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UTTARKASHI
- FACTS & FIGURES
Population : 2,40,000
Best Time to Visit : September to November
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali, English
STD Code : 01374
UTTARKASHI - INTRODUCTION
Uttarkashi town, the headquarters of the district by
the same name, is more on the pilgrimage circuit than
the regular tourist circuit. Nevertheless, with trekking
and mountaineering gaining popularity as adventure sports,
the importance of this region cannot be discounted.
The region has some high-altitude lakes and the Gangotri
and Yamunotri glaciers lead on to several major peaks—the
hunting grounds for serious mountaineering buffs.
UTTARKASHI -
LOCATION
As the name suggests, Uttarkashi is
considered the northern Kashi or Varanasi. The town
is situated at an elevation of 1,550 m on the right
banks of river Bhagirathi. It is a district located
in the northern Himalayan state of Uttaranchal. Its
margins also mark the Indo-Chinese precincts. It is
155 km north of Rishikesh and 100 km from Gangotri,
and is couched in the Garhwal hills. The winters last
from October to March, when temperatures fall very low.
The monsoons are generally experienced in the months
of July and August.
UTTARKASHI -
SITES TO VISIT
Uttarkashi, like Varanasi, is known
as a site for Hindu pilgrimage. Like Varanasi, it too,
has a Vishwanath temple. The temple has a magnificent
trishul or trident, one meter in circumference and made
of copper. It supports a trident four meters long. Each
prong is about two meters in length. Uttarkashi is known
for its temples dedicated to Rishi Parasurama, Datatryea,
Goddess Annapurna Devi, Goddess Kali, and Bhairon. At
one time, there were 365 temples in this town. The town
is also known for its various ashrams, which are the
homes of the sanyasis and hermits.
UTTARKASHI -
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
On Makar Sankranti, which usually falls
in January, the town hosts a colorful fair, when deities
are borne aloft into the town on palanquins from outlying
villages.
UTTARKASHI -
ADVENTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Among the popular treks are those to
Nachiketa Tal, Dodi Tal, Dayara Bugyal (bugyal, a high-altitude
meadow), Sat Tal, Kedar Tal, Gangotri–Gaumukh–Nandanvan
Tapovan and to Yamunotri (the source of the river Yamuna).
Nachiketa Tal can be accessed from Chaurangi-Khal (29
km from Uttarkashi town by road) and a further trek
of 3 km through very scenic surroundings. Accommodation
is available at Chaurangi-Khal in a PWD inspection bungalow.
For Dodi Tal, trekkers can go by road to Kalyani. From
here on has to go a further 5 km to Agoda. The trek
to Dodi Tal (16 km) ascends gradually from here through
thick forests and scenic hill landscape. The lake, situated
at an elevation of 3,307 m, has accommodation facilities
by way of a forest rest house and a log cabin. Permits
to fish for trout here can be had from Uttarkashi.
Serious trekkers can envisage going beyond Dodi Tal
to Yamunotri. The trail from Dodi Tal to Hanuman Chatti
is 27 km and Yamunotri a further 13 km from there. The
trek to Dayara Bugyal commences from Barsu, near Bhatwadi
(32 km from Uttarkashi en route to Gangotri). The trek
itself is about 8 km and reaches an altitude of about
10,000 feet. During winters the almost 28 sq km of gradual
slopes make the place ideal for skiing. A trail leads
from here to Dodi Tal (30 km) passing through very dense
forest.
Sat Tal (or the seven lakes) is accessible from Dharali,
74 km from Uttarkashi, en route Gangotri. A short trek
of 7 km will lead the visitor to this memorable group
of lakes. While Gangotri and the motorable route from
Uttarkashi to Gangotri are enchanting by themselves,
the former is not without trekking options, albeit mostly
in the higher regions. Gangotri has a tourist bungalow
and several other lodging facilities (which must be
booked in advance during the yatra season). Trekking
in these areas is serious business. The 18-km trek to
Kedartal takes one to a height of 15,000 feet and is
not recommended for the amateur. An easier proposition
is to go further up to the glacier’s head at Gaumukh—the
source of the mighty Ganges. It is 18 km from Gangotri
but the trek is not arduous. Going 6 km further up from
Gaumukh to Nandanvan Tapovan is somewhat more specialized
since it involves traversing the glacier itself. The
reward at Tapovan is a fascinating close encounter with
many famous peaks like the Shivling, Satopanth and Kalindi
Khal.
The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is located in
Uttarkashi. It is situated at a spur at Ladari, dominating
the beautiful town and overlooking the entire valley.
This institute imparts mountaineering training to young
people to inculcate the spirit of adventure among the
youth of the country.
UTTARKASHI -
HOW TO REACH
One can reach Uttarkashi from Rishikesh
by bus. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun.
One can take a bus from here to Rishikesh and then proceed
further. The railhead is at Rishikesh.
UTTARKASHI -
PLACES TO STAY
Uttarkashi offers limited accommodation
opportunities. There are a few private hotels as well
that offer accommodation ranging from medium to budgetary
ones. The food served here is largely vegetarian, although
non-vegetarian food is also found. Intake of alcohol
is not encouraged.
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