22 monuments found
Lakshman Jhula is an iron suspension bridge that is built over the River Ganga and is located at a distance of 3 km. from the main township of Rishikesh. Originally a hanging jute bridge that was constructed in 1839, this bridge was named after the younger brother of Lord Ram, Lakshman as it is believed that he used this bridge to cross the River Ganges. The jute bridge was replaced by the British in 1939 with an iron suspension bridge with a span of 450 ft. in length and a height of 70 ft. from the river. An iconic landmark of Rishikesh, this beautiful bridge offers panoramic views of the River Ganges and numerous temples, bathing ghats, prayer flags and ashrams on the sandy river bank. On both the sides of the bridge, there are many temples such as Lakshman Temple and Tapovan, which are important pilgrimage centres. A thirteen storey temple, called Terah Manzil is another popular tourist attraction. Rafts pass underneath the bridge loaded with adventure loving tourists, which add up to the silhouette of this bridge and the cityscape. Situated 2 km. away from Swarg Ashram, Lakshman Jhula is used as a path for visiting Swarg Ashram and Gita Bhavan.
The holy ghat (bank) of River Ganga which offers thousands of pilgrims the opportunity to drench in immense spirituality every day, Har ki Pauri is probably the biggest attraction in the divine city of Haridwar. A part of the ghat, known as Brahmakund, is believed to be the place where the drops of holy nectar obtained from the churning of sea fell, making it an extremely sanctified place. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu visited the place and one can even see the footprints of the latter here. The present day ghat was built by King Vikramaditya way back in the 1st century BC. Har ki Puari is the world-famous venue of Kumbh Mela (one of the world’s biggest religious gatherings) organized once every twelve years. It is also the place where daily practice of worshipping Goddess Ganga is performed. Even the divine powers from above seem to be the spectators of the sight when thousands of burning lamps adorn the bank during the prayer (called aarti) and huge bells from the nearby temples add melodies to the atmosphere. Taking a holy dip in Ganga at the ghat is considered auspicious enough to wash off all the sins and sorrows. Splendid views of the river, which is believed to enter the Northern Plains exactly from this point, can keep you engaged for hours. Numerous temples and shops selling delicious sweets and souvenirs are close to the ghat.
Blessed with picturesque beauty of snow-clad mountains and lavish green forests, the holy town of Kedarnath is home to Kedarnath Temple, revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The temple is visited as a part of the world-famous Chota Char Dham Yatra which covers four important pilgrimage destinations in Uttarakhand, the other three being Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Located at the height of about 11,755 ft. on the bank of sacred River Mandaikini, the temple houses a conical-shaped stone Shiva Lingam which is believed to be thousands of years old. According to the popular legends, the temple was built by the five Pandavas of Mahabharata who performed tough penance here to please Lord Shiva. The present day temple was reconstructed in the 8th century by the eminent saint Adi Shankaracharya who also has his Samadhi near to the temple. The shrine is nestled amidst snow-covered peaks of Himalayas and the whole place is filled with inimitable mysticism. Many popular treks from the temple let the adventurers explore lakes, glaciers and other stunning sights. One must be physically fit to trek the 14 km. long route to reach the temple. Kedarnath was the worst hit area during the 2013 flash floods. It is recommended to have complete weather information before starting the trip to this divine place.
Resting near the confluence of holy rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, which merge to form the very sacred River Ganga, Devprayag is a picturesque town with spirituality written all over. Named after Sage Devasharma, who spent his ascetic life here, the town serves as the first destination as one begins his or her journey for Char Dham pilgrimage from Rishikesh (about 74 km. away). Devprayag is counted among 5 holy confluences of River Alaknanda, all located in the Uttarakhand’s Himalayas. Sangam, the holy confluence point, is indeed the topmost attraction for the pilgrims. Apart from being religiously significant, it presents stunning beauty to the eyes. Raghunathji Temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, is thousands of years old and is a beautiful pyramidal structure made of huge stones. One of the must-visit attractions is Nakshatra Vedh Shala, an astronomical observatory housing two telescopes, thousands of manuscripts and a huge collection of books. Dasharathachal Peak, known for a beautiful stream running down, is the place where Lord Rama’s father King Dasharatha performed hard penance. Devprayag also has many popular temples in its close proximity. Some of them include Mata Bhuvaneshwari Temple, Danda Naggaraja Temple, Tondeshwar Mahadev Temple, Chandrabadni Temple and Dhaneshwar Mahadev Temple. Apart from visiting these holy places, tourists can savour the inimitable tranquillity all over the town.
