Uttarakhand was formerly known as Uttaranchal. The state is divided into two division Gharwal and Kumaon and have 13 districts. The state of Uttrakhand has two capitals; the winter capital Dehradun and the summer capital Gairsain which is a town in Chamoli district.

Kedarnath, the most famous temple across the world housing one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva is located at Uttrakhand. 

Along with the most famous temples, the place is also the origin of the two most religious and sacred rivers of Hinduism; River Ganga and River Yamuna. Other than the temples and Rivers, the rock paintings, megaliths, rock shelters, palaeolithic stone stools on the mountains and hills of Uttarakhand give evidence of human habitation since prehistoric times. 

Some of the best tourist places in Uttrakhand are:

1. Kedarnath Temple, Kedarnath

The holy temple of Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located on the Garhwal Himalayan range. Lord Shiva here is seen as a homogeneous form,’Lord of Kedarnath’ is the name he is referred to in this region. The temple is located on a hill and the road to the temple is not directly accessible. One has to trek from Gaurikund.  Manchan services and pony are available for the devotees and pilgrims to reach the temple. The temple which is located near the holy Mandakini River is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and the highest among them. 

Kedarnath is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Kedara’ which means field and ‘natha’ which means lord. It is believed that the temple was built by Pandavas. The temple is accessible to the public between the months of April and November due to the weather conditions of the area. There are five temples around which are: Madhya Maheswara, Kalpeshwara, Tunganatha, Rudrantha, and Badari-Kedar. 

2. LaxmanJhula, Rishikesh

LaxmanJhula is a suspension bridge over the River Ganga in Rishikesh Uttrakhand that connects two villages of Rishikesh; Tapovan on the west bank of the river, to Jonk on the east bank of the river. It is located on the outskirts of Rishikesh yet it is one of the most famous places in the city. The place was earlier accessed by motorbikes too but now it is only open for pedestrians. The bridge offers a beautiful view of the River and the villages on both sides. It is also believed that Lord Laxmana crossed River Ganges on jute rope where the bridge is now built hence the name LaxmanJhula. Tourists from across the world come here to witness the beauty of this bridge over the river. 

3. Beatles Ashram, Rishikesh

The famous international band ‘The Beatles’ is the reason behind the name of this Ashram. Earlier known by the name ChaurasiKutia, this ashram is located in Rishikesh opposite Muni Ki Reti. During the years the 1960s and 1970s, this place served as a training center for students of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who is known to have introduced the Transcendental Meditation technique. It was then when the Beatles along with other celebrities visited here and learned the meditation technique. 

In 2003, the place was opened to public visit and since then it has become the most famous tourist spot for Beatles Fan. 

This ashram had meditation caves made of stones which are known as stone huts. These can still be seen at the place along with the wall paintings done during the visit of The Beatles. The ashram is surrounded by lush greenery and mountains which makes it a beautiful site to visit. 

4. Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh

The ashram is located in the city of Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. Founded in 1942 by Pujya Swami ShukdevanandjiMaharaj this ashram gathers tourists from across the world throughout the year. The ashram constitutes 1000 ashrams for the numerous numbers of pilgrims that come here to spend some time in peace and among the beauty of nature. Some of the daily activities here include Hatha yoga, yoga Nidra, Vinyasa, morning prayers, Satsang, lecture, kirtan, ayurvedic treatment, and Ganga Arti at the River Ganga which is also another major tourist’s attraction. 

This ashram is visited by thousands of people from across the world to take part in the courses in meditation, stress management, pranayam, Reiki, Ayurveda, yoga and other Indian sciences. 

5. Nainital Lake, Nainital

Nainital Lake or Nainilake is something that can soothe your eyes every time you visit there. It is located in Nainital, Kumaon District, Uttrakhand.

Nainital lake is divided into two parts; the northern part is called Mallital and the southern part is called Tallital. This lake is surrounded by so many other scenic attractions that call tourists from all over the places. This crescent-shaped lake has Naina Peak on North West, Tiffin Top on the Southwest Side, and Snow View peaks on the north. Some other peaks that surround the Naini lake are: Ayarpata, Alma, Cheena Peak, LariaKanta

Deopata, Handi Bandiand Sher Ka Danda. 

