakhand offers excellent accessibility. Taxis are also available to most of the destinations in the state, and thus, is the best mode of transport.
Food in Uttarakhand:
Uttarakhand is popular in India among nature lovers and the adventure junkies. However, little do we know about the famous food of Uttarakhand or how the people out there in those hard, hilly terrains prepare their traditional meals with very limited ingredients.
Not to forget, a traditional food of Uttarakhand has balanced flavour and are cooked mostly over a slow fire!
Kumaoni Dishes of Uttarakhand
When we talk about the most ethnic cuisine of Uttarakhand, the leading the authentic Kumaoni delicacies lost to the pressure of ‘popular’ demands for Tibetan cuisines by tourists.
But if your interest is genuine, then try to get invited in a traditional Kumaoni household and gorge on some delicious, simple and highly nutritious foods.
Kumaon offer foods that are organic and have wonderful health benefits. So if possible, then try to replicate the recipes in your own kitchen to make your stomach hale and hearty.
The traditional fare
Rice and chapatti are the two common staple foods in any typical Kumaoni diet. As people are pretty hard working there and lead a tough life, they don’t have the luxury of having meals every two hours, as per the popular notion!
The morning meal begins with the famous local food of Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region like rice, cucumber raita, salad, chapatti, urad (black lentil), Gehet or chana (black gram) dal, Aaloo Ke Gutke, and chutney.
Kumaoni people have an early and light dinner and during the night, they don’t prefer eating rice. So a dinner mainly consists of chapatti, dal, ghee, and vegetables.
Basic Ingredients
Various lentils, soya beans, red chilies, herbs, and very little spices- these are the main ingredients to cook up a satisfying meal at a Kumaoni household.
The main condiment for any Kumaoni brunch is various chutneys. Bhang or Cannabis seeds and pomegranate seeds are mainly used in chutney preparations.
There is a famous winter condiment called Sana Hua Nimbu which is made from- radish, curb, lemons, and cannabis seeds, and do wonders to keep oneself warm during those chilly months.
When it comes to sabzi, Kumaonis use organically produced fresh and local leaves and plants.
You can have a highly nutritious and delectable sabzi made from leaves of nettle plants (shishun), chudkhani (black soya), bhatiya (white soya), spinach, and ras (an assortment of soyabean, gram and lentil).
Cereals like mandua and buckwheat are made use of making chapattis, and they are savored hot with sabzi or Gur (jaggery)/ghee especially during winter.
Curry is a favorite form of cooking vegetables in Kumaon, and mainly curd and lemon juices are applied to season the curry or jholi (as it is known locally).
Though the region is steadily on a vegetable diet, there are some communities who eat the meat of mutton and chicken, and this trend is growing rapidly across the area.
Popular Beverages of Uttarakhand
Kumaonis consume tea with lots of milk and sugar. The beverage intake is repeated several times in a day retain the warmness and be energetic- thus making it almost a life-saving potion.
Apart from that, there are types of locally brewed alcohol that you may find here.
Famous Dessert dishes of Uttarakhand
In India, milk is the primal ingredient to make any sweets or dessert. But it’s not easy to find milk in abundance, in the hilly terrain of Uttarakhand.
So in Kumaon, only on special occasions like a festival or at puja, liquid or condensed milk is used to cook kheer and sweets.
Jhangora kheer is made from milk, sugar and home-grown cereal Jhangora. Quite famous in Nainital, Baal mithai is traditional popular sweet of Uttarakhand, decorated with sugar balls and has khoya khir stuffing inside. Also, Singodi is another unique sweet dish, wrapped with oak leaves and infused by condensed milk.
Food Snacks of Uttarakhand
Aloo ke Gutke is probably the best-known snack that you will get at various eateries in every nuke and corner of Kumaon.
Yummy potato wedges deep-fried with cumin seeds and local condiments like jamboo and jakhya, and finally garnished by coriander leaves.
Another widely-admired Kumaoni snack is Badeel– which is a diamond shaped deep-fried, chana daal mixture. And when it is served hot with garlic or coriander chutney, you may feel heavenly pleasure inside your mouth.