The magnificent Kumaon Hills of the Himalayas are home to many hidden hill resorts. Sitlakhet, about 30 km. from Ranikhet, which itself is a popular tourist destination, is admirable for being free from extensive urbanization and herds of tourists. The place has a pleasant profile with marvellous sunrise views and spectacular sights of the snow-clad mountain peaks. The dense forest covers seem to conceal the natural charm of this lesser known paradise. An exciting feature of Sitlakhet’s beauty is the presence of fruit orchards that expand over huge areas. Trees clad with plums, apples, walnuts and many other fruits offer great visual treat to the eyes. A trek of about 7-8 km. takes one to the Syahi Devi Temple which is indeed a spectacular spot for offering amazing views, cool breeze and extreme peacefulness. A natural spring flowing near Sitlakhet is another nature’s vista worth exploring. Khoont is a small village in the close proximity that can be visited to have a glimpse of the local lifestyle. It is a wonderful experience to stay at the KMVN guesthouse amidst verdant greenery.
Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, after assisting Goddess Durga as Dusht Daman in the battle against demons in his previous incarnation, meditated at Hemkunt Parvat of Himalayas and mentioned the place in his compilation called Dasam Granth. It took hundreds of years for the Silk followers to recognize the place and build a gurudwara (Sikh temple) which is today known as Hemkunt (or Hemkund) Sahib. Located on the bank of Hemkund Lake, it is the highest Sikh shrine in the world and thronged by uncountable devotees from all faiths every year. The gurudwara, a mesmerizing star shaped structure, is accessible by a 19 km. strenuous trekking expedition which begins at Govindghat and passes through Govinddham (a village also called Ghangaria). The place detaches itself from the whole world between October-April due to heavy snowfall. Surrounded by a string of seven hills, called Sapat Sring, the place boasts of enthralling beauty dotted with lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, valleys and exotic flowers. Seven Nishan Sahib (holy Sikh flag) on each of the peaks are other highlights. A temple dedicated to Laxmana, brother of Lord Rama, is located close to the Sikh shrine and is visited by most of the pilgrims. The place also has the splendid Valley of Flowers in its close proximity. The place stands about 15,200 ft. above sea level and demands extreme physical fitness from the visitors. Be sure to learn about acute mountain sickness issue and make the right preparations for safe journey.
Nestled amidst the lush green flora and enjoying the cool weather and picturesque beauty of Himalayan peaks, Nanda Devi Temple is among the top attractions of Almora. Believed to be more than a thousand years old, the temple is dedicated to the patron deity of the rulers of Garhwal and Kumaon, specifically the Chand Dynasty, Goddess Nanda Devi. Built in the simple yet invigorating Kumaoni Architecture using stones, the temple is housed in the antechamber of a Shiva Temple, above the Mall Road. Goddess’s idol is in the form of a huge monument which flaunts a stone crown and is surrounded by the carvings and statues of several Hindu deities on the walls. Interestingly, the local people honour the goddess as their own daughter and worship her with full reverence. Thousands of tourists throng the temple on the annual occasion of Nanda Devi Fair. Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra is another popular event, celebrated only once in 12 years.
