There is no dearth of picturesque places in Uttarakhand. Pauri Garhwal is a district in Uttarakhand. India is nature’s paradise. Snow-clad mountains and a lush green forest offer scenic vistas of nature.
Pauri Garhwal, covering an area of 5,398 square kilometers in the lap of the Garhwal Himalayas, is surrounded by the districts of Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri, and Uttarkashi.
Pauri Garhwal, rich in cultural heritage, has many religious sites to visit. Kandoliya and Tarkeshwar temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are visited by devotees.
For nature lovers, the Khirsu-Panwali Trek and the Kandoliya-Kotdwar Trek offer breathtaking views of the Himalayas. There are many Himalayan peaks that can be seen from Pauri Garhwal. Hathi Parvat, Nanadadevi, Gangotri group, Swargarohini, Satopanth, Sumeru, Kedarnath, Bandarpunch, Chaukhambha, and Neelkanth, etc. are some of them.
History of Pauri Garhwal
It was an original habitant of communities such as the Bhotias, Jaunsaris, and Rajis. In the 8th century, the Katyuri dynasty ruled the place, with its capital at Baijnath. Later in the 11th century, the Katyuris were replaced by the Chand dynasty, which ruled Garhwal till the 16th century.
In the 16th century, Garhwal came under the Gorkha kingdom of Nepal. The Gorkhas were defeated by the British in the Angolo-Nepalese War of 1814–16, and Garhwal became a British Protectorate.
After India gained independence in 1947, Garhwal became a part of Uttar Pradesh. In 1960, the state of Uttarakhand was formed from the hill region of Uttar Pradesh.
Top places to visit in Pauri Garhwal
Kandoliya
Located in the heart of the Indian state of Uttarkhand, Kandoliya is located in the Pauri Garhwal district. The name Kandoliya is derived from the Garhwali word Kandol,” which means umbrella. Surrounded by a lush green forest of oak and pine trees, it resembles an open umbrella.
Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters above sea level, Kandoliya offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, spirituality, and adventure. Birdwatching of a diverse range of avian species, like the Himalayan monal in particular, is very famous.
The sunset and sunrise of the sun in the Kondolia range make it a perfect option to explore the Himalayas.
One of the most important landmarks is the Kandoliya temple, which is dedicated to the Hindu Deity Goddess Kandoli. The picturesque temple makes it a great place for meditation.
During winter, Kandoliya transforms itself into a winterland and provides numerous options for sports activities. Kandoliya hosts numerous garhwali festivals, and among them, Phooldei is celebrated in the spring season. Locals decorate homes with flowers and exchange blessings and greetings
Bubakhal
It’s a tiny village located on the road towards Lansdowne. It’s a beautiful village that is set on the confluence where many roads meet.
Chaukhamba Viewpoint
It’s a popular tourist destination located near the town of Pauri. Situated on the road towards Dwarikhal Forest, Chaukhamba offers an excellent view of Chaukhamba. The mountain, Chaukambha, is believed to represent the four pillars of Dharma, the Hindu concept of righteous conduct.
Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev is one of the 108 holy temples that is located in the Rudryaprayag district of Uttarakhand. At an elevation of around 1,982 meters above sea level, it is believed to be the place where the Mahabharata epic sought Lord Shiva’s blessing during their exile.
The temple features Himalayan architecture with intricate wooden carvings and stone walls. At the confluence of Mandakani and Alaknanda, the temple is surrounded by panoramic views of the surrounding Hinalayan peaks.
During the Shivratri festivals, thousands of devotees come to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Ransi
Ransi village is famous as the starting point for the Madhmaheshwar trek, which encompasses a journey of 16 km. Madhmaheswar is one of the Panch Kedar. Ransi village is situated in the Ukhimath tehisil of Rudrayprayad district of Uttarkhand.
If we talk about famous shrines in the region, then Kilkileshwar Mahadev Temple and Shri Ram Temple are the temples that attract a large number of devotees throughout the year.
Srinagar
Not to be confused with the more famous Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar is a famous tourist destination in the Garhwal district of Uttarkhand.
It was once the capital of the Garhwal Kingdom and has great historical significance. Several ancient temples and monuments reflect its rich history
A starting point for pilgrimages to places like Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Hemkund Sahib, Srinagar is a base for several important pilgrimage destinations.
Srinagar is home to several educational institutions. Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University attracts a number of students from different parts of Uttarakhand.
Alaknanda flows through Srinagar and offers opportunities for adventure activities like water rafting. Just a short distance from Srinagar, the Alaknanda Dam offers an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely day by the river.
Khrisu
The place is famous for its apple orchards. Surrounded by a lush green forest of oaks and deodars, the place offers a majestic view of the Himalayan range. The place is located at the height of 1700m and is 15 km away from Pauri.
How to reach Pauri
By Road
Pauri is well-connected by road to other parts of Uttarakhand and nearby states. The town is situated on NH 109, which connects it to the nearby cities of Rishikesh and Haridwar. Regular bus services are available from Delhi, Dehradun, Rishikesh, and other nearby towns to Pauri.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Pauri is Kotdwar, which is located about 108 km away. Kotdwar is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. From Kotdwar, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Pauri.
By Air
The nearest airport to Pauri is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is located about 136 km away. Jolly Grant Airport is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. From the airport, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Pauri.