In
Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow was associated with
the princely court of Oudh and then with the
British, both traditions lingering on in the city
whose finest monument is the Bara Imambara. Further
east, Varanasi is the oldest city in India.
An important centre of Hindu pilgrimage, it is
believed that those who die in Varanasi will be
released from the cycle of rebirth. Pious Hindus
still come to Varanasi to spend their last days,
living in spartan communes run by a multitude of
religious trusts. The focus of interest to a visitor
is the sacred River Ganga. At the series of steps
leading down to it, people come to wash away their
sins by bathing in the river, the dead are cremated
and holy men meditate. In the narrow bylanes of the
city are crowded bazaars selling brassware and silk
brocades.
Agra
Agra,
the city of the inimitable Taj Mahal is now an
educational and business centre-known for its
craftsmen & handicrafts. Marble and softstone
inlay work, carpet and leather goods are some
important traditional crafts of the city
.Agra,
and the nearby city of Fatehpur Sikri, are
conveniently close to Delhi to warrant an all day
excursion by coach or taxi although there are
several hotels of every standard of comfort. Besides
the Taj Mahal are Agra Fort, Sikandra, Ram Bagh and
Itmad-ud-Daulah. 35 km away are the imperial ruins
of the Mughal city, Fatehpur Sikri. Agra and
Fatehpur Sikri are not merely rich legacies of
Mughal history – they are the finest examples of
architecture which combined Hindu and Muslim
elements.
Climate
(deg C): Summer- Max.45, Min.21.9; Winter-
Max.31.7, Min.4.2.
Rainfall : 66 cms (June
to September).
Best Season : October to
March.
STD Code : 0562. |
TRANSPORT
AND COMMUNICATION
- Air
: Indian Airlines connect Agra with Delhi,
Khajuraho and Varanasi.
Fare: Calcutta-Delhi-Agra Rs.5085 (US$ 186).
- Rail:
Agra is connected by rail with major cities,
like Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bombay, Calcutta,
Delhi, Jaipur, Madras, Secunderabad and
Trivandrum.
Fare (approx): Calcutta-Agra Rs.1950 (AC-I),
Rs.1150 (AC-2A), Rs.975 (I), Rs.290 (Sleeper).
- Road:
Agra is connected by good motorable roads to
Delhi- 204 km, Jaipur-237 km, Khajuraho- 395
kms, Mathura- 54 kms, Gwalior- 110 kms, Lucknow-
257 kms, Bharatpur 54 kms etc.
- Local
Transport: City bus services,
tempo/scooter/cycle rickshaws and tongas.
Regular bus services from Mathura, Delhi,
Khajuraho, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Gwalior, Haridwar,
Lucknow, Brindavan etc.
CONDUCTED
TOURS
Places
Covered Timings Fare Operator
Taj
Mahal, Agra Fort, Daily Rs.75/head UPSTDC, Taj
Khema, Eastern Fatehpur Sikri. 1015-1830 hrs. Gate,
Taj Mahal, Tel.65383
Starting Point : Agra Cant. Rly. Station.
PACKAGE
TOUR
From
New Delhi to Agra Daily Rs.450 (adult) I.T.D.C.,
L-Block
Covering Taj Mahal and 0700 to Cannaught Circus,New
Delhi
Fatehpur Sikri & back. 2130 hrs. Rs.375 (child)
Tel: 3320331, 3322386.
From New Delhi to Agra Daily Rs.250 (adult) D.T.D.C.
Covering Taj Mahal, 0700 to N-36, Bombay Life
Building
Agra fort, Shikandra 2200 hrs. Rs.200 (child)
Cannaught Place, New Delhi
Mathura and back. Tel: 3314229, 3313637.
PLACES
OF INTEREST
(Distances
from Govt. of India Tourist Office)
Taj
Mahal (3 kms), Agra Fort (3 kms), Dayal Bagh (8
kms), Chini-Ka-Roza (9 kms), Itmad-Ud-Daula Tomb (6
kms), Radhaswami Samadhi (8 kms), Mariyam's Tomb (13
km), Sikandra (10 kms), Jama Masjid, Motilal Nehru
Park, Shah Jahan Gardens & Rosary, Ram Bagh (10
kms).
EXCURSIONS
Bharatpur
Bird Sanctuary 54 kms, Fatehpur Shikri 37 kms,
Kaitham Lake 23 kms, Keoladeo Ghana National Park,
Mathura 54 kms, Van Vihar Widlife Sanctuary 60 kms.
TOURIST
INFORMATION CENTRES
1)
Govt. of India Tourist Office, 191 The Mall, Agra
282 001, Tel: 72377,67959.
2) U.P. Tourist Office, 64 Taj Road, Agra- 282 001.
Lucknow
Lucknow
is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, one of the biggest
states in India and is situated on the banks of the
river Gomati, tributary of the Ganga. It is famous
for its Gardens, Parks and unique archaeological
monuments. The people of Lucknow are known for
exquisite charm, courtesy and flair of the Urdu
language.
Altitude
: 123 metres (403 ft. above sea level)
Climate (deg C) : Summer-
Max 36.6, Min 25; Winter- Max 21.1, Min
11.1.
Rainfall : 44 cms
(June-Sept).
Best Season : October to
March. |
TRANSPORT
AND COMMUNICATION
- Air
: Lucknow is connected to Calcutta, Patna,
Delhi, Bombay by Indian Airlines. Vayudoot
services also connects Lucknow with Delhi.
