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Uttarkashi
Population : 2,40,000
Best Time to Visit : September to November
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali, English
STD Code : 01374
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.
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.
Places of Interest
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.
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.
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.
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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