The NainitalYatch Club of this lake offers yatching facilities to the visitors. 

6. Tiffin Top, Nainital

This spot is located on Ayarpatta hill in Nainital, Kumaon region. It is also known as Dorothy’s Seat and provides the bird-eye view of the Nainital town. It is a perfect spot for a picnic with family and friends. The name Tiffin Top was given to this place because most of the people enjoy having food here packed in their Tiffin’s or lunchboxes. The hilltop site is dedicated to Dorothy Kellet, an English artist. 

The best time to roam around in this place is during March to June when the weather is pleasant. 

7. Snow View, Nainital

What’s better than watching snow-covered mountains and surroundings for long hours. 

The Snow Viewpoint is situated just 2km away from Nainital City Centre. The place offers a captivating view of snow-covered Nanda Devi Peak, Trishul Peak, and the Nanda Kot Peak. This place is what tourists would never want to miss. On one side of this place, you can have a spectacular view of Nainital town and Nainital Lake. 

A huge binocular is installed at the top of the point where one can watch the snow closely in the mountains. The most beautiful experience through binoculars is watching a small temple covered in a snowy blanket having images of Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman, Goddess Sita, and Lord Hanuman. Other attractions of this place are Fun rides and games for children, ropeway rides, shooting games, etc. You can visit GadhanKunkyop Ling Gompa – Tibetan Monastery which is located nearby. 

The food stalls are also present nearby where one can eat and enjoy the bewitching beauty of the place. 

8. Raj Bhawan, Nainital

The true architectural beauty of the British-era is what you can call Raj Bhawan. The home to the governor of Uttarakhand this place drips of charm and history. Used as the summer residence by Britishers during the colonial period this Bhawan has 113 rooms and two floors. The Bhawan is spread over the area of 205 acres constituting a Golf Course which is over the area of 45 acres of land. It also has a Swimming pool and a garden within the premises. The palace was built in 1897 in Gothic style architecture and was visited by many British VIPS during summer break. 

After independence it was given the name Raj Bhawan and was made open for the public in the year 1994. 

You can roam around the lush green area, take a trip around the Golf Course, play a game on a reasonable fee or eat meals in the restaurant present inside.  

Many other tourist attractions like Mall Road, Naini lake, Naina Devi Temple, etc are also present just a few kilometers from Raj Bhawan. 

9. Jim Corbett National Park

The oldest National Park, Jim Corbett National Park is located in Nainital district and Pauri Garhwal District. Established in 1936 as Hailey’s National Park, the park aimed to protect the endangered Bengal Tiger. It was also the first park to list under Project Tiger. The park is spread over the area of 520.8 km square which includes riverine belts, hills, grasslands, a large lake, and marshy depressions. The tourism in this area has seen a huge increase from the past few years. Only selected parts of the park are open to the tourists who can enjoy the wildlife and the surrounding beautiful green areas. The park is a home for 488 different species of plants, 586 species of migratory and resident birds 7 species of amphibians, 33 species of reptiles, 7 species of fish, and 36 species of dragonflies along with different species of animals. Some of the major attractions that can be seen neighboring park are Dhikala, Kalaghar Dams, Corbett Falls, and Garjiya Devi Temple. 

10. Lal Tibba Scenic Point 

Lal Tibba is also known as Red Hill and is one of the famous tourist spots in the hillstationMussorie of Uttrakhand. This place is a treat for tourists and much for photographers. Situated at the top of Depot Hill, the point provides the most beautiful sunrise, sunset, views of mountain ranges, and the greenery. If you look through the telescope that is provided by the municipality where you can see the peaks of Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Banderpaunch. This hill point is one of the highest points of Mussoorie. You can have tea and light snacks from the little shops around while enjoying the stunning views from the top. Some of the other tourist places near this hill point are Lakemist, ShedupChoepelling Temple, Camels Back Road, Company Garden, Gun Hill, and many more.