Dedicated to Goddess Durga, the popular and divine Jhula (or Jhoola) Devi Temple is visited by huge numbers of devotees every year. According to the interesting legend associated with the temple, the local residents terrified by the attacks of wild animals from Chaubattia Forests prayed to Durga who informed a local shepherd in his dream about her idol buried at a particular place in the region. The shepherd dug the ground to obtain the idol, built a temple at the same spot and installed the idol there. Durga again informed a local devotee about her wish to possess a swing (jhoola). Finally, a wooden swing was installed and the idol was kept on it. It is believed that the goddess till date guard the local people against wild animals like tigers and leopards. A unique feature of the temple is the uncountable bronze bells in all sizes hanging in different parts. It is a firm belief that the goddess fulfils everyone’s wish and every devotee pays his or her reverence by installing a bell. The melodious sounds of these bells constantly fill the whole space with soul-touching music. Visiting the temple is an exhilarating experience as one gets to explore captivating views of nature everywhere. A different kind of peace and mysticism rule the environment. A nearby temple dedicated to Lord Rama is also worth visiting.
The sites of five holy confluences of River Alaknanda, before it enters the plains as River Ganges (Ganga), Panch Prayag have great religious significance in the Hindu Mythology. Rishikesh acts as the starting base for the holy pilgrimage and passes through Devprayag (about 74 km. away), Rudraprayag (about 141 km.), Karnaprayag (about 174 km. away), Nandaprayag (about 194 km. away) and Vishnuprayag (about 266 km. away). Alaknanda, originating from Chaukhamba glacier fields, is joined by River Dhaul Ganga at Vishnuprayag, River Nandakini at Nandprayag, River Pindar and Karanprayag, River Mandakini at Rudraprayag and River Bhagirathi at Devprayag on its course through the Garhwal region of Himalayas. At each of these confluences, there are holy temples, mythological sites and unbelievable natural beauty that keep the visitors spellbound. Panch Prayag Yatra is taken by pilgrims, who perform ablutions before worshipping, last rites for the dead relatives and worship the rivers that are considered as deities in Hinduism. Many believe visiting these sites essential before worshipping at Badrinath Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. No doubt that being at these places can wash all your sorrows and pains.
Dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, the temple is believed to be one of those important places where one’s wishes are fulfilled. Positioned atop the Bilwa Parvat, Mansa Devi Temple is one of the oldest temples of Uttarakhand. Famous as one of the ‘Panch Tirth’ (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar, this temple can be reached in two ways - by ropeway (cable car) or on foot. A number of devotees visit the temple every year. The temple has a holy tree in its premises, where devotees tie sacred threads to get their desires fulfilled. Known as one of the spectacular Siddha Peethas in Haridwar, Mansa Devi Temple presents a dramatic view of Haridwar from the top. The temple receives over a lakh of pilgrims during Kumbh Mela and Navaratri. Tourists may come across many shops on the hill-top close to Mansa Devi Temple. There are shops selling garlands, incense sticks, fruits and coconuts. Other nearby attractions includesRajaji National Park, Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar, Sapt Rishi Ashram, Maya Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple and Kanva Rishi Ashram etc.
Also known as Raj Bhavan, Governor’s House in Nainital was conceptualized and built by Britishers. Sprawled in about 200 acres and resembling the Emperial Buckingham Palace, London, Raj Bhavan stands tall as a fine illustration of magnificent architectural skills of the British. The Governor’s House has numerous tourist attractions like its eye-catching 50 acres of golf area, swimming pool and beautifully designed garden. The house is embellished with lush green surroundings and visually appealing designs that leaves the visitors spellbound. The Governor’s House has two most important attractions in its premises viz. JhandidharModi and Munshi heights. The double story house has 113 rooms and a large and delicately carved dining hall. Presently, the official residence of the Governor of Uttarakhand, the main interiors of the Governor’s House is designed using dark grey marble mixed with local dolomite limestone. Tourists can explore the nearby attractions like Bhimtal, Naukuchiyatal, Sat Tal and Kilbury etc.
