10 Historical Places In Uttarakhand, India

1. Tons Valley

Uttarakhand’s Tons Valley is in the Netwar region. It is located on the banks of Tons River, the largest tributary of River Yamuna. The place is a popular spot for people looking for white water rafting and kayaking. But the Tons Valley is historically important as it is home to many temples. Most of these temples are dedicated to the Kauravas, the antagonists of the epic ‘Mahabharata’. The famous temples in the region include the Karna temple in Sarnaul and Pokhu Devta temple. Some other temples in the area are dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Tons Valley

Address: Tons Valley, Garhwal, Uttarakhand.

2. Dwarahat

Located at an elevation of 1,510 m (4,955 ft), the beautiful town of Dwarahat is in Uttarakhand’s Almora district. The place is in the famous Kumaon hills and is popular for the ancient temples built by the Katyuri kings, who were the medieval rulers of the region. There are 55 temples in the region and the architecture resembles that of the Gurjari School of Art.

Dwarahat

Address: Dwarahat, Almora, Uttarakhand 263653.

3. Bageshwar

Located in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, Bageshwar is a city of religious, political, and historical importance. The place boasts several holy shrines and temples and it finds mention in the ‘Puranas’, the Hindu religious texts. One of the popular temples in the region is the Bagnath Temple after which the city is named. The Baijnath Temple is also visited by many tourists every year. Bageshwar was also a major trade center between Tibet and Kumaon.

Bageshwar

Address: Bageshwar, Uttarakhand 263642.

Website: Bageshwar

4. Narendra Nagar

Narendra Nagar is in the Tehri Garhwal district and is located at an elevation of 1322 m (4337 ft) above sea level. The place is situated behind thick alpine forests and was once the capital of Tehri state. It is close to Rishikesh and is on the Gangotri and Yamunotri route. Narendra Nagar is famous for the royal palace of Maharaja Narendra Shah and the place also offers a good view of the Himalayas. The palace is now home to the famous Ananda Spa.

Narendra Nagar

Address: Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand 249175.

5. Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave

Located 13 km (8 miles) from Gangolighat in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, the Patal Bhuvaneshwar is a limestone cave that has a temple mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva. This hidden cave temple is situated 1350 m (4429 ft) above sea level and is believed to be the abode of hundreds of millions of Gods and Goddesses. The place also has forms of Sheshnag, Kal Bhairav, Ganesha and other Gods.

Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave

Address: Patal Bhuvaneshwar Rd, Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Uttarakhand 262522.

6. Chaukhutia

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Chaukhutia is a town located at an altitude of 1646 m (5400 ft) in the district of Almora. Situated on the banks of the Ramganga river, the place is famous for old temples and forts, and the ruins of the Katyuri dynasty. A few years ago, excavators found temples dating back to 9th century AD in the region. Chaukhutia is also popular for its Pandukholi caves, believed to be built by the Pandavas (the protagonists in the Mahabharata epic) during their stay in the area.

Chaukhutia

Address: Chaukhutia, Almora, Uttarakhand 263656.

7. Ghuddauda

Located in Almora district, Ghuddauda is not famous for monuments or temples. It is an offbeat destination in Uttarakhand right now. The town is said to have gotten its name from a horse race that used to happen during the British rule. The locals say the winner of this horse race was allowed to take home a prize of his wish. The race was conducted with great ceremonies in a huge field.

Ghuddauda

Address: Ghuddauda, Almora, Uttarakhand.

8. Kalsi

The beautiful town of Kalsi in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, is famous for its Ashoka Pillar Rock Edict that dates back to 250 BC. A symbol of Emperor Ashoka’s prosperous rule, the pillar has the figure of an elephant on it. There are inscriptions in Brahmi script on it that give messages about love, non-violence, and responsibilities towards others. Kalsi is located on the banks of River Yamuna. Other attractions of the place include the Asan Barrage, which is well known for bird watching and boating, Sahastradhara, famous for its sulfur springs, caves, waterfalls, and terrace farming, Paonta Sahib, popular for its gurudwaras, and Timli Pass, where the battle between the Gurkhas and the British took place.

Kalsi

Address: Kalsi, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

9. Binsar

The town of Binsar was once under the rule of the Chand Dynasty. During the colonial rule, the place was a favorite holiday spot for the British. There are still well-maintained British estates and houses in Binsar. Imperial estates such as Mary Budden and Grand Oak are now popular resorts in this town. The place is located at an altitude of 2414 m (7920 ft) and is famous for its beautiful landscapes, temples, and the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Jhandi Dhar is the highest hill of Binsar and the Kumaon region.

Binsar

Address: Binsar, Almora, Uttarakhand.

10. Badharangadi

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Badharangadi, in the district of Chamoli, is located at about 6 km (3.7 miles) from the Gwaldam hill station. The place has historical importance as it has the remains of a fort. Badharangadi is also a spiritual place as it is said to be dedicated to Goddess Durga. Definitely include this place in your plans if you are looking for unspoiled nature, historical ruins, and old-world attractions. While visiting the place, you might also want to look for Roopkund Lake and Gwalnaag.

Badharangadi

Address: Badharangadi, Chamoli, Uttarakhand.

Time travel in Uttarakhand

While the state of Uttarakhand is mostly for nature lovers and those who are looking for the spiritual path, the place is also about areas that take you to the past. Are you ready for a trip back in time? Just book your tickets and have a happy journey!