Uttarakhand is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India, situated on the northern part of the country in the lap of the great Himalayas. It serves to be perfect escape from baking summer for people from the neighboring states. The gushing rivers, snow-covered mountains, verdant forest, cascading waterfalls speckled all over the state, makes it a beautiful state. Owing to the presence of a number of Hindu pilgrimage sites, it has earned the sobriquet of Devbhumi, which means the Land of Gods. Bestowed with abundance of unsoiled landscape beauty, picturesque valleys, small villages, coniferous forests; everything adds to its charm, distinguishing it from rest of the country. It is a popular tourist destination of India, which remains thronged by travelers from all over the orb. It is also one of the favorite place among the adventure enthusiasts as well as nature lovers. There are several tourist spots in the state that are worth visiting. Some of the must-visit places of Uttarakhand are listed below.
1- Nainital
A shining jewel in the crown of Uttarakhand, Nainital is truly a splendid city, perched at an altitude of 2,084 m above sea level. Nestled in the foothills of the great Himalayas, this hill town is surrounded by soaring mountains, pristine lakes and lush greenery. The city has been named after the Naini Lake, which is one of the prime attractions of the Nainital. It is a pear-shaped lake, which is believed by the locals as the place where Lord Shiva had performed his Tandava with the corpse of his consort, Sati.
The pristine beauty of this place and the pleasant climate,
woos the tourists to visit the place over and over again. Scattered with lakes,
the city has earned the nickname as ' Lake District ' of India. It is a
beautiful hill resort flanked by seven hills, among which the Naina peak also
known as China Peak, is the highest peak measuring 2,615 m. It offers an
enchanting and captivating view of the hill town. It is one of the ancient
towns of India, which finds its mention in the Hindu mythological books. It
also served as a summer retreat during the British reign.
Apart from the natural splendor, the city has a number of temples and other attractions, which are worth visiting. Naini Lake, Hanumangarhi, Eco Cave Gardens, Himalayan View Point, Tiffin Top, Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, Naina Peak, Naina Devi Temple, Snow View, Gurney House, St. John in the Wilderness and Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo are some of the prime attractions of this magnificent hill resort.
2- Haridwar
An ancient and holy city situated on the bank of the Holy River Ganges, Haridwar is an important Hindu pilgrimages of India. It is one of the seven holiest places of Hindus, known as Sapta Puri. The name Haridwar means “Gateway to Gods” and its existence dates back to 1200 B.C. It is also one of the four places of Maha Kumba mela, which takes place every twelve years and Ardh Kumbh, which is held after every six years. There are several legends associated with it and a visit to this holy land offers a glimpse of the Spiritual India.
The city remains thronged by visitors all the year round and
it one of the first towns where Ganga emerges from the mountains to touch the
plains. The city also serves as the gateway to Land of Gods, where the char
dhams of Hindu pilgrimage, namely Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri
are located. It is believed that after Samudra Manthan, the pitcher filled with
nectar was carried by celestial bird Garuda and a little amount of it spill in
four sites and Haridwar is one of the sites where a drop of it fell and hence,
became the site of Maha Kumbha Mela.
According to a
legend, king Bhagirath is said to have brought the river Ganga from heaven to
earth in order to provide salvation to his ancestors. Owing to this, it is
believed that those who take a dip in the Holy River Ganges attain Mokhsa or
Salivation and this place is famous for it. It is also said that this city has
been blessed by the presence of the three Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, who
are known together as Trinity. Lord Vishnu is said to have his foot print on
the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har-Ki-Pauri where the Holy Ganges
touches it all the time.
The city houses a number of temples, most of which have been there since the ancient times. Har-ki-Pauri is the most popular attraction of the city and the view of the place during the evenings when Aarti of Holy River Ganga is done mesmerizes the devotees as well as the tourists. It is also believed that if the last rituals of a deceased person are done at this place, his soul will attain Moksha and will be liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Yet beyond the mystic aura and mythology, it is a place that is capable of casting its spell on its visitors making them visit it again and again.
