Uttarakhand
Land of gods — Himalayas and pilgrimage sites
Uttarakhand, carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, holds the source of both the Ganges and Yamuna rivers within its Himalayan territory and is home to the Char Dham, four of Hinduism's most sacred pilgrimage temples: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The state's nickname, land of the gods (Dev Bhoomi), reflects the density of pilgrimage sites packed into its mountain valleys.
Rishikesh, on the Ganges below the high Himalaya, has become a global centre for yoga and meditation, hosting an annual International Yoga Festival, while nearby Haridwar is one of the four sites of the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering. Uttarakhand's Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its Corbett National Park, India's oldest national park, established in 1936, round out a state defined equally by pilgrimage and Himalayan nature.
Curated Experiences
Our journeys in India.
Popular Attractions
3 places
Attraction
Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand: a 3,583-metre Shiva shrine in the Garhwal Himalaya, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and Char Dham.
Attraction
Naini Lake
Naini Lake, Nainital: the lake at the heart of the Kumaon hill town, with the Naina Devi temple on its northern shore.
Attraction
Rishikesh
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: the Ganges town of ashrams, yoga schools, suspension bridges and white water rafting.
Travel Information
Best Time to Visit
March–June & September–November
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Stories from Uttarakhand
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