Tehri Garhwal Tourism and Tourist Spots
Tehri Garhwal Tourism and Tourist Spots
Tehri Garhwal Tourism
Tehri Garhwal Tourism : Tehri Garhwal district, located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state, is blessed with immense natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The district has enormous potential for tourism development with its snow-capped Himalayan peaks, glaciers, dense forests, rivers, lakes and temples. However, much of this potential remains untapped.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of tourism and tourist spots in Tehri Garhwal district. It covers:
- Key tourist spots and attractions
- Adventure tourism
- Pilgrimage tourism
- Initiatives to boost tourism
Key Tourist Spots and Attractions
Tehri Garhwal Tourism : Some of the top tourist attractions in Tehri Garhwal district include:
1. Chamba
Chamba town, situated at an altitude of 1,556 meters along the Rishiganga river, is known for its scenic beauty. Key attractions include:
- Raghunath Ji Temple: An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Rama constructed in North Indian style of architecture.
- Vasuki Tal: A high altitude lake situated at 4,135 meters, surrounded by snow-clad peaks. It offers breathtaking views and is ideal for trekking.
- Tungnath: At 3,680 meters, it is the highest Shiva temple in the world. The scenic trek to Tungnath passes through dense rhododendron and deodar forests.
- Deoria Tal: A crystal clear lake at 2,440 meters offering magnificent reflections of surrounding Chaukhamba peak.
2. New Tehri
Built to rehabilitate residents of old Tehri town that was submerged by Tehri dam, New Tehri offers mesmerizing lake views. Key attractions include:
- Tehri Dam and Lake: One of the highest dams in the world, Tehri dam offers stunning views of the vast emerald green reservoir surrounded by hills.
- Tehri Lake Festival: A popular annual cultural festival held in November on the banks of Tehri Lake.
- Boating in Tehri Lake: Motor boat and floating huts rides offered on the picturesque Tehri Lake for visitors to soak in gorgeous mountain and lake vistas.
3. Dhanaulti
A picturesque hill station situated amidst thick deodar forests at an altitude of 2,286 meters, Dhanaulti is known for its tranquility. Key attractions are:
- Eco Parks: Dhanaulti has numerous eco parks with facilities like camping, bonfire, hiking trails etc. for visitors to enjoy nature.
- Adventure Sports: Paragliding, rappelling and valley crossing offered at some eco parks, along with hiking, mountain biking and camping.
- Forest Trails: Several short and long forest trails for nature walks, bird watching and taking in breathtaking valley views.
4. Mussoorie
The popular hill station of Mussoorie extends partially into Tehri district. Key attractions within Tehri boundary are:
- Kempty Falls: A stunning waterfall falling from an altitude of 1,340 meters, offering most spectacular views in monsoon season.
- Bhatta Falls and Bhatta Village: A lesser known but gorgeous waterfall and scenic village ideal for picnics and nature walks.
5. Jhilmil Taal
A pristine lake situated in a remote forest area near the village of Jhilmil at an altitude of 1,370 meters. Its peaceful environs make it perfect for camping, birdwatching, fishing, and trekking.
6. Surkanda Devi Temple
A temple dedicated to goddess Sati, situated atop the Surkanda peak at an altitude of 3,030 meters. The temple can be reached via a 2.5 km steep forest trek, offering sweeping views of Himalayan peaks and valleys.
Adventure Tourism
Tehri Garhwal Tourism : With its rugged mountainous terrain and dense forests, Tehri Garhwal offers excellent opportunities for adventure sports including:
Trekking: Numerous moderate to difficult trekking trails such as Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila, Kuari Pass, Pangarchulla Peak, Dodital-Darwa Top, Dayara Bugyal and more.
Skiing: Mundali near Dhanaulti has basic skiing infrastructure and slopes for amateur skiers in winter months.
Camping: Many eco parks and remote areas like Jhilmil Taal, Dayara Bugyal and Dodital have campsites for visitors.
Rock Climbing and Rappelling: Some eco parks offer artificial rock climbing and rappelling walls. Natural sites are also available.
Mountain Biking: Forest trails and village roads in areas like Dhanaulti, Chamba, Tehri Lake and others ideal for mountain biking.
Paragliding: Take off sites near Dhanaulti for paragliding flights over forests and valleys.
Pilgrimage Tourism
As part of Dev Bhoomi or Land of Gods Uttarakhand, Tehri Garhwal has great significance in Hindu mythology and is dotted with many ancient temples that attract pilgrims.
Major Pilgrimage Sites
- Surkanda Devi Temple
- Kandisaur Temples
- Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple
- Urgam Valley Temples
- Ghansali Temples
Annual pilgrimage fairs like Hatkalika Fair at Gangnani and Surkanda Devi Fair are also popular.
Initiatives to Boost Tourism
To fully harness the vast tourism potential of Tehri Garhwal, some initiatives needed are:
- Improving connectivity through roads, railways and air services
- Developing more accommodation options and activities in tourist spots
- Training locals as tourist guides to showcase the region’s attractions
- Promoting lesser known destinations through marketing campaigns
- Making tourism eco-friendly and working with communities for sustainable practices
- Strengthening disaster preparedness considering the region’s vulnerability
Conclusion of Tehri Garhwal Tourism
Tehri Garhwal Tourism : With heavenly mountain vistas, sacred pilgrimage sites, adventurous trekking trails and bountiful nature at its best, Tehri Garhwal holds immense scope for tourism growth. Tapping into its vast potential requires concerted development efforts to upgrade infrastructure, expand activities, promote sustainability, and skill local youth – transforming the district into a leading tourist destination.
FAQs on Tehri Garhwal Tourism
Q: What are the top places to visit in Tehri Garhwal for tourism?
A: Chamba, New Tehri, Dhanaulti, Mussoorie, Jhilmil Taal and Surkanda Devi Temple are top tourist spots.
Q: What adventure activities can be done in Tehri Garhwal?
A: Trekking, skiing, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, rafting and paragliding are popular adventure activities.
Q: Which main pilgrimage sites are located in the district?
A: Key pilgrimage sites include Surkanda Devi Temple, Kandisaur Temples, Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple and Ghansali temples.
Q: How to reach Tehri Garhwal district?
A: By air – Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun then drive. By train – Rishikesh railway station then drive. By road – well connected to state highways.
Q: What is the best time to visit Tehri Garhwal?
A: March to June and September to November are ideal seasons with pleasant weather for tourism.
