Places of Tourist Interest

Daunting and fascinating- that's how it sounds when you plan a trip to one of the finest locations of the Garhwal Himalayas i.e. Uttarkashi. This spectacular Uttarakhand hill district easily captivates the visitor's charm with a snowline high above and a green landscape around. Terraced hills, lakes, springs and waterfalls- Uttarkashi is a destination that holds something for everyone. It is a trekker's paradise, a pilgrim's dream come true, a nature lover's dream destination.

Uttarkashi is surrounded by interestingly varied places, Himachal on the north, Tibet on the North east, Chamoli on the east, Rudraprayag on the south east, Tehri on south and Dehradun on the east.

Apart from the famous tourist attractions of Gangotri and Yamunotri, this Uttarakhand tourist destination has loads of interesting places to visit.

Vishwanath Temple

Vishwanath temple in Uttarkashi is one of the major pilgrimage attractions in Uttarkashi (around 300 mts from the local bus stand). An ancient temple, it is believed to have been by built by Parasuram. Later, it was renovated by Maharani Khaneti, wife of Sudarshan Shah in 1857. The temple has a Shivling, 60 cms high and 90 cms in circumference. This holy shrine is visited by almost every tourist on his trip to Uttarkashi .

Shakti Temple

This temple is just opposite Vishwanath temple. A big trishul in this temple is the centre of attraction. It is 6 metres in height and 90 cms at the bottom. The trishul is held in high regard by the devotees who believe it was thrown at the devils by Goddess Durga. The body of this holy trident is made of iron (in the upper part) and copper (in the lower part).

Govind National Park

One of the perfect getaways for nature walks in India , the Govind National Park offers you a close encounter with wildlife, rare birds and snow-laden peaks. This Uttarakhand nature park is spread over an area of 953 sq. kms and is particularly attractive in May-June, when the flowers are in full bloom and pleasant weather prevails. There are approximately 150 varieties of birds in the park, qualifying it as one of the prime destinations for bird watching in India . Cuckoos, minivets, parakeets can be easily spotted. The animals consist mainly of Himalayan wildlife .

Gangnani

This notable Uttarakhand district is known for its thermal springs and the lovely views of Himalayas . The prevailing calm also makes it an ideal meditation center of Uttarakhand . Rishikund, a spring lying close by, offers refreshing bath to the pilgrims on their Gangotri tour . A temple dedicated to sage Parasara, father of Veda Vyas, also lies in the vicinity.

Maneri

Thirteen kilometers from Uttarkashi, the beautiful village of Maneri has lately emerged as a tourist attraction on account of a dam being constructed on the river Bhagirathi. The water from here is fed through an 8 km long tunnel to turbines at Uttarkashi. A lake is formed because of the dam, adding to the beauty of the place.

Har Ki Doon

A famous Uttarakhand trekking destination, Har Ki Doon is lies at an altitude of 3506 meters. The place is known for its popular treks, which offers its trekkers a reasonable trek in the dense forests and the mountainous landscape.

Dayara Bugyal

The word 'bugyal' in local language means 'high altitude meadow'. On route to Gangotri, a road branches off near Bhatwari, leading to Dayara Bugyal. The distance from Uttarkashi to Dayara Bugyal is 32 kms. The spot can be reached by a vehicle till village Barsu, followed by a three km trek to Dayara. A 30 km trek through a dense forest from there will lead to the beautiful Dodi Tal.

Harsil

72 kilometres from Uttarkashi is the beautiful Bhagirathi valley, echoing all the colors of nature in its fold. Green grassy terrains, a blue sky and the gentle clear waters- the natural beauty is simply inexpressible! Besides, tourists can also visit the Wilson cottage, built in 1964; the Sat Tal, a cluster of seven lakes or even enjoy an adventurous Uttarakhand trekking tour to discover the lands nearby.