Uttarakhand is a state in India that shares its borders with Nepal and Tibet. With the great Himalayas towering over the state, there are many places that can be visited in Uttarakhand. The place is a combination of scenic and spiritual beauty. Many important religious places and temples are nestled in the hills of Uttarakhand like Haridwar and Rishikesh. It is often referred to as Devbhumi due to its significant occupancy of religious places. Every year almost lakhs of pilgrims are seen setting foot in Uttarakhand for their holy pilgrimage.
Uttarakhand is the origin place of the holy river Ganga. The length of the river in Uttarakhand is about 96 km and you can go into the river water in Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Even with such great spots, the beauty of Uttarakhand still remains untouched. Uttarakhand tour packages will never cease to surprise you with its beauty at every point. You can find deep forests in some parts of the Majestic Himalayas whereas you can find snow capping some of the peaks. It is a great place for sightseeing for those who call themselves the “mountain babies”. Visit Dehradun or Mussoorie for the best and calmest station experience or visit the holy Ganges for spiritual rejuvenation.
1. Haridwar
Haridwar is the place where the Holy Ganga enters the Indo-Gangetic plains. Lakhs of pilgrims come here every year to visit the famous Haridwar temple and take a dip in the sacred river for it is believed that taking dips in the Ganga washes away all sins of a person. The main attraction of Haridwar is the Ganga Arti at the Har ki puri ghat or the Ganga ghat. Millions of people gather around the banks of Ganga every day and worship the holy river. Haridwar is one of the four places that host Kumbh Mela every 12 years. Every year the famous Kanwar Mela is also held year during the rainy season. Haridwar is also known for being the gateway to other pilgrim sights like Rishikesh and Devprayag.
2. Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a pilgrimage sight in India that is located on the banks of the river Ganga. It is a small town in Haridwar that is known for its temples and some popular adventure sports. The ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was visited by the band The Beatles in 1960 after which the ashram is popularly known as The Beatles Ashram and that attracts many tourists globally. The Ganga Arti in Rishikesh is very beautiful and it remains less crowded than Haridwar. Rishikesh hosts the international yoga festival in March every year. Being a spiritual place non-veg food and alcohol are strictly prohibited here. Rishikesh is the home to the famous bridges over the Ganga, Ram Jhula, and Lakshman Jhula. Rishikesh also acts as a gateway to many Himalayan treks. Many adventure sports like bungee jumping, river rafting, and cliff jumping are also held here.
3. Nainital
Nainital is a popular hill station that is just five hours drive from Delhi. Nainital is known as the perfect weekend getaway due to its convenient location and the beauty it possesses. The weather of Nainital remains pleasant all through the year. It is the perfect place for a road trip of two days by families, friends, or even a solo trip. The Naini Lake is the most famous attraction in Nainital. Nainital served as a major summer retreat for the Britishers when they ruled India, so you might see British influence in some parts. Around the Naini Lake, you will witness the mall road, where you can take strolls on the streets and shop for souvenirs. You can go boating on the Naini Lake, explore the Kumaoni cuisine or even ride the ropeway from the Snow View Point and take in the view of the Himalayas.
4. Jim Corbett National Park
The Jim Corbett National Park was established in the year 1936 and got its name from the famous hunter and naturist, Jim Corbett. It is the oldest national park set in the Himalayas. Corbett National Park is a part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The Project Tiger was launched here in the year 1973. Jim Corbett National Park is home to the famous Bengal Tigers.
There are many hotels and resorts located on the banks of the rivers. There are more than 650 species of migratory birds in the Jim Corbett National Park. This attracts bird watchers and wildlife photographers from all around the world. The safari must be booked in advance as only 180 vehicles are allowed to go for a safari in the National Parks. The Safari remains closed from July to October, however, the parts of Jhirna, Dhela, and Sitabani tourism zones remain open throughout the year.
5. Mussoorie
Mussoorie is the most famous hill station in Uttarakhand. It is just 290 km from Delhi and lies in the district of Dehradun. Mussoorie is well known as the Queen of Hills and offers a panoramic view of the Shivalik mountain range. It is located at a height of 7000 feet from sea level. Mussoorie was the summer capital of the Britishers when they ruled India. You can see the colonial influence in many parts of Mussoorie including the famous mall road where the restaurants and shops have arch designs and the lamp posts are almost British.
One of the major attractions is the ropeway to Gun Hill. It is famous for being the second largest peak in Mussoorie and the ropeway will take you to the top of the hill. The view of the entire city of Mussoorie with the backdrop of the Himalayas will take your breath away.