Nainital has often been referred to as the most beautiful place on earth with lakes and valleys and many other tourist attractions including the legendary Mall Road. Constructed during the British colonial rule, Mall road is located in the heart of the city of Nainital. Mall road runs parallel to the lake and extends from one end of the town to the other. Mall road is quite popular among evening walkers and families who converge at the lake side to enjoy the sunset and the cool breeze. The Mall road that connects the entire town is undeniably the best place to go to find original Nainital products. In summer, many stalls and shops are set up that sell items like Nainital tea and hand-made shawls that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Mall road or GovindBallabh Pant Marg as it is called nowadays also has many restaurants and cafes that overlook the lake. Heavy traffic is forbidden here making it fun to take an evening stroll through the Road. Traffic regulations are in place all along Mall Road during peak tourist season.
Gifted by a local landlord to his son-in-law Edmund Swetenham, a British major, the Clouds End estate is the witness of Edmund’s love story with the landlord’s daughter, a mountain girl gifted with melodious voice. Edmund built a bungalow for his beloved which now serves as a wonderful holiday resort. Clouds End literally marks the end of Mussoorie town and is blessed with unparalleled natural grandeur. Surrounded by dense forests of oaks and deodar, the property charms honeymoon couples, nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Commanding views of the snow-clad Himalayas and serpent River Yamuna and extremely calm environment enhance the experience of staying here. A 400-acre privately owned wildlife estate offers the opportunity to explore more than 100 fauna species (including bear, deer, pheasant and mountain quail) and nearly 50 fauna species. Luxury accommodations and all types of amenities encourage the visitors to stay at the resort. Tariffs vary from INR 2,000-7,000 for the accommodations like deluxe rooms, family suites, log cabins and camp huts. Refreshing nature walks and activities like hill climbing can make you instantly fall in love with the place.
Jim Corbett National Park is internationally acclaimed for one of the highest populations of Bengal Tiger in the world. The first park to launch Project Tiger for the preservation of the endangered specie, Corbett attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. With nearly 500 species of flora, the park is also home to diverse fauna, including leopard, sloth bear, sambar deer, rhesus macaque, elephant, jungle cat, Indian python and crocodile. Spectacular natural beauty can be enjoyed from the watchtowers at a destination called Dhikala and the 20 m. high Corbett Falls is another attraction. The park can be explored on a fascinating safari tour in jeep, canter or on elephant. Permits are strictly required to enter the park. Tourists must also follow the rules and regulations when in the park. The park remains closed from mid-June to mid-November due to monsoons.
One of the many wildlife treasures of Himalayas, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary boasts of rich biodiversity and pretty landscapes. Leopard, jungle cat, flying squirrel, porcupine, wild boar, red fox, Himalayan black bear, jackal and barking deer are the prime attractions here. If you get lucky, you may come across musk deer which is rare to spot. The sanctuary is also a designated Important Bird Area for attracting more than 200 bird species. Adorned with alpines, oaks, rhododendrons, cheer pines, hanging mosses and a huge variety of wild flowers, the sanctuary offers unique visual treats to the eyes. One can climb to the place called Zero Point from where the extravagant views of snow-clad Himalayan peaks can be enjoyed. When in Binsar, you can also explore popular tourist places like Binsar Mahadev Temple, Kasar Devi Temple and many colonial estates.
Nanda Devi National Park is a part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, which is a World Heritage Site. The park is well-known for being home to exotic Himalayan biodiversity, which includes animals like musk deer, snow leopard, mainland serow, gorals, rhesus macaque, brown bear and Himalayan black bear and more than a hundred species of birds. In addition, there are rare species of fir, rhododendron, juniper, birch, alpine, lichens and mosses. Rich in biodiversity, the park is also admired for being home to the glaciers of North Rishi and South Rishi (at the inner sanctuary area). The outer sanctuary area is encircled by the towering peaks of Dunagiri, Changabang, Nanda Khat, Trishul I and II and Nanda Devi East, which create a spellbinding panorama. River Rishi Ganga flowing through the park through deep gorges is another amazing vista for the visitors. Limited numbers of tourists are allowed to enter the park (usually 5 visitors per group, 2 groups per day and 4 groups per week). A registered guide and a porter is must while trekking in the park. Children less than 14 years of age are not allowed. The park remains inaccessible from November-April.
