Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi is one of the 13 heavenly districts of Uttarakhand. It is the largest of all. The meaning of Uttarkashi can be understood as ‘Kashi of the north‘. The ancient name of Uttarkashi is ‘Saumyakashi. The town is known for it’s kind hearted and religious people & situated on the banks of river bhagirathi.It is one of the holy places for Hindus and home for sages with numerous ashrams,shrines and ancient temples.

Uttarkashi has a beautiful ghat called Manikarnika ghat and has a temple devoted to Lord Shiva similar to Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi due to which the town is often called ‘Shivnagri’.

In modern era, Uttarkashi is a priority for people who love treks, mountaineering and adventurous sports.

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HOW TO REACH?

BY AIRWAYS – Direct flights to Uttarkashi are not possible as the town is not well-linked to the  major parts of the country. One have to reach Jollygrant Airport, Dehradun first and then will to make it to Uttarkashi through bus.

BY RAILWAYS – The nearest railway stations from Uttarkashi includes Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun. From here bus is the only option.

BY ROADWAYS – Uttarkashi is well-connected to all the cities of Uttarakhand and Delhi via motorable roads.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

 LAKES – If you are fond of lakes Uttarkashi is a very good option.

YOGA – It is mentioned in one of our puranas ‘skand purana‘ that Uttarkashi was a centre of attraction for many of the saints who were in search of peace and contemplation. 

यह भी पढ़े : जानिए आखिर क्या है “पछ्याण देवभूमि की”?

One of the prominent yoga school ‘Yoga Bhawna Mission affiliated with Yoga Alliance USA is also situated here.

Along with this there are many more tourists attraction listed below:

• Nehru Institute of Mountaineering
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple 
• Nanda Devi Institute of Adventurous sports and outdoor education.
• Kandar Devta Mandir
• Jamshedpur based Tata steel adventure foundation.
• Tiloth power plant
• Maneri dam
• Bhali dam
• Kuteti Devi Temple 
• Har ki dun trek
• Harshly Valley
• Dayara Bugyal
• Gangotri
• Yamnotri 
• Matli- A battalion of Indo-Tibetan Border Police is located 

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GOBIND NATIONAL PARK 

Gobind Pashu Vihar National Park and Wildlife Santuary situated in Uttarkashi after our freedom fighter Govind Ballabh Pant on 1st March 1955.He was our home minister that time and has contributed the most in establishing Hindi as an official language.

The sanctuary is a home to many endangered species of flora and fauna. The snow leapord project started by government of India is managed by this sanctuary. one of the popular track Har ki Dun starts from the edges of this sanctuary. The ethereal and captivating beauty is what attracts the tourist from across the world. 

DAYARA BUGYAL

Dayara bugyal is one of the high altitude meadow in the country. If one is fond of winter trek dayara bugyal is the best option as it has the largest snow expanse. As far as your eyes can see you will observe snow all over. It is situated at a height of 11,938 feet and is approximately 40km away from Uttarkashi, it is surrounded by beautiful and tall deodar trees you will have a mesmerizing view of Gangotri peaks, the himalayas of bhilangana range and the shrikhand Mahadev. In summers you will catch a sight of fresh and soft grass, the meadow is filled with blooming flowers all around with soft sunshines falling on them, you will have a great experience while trekking.

FESTIVALS OF UTTARKASHI 

 MAGH MELA

Magh mela in Uttarkashi is a cultural and occupational fair which takes place in the month of magh commencing from 14th of  January every year that is on makar sankranti till 21st of January since ages. The auspicious beginning of this fair takes place when kandar devta from pata-sangrali village along with many dolls of god and goddesses arrive here in Uttarkashi. Thereafter a splendid and grand magh mela begins not only the locals but also tourists from around the world come here and participate with immense joy and enthusiasm.

The festivals like: Holi, Shivratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami are celebrated here with great energy.

यह भी पढ़े : नंदा देवी एक मात्र पर्वत या उस से भी कई बढ़कर ? जानिए नंदा देवी के बारे में सम्पूर्ण जानकारी ।

Thadiya, one of the folk dances of Uttarakhand, is performed on Basant Panchami.

BUTTER FESTIVAL 

It is the most fascinating and exciting festival celebrated by the locals with great vigour and liveliness to preserve their culture and traditions. The festival is also known as Anduri Utsav. 

Why Butter Festival is  celebrated? 

During monsoons in order to feed their cattles the villagers move to the altitude of dayara bugyal as the meadow gets filled with tall grass all over. So mainly this festival marks the comeback of villagers back to their homes with their cattles.

How Butter Festival is celebrated? 

As the name suggests butter is the main ingredient and plays a vital role in the celebration of this festival. People celebrate it by smashing butter on each other and dance together on the beats of pahadi classical musical instrument dhol-damau.

RESEARCH AND WRITTEN BY

SHEETAL GAUR