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 10 places to visit in Uttarakhand.
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 theleading attractions of Dehradun include:
- Sahastradhara
- Robber’s Cave
- Tapovan
- Rajaji National Park
- Malsi Deer Park
- Asan Barrage Water Sport Resort
- Mindrolling Monastery
- Tiger Falls
- Tapkeshawar Temple
- Forest Research Institute
2. Nainital
Famously referred to as the ‘Lake District of India’, Nainital, at 1938 meters above sea level, is a scenic delight that would be irresistible to any tourist. It is located around the famous Naini Lake in a valley. With mountains on all sides, Nainital is where you need to be for a rendezvous with nature. Some of the most importanttourist attractions in Nainital include:
- Naini Lake
- Eco Cave Gardens
- Naina Peak
- Thandi Sadak
- Nainital Zoo
- Himalayan View Point
- Snow View
- Horse Riding
- Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
- Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
- Lands End
- Tiffin Top
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.
- Mussoorie Adventure Park
- Camel’s Back Road
- Jharipani Falls
- Mussoorie Lake
- Bhatta Falls
- Children’s Lodge
- Lal Tibba
- Cloud’s End
- Happy Valley
- Company Garden
- Kempty Falls
- Benog Hill
- Gun Hill
- 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:
- Triveni Ghat
- Laxman Jhula
- Swarg Ashram
- Ram Jhula
- Bharat Mandir
- Kriya Yoga Ashram
- Paddle India
- Jumpin Heights
- Gita Bhavan
- The Beatles Ashram
- Neelkantha Mahadev Temple
- Shivpuri
- Parmarth Niketan
- Narendra Nagar
- Kaudiyala
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 theleading attractions in Haridwar:
- Har Ki Pauri
- Chandi Devi Temple
- Shanti Gunj
- Maya Devi Temple
- Mansa Devi Temple
- Vaishno Devi Temple
- Pavan Dham
- Vishnu Ghat
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
- Shankaracharya Samadhi
7. Badrinath
Badrinath is yet another popular pilgrim center in Uttarakhand. This town is located between Nar and Naryana, the mountain ranges. Located at an altitude of 3133 meters and shadowed by Nilkantha Peak, you are sure to grope for words to describe its immense beauty. Badrinath Temple is the main attraction here. Here are some of the places to visit in Badrinath:
- Badrinath Temple
- Hot Springs
- Neelkanth Peak
- Charanpaduka
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.
- Bright End Corner
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kasar Devi Temple
- Katarmal Sun Temple
- Gobind Vallabh Pant Museum
- Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum
- Martola
- Simtola
9. Kausani
Kausani is the land you need to be if you are keen to enjoy the generosity of Mother Nature. This hill station is located at a height of 1890 meters. The place is famous for the view of 350 km stretch of the majestic Himalayas it offers. 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
- Pithoragarh Fort
- Thal Kedar
- Askot Sanctuary
- Jhulaghat
- Ralam Glacier
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.
- Jhula Devi Temple
- Chaubatia Orchard
- Nanda Devi Mela
- Upat and Kalika
- Mankameshwar Temple
- Haidakhan Babaji Temple
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.
