Uttarakhand
Srinagar, this quintessentially beautiful city needs no introduction by any means. It is known across India for its beautiful Dal Lake, boathouse, maple groves, and spectacular views of the mighty Himalayas from afar. And when Kashmiri hospitality and hospitality is added to it, your time in this city adds to the charm.
No matter what the weather is, there is always something special to do and visit in Srinagar, so you can come here to celebrate your holidays at any time of the year. Visit Shalimar Bagh in spring, you can come here even if you want to get rid of the heat of your city, your heart will be happy to see crunchy maple leaves of orange color in autumn, and if you are coming in winter then You will get to see the entire snow covered valleys and trees which will make you feel like a paradise.
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Srinagar
But if I tell you that there is another Srinagar in the Pauri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand? Situated at an altitude of just 560 meters, this city is situated on the left bank of the beautiful Alaknanda River. Srinagar is about 100 km from Uttarakhand. and is the last city on the plains, followed by the mountains! It comes as no surprise that the largest city in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand is yet untouched, and away from the sight of most tourists and travellers.
It is also known as the education hub of Garhwal. Due to its low altitude, it is the hottest city in its area and this makes it an important city and market place in the valley. The city is mostly known for its rich historical significance and its various temples. But there is much more here than that!
How to reach here?
The nearest railway stations to Srinagar are Kotdwara and Rishikesh, but both are small stations and most major trains do not stop here. The nearest major railway station to Srinagar is Haridwar, which is about 130 km from the city. Is situated at this distance.
Local buses going to Srinagar from both Haridwar or Rishikesh are also easily available. There are no direct buses from Delhi to Srinagar, so you will have to change your bus in either of these two cities.
The nearest airport to Srinagar is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 150 km from the city. It is situated far away.
What to do in Srinagar?
Dhari Devi Temple
About 19 KM from Srinagar. This temple, located far away, is one of the most popular temples in the region. The temple is situated on the Srinagar-Badrinath highway till Kalia Saur. The idol of Dhari Devi is kept under the open sky and it should be noted that taking photographs of the idol is prohibited. The center of faith for the people of Garhwal, this temple is situated in the middle of the river Alaknanda.
Baikunth Chaturdashi Fair
This is the most popular festival of Garhwal region. This annual fair falls on the 14th day of Diwali in the month of October-November. Apart from its religious importance, this fair is now becoming popular as a cultural festival, in which different cultural programs and sports competitions are organized over 4-5 days. This festival has a lot of importance for the people of Garhwal and the whole city is lit up with lights these days.
Gola Bazaar
One of the biggest markets of Garhwal Uttarakhand, this market is an important commercial place for the people of the valley. From different restaurants, you can find many shops selling traditional Garhwali clothing, fruits and vegetables. Trust me, whatever you want, you will find it here.
Keshorai Math Temple
This is an ancient temple of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Saraswati, which was built in 1682 AD by a person named Keshorai. This temple is known for its architecture and beauty. This temple looks very beautiful due to the massive stones carved out of boulders.
Baba Gorakhnath Caves
There is a huge rock on the slope of the mountain where Guru Gorakhnath is believed to have meditated and met his disciples. The way to the cave is very short and you will almost have to crawl to get through it. The cave has been completely abandoned and not taken care of, but simply because it is away from the hordes of tourists, it is a great place to visit.
Shree Yantra Island
It is a small place in the city from where the city got its name. A small area in the middle of the river Alaknanda, which looks like an island. The place is believed to have divine energy and is an important temple for the city of Srinagar. Apart from its mythological and divine significance, this place is also a wonderful place to be surrounded by the clear blue waters of the river and enjoy the warm sunshine!
Square
Situated on the outskirts of Srinagar, this place is best for nature lovers who are looking for some peace and solitude. The main attraction of this area is the huge area adjacent to the Alaknanda River, where you can relax, immerse yourself in yoga and meditation. There are many things to do here like kayaking and boating, as well as you can go on many short hikes from here which will bring you closer to nature.
Hill top
As the name suggests, it is a place on top of a hill, from where you can have spectacular views of the city of Srinagar as well as the entire valley and the river. To reach here, you have to take a small trek from the nearby road and go uphill, but believe me when you see the front view from the top, you will forget all the tiredness. If you want, you can also come back to Srinagar the same day, but if you want to witness a spectacular sunset and sunrise, you have to awaken the adventurer in you and set up your camp on the hill top itself.
This is Srinagar and it has the white sandy banks of the Alaknanda River surrounded by the lower and upper Himalayas, making it the perfect getaway. Also, with many famous temples in and around the city, you can combine adventure with religious worship and make your trip to Srinagar a memorable experience.
So when are you going to visit Srinagar? Tell us in the comments.