11. Kempty Falls, Mussorie

Kempty Falls, the beauty of Mussorie is a waterfall located around 13km from Mussorie in Ram Gaon in the Tehri Garhwal District of Uttarakhand. It was developed in 1835, by British officer John Makinen. The waterfalls from the height of 4500ft and splitting into five cascades, it then falls another 40ft.

Famous for its milky streams this place is perfect for picnic.

12. Gun Hill, Mussorie

This is the second-highest hill point in the Mussorie. The place provides a beautiful view of the Himalayan ranges namely Shikhara, Bunderpanch, Pithwara, Gangotri, and many more. You can reach this point through a cable car from The Mall or simply just walk the 20 min distance. It is situated at an altitude of 2024m and gives you all the amazing views you can take. The name was kept because of the presence of a gun during pre-independence days, the gun was fired during midday for people to adjust their time according to that. 

13. Raja ji National Park, Haridwar

Raja ji National Park is spread over the area of 820km square covering parts of three districts: Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar. It is an Indian tiger reserve and National Park. The park encompasses Shivaliks. The dense forests are home to many wildlife and flora. If you are a wildlife enthusiast this place is a must-visit for you in Uttrakhand. Some of the fauna that can be found roaming around in the area are: Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Goral, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Indian Langur, Jackal, Sloth Near, Indian hare, Python, King Cobra, Barking Deer and a lot more. Homing around 500 residents and migratory birds this park is also very rich in Rajaji National Park. 

14. Shri Mata Mansa Devi Mandir, Haridwar 

Located at the top of BilwaParvat on Shivalik Hills, this Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Mansa Devi. This temple is considered of great importance among devotees. It is believed that the Goddess fulfills all the wishes of people who come here. The devotees make a wish and tie a thread to the tree located in the temple and after the completion, they visit here again to untie the thread. To reach the temple, you have to either trek or use ropeway service. The temple is one of the three Siddhipeeth in Haridwar, other being Maya Devi and Chandi Devi.

15. Har ki PauriGhat, Haridwar

The most famous ghat on the bank of River Ganga in Haridwar is Har ki Pauri ghat. The name Har ki Pauri means”Steps of Lord Shiva”. It is believed that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva had visited Bramhakund in Har ki Pauri. This place calls for devotees and tourists from all across the world during the most famous Kumbha Mela. Every evening Ganga Arti is performed at the ghat where diyas are set on the water. People sing praises and arti, the whole environment is dipped into the positive vibes. 

Many other festivities also take place in this ghat.

16. Auli

Auli is a breathtaking hill station in Chamoli District, Uttrakhand. This place is heaven for those who love to go on a trip. It is also known as Ali Bugyali which means “meadow” in Garhwali district. This place is also famous for having a beautiful home to around 520 species of plants, out of which 498 are flowering plants. All of these plant species are known to be endangered. It is a ski and hiking destination. The place is located at the height of 2800m and is surrounded by forests and gives the most captivating view of mountain ranges like ManaParavat, Nanda Devi, and Kamat Kamet. 

Auli itself is a tourist destination and bewitches you anywhere you look. Some of the main attraction of the place or are located near the place are Auli Artificial Lake, Joshimath, Guess Bugyal, Auli Ropeway, Chattrakund, Chenab Lake, Auli Ski Resort, 

Trishul Peak, Vishnuprayag and KwaniBugyal.

17. Valley of Flowers National Park

Most soothing place spread over an area of 87square kilometres, this Indian National park is located in Chamoli District of Uttrakhand. It was discovered in the year 1931 by Mountaineer Frank S Smith. This fairyland is surrounded by Himalayan mountains covered in snowy blankets. This National Park gives an enchanting view during the late summer and monsoon month when flowers all bloom and the area looks like a colorful carpet. Some of the other attractions near this flower park are waterfalls and some of the wildlife in the park. It is also the World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO. 

