Earned the status of ‘State’ in the year 2000, Uttarakhand, which was earlier a part of Uttar Pradesh, is famous for its scenic beauty and pilgrim centers. If you are associated with religious beliefs, you may be keen to visit the place for its divinity and if you are a nature lover, you will find divinity in the rich expanse of endless natural beauty here. Wherever your faith is placed, be it in god or in the powers of nature to inspire you into living a life of fulfillment, Uttarakhand is the perfect destination. Here are the top 11 places to visit in Uttarakhand.
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1.Dehradun
Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, is situated at Himalayan foothills. The geographical location of Dehradun is picturesque with Himalayan ranges in view and River Ganges and River Yamuna on either side of the city. Natural beauty apart, the place is famous for the splendid architectural display by some of the ancient constructions. Some of the leading attractions of Dehradun include:
- Sahastradhara
- Tiger Falls
- Robber’s Cave
- Mindrolling Monastery
- Tapkeshwar Temple
- Forest Research Institute
- Tapovan
- Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology
- Lachhiwala
- Malsi Deer Park
2.Nainital
Nainital is located in the state of Uttarakhand and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It is situated at a height of 2,037 metres above sea level and has a population of about 20,000 people.Nainital Lake is one of the main attractions in this region. It was built by British Army engineer Sir Arthur Cotton during the 19th century. The lake attracts tourists from all over India with its natural beauty and serene surroundings.Nainital is a city in Uttarakhand, India. It is the headquarters of the Nainital District and is situated in the foothills of the Himalaya.Nainital was discovered by General Sir George Everest, who visited it on 26 January 1835 during his survey of India. He named it after Nepal’s capital Kathmandu or Nainwa Thimi. The name “Nainital” comes from Sanskrit and means “the place at the foot of the mountain”.The city was established as a sanatorium for British troops under Lieutenant-Colonel J. D. Tod in 1841, who also built a church near Naini Lake, where he buried his wife Margaret Elizabeth Tod (née Smith) in 1843. The church still stands there and has been renovated several times to maintain its structure and beauty.
3.Mussoorie
Located at an altitude of 6000 feet, Mussoorie, the ‘Queen of Hills’, is beauty personified. With snow-covered Himalayan peaks on view, the land abundant in natural beauty has an excellent climate too. The winters are chilling and the summers are pleasant. The beauty of the place mesmerized Captain Young of the British army who made this place his residence in the year 1820. Mussoorie has seen countless footprints ever since the discovery, the list of excited tourists to enjoy the immense beauty of the place is growing. Here are the popular tourist attractions in Mussoorie.
- Kempty Falls
- Lal Tibba
- Happy Valley
- Camel’s Back Road
- Gun Hill
- Mussoorie Lake
- Christ Church
- Sir George Everest’s House
- Jwalaji Temple
- The Mall (Mall Road)
4.Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a blend of tranquility and adventure. Its location at the confluence of River Ganges and River Chandrabhaga and views of spectacular hills and various adventurous activities such as trekking, rafting and camping captivate nature lovers; the tranquility of the place with the importance attached to it as a pilgrim center touches the soul of pilgrims. Rishikesh is called as the Yoga Capital of the world. Some of the most important tourist destinations in Rishikesh include:
- Laxman Jhula
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
- The Beatles Ashram
- Swarg Ashram
- Parmarth Niketan
- Rajaji National Park
- Kaudiyala
- Shivpuri
- Jumpin Heights
- Shivpuri
- Narendra Nagar
5.Haridwar
Haridwar is also called as the ‘Gateway to the Lord’ thanks to a great number of temples and ashrams located here. The city is considered holy and hence pilgrims from various parts of the world travel to the place to offer their prayers. It is also famous for the Kumbh Mela, a festival, which is held once in twelve years. Given below are some of the leading attractions in Haridwar:
- Har Ki Pauri
- Chandi Devi Temple
- Maya Devi Temple
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Daksha Mahadev Temple
- Vishnu Ghat
- Shanti Gunj
- Pavan Dham
- Vaishno Devi Temple
- Bharat Mata Mandir
6.Kedarnath
Kedarnath, a small town located in Gahrwal Himalayan Ranges, is considered one of the holiest pilgrimages for those who follow Hinduism. It houses the famous Kedarnath temple. Kedarnath is located amidst majestic mountains. Here are some of the places to visit in Kedarnath:
- Kedarnath Temple
- Chorabari Tal
- Vasuki Tal
- Gauri Kund
- Triyuginarayan Temple.
