Best places to visit in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

May 1
18:58

2020

Vishal Mahajan

Vishal Mahajan

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Uttarkashi is one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand, India. See the best places to visit in Uttarkashi below and don't miss to travel Uttarkashi while visiting Uttarakhand.

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Uttarkashi is located in the state Uttarakhand,Best places to visit in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Articles India. It is popularly known as ‘Kashi of the North’.  This town is a very famous tourist destination in this region. This whole town is dedicated to Lord Shiva because the major temples here are of Shiva. There are a number of temples and shrines which are dedicated to many Hindu gods and goddesses. That is why this town is also popular by the name ‘Devbhumi’ which means ‘Land of the gods’. Uttarkashi is located at an altitude of 1165m above sea level. Uttarkashi offers you all kinds of scenic views like snow-free valleys, high peaks with continuous snowfall and glaciers. This is the main reason for the attraction of tourists to this place. Best places to visit Uttarkashi are written below.

1. Vishwanath Temple- It is located at the bank of the holy river Bhagirathi along with the surrounding mountains. People undergoing Char Dham Yatra also visit Vishwanath temple due to its popularity. This temple was initially built by the Sage Parshuram and dedicate it to Lord Shiva. Later the Queen of Tehri Maharani Khaneti renovated it in the year 1857. Belief about this place is that when Kashi or Varanasi will be submerged under water then Lord Kashi Vishwanath shifted to this temple in Uttarkashi. Inside this temple, there is a Shivlinga of height 56cm. The main attraction os this temple is a huge Trishul (trident) of 6m height. It is believed to be thrown at the devils by Goddess Durga. You will be perplexed to know about the feature of this Trishul. It cannot be moved with your entire body force but is shows vibration when you apply pressure with one of your fingers.

Opening Timings:  6 Am to 9 Pm

2. Dodital Trek and Lake- Dodital lake is a freshwater lake and is considered as one of the most beautiful lakes of India. The name Dodital is derived from the Golden Himalayan courts known as Dodi in the local language. This place is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ganesha. For that reason, Dodital is often dubbed as Ganesh-ka-Tal and is considered as one of the sacred lakes of this region. This lake is ideal for camping overnight. So it is very popular among nature lovers and trekkers. 

3. Har Ki Doon Valley- Har Ki Doon is a cradle shaped valley in the Garhwal region and lies very close to the Himachal Pradesh border. The valley is about 3566m above the sea level. Snow-covered mountains and alpine vegetation surround this beautiful place. The valley offers beautiful flora and fauna to the visitors. These treks pass through some of the most isolated villages of India. The people of these villages are very kind and friendly. Trekmunk here provides you with magnificent hospitality like food, tents, guides and everything required for trekking. When you come up and down the hills you come across something new and different after every mile. 

4. Harsil- Harsil is a very beautiful hill station on the bank of the Bhagirathi river, Uttarkashi. It is located at a height of 2620m above sea level. This place is a hidden jewel for peace lovers. This hill station includes many small temples. The fresh mountain air and adventurous activities make this place interesting among tourists. You can also visit nearby regions of Gangotri.

5. Gangotri Dham- Gangotri along with Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath form the Chota Char Dham. It is located at an altitude of 3415m above sea level. The holy River Ganges originates from Gangotri glacier at Gaumukh. The history related to this place is that Goddess Ganga transformed herself into a river to dissolve the sins of King Bhagirath’s forefathers. There is a Gangotri temple which is a very famous pilgrimage site as it is one of the four sites of the Chota Char Dham. Like other Chota Char Dhams, the Gangotri temple also closes during the winter season. This remains open from May to the occasion of Diwali in October or November.

6. Nachiketa Lake- Nachiketa Tal is a beautiful lake and one of the best places to visit in Uttarkashi. It is surrounded by oak, pine, and rhododendron which further enhances the beauty of this place. It is believed that Nachiketa, the son of Saint Uddatal, had made the lake and given it its special shape. Hence the lake is named after him. There is a small temple in the vicinity dedicated to Nag Devta. Villagers mostly visit this place during Nagpanchmi. They take a holy dip in the Nachiketa lake and enrapture in spiritual bliss. The hut on the corner of the lake with white fencing makes the view picture-perfect. As there is no accommodation facility near Nachiketa Tal so travelers have to stay at Chaurangi.

7. Dayara Bugyal- Dayara Bugyal is a grassland. It varies from 2600m to 3500m in altitude. Dayara Bugyal trek is the perfect choice for beginners as the trek route is easy to traverse as compared to the others. Verdant valleys, sparkling streams, and flora-fauna makes this trek fun and loving. This place receives heavy snowfall during winters that turn meadows into snow land with the potential of skiing and snow activities. There is a village Barsu, which is the base camp of Dayara Bugyal. One can walk around this village and learn about their customs, rituals, and festivals.

Best Time to Visit- March to November except July and August because of Monsoon season.

How to Reach- If you want to go to Uttarkashi by train then you can go to Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. After you can hire a taxi to reach Uttarkashi. For the railway, you can go to Rishikesh Railway Station. After that take a bus or taxi to reach Uttarkashi. Buses are also available from major destinations like Delhi, etc.