18. Badrinath Temple, Badrinath

Badrinath temple holds religious importance and is located at the Badrinath town, Uttrakhand. This temple is among the108 DivyaDesamswhich is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is only open for pilgrims and tourists between the months of April and November as the weather conditions are too extreme here. One such prominent festival of this temple is MataMurti ka Mela. The temples record the highest number of visitors every year. Badrinath town itself provides a beautiful view and is situated at the height of 3,300m on the banks of Alaknanda River. You can visit the town and pay offering at the Badrinath temple, enjoy the beautiful scenery and dwell at the beauty of scintillating Alaknanda River.  

19. Surya Kund, Gangotri

As the state, Uttarakhand is rich in temples and religious places, the people from all over the world swarm into this state throughout the year. Surya Kunda is a waterfall near the Bhagirathi River. This kund is located around 500m from Gangotri Temple, temple of River Ganga is also one of the most visited places. Surya Kunda holds significance and is a sacred place considered by Hindus. It is a place where pilgrims offer their prayers to the Sun God. It is said that the waterfall of Surya Kunda bathes the shrine of Lord Shiva that is located in the water of the river. You can reach here by walking through Dandi  Kshetra and TapovanKuti Ashrams. People believe that taking a dip in this waterfall will shower blessings on them. Other attractions near this place where you can also visit are Gangotri Temple, BhagirathShila, Pandav Gufa, and Gauri Kund. 

20. Chitai Golu Devta Temple, Almora

Lord Golu or GoluDevta is the deity of the people of the Kumaon region in Uttrakhand. It is the most revered place of the Kumaon region. This temple is mostly visited by the tourist because of the interesting tale related to it. It is said by the people here that Golu Dev used to travel on his beloved white horse across the Golu Darbar and helped the people of his kingdom in any way possible. He dedicated his life to the people and lived a simple life. It is also believed that he is an incarnation of Gaur Bhairav (Lord Shiva) and the people of Kumaon have several temples dedicated to him. It is said that he still appears before the people and grant them their wishes. Devotees from all over the place come here to pay their respect to the Lord Golu and offer bells at the temple. The main attraction of this temple is thousands of bells of every size that are tied at the premises of the temple. 

21. Narsingh Temple, Joshimath

Narsingh Temple is the winter home of Badrinath idol and idol of Lord Vishnu in NarsinghAvtar. The local legends believe that the hand of the Narsingh idol is shrinking and the day it will break, the mountains Jay and Vijay will become one and the Hindu Lord Badrinath will disappear from the present Badrinath temple and will reappear as Shaligram at another temple which is BhavishyaBadri. This temple is the main temple of Joshimath city and the local stories will make the place an attraction for tourists. Pilgrims and devotees also come to witness the shrinking of the right hand of the idol and pay offerings to Lord Shiva. When visiting this temple, BhavishyaKedar Temple should also be visited. Other attractions that this city also provides are Tapovan, Ropeway connecting Auli and Joshimath, Shankracharya Math, GariBhawani Temple, Kalpeshwar. 

22. Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi is a town in Uttarakhand and is also known by the name SomyaKashi. Uttarakashi means Kashi of the North. The town is a home of many temples, dams, institutes, ashrams, lakes, Hills, and Ghat. It provides numerous adventures and is a must-visit place for tourists. Uttarakashi is considered the top place for performing yoga. There are many yoga classes around the town. It also provides trekking destinations such as KedarKantha, Har ki Dun, Dodital, and DayaraBugyal. You can roam around in the hill stations of this town Harsil, Sankri, and ChaurangiKhal. The most famous temple of Uttarkashi district is Yamunotri Temple which is one of the four sites of India’s Chhota Char Dham.

23. Devprayag

The name of Devprayag is inspired by the sage Dev Sharma who led hi-life here. “Devprayag” in Sanskrit means “Godly Confluence”. The place is said to be the confluence of holy rivers. It is considered of holy importance in Hinduism. The two rivers 

 Alakananda and Bhagirathi join to form Holy Ganga and is also joined by the River Saraswati.  The meeting of these is visible to the eyes and is such a heavenly thing to watch. The town provides other attractions to tourists who come here to dwell on the religious environment and cherish the beauty of hills and rivers. The temple of Raghunathji, built of huge stones is in the upper part of the village. The mountain called Dashrathanchal homes NakshatraVedhShala, which has two telescopes and books to study astronomy. The breathtaking view of the three godly peaks; DashrathanchalParvat, GiddhanchalParvat, and NarsinghancalParvat is a tourist retreat.

