Char Dham

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I am going to introduce “Char Dham” (four holy places) of Uttaranchal these are Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. These four place are situated in Garhwal himalayas of Uttarakhand state. Lakhs of tourist visits these places in every year.

Gangotri - Gangotri is an important pilgrimage center of hindus, it's the source of river Ganga. The legend about it that King Bhagirathi spent lots of years in penance of Ganga to land on the earth. Thus the river is also called Bhagirathi. Gangotri is located at the altitude of 3140 meters above from sea level. The distance is around 240 Kms from Rishikesh, it means around 480 Kms from Delhi.

Gangotri Temple Uttaranchal

Yamunotri – It's one of the pilgrimage center between “Char Dham”, the origin of Yamuna River. Yamunotri is situated at the altitude of 3235 meters above from sea level. It is situated at the opposite side of Gangotri. Yamunotri finds a special mention in the Hindu mythology. According to a legend, this secluded hilly spot was the home of an ancient sage, Asit Muni. It's 213 kms journey from Rishikesh and around 450 kms from Delhi.

Yamunotri Temple Uttaranchal

Badrinath – Badrinath is the most visited holy place of the Uttaranchal The place is guarded by two mountains Nar and Narayan and the Neelkanth Peak provides a splendid backdrop to Badrinath Temple.Legend has it that Lord Vishnu came to the area, called ‘Badri Van’, or the berry garden, to meditate after Narad rebuked the Lord for being immersed in worldly pleasures. The Badrinath Temple is situated the bank of Alaknanda river. The distance of this place is 300 kms from Rishikesh and around 550 kms from Delhi.

Badrinath Temple Uttarakhand

Kedarnath – Kedarnath is also most visited place of Uttarghand, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath is a majestic sight, standing in the middle of a wide plateau surrounded by lofty snow covered peaks. One of the the panch Kedar Shrines, the temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century A.D., standing at the site of an earlier temple built by the Pandavas. Kedarnath temple is situated at he altitude of 3581 meters from sea level, around 220 kms from Rishikesh and around 470 kms from Delhi.


Kedarnath Temple Uttarakhand

GMVN is a Govt. of Uttarakhand enterprise. Tourist can stay in GMVN's tourist rest houses during their char dham yatra of Uttaranchal.

Mussoorie Travel Guide

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Mussorie is the top most hill station of Uttranchal. It is located in the Garhwal hill. It is a beautiful place for tourism; due to its immense beauty it is called queen of hill stations. Captain Young, the officers of British army was influenced by the beauty of this place and makes his residence in 1827. It is well developed for tourism, education & business.
It is well connected by road & air from the other parts of country। The height is 2500 meters from the sea level.

Mussoorie View

How to reach

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport of mussoorie, 24 km from Dehradun. The airport is besides of Rishikesh-Dehradun highway.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Dehradun, which is 34 Km from Mussoorie.

By Road: Mussoorie is well connected to all major cities of India. It is 280 Km from Delhi. Direct buses are available from all major cities.

Places for visiting in mussoorie are, Kempty falls, Lal Tibba coupled with the activities of the genre of Dehradun-Mussoorie Trekking and Gun Hill Trekking, which is the second highest place of this Hill Station.

Kempty Falls

Around 15 km from mussoorie on yamunotri road. It is the beautiful waterfall, which is the prime attraction of the queen of hill stations in India. It’s increment the beauty of mussoorie. The waterfall’s height is 4500 feet and makes noise when it fall downs.

Gun Hill

The second highest hill of that hill station. The ropeway trolley runs from Mussorie gun hill, distance is around 450 meters. The Gun Hill offers a beautiful seen of Doon valley & Himalayan hills from ropeway trolley.

Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2010

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Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand) is also known as “Dev Bhoomi” means “Land of Gods”. Haridwar is the main pilgrimages city of Uttarakhand state. On every twelve year “Maha Kumbh Mela” organize in Haridwar. The next Kumbh Mela 2010 will be organizing soon in Haridwar, Kumbh Mela 2010 will be start from January 14, 2010 and end on April 28, 2010. Uttaranchal gov. is ready to organize this event.

Kumbh Mela is the largest gathering fair not only in India but also all over the world for religious purpose. According to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Fair' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. Along with Maha Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, the Ardh Kumbh Mela organizes on every 4th year at Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad then Maha Kumbh held on 12th year, the site of the observance rotating between these four pilgrimage places. According to Hindu mythology, some drops of Amrit fell down on these four places during the battle between Devtas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) for Amrita Kalasha (pot of nectar of immortality), which was recovered from Samudramanthan (the churning of the primordial sea). So, to commemorate this holy event of the Amrita Kalasha, the Kumbh Mela is celebrated at these four places.


