Endearingly called as Devbhoomi, Uttarkashi, literally meaning 'Kashi of the North', is a quaint little town tucked away in the hill state of Uttarakhand. Revered by the Hindus as one of their propitious religious sites, the townhouses two of the total four holy shrines of Hindu mythology. It is one of the most visited cities of religious relevance in the area and gives you a sense of heightened divinity and an out of the world experience. The region was more in the favour of religious tourism initially but lately the spurring of trekking and adventure activities invites a lot of non religion tourists as well. Replete with ashrams and mandir, the town has got a spiritual vibe to it. All in all, the entire place boasts of divine heritage, mesmerising natural beauty, scenic panoramas and a wonderful irenic atmosphere.
The most convenient way of travelling to Uttarkashi is by reaching Rishikesh or Dehradun by flight or train and then hiring a taxi to Uttarkashi.
March to November is the best time to visit Uttarkashi. Essentially summers, monsoons and autumn are the best seasons to enjoy the city of Uttarkashi when the season complements the happiness of the festivities. During summers, temperature goes up to a breezy 30 degrees Celsius maximum, and monsoons are the time when the festivals are at their peaks.
The town of Uttarkashi is located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This town is a very important tourist destination in the region and it is located in the Uttarkashi district. The place is known for its stunning natural beauty, and is also called as Devbhumi, which can be literally translated to ‘Land of the Gods’. Pilgrims from all around the country flock to this region too, due to its religious heritage.
There are many temples in Uttarkashi that you can visit during your trip to the place and the most famous one among these is that of Lord Vishwanath. This is the largest temple in the region, and the most frequented one as well. There are several smaller temples in Uttarkashi as well, and these are dedicated to the chief deities Hanuman and Durga. Many other shrines are present in Uttarkashi and they cater to a wide variety of Gods, including Parshuram, Annapurna, Dattatrya, Bhairav, Laksheswar and Ekadashrudra.
The Nehru Mountaineering Institute, which is located in Uttarkashi, is also a famous tourist spot in the region. You can also visit the hot water springs in the region of Gangnani during your trip to Uttarkashi. Gangotri is a popular pilgrimage spot located in the region, at a distance of 99 kilometres from Uttarkashi. Yamunotri can also be visited from the town as well.
Uttarkashi is one of the younger parts of Uttarakhand, formed in 1960. There is an uncanny purity about the place, making it one of the most visited cities of religious relevance in the area. Totally untouched by industrialism, except to simplify the existence, without over altering, the town is like no place you have ever spent your time in. While lakes and temples are in great numbers, the whole aura of religion is not over powering. Uttarkashi will give you a sense of heightened divinity and an out of body experience, and it is one of the fewest places doing so, even on the trekking routes it has to offer. Visit Uttarkashi, only if you're truly ready to revamp yourself, inside out.