24. Gauri Kund

Gauri Kund is considered a Hindu pilgrimage site and is located in Uttrakhand, India. 

The place holds great importance in the Hindu religion. The kund is said to be connected with Gauri, Lord Shiva’s wife. Gaurikund is a place that Devi Gauri was believed to be living and worshipping for Lord Shiva to win his affection. Lord Shiva and Devi Gauri married at TriyugiNarayan. The tale attracts tourists on huge numbers. Also, the place is surrounded by hills and rivers which make this place a sure visit.  There are many hot springs in Gaurikund. 

Lord Ganesha acquired his elephant head over here. The floods of 2013, has washed over the many attractive spots of Gauri Kund but the place still plays a vital role in tourism. 

25. Bairat Khai, Chakrata

Chakrata is one of the most famous tourist destinations which homes many beautiful tourist sites. One such place that calls for a huge number of visitations is BairatKhai also known as The Princess of Hills. This is the place where one can have a 180° view of the enchanting snow-covered Himalayas throughout the year. It is situated at an altitude of 1990 meters. The place is surrounded by the peaks of Chorani Dhar and  Julioki Dhar. BairatKhai can be visited to witness the beauty of the valleys on the north and south of it and the Himalayan range that surrounds the area. Winters provide the best view of this place. If you are planning to visit here, make sure you do in the winters to witness the breathtaking snowfall. 

26. Robbers Cave, Landour

This cave is also known as Gucchupani and is located in the town of Landour. It is a river cave which is about 600m long and is divided into two parts. This natural cave is one of the most popular tourist sites in Uttrakhand. Some believe that the robbers used to hide their valuables in this place hence the name Robbers Cave. The mysterious appearance of the river in a few places makes this place the most attractive place for tourists. You can spend your quality time with your family and friends here. 

27. Tehri Dam, Chamba

The highest dam in India, Tehri Dam is located near Tehri. This dam is built on the Bhagirathi River. The Dam is a multipurpose dam that acts as a reservoir for municipal water supply, irrigation, and the generation of hydroelectricity. The 260m height dam has a reservoir, Tehri Lake which is also a major tourist attraction site. Some of the adventure water sports are available here: paragliding, banana boat ride, and jet skiing.

28. Patal Bhuvaneshvar

This limestone cave temple is located 14 km from Gangolihat, Pithoragarh district. This temple is a great tourist spot and holds a vital place among Hindus. 

Legends say that the temple enshrines Lord Shiva and 33 Koti demigods (33 types). The tale behind this temple is that in ‘TretaYug’, King Rituparna discovered this cave and witnessed Lord Shiva and 33types God, the cave was closed after his visit but in Sakandapurana it was mentioned that it will open again in KaliYug. It was in Kali Yuga when Shankracharya rediscovered this cave. 

This temple cave is 160m long and 90ft deep from the point of entrance. Limestone rock formations have created various figures of various forms and hues. Patalbhuvaneshwar has a tunnel-like opening which further leads to a number of caves. It is caved within a cave and is illuminated by electricity. The place calls a huge number of tourists and pilgrims to witness the mysterious caves.

29. Pithoragarh

Another town in the state of Uttarakhand providing all the tourist-friendly sites. This town has an airport and is the education hub of the hilly regions. Located at an elevation of 1514m above sea level, this town never misses providing the gorgeous views of hills lakes, mountains, rivers, and forests. Some of the places that a tourist can visit on its trip to Pithoragarh are Chandak, a hill point from where you can watch the town and visit the small temple of Hindu deity ‘Manu’, Askot Sanctuary, Ralam Glacier, Jhulaghat, ThalKedar, Pithoragarh Fort, Dhwaj Temple, and GangoliGhat 