3- Rishikesh
About 24 km from Haridwar, Rishikesh is a small town located
on the foothills of the Himalayas. Nicknamed as Gateway to the Garhwal
Himalayas, it is one of the renowned pilgrimage destination of India and a hub
of Yoga and meditation. Also known as the Rafting Capital of India, it is a
popular destination among adventure enthusiasts. There is no place in the
country that can match up to it in terms of White Water Rafting, which is
organized on the Holy River Ganges.
It is one of the best destinations for indulging in adventure sports, with camping facility having trained professionals for a better experience. Moreover, rafting on the holy River Ganges is a lifetime experience with a 16 km stretch from Shivpuri to Laxman Jhula has torrents of different kinds, which are named as Roller Coaster, Double Trouble, Return to Sender, Golf Course and Three Blind Mice. With the assistance of trained professionals, you can enjoy the adventure here at Rishikesh that you had always wanted. It also provides opportunity for trekking, bungee jumping, rock climbing and kayaking. This small town remains thronged by pilgrims round the years. There are several Ashrams and Yoga Centers, which attracts a lot of people across the globe. Rishikesh is a must-visit place in the state to get a glimpse of the spiritual India.
4- Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park is one of the prime attractions of the state, situated in the Nainital District. It is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts as well as nature lovers. Named after British Hunter, conservationist and naturalist, Jim Corbett; this is one of the oldest national parks of the country. It was founded in the year 1936 by the name of Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Royal Bengal tiger. It was also the first park to come under the Project Tiger initiative and it is the biggest Tiger Reserve of India.
Featuring dense and moist deciduous forest, this national park is an abode of 586 species of migratory and other birds, 33 species of reptiles, 36 species of dragonflies and 7 species of fish and amphibians. Between 1954 and 1955, the park was renamed as Ramganga National Park; however, in the year 1956, it was rechristened as Jim Corbett National park and covers an area of about 520.8 km2. Jungle cats, sambar, hog deer, Sloth, Himalayan black bears, leopards are commonly found in the national park. Crested serpent eagle, red junglefowl, blossom-headed parakeet, etc. are some of the commonly spotted avifauna in this national park. Jeep Safari is the best way to see around the national park; however, there are elephant rides as well, which starts early in the morning. The best time to visit this park is between the months of October and June.
5- Dehradun
Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand is one of the ancient cities of India, snuggled in the Himalayan mountain range and flanked by two might rivers Ganga and Yamuna. It is a popular place in the state that remains thronged by travelers throughout the year. Dubbed as ‘Adobe of Drona’, this city has always been the centre for the erstwhile rulers of the region. Situated in the Doon Valley on the Himalayan foothills, this city is also the educational hub of the region. The mesmerizing landscape and the mild climate, makes it one of the must-visit tourist destinations of the state.
The city houses a number of tourist attractions, namely Malsi Deer Park, Laxman Siddh, Tapkeshwar temple, Santala Devi temple, Kalanga monument, Guchhupani, Central Braille Press, Tapovan, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and Forest Research Institute. It is also a popular destination for mountaineering as well as ice skating. It has also been the host of IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia. The city can be easily reached via roadways, railways and airways.
6- Mussoorie
Known as Queen of Hills, Mussoorie is a coveted hill station
of India. Overlooking the Doon Valley, the serene and beautiful lush green
hills, mystic valleys, pine trees companying you all throughout your journey,
this is an amazingly beautiful hills station of the country. The view of the
majestic snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas, this hill town is located at
an altitude of 6,170 ft above the sea level offering a fairy tale like ambience
to its visitors. It is a popular honeymoon destinations of India and the
highest point is Lal Tibba, perched at an altitude of 2,290 m. This hill town
was once a summer resort of the British Government and it is evident from the
presence of the colonial buildings that still daunts the hill town.
