Uttaranchal Also known as Devbhoomi, meaning the land of Gods, Uttaranchal houses in its bounds some of the holiest of places on earth. The land is dotted with famous shrines and temples of gods and goddesses. It is true that no one in India can walk a kilometre without finding a temple in his way but probably, in Uttaranchal, no one can take a turn without spotting a temple or hearing the ringing of temple bells in his ears.
The beauty compliments its holiness or holiness compliments beauty, its difficult to say, but a visit here to this land of gods ensures that you don't miss either. The temples of the state are equally famous and are deeply revered by devotees. While some are contemporary, others are quite ancient. Some were established as early as in 8th century B.C. Many of them have been renovated time and again, mainly due to destruction caused by natural calamities. While some temples rest in high altitude, watched over by snow capped peaks, others are quietly worshipped in plains.
Known as the heartland of Hindu culture, Uttaranchal certainly is the land of temples. Dotted with famous shrines and temples, this state is the perfect place to learn all about Indian mythology. The temples in Uttaranchal are a true manifestation of the ethos of Indian culture and heritage.
Commonly known as 'The Heavenly Abode', Uttaranchal is the birth place of some of the holiest of places on earth. Most temples of the state are very famous and are deeply honored by devotees. Temples in Uttaranchal include a few ancient ones build as early as in 8th century B.C., standing tall with the modern, newly built temples.
Some of the prehistoric temples have been renovated time and again to save them from the destruction caused by natural calamities, but their beauty and originality has still remained intact. Uttaranchal Temples also include a few, which rest in high altitude, amidst the snow capped peaks and offer great views besides offering peace and solace to your mind and body.
The Char Dham Yatra is one of the highly revered Hindu pilgrimages. The term 'Char Dham' is coined for the four most respected temples of the Hindus including Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The Char Dham Yatra holds high religious significance to pilgrims, who come from all over the world to visit the shrines amidst severe conditions of landscape and weather to get the blessings of the revered diety.
Most of the popular temples in Uttaranchal holds some or the other special significance and are being admired by pilgrims since ages now. The Neel Kanth Mahadev shrine in Rishikesh and Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi and Har Ki Pauri temples in Haridwar are also frequently visited temples by prilgrims. The Vishwanath temple of Almora and Binsar Mahadev temple of Ranikhet are also some of the well known holy places in Uttaranchal.
Conversely, Garhwal region of Uttaranchal in India consists of some wonderful and charming districts including the capital city Dehradun and a multitude of Hindu pilgrimage spots like Haridwar, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi, and other destinations like Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, and Tehri Garhwal.
Situated at Nainital, Naina Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is considered as one of the most important places of worship in Nainital.
Some of the other renowned and important Temples in Uttaranchal are Rudranath Temple in Gaurikund, Lakha Mandal Temple in Dehradun, Gaurikund in Gaurikund, Baij Nath Temple in Kausani, and Hemkund Sahib in Joshimath amongst others.