7.Badrinath
Badrinath is a Hindu temple town in the Garhwal Himalayan region of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located at a height of 3,133 metres (10,279 feet) above sea level near the head of the valley formed by the river Ganges on one side and river Alaknanda on the other.The temple town was originally called Vaidyanath and derives its present name from Badri Nath, an avatar of Vishnu.The temple is one of five sacred Dhams (pilgrimage sites) in India’s Char Dham Yatra circuit. The other four are Rameshwaram, Puri Jagannath Temple, Dwarka and Shirdi Sai Baba Badrinath is a Hindu pilgrimage site in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the four sites in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.This article is about Badrinath, a Hindu pilgrimage site in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the four sites in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.Here are some of the places to visit in Badrinath:
- Badrinath Temple
- Hot Springs
- Neelkanth Peak
- Charanpaduka
- Valley of Flowers
8.Almora
Almora is heaven to nature lovers. The picturesque district is located on the eastern side of Uttarakhand. The views of Himalayas are spellbinding. It is also famous for handicrafts, cuisine and wildlife. It has a rich cultural heritage. Given below are some of the tourist attractions in Almora.
- Kasar Devi Temple
- Katarmal Sun Temple
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum
- Martola
- Kalimut
- Zero Point
- Chitai Golu Devta Temple
- Gobind Vallabh Pant Museum
- Bright End Corner
9.Kausani
Kausani is a small hill station in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is situated in North India, near the border of Nepal and Tibet. Kausani has a rich history and culture that can be seen in its architecture, temples and festivals.The climate of Kausani is typically subtropical with heavy rainfall during the monsoon season from June to September. It is cooler than other hill stations nearby because it is situated at a higher altitude.Here are some of the top attractions in Kausani:
- Rudradhari Falls and Caves
- Lakshmi Ashram
- Anasakti Ashram
- Sumitranandan Pant Gallery
- Baijnath Temple
- Kausani Tea Estate
10.Pithoragarh
A visit to Pithoragarh might make you wonder if every inch of the land is blessed with natural beauty. The stunning beauty of the land defies description. This district is located in the eastern most part of Uttarakhand. It offers scope for trekking as well. The place is an important halt for those who undertake Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. Do not miss the following attractions while you are here.
- Chandak
- Askot Sanctuary
- Ralam Glacier
- Jhulaghat
- Pithoragarh Fort
- Thal Kedar
- Gangolihat
- Dhwaj Temple
11.Ranikhet
Ranikhet is yet another hill station that elevates your spirits to a different plane. At an altitude of 1829 meters, the ‘Queens Land’, as Ranikhet is referred to, is the perfect place to visit to view Himalayas at its best. The amazing richness of greenery and the scenic landscape make this place a dream destination. Here are some places you would not want to miss on your tour to Ranikhet. Places to Visit-
- Jhula Devi Temple
- Chaubatia Orchard
- Upat and Kalika
- Mankameshwar Temple
- Haidakhan Babaji Temple
- Shitlakhet
- Dwarahat Temples
There are a lot more tourist places in Uttarakhand – Lansdowne, Mukteshwar, Naukuchiatal, Pauri, Munsiyari, Auli, Lohaghat and Landour are a few other popular tourist destinations. The limitless beauty of the land and its cultural and religious association make it one of the most frequented travel destinations. Feel free to give details on more destinations that I have missed mentioning.
