Badrinath
It is one of the four destinations that constitute the chardham, a sacred pilgrimage for every devout Hindu. Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand in northern India, Badrinath also happens to be the most revered of the four sacred shrines in Garhwal, the other three being Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnathji.
Kedarnath
Of all the chardham pilgrimage sites, Kedarnath has the remotest location, a 2-day journey from Gangotri in Uttarakhand. The sanctity of the site also lies in the fact that it is one of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, a powerful deity of the Hindu Trinity. The temple town of Kedarnath is snuggled up at an altitude of 3,584 m above sea level.
Gangotri
It is the place from where originates the Ganges, one of the most sacred rivers of the Hindus. Tucked away in the Garhwal hills, Gangotri shrine draws in lakhs of tourists from all parts of the world every year. One of the chardham destinations, Gangotri lies at an elevation of 3,048 m above sea level. Apart from devotees, the tourist spot is also visited by a good number of adventurers from around the world..
Yamunotri
A must on every Hindu pilgrim's itinerary, Yamunotri is an highly significant destination among the four Hindu shrines that constitute the Char Dham Yatrain the state of Uttarakhand. It is the source of the holy river Yamuna and can be reached from popular towns like Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun. The temple at Yamunotri is at a distance of 6 km from Hanuman Chatti, a small town in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Hemkund Sahib
It is a pilgrimage destination revered by not a single but multiple religious communities, Hindus and Sikhs being the most frequent visitors. Also known as Lokpal Lake, Hemkund is a sacred tank in the state of Uttarakhand, located at an altitude of 4,329 m. The pilgrimage site can be accessed by undertaking a steep trek of 6 hours from Ghangharia. The lake of Hemkund is fed by glaciers from the Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi peaks.
Valley of Flowers
Whether it's the literature by the mountaineers and botanists or the Hindu mythology, the Valley of Flowers has its own unique place. It is a strikingly expressive high altitude Himalayan valley. As a popular national park in India, it is known for its variety of flora and fauna and is internationally recognised for the diverse alpine flora. The Valley of Flowers wonderfully represents the West Himalayan bio-geographic zone.
Panch Prayag
Rivers in India are considered to be highly sacred in the Hindu mythology and are glorified as goddesses. And the confluence of these rivers typically represent immortal piety. Panch Prayag meaning five confluences is steeped in legends and tradional heritage. Located in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, the Panch Prayag is a must visit for every Hindu devotee while the sanctity and the glorified fame of the river confluences draws tourists from all across the globe.
Haridwar
The sacred Himalayan town of Haridwar represents a living lesson on Hinduism. Located at the foot of the Lakshdweep Hills, the town attracts hordes of tourists and devotees from all corners of the world. Haridwar also holds significance because it stands as the gateway to the chardham, which includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinathji and Kedarnathji.
Rishikesh
The holy town of Rishikesh has the eminence of being the International capital of Yoga and meditation. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the River Ganges, Rishikesh is dotted with a number of ancient temples, ashrams and world renowned yoga and meditation centres. Not only devotees, but travellers from all parts of the world flock to the sacred town for a deeper understanding of meditation.
Mussoorie
A hot favourite of honeymooners, Mussoorie is one of the most visited hill stations in the state of Uttarakhand as well as in India. The hill station came to be known when back in 1827, a British military officer named Captain Young discovered the fascinating beauty of the place. He explored the whole area and laid the foundation of a place which is today one of the finest hill stations in northern India, equally liked both by locals and foreign travellers..
Auli
Located on the Badrinath route in the state of Uttarakhand, Auli is becoming more and more popular as an ideal hill station. The hill station invites skiers from every corner of the world. It is during the bitter winters that the hill station of Auli can be enjoyed and experienced at its best. Geographically, Auli forms a part of the Garhwal ranges of the Himalayas.
Nainital
It is a heaven for nature lovers and holidaymakers. Referred to as the 'Lake District of India', Nainital occupies a places in the Kumaon hills of the Himalayas. The hill station features impressive lakes and hills and is visited by people of all ages. As history maintains it, the hill station became a focus of public attention after being discovered in 1839 by P Baron, a British sugar merchant. Enamoured of its beauty, the Britisher constructed a house called Pilgrim's Cottage and became a resident of Nainital.