It offers ample opportunities for rejuvenation, making it a paradise for nature lovers. Camel's Back Road is the famous nature walk trail of the place. Besides this, Kempty Falls, Mussoorie Lake, Mossy Falls, Bhatta Falls, Gun Hill, Lake Mist, Jharipani Fall, etc. are some of the must-visit Tourist places in this hill town that offers an opportunity to enjoy the unsoiled beauty of nature. Mussoorie can be reached by roadways and the nearest railway station is Dehradun. Taxis are available from Dehradun as well as from other nearby cities and buses are as well available on regular intervals from various places. The best time to visit the place is between mid of March and mid of November.
7- Lansdowne
A small hill town in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand,
Lansdowne is a must-visit destination of the state. Surrounded with pristine
beauty of the nature, it is a cantonment town, perched at an altitude of 5,686
ft above the sea level. This quaint hill station is an ideal place for peace
lovers, owing to its tranquil environment. Dense forest, towering oak trees and
blue pines, verdant hills; this hill town was once a summer retreat for the
British. Named after Lord Lansdowne, who was the viceroy of India from 1888 to
1894, it has now become quite popular among people who want to spend some time
in solitude. Today, it houses the command office of Garhwal Rifles division of
Indian Army.
The place has a number of trekking trails, which makes it a coveted destination among adventure enthusiasts. It is a place where one can relax and rejuvenate in the lap of nature. Its unprecedented and unsoiled beauty has made it a popular destination among both domestic as well as international tourists.
8- Valley of Flowers
Atop the Garhwal hills of the great Himalayan Mountain Range lies the enchanting Valley of Flowers. Vast meadows filled with countless flowers with crystal clear water streams flowing against the backdrop of snow-clad mountains. It is a paradise for botanists, explorers and mountaineers and is famous for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora. It is also a home to some of the endangered animal species, which comprises red fox, Asiatic black bear, brown bear, blue sheep, musk deer and snow leopard. This has been declared as a National Park in the year 1982 and falls in the 2nd core zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Covering an area of 87.50 sq km, this national park is located in Bhyundar Valley and lies at an altitude of 3,658 m above sea level. The countless waterfalls cascading from the high hills accompany you all throughout your journey to this enchanting and mesmerizing valley. This picturesque valley has also attained the accreditation of being a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The valley can be reached by covering a 17 km trek and the closest major town is Joshimath. Ghangaria is a small village in the vicinity of this valley, which is the last inhabited place of this region. It is also the home to Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh Temple and a major pilgrimage destination for Sikhs. It is the ideal place for adventure enthusiasts and explorers. It remains covered with snow for about 6 to 7 months and the best time to visit the valley is between mid of April and June as the climate remains moderate.
9- Auli
A skiing destination of India, Auli is a hill town in the state of Uttarakhand. Auli is also called Bugyal in local language, is located at an elevation of 2500 to 3100 meters above sea level. Surrounded by oak and coniferous forest with the snow-laden mountains of the Himalayas, this hill town offers an amazing picturesque vista to its visitors. The place lies on the way to Badrinath and is famous for its unsoiled beauty. It is one of the coveted travel destinations among the people who enjoy skiing as well as adventure enthusiasts. It is one of the favorite Tourist places among professional as well as amateur skiers. During the winters, this enchanting hill town remains thronged by visitors across the globe to witness as well as participate in the skiing competition that is held during winters. It has gained immense popularity as a winter sport destination. You can as well join the skiing course, conducted by GMVN (The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam limited.
10- Almora
A beautiful city in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, Almora is a must-visit destination. With breathtaking panoramic view of the Himalayas, beckons travelers across the globe to its alluring sumptuousness of natural beauty. Well-known for its rich cultural heritage, handicrafts, splendid cuisine and amazing wildlife, Almora offers a memorable vacation to its visitors. It is the cultural hub of the region, located at an altitude of 1,651 m. It is bounded by dense fir and pine tree with soaring mountains covered with snow on its backdrop, magnetizes a huge crowd of tourists. This enchanting hill town houses a number of temples, which are worth visiting. Asht Bhairav, Kasar Devi, Jageshwar, Nanda Devi, Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple, etc. are some of the major temples in this hill town.
