Uttarkashi  is  the gateway to  the pilgrim route to Gangotri.Uttarkashi District was a part  of  the Tehri District till 1962.  The beautiful small town is situated on the  right  bank of Bhagirathi at an altitude of about 1,550 m. In olden days Kedarnath  was a 12 days' trek away, Gangotri  7 days,Yamunotri 5 days and Srinagar  6  days  away. Nowadays, motorable  roads  go  to  most  of  these places. It  is  a  modern  town  with  facilities.  

Uttarkashi situated at a distance of 145 km from Rishikesh and at an elevation of 1158 m on the bank of river Bhagirathi, this picturesque town acquires importance because of very significant pilgrimage centres: Gangotri, Yamunotri 

General Information

Population: 2,94,179 ( 2001 census). 

Altitude: 1158 m. 

Climate: Cold in winters, pleasant in summers. 

Season: Round the year. 

Clothing Summers: Cottons / light woollens. 

Clothing Winters: Heavy woollens. 
Languages: Garhwali, Hindi and English. 

 

Uttarkashi is one of the prominent cities of Uttaranchal. This is situated at a height of 1158 meters. In ancient times, Barahat was the popular name of this place. Uttarkashi is a link between Gangotri and Yamunotri and that makes this place far more significant. Here Ganga flows towards north (uttar), hence the name. Apart from being a famous pilgrimage, this city is gaining a new identity, as a center of education, culture, and tourism.

There is elaborate description of Uttarkashi in Kedarkhand. It depicts Uttarkashi as the only pilgrimage where Lord Shiva stays wholeheartedly. And if anyone thinks Uttarkashi is different from Kashi, he will be punished in hell.Like Varanasi, there is a Manikarnika Ghat in Uttarkashi as well. Bathing in Manikarnika Ghat and offering food and water to departed relatives will keep their souls satisfied for thousand years. It is said that if someone dies within a particular range in Uttarkashi, he will be a liberated soul. Lord Shiva?s glittering linga will keep this place beautiful forever.

There are many kunds (spring of water) in Uttarkashi. Famous ones are Brahmkund, Rudrakund, Vishnukund, Suryakund and there is no dearth of ghats, but the important ones are Kedarghat, Trirotkacharya, and Manikarnika Ghat.

At a distance of 1.4 km from Uttarkashi is Laksheshwar Mandir. This place has been referred as Lakshagriha in Kedarkhand.In the later period, a beautiful Lakshagriha was there. It is the same house in which the Kauravas made the Pandavas stay. Even today one can see burning Lakha there. Goddess Shakti is present in that house.

The courtyard of Laksheshwar, bricks scattered over 15 acre of land, remind one of Mahabharata and the glorious past of Pandavas.Uttarkashi is also a place of strategic importance as it is close to China border.

Uttarkashi is located in the northern part of Uttaranchal. Uttarkashi was originally a part of Tehri Garhwal. But soon after independence, when Tehri Garhwal Kingdom merged with India, it was made a district of the Garhwal division

The major locations of the district are Dunda, Puroia, Rajgarhi and Bhatwari. Major tourist attractions are Chaurangi Khal, Bhairon Ghati and Gangotri. Yamuna, Rupin and Bhagirathi Rivers flows through the district.

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