TRAVEL

UTTARAKHAND Located in the north of India, Uttarakhand is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and spiritual significance. Located in the Himalayas, it is home to revered pilgrimage sites like Chardham (Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath) and the holy cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh along the Ganges. Uttarakhand has dense forests, snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes like Nainital and Bhimtal, and places like Auli attract thrill seekers for trekking, white water rafting and skiing. With its rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions, Uttarakhand remains a popular destination for spirituality and outdoor adventure. top 10 places to visit uttrakhand are 1) RISHIKESH Rishikesh is positioned in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India at the conflux of the Ganges and Chandrabhaga rivers in the foothills of the Himalayas and is famous for its Yogic practices and is globally known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. Less crowded and more on the natural side of things, Rishikesh is a hub for Yoga and Meditation and so the number of international tourists is quite high. It is also the entry point to the Himalayas and an initiation point of the Char Dham pilgrimage. Also, Rishikesh is also known for its adventure here you can do rafting, trekking and bungee jumping. Notable sights include the Lal matter- crossing Laxman Jhula, the more recent Ram Jhula, the fascinating Beatles Ashram and various ashrams and temples. 2) DEHRADUN It is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, located in the Doon Valley in the region between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. Famed for its temperate weather and beautiful landscape, Dehradun lies at the base of the Himalayas and is close to picturesque hill stations such as Mussoorie. The city is also an educational and research center with Indian Military Academy, Forest Research Institute, and Doon School. Dehradun has a perfect mix of natural and man-made attractions ranging from Robber’s Cave, Sahastradhara, Tapkeshwar Temple to the crowded markets and malls. Due to its fascinating background and culture, together with its closeness to religious destinations, numerous tourists and residents prefer Dehradun 3) NANITAL Nainital is a beautiful hill station in Uttarakhand, India which stands at an altitude of approximately 6,862 feet. Famous as ‘the ocean of Orissa’, it includes the enchanting Nainital, famous for boating and yatching on the Naini Lake, a loch like crescent shaped lake. Nainital was given a permanent place in the British colonial period, and as such, British colonial architecture marks the city. The most popular places of interest are the Temple of Naina Devi, St John in the Wilderness Church, Snow Point for view, Tiffin Top and the business hub of the area – Mall Road. One can watch high altitude fauna at the Nainital Zoo, and take a break by visiting nearby lakes such as Bhimtal and Sattal. Nainital is best suited for nature lovers and adventure seekers as they can enjoy natural beauty as well as have historical importance and are best place to be in provided one wants to avoid hustle and bustle of city life. 4) RANIKHET Ranikhet is a small beautiful town in the state of Uttarakhand, India, nestled in the snow crested Kumaon Hills at an altitude of approximately 1889 meters. Famous for its natural attractiveness featuring the meadows of green vegetation, pine trees and the great Himalayas, Ranikhet is all about enjoying natural beauty. Kampala was developed by the British as a summer resort and even to this day still holds the colonial kitsch. Main tourist places of interest are the Jhula Devi Temple, Chaubatia Gardens which include the largest number of orchards, Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum and historical places sentimental to army. Golfing facilities also exist in Ranikhet such as the golf course that is one of the highest in Asia. Opulent for nature trekking, meals and peaceful natural environ, Ranikhet is an ideal place for holiday and a break away from the concrete jungle. 5) HARIDWAR Haridwar is another pious Indian city situated in the north state of Uttarakhand by the river Ganga. It is one of the greatest religious destinations and hosts the Kumbh Mela, a sacred event for devotees. It also has got some major ghats out of which Hari ki Pauri is most famous ghat through which pilgrims perform their rituals and take holy dip in river. Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi are some of the famous temples in the city that boasts of many religious places. The evening Ganga Aarti where people offer lamps on the holy river and chant hymns is a sight to behold. It also links to Char Dham pilgrimage and Rishikesh – the famous hill station that boasts captivating views and religious significance 6) KEDARNATH Kedarnath is one of the famous pilgrimage centers in the country located in the Uttarakhand of India and is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3500–3750 meters you can enjoy the beauty of snow clad peaks. Kedarnath temple is in stone as architecture near mandakini river. This temple gains thousands of pilgrims on annually basis especially during the Char Dham Yatra period. Getting into the temple is also a part of the trek from gaurikund which enhances the religious tour. Kedarnath is, therefore, not only a religious site for Hindus, but also has touristic attractiveness due to its location in the mountainous region and beautiful, natural environment. 7) BAGESHWAR Bageshwar is calm and beautiful place in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India, which lies on the banks of the Saryu and Gomti rivers. Bastion of multiple religious and anthropological identities the town of Bageshwar is particularly famous for the Bagnath Temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva and finds great veneration from the devotees who traverse the distance to seek the god’s blessings. It is located to the north of the Himalayas which makes it to have beautiful nature and environment that is not noisy. The town serves as the base for treks