Located about 10 km. away from Ranikhet, Chaubatia Orchard is popular as a wonderful picnic spot for locals and tourists equally. Its scenic surrounding and natural exquisiteness enamoured the heart of the 1868’s British Viceroy of India, Lord Mayo. Positioned over 1800 mts. above sea level, the orchard provides a captivating view of the snow decked Himalayan Mountains. Overlooking the heights of a few religious spots like Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nilkanth and Nandaghunti, Chaubatia Orchard is known for its luscious peaches, apricots, apples and plums. The orchard consists of more than 200 types of fruits and flowers. Covering the area of about 600 acres, Chaubatia Orchard is also rich in vegetation that mainly comprises of silver oak, cypress, cedar, and pine trees. Other than the scenic beauty, tourists can buy quality fruits at government regulated prices. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy shopping for fresh squashes juices and original honey from here. Visitors can also grab the opportunity to visit the famous nearby attractions like the Bhalu Dam, the Government Apple Garden, the Fruit Research Center, and the Jhoola Devi temple. The place can be explored anytime other than winter season, as this is the coolest period of the year.
A natural park, Cave Gardens is the popularholiday spot in Nainital for children and adults equally. The park features sixdifferent rocky caves, hanging gardens and a musical fountain. It introduceschildren and adults to the eco-friendly life, the beauty of nature and the celebratedancient world. The musical fountain is the remarkable displayin Nainital that adorns the garden in the evening in May and June. The CaveGardens is also a wonderful place for informative or educational trip, wherekids can learn about ecosphere. The Cave Gardens also have a relaxing spot init - garden decorated with emerald hills that can introduce tourists to thehill-culture of Nainital. Drawing the inspiration from Disneyland in Florida,the musical fountain is first of its kind in Uttarakhand and the mostenthralling attractions of Nainital. Whileon the trip, tourists can also explore other attractions of Nainital like the Churchof St. John, Hanuman Garhi Temple, Naini Lake, The Mall Road, Bohtia Bazar(best for woollen items), and Naini Devi Temple. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-qformat:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
Tagged as the most stunning waterfall of Uttarakhand, Kempty Falls are a complete entertainer. The fact that it is a perennial waterfall keeps it crowded with visitors throughout the year. A permanent stream falls from the altitude of about 4,500 ft. and creates this 40 ft. high marvel which apparently performs summersault over the rocks. An artificial water pond constructed at the base offers fabulous opportunity for the tourists to bathe and have exclusive fun. The waterfall is surrounded by lavish green forests that add to its unbeatable charm. There are clean changing rooms and food stalls and shops selling delicious snacks and foods. One can also find shops selling artefacts and souvenirs. Kempty Falls were developed as a tourist attraction by a British official in 1835. The British would organize ‘camp-tea’ parties, which is probably the inspiration for the place’s name. Exciting accommodation huts are available for the tourists who wish to stay close to this strikingly beautiful natural attraction.
Located close to the borders between India and Nepal and Tibet, Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary is no less than a paradise for the wildlife explorers. Established primarily to conserve the rare musk deer specie, the sanctuary is home to many other wild-lives like snow leopard, civet cat, brown bear, Himalayan black bear, serow, goral, macaques and many more. A number of high altitude birds like snow cock, cormorants, chukors, monals, pheasants, darter and eagles can also be spotted here. The place is also popular for its exquisite natural splendour, as one can enjoy spellbinding views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks like Panchchuli and Chhiplakot. The sanctuary also acts as the origination point of many rivers and streams that render the place inimitably beautiful. Sprawling forest covers accommodate pine, sal, oak and many other varieties of trees. Warnings: Avoid making noise and don’t spoil the place with waste or leftover food.
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