Uttarkashi India Tourist Attractions

Uttarkashi meaning Kashi of the north, is a town in Uttarakhand, India. It is the district headquarter of Uttarkashi district. Uttarkashi is situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi at an altitude of 1352 m above sea level. 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 (as north of) the city of Kashi (Varanasi). Similar to Varanasi, town of Uttarkashi is situated on the Ganges, lies next to a hill named Varun Parvat, on confluence of two rivers Varuna and Asi, has a ghat called Manikarnika Ghat and has a temple dedicated to Shiva (Kashi Vishwanath Temple) in the center of the town. This district has one degree college affiliated to Garhwal University. There are two intercollege for boys and girls besides many schools. For higher education in technology there is polytechnich institute situated in joshiyara around 3-4 km away from main city.

Geography

Uttarkashi is located at 30.73°N 78.45°E. It has an average elevation of 1,165 metres (4,436 feet). Most of the terrain is hilly. There are many small and big rivers in Uttarkashi district. The Yamuna and the Ganges (Bhagirathi) are biggest and holiest among them, their origin is Yamunotri and Gangotri (Gomukh) respectively. Asi ganga and jad ganga are some of the tributaries of the Ganges.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[2] Uttarkashi had a population of 16,220. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Uttarkashi has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 71%. In Uttarkashi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Most citizens of Uttarkashi are Garhwali, with large numbers of Punjabi, Kumaoni and people from other parts of Northern India. It also has a significant population of the Bhotiya Jadh people.

Transportation

By Plane
From Delhi, fly to Dehradun (5 hrs). From there take a taxi or bus for Uttarkashi which takes about 6 hours.

By Train
The closest train station is Dehradun. Take a train from Delhi to Dehradun. Taxis and buses are available from Dehradun. It takes about 6 hours to reach Uttarkashi. You can also reach Haridwar from Delhi and take a bus/taxi from there. Shared taxis are also available. The journey is very scenic, the Tehri Dam reservoir and the turquoise Bhagirathi river look surreal in the backdrop of the mountains.

The best way for getting around in Uttarkashi town is by walking. If you are staying near Bus Station as most of the hotels are located here, you can easily walk to the city center in 5 to 10 minutes. The town is so small that you don't really need transport to move around but if you want to visit the near by tourist spots you have can either use the public transport or hire a taxi.

Uttarkashi Tourism

Trek Uttarkashi is known for its excellent trekking tracks and mountaineering. The season begins from May, when the snow melts. Guides and porters are also available.

Dodi Tal A Beautiful lake in the lap of high mountains, surrounded by oak and deodar. According to popular legends Lord Ganesha chose this place as his abode. There is a temple devoted to Lord Ganesha here. Another name for this lake is 'Dhundital' meaning Ganesh ka tal or lake of Ganesha. The trek for Dodi Tal starts from Sangam chatti which is 10 km from Uttarkashi city.
Gangotri
Tapovan
Gaumukh
Saat Taal
Dayara Bugyaal
Nachiketa Taal
Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM): NIM is one of the few mountaineering institutes in India. It conducts various mountaineering and climbing training courses and besides organising climbing expeditions.

Temples

Kandar Devta Mandir
Vishwanath Temple
Kuteti Devi temple: Located on a small hill across Bhagirathi River
Joshiyara: A village across Bhagirathi River. Now becoming a neighborhood. It has a famous temple, Kaleshwar Mandir, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Other Places

Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM): NIM is one of the few mountaineering institutes in India. It conducts various mountaineering and climbing training courses and besides organising climbing expeditions. Bachendri Pal, India's first woman to climb Mount Everest, is an alumnus of NIM.
Kandar Devta Mandir
Vishwanath Temple
Ganga Kinare (bank of the Ganges)
Ujeli (constellation of sages): Ujeli is a neighborhood on the north of the town, where many ashrams are located.
Tiloth Power Plant: Located in Tiloth village at the fringe of Uttarkashi town; Stage 1 of Maneri Bhali hydroelectric project
Maneri Dam: Located at Maneri (15 km from Uttarkashi town); Stage 1 of Maneri Bhali hydroelectric project
Bhali Dam: Located in Joshiyara village at the lower fringe of the town. Stage 2 of Maneri Bhali hydroelectric project
Nachiketa Tal
Kuteti Devi temple: Located on a small hill across Bhagirathi River
Gyansoo and Palla Gyansoo: Old suburbs of Uttarkashi town, located en route to New Tehri
Joshiyara: A village across Bhagirathi River. Now becoming a neighborhood. It has a famous temple, Kaleshwar Mandir, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Matli: A battalion of Indo-Tibetan Border Police is located here
Mahidanda: Another battalion of Indo-Tibetan Border Police is located here.