Garhwal Region

Known as the "heart of Uttarakhand", Garhwal is amongst the two regions that the state is divided into. The region is dotted with lofty snowy peaks, heart melting valleys and meadows, and impeccable lakes and glaciers, and glistening rivers that make Garhwal look no less than a fairytale land. Above all, the region is also known as the progenitor of two sacred rivers, Ganga and Yamuna and is home to a number of Hindu pilgrimages including the holy Badrinath & Kedanath Temple. Lying in the lap of Himalayas, Garhwal is bounded on the north by Tibet and is divided into 7 districts, each rendering the chance to sight and experience something unique and memorable. Starting from the pilgrimage destinations, Garhwal is a land of a plethora of highly revered shrines like Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib. Garhwal is a culturally colourful land and the hospitality here is truly touching. The region celebrates a number of festivals and fairs that reflect the gratitude the locals have for small things in their lives. Garhwali is the main language which is spoken in the region, which is one of the central languages of the Pahari community of Himalayas. The language has its own dialects like Srinagariya, Tihriyali, Badhani, Dessaulya, Rathi, Salani, Banagani, Parvati, Gangadi, and Chaundkoti.

The beautiful region in Uttarakhand is also replete with a number of tourist places like that of the "Queen of Hills" Mussoorie. The arresting beauty of Garhwal Himalayas has also been able to capture the heart of writers like Ruskin Bond who decided to settle in its lap in Landour.

Garhwal's picturesque landscape can best be enjoyed in the district of Chamoli that houses gorgeous national parks like Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi; skiing destination of Auli and the beautiful meadows of Gorson. There is also one of the highest dam projects called Tehri Dam located in Garhwal. The region is replete with opportunities for adventure activities. In destinations like Rishikesh where one can find spiritual bliss, there is great chance to relish adrenaline rushing sports like bungee jumping and whitewater rafting. Not only this, the entire Garhwal region is dotted with trekking trails that often lead to incredible places. Garhwal is ideal for trekking and is also a haven for mountaineering, mountain biking, and several other adventure sports.

Garhwal Districts

Chamoli

  • District Headquarters: Gopeshwar
  • Region: Garhwal
  • Total Populataion: 391605
  • Local Language: Garhwali, Hindi, English
  • Total Area: 8030 km sq

Known as the Land of Gods, Chamoli is amongst the most spectacular hill districts in Garhwal Region. The district is the hub of sceneries, valleys, water streams, and peaks. Badrinath, Valley of Flowers, Nanda Devi National Park, Auli, Berinag, Dharamghar, Vasudhara Waterfalls, Gopeshwar, and Gopinath Temple are some of the attractions here.

Dehradun

  • District Headquarters: Dehradun
  • Region: Garhwal
  • Total Populataion: 1696694
  • Local Language:Garhwali, Hindi, Kumaoni, Jaunsari
  • Total Area: 3088 km sq

The district of Dehradun is a renowned tourism destination. Nestled in the mighty Himalayan Hills, the district is known for its plenty of alluring destinations like Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Landour, and Chakrata and is dotted with a number of temples like Surkanda Devi.

Haridwar

  • District Headquarters: Haridwar
  • Region: Garhwal
  • Total Populataion: 1890422
  • Local Language: Garhwali , Hindi, English
  • Total Area: 2360 sq km

The Haridwar district is an acclaimed pilgrimage land. The holy district is famous for River Ganges which flows through the district. Apart from this, it has several other attractions in the form of sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites like Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Sapt Rishi Ashram, and wildlife destination like Rajaji National Park.

Pauri Garhwal

  • District Headquarters: Pauri
  • Region:Garhwal
  • Total Populataion: 687271
  • Local Language: Garhwali, Hindi, English
  • Total Area: 5329 sq km

Enriched with nature's beauty, Pauri Garhwal district is covered with lofty peaks, shrines, pine and deodar forests, and ferocious rivers. The district is also home to popular Hindu pilgrimage sites and the majestic Chaukhamba viewpoint. Jwala Devi Temple, Tarakund, Kamleshwar Temple, Devalgarh, Kyun Kaleshwar Mahadev, and Khirsu are some important places to see in Pauri Garhwal district.

Rudraprayag

  • District Headquarters: Rudraprayag
  • Region:Garhwal
  • Total Populataion: 242285
  • Local Language: Garhwali, Hindi, English
  • Total Area: 1984 sq km

The district of Rudraprayag is primarily known for its sacred Hindu Temples of Kedarnath, Tungnath, and Madhyamaheshwar. The district is also dotted with gorgeous lakes and glaciers and offers incredible views of the Himalayan Mountains. The charisma of the district can be captured in the place like; Guptkashi, Ukhimath, Koteshwar temple, Gaurikund, Sonprayag, Panch Kedar, Kedarnath, Tungnath, Vasuki Tal and Chorabari Glacier.

Tehri Garhwal

  • District Headquarters: New Tehri
  • Region:Garhwal
  • Total Populataion: 618931
  • Local Language: Garhwali , Hindi, English
  • Total Area: 3642 sq km

The district of Tehri Garhwal is famous for Tehri Dam which is one of the largest dams in the world. Apart from this, there are some other attractions in the district which capture the sight of the tourists are Chamba, Dhanaulti, Devprayag, Kanatal, Chandrabadani Devi, and Khatling Glacier. Moreover, one can also enjoy a range of adventure activities in this district in Garhwal Himalayas.

Uttarkashi

  • District Headquarters: Uttarkashi
  • Region:Garhwal
  • Total Populataion: 330086
  • Local Language: Garhwali , Hindi, English
  • Total Area: 8016 sq km

The district of Uttarkashi is adorned with hilly landscapes, greenery, astonishing nature, holy shrines, and ferocious rivers. The attractions of the district consist of alpine meadows like Dayara Bugyal, pretty offbeat destinations like Harsil, Maneri, Barsu Village and pilgrimage sites like Gangotri, Gaumukh, and Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Uttarakhand Travel Information at a Glance