Uttarakhand is known as the Land of the Gods, a vast Himalayan region representing the power and beauty of nature and devotion to deities. Dotted among the diverse landscape of mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes and glaciers are many sacred temples, shrines and pilgrimage centers. Ski across rugged mountains, meditate on the banks of a river and visit ancient temples.
Enjoy the many ways to discover Uttarakhand's wealth of natural landscapes. Travel through Rajaji National Park on a jungle safari to spot tigers, panthers and elephants. Tackle the challenging rapids of the Dhauliganga and Kali rivers on a rafting trip. Go trekking and rock climbing in the Garhwal region. Rent a mountain bike and speed through the foothills of the Himalayas, stopping off at towns and villages en route. Navigate the slopes of the Auli Ski Resort in Chamoli District.
Hike up to Vasuki Tal Mountain Lake in Kedarnath. According to legend, Lord Vishnu, the Hindu god of the world, bathed in this lake. Nearby is the Kedarnath Temple, or Kedarnath Mandir, an ancient religious building more than 1,000 years old.
One of the state's most spiritual places is the town of Rishikesh, where the Himalayan Mountains meet the plains around the Ganges River. It is considered by many as the yoga capital of the world, home to numerous shrines and yoga ashrams. Attend mediation and yoga classes at the water’s edge.
See the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, the abandoned spiritual retreat where the Beatles meditated and wrote songs in 1968. The surrounding forest is slowly swallowing the ashram, but you can still visit meditation cells and the lecture hall, which has been turned into a Beatles-themed art project.
To get to Uttarakhand, fly into New Delhi. Make the rest of the journey by bus, car or train. The distance is about 225 miles (365 kilometers). Uttarakhand is a fascinating place where you can learn about the area's religious heritage, relax and enjoy nature and adventurous pursuits.
