Uttarkashi

Altitude: 1158m

Uttarkashi literally means ‘Kashi of the North’. Kashi comes from Sanskrit word kas which means to shine, city of Light , luminosity arising from divine knowledge. Uttarkashi is located on banks of river Bhagirathi at an elevation of 1158m.

About

There is city called Varanasi or Kashi in state of Uttar Pradesh around 800 km away from Delhi by road. Located on banks of River Ganga ,it is a holy city which has temple dedicated to Lord Shiva known as Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Vishwanath means Lord of the World.

Similarly there is a Kashi Vishwanath Temple located in Uttarkashi. Traditionally these two temples have been considered one and the same in spirit. This temple worships Lord Shiva in form of stone lingam. It is a bit tilted because the legend says that one Sage Markandeya at the point of death clinged on to the lingam very tightly as Yama, God of Death approached him. the force was so much that it tilted the stone.

This signifies that when a person prays to Lord Shiva, also known as Mrityunjaya or Conqueror of Death, he can bless one by conquest of death.

In front of this temple is a Shakti temple, temple dedicated to Parvati, consort of Shiva. Shakti means energy.  The temple contains a huge trishul or trident said to have fallen from heaven to earth.

Attractions

  • Sivananda Kutir, part of Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams and Centres, was founded in 1991. Situated on banks of river Ganga in a small village Netala is just 8 km away from Uttarkashi.
  • Vishwanath temple
  • Uttarkashi village
  • Local Ashrams

How to reach

  • Uttarkashi will be on our way.