Guide to Pilgrimage Destinations in Uttaranchal

Uttaranchal, is also called 'devbhoomi' meaning thetime and again hit by natural calamities and renovated
land of gods. One of the most enchanting states ofby kings, queens and so on.
the country, Uttaranchal, the abode of gods is aApart from Chardham, other holy cities like Haridwar
perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. It is the mostand Rishikesh are home to shrines like Neel Kanth
preferred destination of every devout Hindu. TheMahadev (Rishikesh) as well as hill top shrines of
land of Uttaranchal is dotted with ancient templesMansa Devi and Chandi Devi (Haridwar). Other
and shrines made thousands of years ago givingfamous temples like Vishwanath (Almora) and Binsar
testimony to the rich religious heritage.Mahadev (Ranikhet) are also some of the major
The holy cities of Rishikesh, Haridwar, Rudraprayag,pilgrimage attractions in Uttaranchal. There is also holy
Pauri Garhwal are on the itinerary of every Hindushrine of Sikhs in Uttarakhand: Hemkund Sahib
who holds religion close to heart. However, whatTemples, shrines, holy cities are undoubtedly major
makes a trip to Uttaranchal all the more memorablepilgrimage attractions here in Uttaranchal but there is
and significant is the presence of Chardham. The fourmore to pilgrimage here than just these. It is the
pilgrimage destinations; Badrinath, Kedarnath,numerous ashrams on the bank of Ganga especially in
Yamunotri and Gangotri are the holiest fourRishikesh, the meditation and Yoga, the daily aarti of
pilgrimages. According to the Hindu mythology, a tripHar ki Pauri, the daily Keertans in the temples and the
to all four of these leads one to salvation. Thefairs and festivals celebrated with zeal since centuries
temples at these places were set up centuries backthat make Uttaranchal such mystically enchanting
by Adi Shankaracharya. Since then they have beenpilgrimage destination.