Nainital

Nainital - The beautiful lake resort nestles amidst seven hills in a lush valley at an altitude of 1938 metres. In 1841, the British first discovered Nainital as a holiday resort. Today, the town has emerged as one of the most important hill resorts of India

Nainital is a modem hill resort of northern India (336 kms from Delhi) connected by best-aligned and maintained roads from the railhead of Kathgodam. Railway line was laid upto Kathgodam in 1882. The road passes through forests where occasionally wild animals can also be seen. "Naini" is derived from the temple of goddess Naini which was built on the bank of the lake but later got destroyed due to land slides in the year 1880, The place is mentioned in Skand Puran as 'Trishul Sarover'. Tri Rishi (three sages Atri, Pulastiya and Pulha) had come there for pilgrimage while they were at Gagar range (now called China Peak), they felt thirsty and could not find any water. Thereafter, they thought of Man Sarover and dug a hole which at once got filled with water.

Nainital remains packed from April to November with tourist for sight seeing as well as for seeking escape from the heat of the plains. Naini lake has facilities for boating and yatching. Facilities for horse riding, skating, golf and rock climbing are also available for the visitors. Fishing is also permitted with the permission of local authorities. Talli Tal and Malli Tal are the two main trading centre at Nainital

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Mussoorie

Mussoorie, the queen of the hills, is one of the most popular and fascinating hill resort of northern India. Its green hills and varied fauna and flora make it a colourful and picturesque hill station, commanding a wonderful view of extensive Himalayan snow ranges to the North-East, and Panoramic view of the Doon valley to the south.

The place came to be known as Mussoorie due to unlimited growth of a bush locally known as Mussoorie. The town presents fairyland atmosphere to the tourists. Its history dates back to 1811 when the place was purchased by an European Major Hearsey from the local land lord. Later he sold it to the East India Company in the year 1812. In 1812, the next-door township of landour was made a sanitorium and convalescent depot for troops. In 1827 Captain Young, an adventurous British Army officer, explored the present site and laid the foundation of this holiday resort with the opening of shooting box on Landour hills. In 1832 Col. Averest then Surveyer General of India opened his office in Mussoorie. In 1880, it became the residence of Afghan detenue Yakub Khan, the Ex-Amir of Afghanistan for summer with winter residence in Dehradun. However, later it remained the summer residence of their Royal Highness, the Duke and Duches of Conn aught. Development of Mussoorie started after rail link was established between Haridwar and Dehradun in 1890.

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Haridwar

Haridwar meaning ‘Gateway to God’ is one of the seven holiest places of the Hindus. It is the place where river Ganga descends to the plains. The district as formed in 1988 as part of Saharanpur Divisional Commissionary and in 2000 was included in the state of Uttarakhand.

Haridwar is often mentioned in ancient scriptures and even referred during the British times. With Ujjain, Nasik and Allahabad, Haridwar forms the four important pilgrimage centres of India where is celebrated here after every 3 years rotated over these 4 destinations. will be held in Haridwar in 2014. It is referred as the Mayapuri, Gangadwar, Mokhsadwar in ancient writings. Haridwar is also one of the four places where drops of Amrit or nectar fell from the pitcher which was being carried by Garuda, the heavenly bird and the spot is known as Brahma Kund or Har-ki-Pauri. is the most holy place in Haridwar where thousands of devotees take a dip. It is believed that Prince Bhagirath served self-punishment here to rescue the souls of his ancestors who had died due to the curse of Kapil Muni. His prayers were answered and Ganga flowed from the locks of Lord Shiva and revived the sons of King Sagara. Therefore, according to the Hindus salvation of the ancestors can be reached by standing on the holy waters at Har-ki-pauri.

Har-ki-pauri is the most important place of Haridwar where thousands of people take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges. At twilight, when evening aarti is performed the reflection of the golden diyas that keep floating on the river offers an enchanting view of the ghat to the visitors. The Chandi Devi temple built by Suchat Singh is located on the top of a Neel Parvat on the banks of river Ganga. The Maya Devi temple is located at a place where it is said that the heart and navel of Goddess Sati fell. This is an ancient temple of Maya Devi the Adhishtkatri deity of Haridwar. It is also famous as one of the Siddhapeethas. Another important temple is the Mansa Devi temple is located atop Bilwa Parwat and is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi. Festivals like the Kavad Mela, Somvati Amavasya Mela, Ganga Dashara, Gughal Mela are celebrated with lots of pomp and gaiety.

The Neel Dhara bird sanctuary is a must visit place for bird watchers as it is home to several migratory birds. Haridwar offers a number of accommodation options like Hotel Alakananda of UP. Haridwar is also as an important industrial township of Uttaranchal after the state government agency, SIDCUL (State Infrastructure & Industrial Development Corporation of Uttranchal Ltd.) set up the Integrated Industrial Estate thereby attracting many important industrial houses and manufacturing units

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Char Dham Yatra:

Char Dham denotes the most sacred pilgrimage of Hindu’s. In Uttarakhand those pilgrimage are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath. Traditionally Chardaham cover's the way west to east, so the way to cover the holy pilgrim is start from Yamunotri then Gangotri and that Kedarnath and finally we go to Badrinath.

Yamunotri Dham is dedicated to Yamuna and Gangotri dedicated to Ganga and Kedarnath Dham dedicated to Lord Shiva and Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Every year thousands of pilgrims reach at that place. To arrive Yamunotri Temple everyone need to trek 5 kms each side and to arrive Kedarnath ji one can trek 14 kms one side. Gangotri and Badrinath ji are motor road connected.

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