11- Pithoragarh
A small hamlet in the state of Uttarakhand, Pithoragarh is an amazingly beautiful picturesque hill stations of the region. The irresistible beauty of this enchanting hill town lures a huge swarm of travelers across the globe. Lying in the center of the Soar Valley, this place is a haven for those who love solitude. Cascading waterfalls, tranquil lakes, mesmerizing glaciers and loud rivers gushing from the mountains, together adds beauty to this place. It was once the citadel of the Chand rulers and it is evident from temples and forts present here. These monuments speak about the glorious past of the region. This hill town is flanked by four hills, namely Dhwaj, Thal Kedar, Chandak and Kumdar. It is considered as the gateway to the Himalayas from the north. From here you can go trekking to the Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, and Om Parvat. This place is an Arcadia of adventure lovers, especially mountaineers and trekkers. Kapileshwar Mahadev, Pithoragarh Fort, Kamakhya Devi Temple, Maharajke Park and Sumeru Resort are popular attractions of this enchanting hill town, tucked in the foothills of the great Himalayan mountain range.
12- Kausani
Kausani is a hill town in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, well-known for its captivating beauty. Located at an altitude of 1890 m, it offers an enthralling view of the majestic mountain ranges of the Himalayas. This picturesque hill town is surrounded by verdant green hill slopes, rhythmic waterfalls, and mystic valleys. The charm and beauty of this place attracts the travelers, especially nature lovers. Offering a breathtaking view of the peaks of Himalayan Mountain Range, namely Panchachuli, Trisul and Nanda Devi, it was nick named by Mahatma Gandhi as 'Switzerland of India'. It is not among the most frequent hills station but it is popular among nature lovers, owing to its unsoiled beauty, still untouched by urbanization. Rudradhari Falls and Caves, Sumitranandan Pant Gallery, Anasakti Ashram, Kausani Tea Estate, Baijnath Temple and Lakshmi Ashram are some of the major attractions of this place.
13- Dhanaulti
Amid rhododendrons, oaks and deodar, Dhanaulti is a small hill station in Uttarakhand, which lies at a distance of 24 km from Mussoorie. The misty mountain, serene environment and splendid beauty, this hill station is a paradise for nature lovers as well as for those who seek to spend time in solitude amid the beauty of nature. The view of the snow-capped Himalayan range, it is a must-visit destination in the state. Lying at an altitude of 2286m, it serves as a good escape from the scorching summer heat of the neighboring states. It is a quite hill town, untouched by urbanization and modernization away from the hustles and bustles of city life, allowing its visitors to rejuvenate and unwind in the lap of nature. ECO Park, Aaloo Khet, Himalayan Weavers and Surkanda Devi Temple are the prime attractions of this hill town besides it unprecedented natural beauty.
14- Chopta
Chopta is a beautiful hill stations of India located on the Gopeshwar-Ukhimath Road in Uttarakhand. It has earned the sobriquet of Mini Switzerland of North India, which was given by the locals. It is the only place that offers an amazing view of 3 Himalayan ranges explicitly, Trishul, Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. The captivating beauty of this place is no less than Switzerland and a visit to this place is sure to leave you mesmerized. This is an extremely less frequented destination but is the ideal place for trekking in the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas. Tungnath Chandrashila trek is the most popular trekking trail in this beautiful hill town.
15- Binsar
A sleepy hill town in the Kumaon region, Binsar was once the summer capital of Chand Rajas. Located at an altitude of 2420 m, this picturesque hill station is a paradise for trekkers. It offers a mesmerizing view of the 4 Himalayan Mountain Ranges, namely Panchachuli, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba and Shivling. Trekking the salubrious air, amidst the misty mountain trails, towering Oaks is a life-time experience. This hill town is surrounded by dense forest and houses a wildlife sanctuary, named Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. It is the home to a rare variety of flora and fauna. The best time to visit this hill town is between the months of October and November.