The last Ardh Kumbh Mela was hosted at Allahabad during January-February 2007 and the next Kumbh Mela is going to celebrate in Haridwar during January 2010 to April 2010. Millions of people will be come from all over the world for a holy dip, during Kumbh Mela. Hotels and Guest houses will be full in Haridwar during this fair, so if you are going to plan in Kumbh Mela 2010 you must have to book hotel room in advance. There are lots of cheap hotels, luxury hotels, budget hotels and guest houses are available to stay in Haridwar.

Main Bathing Dates during Kumbh Mela 2010

14 January, 2010 Makar Sankranti
15 January, 2010 Mauni Aamavasya - Suryagrahan Snan
20 Jauary, 2010 Basant Panchami
30 January, 2010 Maagh Purnima
12 February, 2010 Shre Maha Shivratri Shahi Snan
15 March, 2010 Somawati Aamavasya Shahi Snan
16 March, 2010 Navsamvarambh Snan
24 March, 2010 Shree Ramnavami Snan
30 March, 2010 Chaitra Purnima (Parv Snan)
14 April, 2010 Mesha Sankranti Shahi Snan - Mukhya Snan Parv
28 April, 2010 Vaisakh Aadhimaas Purnima Snan


How to Reach Haridwar

By Air: The nearest airport is Jollygrant in Dehardun, around 35 km far from Haridwar.

By Train: It is well connected by rail to the major cities. Nearest railway station is Haridwar. Some major trains are – Delhi-Haridwar-Dehardun & Bombay-Haridwar-Dehradun.

By Road: It is well connected to all major cities by road. The state Govt. buses and private buses are available from Delhi to Haridwar. The distance is around 200 kms from Delhi.

Valley of Flowers

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The Valley of flowers is amazing and beautiful place in the Chamoli district of Uttaranchal. The Valley of Flowers is known for its different kind of flowers and outstanding natural beauty. The valley of flowers has more than 500 species of flowers, its look like bed of flowers. Tourist feels the best touch of natural beauty here. Tourist can find many types of flower in the valley like Blue Poppy, Cobra Lily, Alpine and Brahma Kamal. Brahma Kamal is the state flower of Uttarakhand. The valley is spread over an 87.5 Sq. Km. area at the height of 3250 mtr. above from sea level.

The road connection for valley of flowers ends at Govindghat, 18 kms from Joshimath and around 460 kms. from Delhi. To explore the natural beauty of Valley, 16 km. journey start from here by foot along the bank of river Laxman Ganga which is also called with the name of Hem Ganga. Tourists may reach Joshimath, stay overnight there leave in morning to Govindghat (18 Kms.) and start your trekking. Tourists also stay overnight at Govindghat, but there are just few accommodation are available, so it would be better if you book in advance.




The 13 Km trek from Govindghat takes you at Ghangharia, the base camp of tour for Valley of Flowers. The valley is another 3 km. away from there, the trek is little bit tough and passes through the Pulna and Bhyundar Village. It is advisable; take some snacks or dry fruits with you as you will not find anything for eating inside the Valley of Flowers. You have to pay Rs. 50 per person for entry ticket to the valley of flowers, as the entry is restricted by tickets.

Uttaranchal Tourism

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I came back after long time; I describe about many beautiful places of Uttaranchal in my previous posts. Today I want to explain something about Uttaranchal Tourism and uttranchal state.

Uttaranchal made 27th state of Republic of India on 9th November 2000 after a long struggle by uttaranchali people. Uttaranchal, now Uttarakhand situated in northern part of India covered by Himachal Pradesh in north-west, Uttar Pradesh in south and has international borders with Nepal & China.

The state today have 13 districts, Almora, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Haridwar, Champawat, Nainital, Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, and Rudraprayag . The capital of Uttarakhand is “Dehradun” and High Court is in Nainital

Uttaranchal Tourism Map

The population of this state is around 7 million and the land area is 55,845 sq km. which is almost 88% hilly and 12% is ground. The state has very good natural resources like water, forests, rivers, glaciers and mountain peaks which attracts to tourists. Tourism is the main source of income for this state and its developing to tourism industry day by day. Due to good water resources, the state has good capacity to generate high mega watts electricity. "Tehri Dam" is the major power project of Uttaranchal.