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Uttarakhand – Of Yogis, Hills and Spirituality

 Uttarakhand. Dev Bhoomi. The Land of Gods. This little corner of the enigma that is India exudes an enticing sense of spirituality and placidity from its every crevice. A spectacularly idyllic terrain smothered by some of the holiest mountains, lakes and rivers, Uttarakhand is found to be especially bountiful for those seeking hiking adventures, spiritual clarity, serene holidays and fascinating wildlife. Be it the pilgrim city of Hardwar graced by the holy Ganges, the Hem Kund trek to the soul-touching Valley of Flowers or the infamous Corbett Tiger Reserve, the stars of which converted legendary British hunter, Jim Corbett, into a prominent conservationist, the allure here is impressively expansive.

Uttarakhand is home to countless pilgrimage sites that have been used as the setting for a lot of Hindu epics, the stories of which seem imbibed in this land giving it a sense of undeniable surrealism. The colonial-era tinged Almora with its beautiful valley treks, the vividly painted Badrinath Temple snuggled in the shadow of snow-topped Nilkantha, and Rishikesh, a gateway to the holy Himalayas that so shockingly combines meditative dormancy with near-chaotic devotion. There is so much stuffed into this little region that it is bewildering how anything makes sense even much less be as endearing as it is in reality. Uttarakhand treasures a kind of organic serenity which is, albeit not unique by itself, incredibly captivating and add to it the spiritual and religious significance of the place, it becomes truly divine. Pun intended.

Places to visit in Uttarakhand

 

Kunjapuri Sunrise Trek





Dedicated to Goddess Shakti, the Kunjapuri temple is considered very auspicious locally and is at an altitude of 1650m. From the top you get to enjoy amazing panoramic views of the Himalayan range and the mystical Ganga. Trek through villages, local homes farms ending up at the Neer Gaddu waterfall where you can cool down under the icy clean showers!

Kapileshwar Temple


This temple is ancient and fascinatingly reminiscent of those structures you would see only in history books. Cooped up in its own seclusion, it is a coveted point of tourist interest full of brilliant architecture and picturesque locations. Carved into the beautiful Soar Valley this region offers superb views of the misty Himalayas.




Neelkanth Mahadev Temple





Situated on a hill at a height of 1330m and lying adjacent to the Nar-Narayan mountain range, this temple and its surroundings offer a gloriously aesthetic image. The devotion radiating from each pilgrim here to Lord Shiva is only met by the admiration for the incredible sights that are found in abundance here; a true tourism haven.

Trek to Naina Peak 





A fairly long hike through a trail cocooned by vibrant rhododendrons, deodars and cypresses, the peak is a spell binding vantage point of the surrounding views not to mention the beautiful snow-capped mountains. Known for its variety of birdlife, you also get to enjoy the chirps and fluttering of countless beautiful species  that call this forest their home.

Best time to visit Uttarakhand


A year round destination, Uttarakhand has something for everyone all through the season.
March – April: Spring – Bright blue skies, green and yellow fields that look like scenes out of Bollywood songs with 20 C daytime temperatures that could dip as the day gets older.
May – June: Summer – The big tourist season in the state, especially in Nainital and Mussoorie. Temperatures can get as high as 38 C in the lower reaches.
July – August: Monsoons – Expect rained out days and slushy sidewalks. Although lush green landscape around makes the region spectacular, there is the odd landslide and flood reported every other year.
September – November: Post the monsoons, just before winter sets in, the weather is pleasant and, more importantly, tourist crowd thins out. Festivities in October make it a good month to visit.
November – February: Winter – Heavy snowfall and lovely skiing slopes make Auli winter destinations of choice. Temperatures dip down to zero and highs remain in the low teens.


Things to carry

Pack as light as possible given the amount of road travel involved here.
• Cotton clothing for summer and a light jacket would work for when evenings get cooler. If you’re un[travel]ling in winter, warmer clothes complete with thick socks and warmer jackets. Carry your windcheater and umbrella if you’re here in the monsoons as well.
• Sturdy walking shoes, mandatory if you’re hiking, make sense given the amount of walking involved here.
• Sunscreen, especially if you’re going up to the higher reaches. Usual prescription medications.
• Mobile and tablet electronic chargers.

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