30. Choukhori

The hill station of Chaukori is making the dreams of travelers true. The station is another gem that is located in the state of Uttarakhand. The hills station is a home of many temples and is also a beautiful place to spend time admiring the beauty of mountain ranges, woodlands, rivers, fruit orchards, diverse flora-fauna, and many other dreamy places. It is located at the height of 2010m. The tea gardens of Choukori are very famous and were developed by the British Government. The place spreads the captivating smell of tea all around with the greenery. Other attractions that call for tourists to set foot here are Dhaulinag, Feninag, Harinag, Kalinag Temples,  Kamakshi Temple, and Kapileshwar Mahadev Cave Temple.

31. Kanatal

Kanatal is a hill station located at the height of 8500 feet above sea level. This hill station is also the perfect place for photographers and trekkers to travel to. Wrapped by the Himalayan mountain range and deep valleys this is a must-visit place in Uttrakhand.  Some of the places that can be visited here along with cherishing the beauty of the hill are Surkanda Devi Temple famous for Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati’s tale. The trek during snowfall is a must thing to do here. The Kodia Forest and the Eco Park can be visited too. Boating, jet-skiing, trekking, bird watching, star gazing are some of the other highlights of this place. This place is perfect during the festival of Dusshera.

32. St. Mary’s Church, Lansdowne

Telling a powerful history, St. Mary’s Church is located near another astounding destination Tip N Top Point in Lansdowne. 

It was constructed during the year 1895, by Col. A.H.B Hume of the Royal Engineers. It was a church before but the deterioration of the church made the officials convert it into the museum. This museum showcases many images of pre-independent era and has an audio-visual guide of Gharwal regiment and the history of Lansdowne city. 

Lansdowne town was developed by the British and not only provides the history of pre-independence days but also provides you with the serene sites like Tip n Top viewpoint, KameshwarMandir, a haunted cemetery in Kitchner Lines. 

33. Mana Village

Mana is a small and the last village in the district of Chamoli in Uttarakhand. Located at an altitude of 3,200 meters, this village is also the last village before the Mana Pass. Badrinath and Mana Village are located around 3km apart and are culturally connected. The Mana Village carries the beauty that makes the tourists want to visit once. 

Some of the nearby attractions of Mana Village are Vasudhara Falls, BhimPul, Sataopanth Lake, Saraswati Temple, etc. The VyasGufa at Mana Village is said to be the place where Maharishi Vyas wrote Mahabharat. The belief says that on their way to heaven the Pandavas of Mahabharata crossed this village. 

34. Nanda Devi National Park

The second highest peak after Kanchenjunga, Nanda Devi is the peak that surrounds Nanda Devi National Park. Inn1988, The Park was declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Nanda Devi Biosphere is a home of rich varieties of flora and fauna. It is spread over the area of 2,236.74 square km. The tourists can visit the park from May to October. 

The biosphere is surrounded by mountain ranges Dunagiri, RishiPahar, Mangaron, Maiktoli, Nanda Khat, and Nanda Devi. To reach the park the tourists have to take permissions in Joshimath from authorities of GarhwalMandalVikas Nigam.

35. Bhalu Dam or Baludham, Ranikhet

Ranikhet is a small town with exquisite beauty. The place is home to many tourist sites. One of the gems of Ranikhet is Bhalu Dam, which is an artificial lake. The Dam provides panoramic views of the heavenly Himalayan Mountains. The lush green garden near the dam is also a treat for the tourists visiting here. It can be visited throughout the year. The Dam is a perfect spot for a picnic with friends and family. When visiting Bhalu Dam other places that can be explored in Ranikhet are St. Bridget’s Church, TariKhet, Katarmal (Sun Temple), Syallikhet, Majkhali, Babar Khola, and many more.

36. Gaumukh

Gaumukh is one of the most rewarding places in the Uttarakhand. It is the source of the holy river Bhagirathi. It is the ending point of Gangotri Glacier.  Gaumukh is located at a height of 13,200 ft. The spot where Gangotri Glacier ends resembles somewhat the mouth of a cow and hence the name Hai mukh.

