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When it comes to sightseeing in Uttarakhand, the otherwise clichéd term of `something for everybody’ can be applied appropriately to this place. There may not be beaches and palaces here, but there are plenty of places to see in Uttarakhand. You can enjoy majestic mountains, dense forests, national parks, plenty of opportunity for trekking, river running, climbing and seeing nature in all its glory.
Whether you’re a pilgrim, a backpacker, or an adventure freak, this is a state you’ve just got to travel through. The capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, is more a plains town than much of the rest of the state. With an old-time colonial feel to it, Dehra’s quietness and relaxed pace of life make it the ideal place to unwind- and to get away from the bustle of it all. Uttarakhand’s other large towns- Nainital, Mussoorie, Almora and Kausani - lie in the hills. Mussoorie and Nainital, both firm favourites among Indian tourists, have become fairly commercial and crowded; but their suburbs still manage to retain some of the charm and beauty which made them popular in the first place. Landour, just above Mussoorie, is a quiet little corner amidst the woods, and Nainital’s famous lake has boaters all the year long.
Once the centre of Kumaoni culture, the town of Almora stands besides the Koshi and Suyal rivers, amidst mountains covered with dense forests of fir and pine. Centred around an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Nanda Devi, the town’s stone houses, exquisitely carved wooden façades and cobbled streets are a pleasant change from the crass commercialism of more touristy towns. 53 km north of Almora is the picturesque town of Kausani, which offers some stunning views of the mountains around. The mist-shrouded mountains which surround Kausani are beautiful at any time of the year, and the town’s quietness makes it a lovely retreat. Also within easy reach of Almora is the pretty cantonment town of Ranikhet, a place of alpine meadows and green woods where the occasional leopard can still be seen.
For Hindu pilgrims, Uttarakhand is the ultimate destination- the home of the Ganga and the Yamuna, the place where the gods dwell. Not surprisingly, a yatra of the Char Dham - Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath- is a must-do for many visitors to the area. As is a visit to the holy city of Haridwar, which hosts the Maha Kumbh Mela; or to Rishikesh, higher up in the mountains.
Other places to see in Uttarakhand is the gurudwara of Hemkund Sahib that is surrounded by seven hills and is situated near Joshimath. It is one of Sikhism’s most important shrines. The shrine sits on the bank of Lokpal Lake, and is believed to have been the home of Guru Gobind Singh, who once meditated here. And if you’re planning a visit to Hemkund Sahib, a trek through the nearby Valley of Flowers is worth including. The valley is a national park, and its thousands of wildflowers make it a sight never to be forgotten.
And that’s not all; all across Garhwal and Kumaon are hundreds of other places, small and large, undiscovered and popular, which are worth a visit.
Baijnath and Bageshwar, both religious centres, lie along the Gomti; Gwaldam, Binsar and Dhanaulti, surrounded by quiet forests and fruit orchards, are still pretty and pristine; and deep in the mountains, are other pleasant nooks.
Just wander on - serendipity is the name of the game here.
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