16- Ranikhet
A hill station and a cantonment town, Ranikhet is situated in the Almora district. Perched at an altitude of 1869 m above sea level, it offers a captivating view of the western peaks of the great Himalayan Mountain Range. In the year 1869, Kumaon Regiment was established by the British Government in this region, which is still the headquarters of it. This hill town was once the summer retreat for the British owing to its cool and pleasant climate. Surrounded by enchanting landscape, this hill town attracts a lot of travelers from various parts of the world. Enclosed by dense forests of Deodar, Oak and Pine, this town is home to a number of wild animals that include red fox, red-faced monkey, mountain goat, leopard, langur, barking deer, pine marten, jackal, leopard cat, sambar, porcupine and Indian hare. It is a haven for Golf enthusiasts and The Upat Golf course located 6 km from the hill town is among the challenging golf courses of the country. Jhula Devi temple, Chaubatia Gardens, Army Museum and Rama Mandir are some of the major attractions of Ranikhet.
17- Kedarnath
Kedarnath is a major Hindu pilgrimage destination of the country for housing one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Situated on the littoral of River Mandakini at an altitude of 3584 meters above sea level, it is part of the Char Dhams yatra of Uttarakhand , which include Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Offering a breathtaking view of the snow-laden mountains, this place remains thronged by devotees across the country. It is a 14 km trek up to the temple from Gaurikund and devotees can trek up to the temple, or hire a pony pittu, palkies, and potters from this place. Helicopter service is also now available to the temple, making it easier for devotees. Named after King Kedar, the existence of this temple dates back to the days of Mahabharata, when the Pandavas were on exile, tried to please Lord Shiva by reparation. In the process, they found Lord Shiva in this place on the guise of a Bull. Surrounded by amazingly beautiful landscape, it can be said that it is truly heaven on earth.
18- Badrinath
A prominent Hindu pilgrimage of India, Badrinath lies in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. Flanked by two mountain ranged Nar and Narayan, it is the most important of all the char dhams in the state. It is the only temple, which is part of both the Char Dhams and Chota Char Dhams. It is a major pilgrimage, established by Adi Shankaracharya during the 9th century. Situated at a height of 3,100 m in the Garhwal Himalayas, this holy town lies on the banks of River Alaknanda. There are a number of legends associated with this holy town. It is believed that Shankaracharyya found a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River. A temple was built near the Tapt Kund hot water spring, which is known to have curative ability. It is an ancient town that finds its mention in the great Indian Epic of Mahabharata. Therefore the Holy River Ganges was divided into twelve holy channels and Alaknanda being one of them. This place remains thronged by devotees from all over the country and the best time to visit this holy town is between June and September.
19- Panch Prayag
Prayag means confluence of two or more rivers and Panch Prayag is 5 prayags where 5 rivers, namely Mandakini, Dhauliganga Bhagirathi, Nandakini and Pindar meets river Alaknanda. These rivers are considered to be sacred and each of the Prayags has religious significance. Vishnu Prayag, Rudra Prayag, Karnprayag, Devprayag and Nandaprayag are the five prayags where these rivers meet to form the holy River Ganges. According to Hindu mythology, River Ganges descended from heaven to earth on request of King Bhagiratha to provide salvation to his ancestors. It came down with immense force and to put control to it, it was divided into 12 rivers, which finally meets at these holy places to form the holy River Ganges. These five prayags are together known as Panch Prayag and is a major Hindu pilgrimage, situated in the state of Uttarakhand. Each of these places has their own significances and remains thronged by devotees across the country. While on a trip to Uttarakhand, it is a must visit destination.
20- Gurudwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Ji
Gurudwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Ji is a major Sikh pilgrimage of India, which is situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Perched at an altitude of 4,632 m, it is set amid a glacial lake bounded by seven mountain peaks of the Himalayas. The Gurudwara is dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs. Surrounded by dense forest, cascading waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, this place is also one of the coveted destinations among the adventure enthusiasts as it offers an opportunity for trekking. It lies on the way to Badrinath about 6km from Ghangaria, which is the last village in the region. This Gurudwara has recently emerged as a major pilgrimage site of the Sikhs and is visited by devotees across the world during the summers as it remains covered by snow during winters. According to the Dasam Granth, God had asked Guru Gobind Singh to take birth while he was in deep meditation at this particular place and hence it became one of the most revered places for the Sikhs.
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