The place is of religious significance and is visited by pilgrims to witness the source of River Ganga. The trek to the most bewitching is “Gaumukh snout” which is witnessed after 3 day trek through difficult terrain.

37. Kausani Tea Estate

Kausani Tea Estate is located in Kausani, Uttrakhand. This is heaven for people who love tea. It is spread in the area of 208 hectares. The tea estate offers a guide to the manufacturing process by their own staff. 

You can also buy and taste different favors of tea here. It remains closed from November to March. The Kausani tea is exported to Australia, Korea, Germany, and U.S. 

38. Buddha Temple, Dehradun

The Buddha Temple is located at Clement Town. This is a major point of attraction for international tourists and also followers of Buddhism. Tibetan temple in Dehradun is known for its complicated architecture. It was built in 1965 in the Japanese architectural style to promote Buddhism. The temple depicts the life story of Buddha through the murals and paintings. The temple is of five floors and the fourth floor provides a beautiful view of the city and is open on Sundays. 

Along with the paintings and murals, the temple also has a library dedicated to books related to Buddhism studies. Buddha Temple is also known as Nyingma and it is one of the four primary schools devoted to Tibetan religion, the other three being Kagyu, Sakya, and Geluk.

39. George Everest House, Mussorie

This secluded place that provides peace is located in Mussorie. It is also known by the name Park Estate. The house was built in 1832. Earlier it was the home of Sir George Everest, Surveyor General of Indian (1830- 1843). It is one of the major tourist attractions places. You can trek to the Everest peak, camp here, watch the awestruck sunsets and sunrise, watch the exquisite beauty of Doon Valley, visit LambiDehar mines or have a picnic. 

40. Chakrata

Chakrata is another gem of a hill station in the state of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by the ravishing Himalayas, it was earlier known as JaunsarBanwar. This also served as Britisher’s retreat. 

Having a wide variety of flora and fauna, this captivating hill station offers views to the visitors that make them visit again and again. Some of the attractions that Chakrata offers are Tiger Falls, surrounded by deodar vegetation. 

Deoband is a perfect place for you if you love birds. Chilmiri Neck provides you the quaint view of sunsets. The tourists can do many activities here like trekking, camping, rock climbing, river crossing, swimming, and rappelling.

Mussoorie is situated at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level and is 35 km from the capital Dehradun. The natural beauty of Mussoorie makes it a very popular place for a honeymoon. If you want to enjoy the beautiful views of the lush green slopes with the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas then visiting Mussoorie is the best option. One can guess the architecture of the British period by looking at the British remains scattered here.

Mussoorie is famous for providing amazing views of the Shivalik Mountains and the Doon Valley. It is also known as the gateway to the religious centers of Yamunotri and Gangotri.

The main attraction of Mussoorie is the ropeway of Gun Hill. Gun Hill is the second highest peak of Mussoorie and tourists can take advantage of the cable car ropeway ride up to Gun Hill, which offers a panoramic view of the entire city as well as the surrounding Himalayan mountains.

Mussoorie is also famous for adventure sports. The adrenaline-pumping activities such as skywalk, zip swing, and zip line, rappelling, skiing, and paragliding take place at the Mussoorie Adventure Park.

River rafting is also a very popular tourist activity in Mussoorie, where you can travel through challenging rapids along the Dhauliganga and Alaknanda rivers.

Located between the Dehradun-Mussoorie roads, Kempty Falls is a beautiful waterfall that falls to the ground from a height of 40 feet. Surrounded by high mountain rocks, the Kempty Falls is located at an elevation of about 4500 feet above sea level. One of the most famous waterfalls of Uttarakhand, the Kempty Falls offers a panoramic view as the waterfalls from the mountains.

Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is interesting for those who like bird watching and wildlife. Old cedar trees and many medicinal plants growing in abundance along with cedar trees will bring great joy to the heart of a nature lover. Also, it would be a good experience to see the White Capped Water Redstart and Red Build Blue Magpie, Panther, Leopard, Deer, Bear, and Himalayan Goats.

Company Garden is a popular tourist attraction in the hill town of Mussoorie. Amidst the high Himalayas, it is a patch of green color created by the Garden Welfare Association of Mussoorie. The garden has a pond for boating with man-made springs which is a beautiful sight to behold.

The best time to visit Mussoorie is during summers, as it offers relaxation from the scorching summer heat. The months of April, May, and June witness the peak season owing to the pleasant climate while those looking forward to seeing snowfall should visit Mussoorie during winters.

Auli is best for skiing because of its snow-covered mountain slopes. The slopes are meant for both professionals skiers and new learners. To encourage the skiing sport in Auli, the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited and Uttrakhand Tourism Department host skiing competitions. It is also known as the best skiing place in the world.

Auli is a place for trekkers and bikers. The mountains call for bike trails and trekking adventures. It also has a 4 Km cable car or ropeway journey which gives a spellbinding view of the Auli resort. Some of the tourist places that a traveller can see during the visit to Auli are Gurso Bugyal, Chattrakund, Chenab lake, Joshimath, Badrinath, etc.

Auli is around the year tourist destination because of its cold climate but for the skiing experience, November to March is the best time. It is well connected by road, rail and air transport. Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport and Dehradun and Rishikesh railway stations are the nearest stations.

Two main pilgrim centres in Uttarakhand are Badrinath and Kedarnath. It is located in the Rudraprayag district. Every year lakhs of pilgrims come to worship in this temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.  There are many stories related to this temple. According to the legend, Pandavas built this temple. Pandavas were very desperate and filled with self-gratification because of killing their brothers in the war. They wanted to meet Lord Shiva so that they could get a path of liberation. But Lord Shiva was not happy with Pandavas because of Mahabharata’s war and did not want to meet them that’s why Lord Shiva took the form of a bull. And when he was founded by the Pandavas, he went further into the earth leaving the hump on the surface.

According to the legend, Pandavas built this temple. Pandavas were very desperate and filled with self-gratification because of killing their brothers in the war. They wanted to meet Lord Shiva so that they could get a path of liberation. But Lord Shiva was not happy with Pandavas because of Mahabharata’s war and did not want to meet them that’s why Lord Shiva took the form of a bull. And when he was founded by the Pandavas, he went further into the earth leaving the hump on the surface.

Some of the tourist spots that a traveler can see there are Vasuki Tal, Shankaracharya Samadhi, Sonprayag, Chandra Shila and many more.

As it is situated in the mountains at a very high altitude, so the temple opens in the mid of April to November only when the temperature is favorable. It is one of the 12 Jyotirling. Among the devotees, this temple has a lot of importance. The month of October is considered the best to visit the Kedarnath Temple.

Badrinath temple is the main attraction in the city. This temple of Lord Vishnu built in ancient style is very spacious. Its height is about 15 meters. The temple is split into 3 parts the sanctum sanctorum, the worship hall, and the convention hall. There is a statue of a tall black stone of God Vishnu in the temple. This temple is also called “Vaikuntha of Earth”.

According to legend, Adi Shri Shankaracharya discovered the image of Badrinarayan on a black stone Shaligram in the Alaknanda river. It was originally made in a cave near the Hot Spring which is known as Tapt Kund.

There are many tourist sites near and in Badrinath, which mainly includes

TAPT KUND– hot sulfur springs on the banks of Alaknanda which is known to cure all type of skin diseases.

Brahma Kapal– A flat platform used for religious rituals

A boulder with the alleged impression of Sheshnag. The vehicle of Lord Vishnu

Charanpaduka: – It is said that it is the footprint of Lord Vishnu when he steps down on earth.

The Neelkanth Mountain: the majestic view of the mountain make the environment more beautiful.

Mana Gaon – This is also called the last village of India. After this, the Tibet region starts. There is also a cave in Mana where Vyasa, according to legend, wrote the Mahabharata.

The temple remains closed for 6 months during harsh winter conditions. The best time to visit the temple is from April to June and September to November. Monsoon time is a little risky affair for traveling.