Fare: Calcutta-Lucknow (Mon,Wed,Fri) Rs.2658
(Y).
- Rail:
Lucknow, on the Northern and North-Eastern
Railway, is directly connected with Calcutta and
all other main places in India.
Fare (approx): Calcutta-Lucknow Rs.1050 (AC-2A),
Rs.850 (I), Rs.350 (II).
- Road:
Lucknow is connected by road with Agra (314
kms), Allahabad (225 kms), Calcutta (985 kms),
Corbett National Park (280 kms), Delhi (514
kms), Kanpur (79 kms), Varanasi (314 kms) etc.
- Local
Transport: Taxis, buses, cycle,
rickshaws, tempo service available.
CONDUCTED
TOUR
Lucknow
City Sightseeing, 0900-1700 (daily ex. Monday),
Rs.100. Boarding at: Gomti Hotel, 6 Sapru Marg, Tel:
234708, 240624.Operator/Reservation: U.P.State
Tourism Development Corporation
PLACES
OF INTEREST
Residency,
Bada Imam Bara, Rumi Darwaza, Hussainabad, Clock
Tower, Shah Nazar Zoo, State Museum, Macchi Bhawan,
Khurshid Mahal, Botanical Gardens, Picture Gallery.
EXCURSIONS
Chinhat
Lake (13 kms), Kukrail Picnic Spot (15 kms), Nawab
Ganj Bird Sanctuary (40 kms), Nimsar (102 kms),
Dudwa National Park (60 kms), Golaknath Temple (171
kms).
AYODHYA
Ayodhya,
a religious place, is directly connected by regular
bus services with Lucknow (141 kms).
WHAT
TO SEE
Hanumangarh,
Janmasthan, Kanak Bhawan, Jain Temple,
Treta-ke-Thakur, Mani-Parvat Nageshwar Nath Temple,
Amawan Temple, Tulshi Chaura, Tulshi Smarak, Brahma
Kund etc.
TOURIST
INFORMATION
Tourist
Office, Gomti Hotel, 6 Sapru Marg, Lucknow 226 001.
Tel: 240624, 234708. U.P. Tourism, 3 Naval Kishore
Road, Lucknow. Ph.0522-228349, 225165.
Fax:0522-221776.
Allahabad
Allahabad
is situated at the confluence of the 3 sacred rivers
- Ganga, Yamuna & the invisible Saraswati. It is
here at the sangam that hindus Converage for a holy
dip especially during the Kumbha Mela, held here
every 12 years after.
Altitude
: 322 ft.
Climate (deg C) : Summer-
Max 46.6, Min 27.2; Winter- Max 25.6, Min
10.5.
Clothings : Summer-
Cottons/Tropical; Winter- Woollens.
Languages Spoken: Hindi,
Urdu, English.
Best Season : October to
March.
STD Code : 0532. |
TRANSPORT
AND COMMUNICATION
- Air
: The nearest airport Varanashi (135 kms) is
connected by Indian Airlines flights with Agra,
Bhubaneshwar, Bombay, Delhi, Khajuraho, Lucknow.
- Rail:
Allahabad is an important rail terminus
connected by rail with all the major cities in
India.
Fare (approx): Calcutta-Allhabad Rs.1500 (AC-I),
Rs.940 (AC-2A), Rs.750 (I), Rs.245 (II).
- Road:
Allahabad is connected by road with the major
cities in India. Important road distances from
Allahabad are:- Agra 483 kms, Delhi 612 kms,
Lucknow 227 kms, Lumbini 406 kms, Khajuraho 294
kms, Varanashi 127 kms, Bombay 1,502 kms,
Chitrakoot 128 kms.
- Bus
Service: Direct buses are available
from Allahabad to Chitrakoot, Ayodhya,
Varanashi, Lucknow and Kanpur.
WHAT
TO SEE
Anand
Bhawan (Home of the Nehru family), Allahabad Fort,
Bhardwaj Ashram, Khusro's Tomb, Patlipuri Temple,
Sangam, Swaraj Bhawan, Botanica Gardens, Allahabad
Museum.
EXCURSIONS
Kaushambi
6O kms, Chitrakoot 132 kms, Ayodhya 167 kms.
FESTIVALS
The
Kumbh Mela is held at the sangam in Allahabad for
over a month every 12th year.
The Magh Mela (Mini Kumbha) is held every
year(except in the years of Kumbha Mela & Ardh
Kumbh Mela) in the month of Magh(January-February)
TOURIST
INFORMATION CENTRE
1)
Regional Tourist Office, U.P. Govt., 35 M.G.Road,
Civil Lines, Allahabad, Tel: 601873.
2) Calcutta Office, U.P.Govt., Bhagat Chamber, 12-A,
N.S. Road, Beside Coal India Bldg, Tel: 220-7855.
Varanasi
As
the sacred river Ganga flows the snow-clad Himalayas
into the vast plains, half way between Delhi and
Calcutta it curves into a gentle crescent and along
the crescent lies Varanasi. Said to be the frist
created spot on earth according to legend, in
existence for over thousands of years. Varanasi is
the city which enshrines the very essence of
Hinduism.
Area
: 73.89 sq.km.
Altitude : 80.71 mts.
Temperature (deg C):
Summer- Max. 46, Min. 32; Winter- Max.
15.5, Min. 5.
Rainfall : 11.1 cm. (June
to September).
Clothings : Summer- Light
cottons, Winter- Woollens.
Languages spoken : Hindi,
Bengali, English.
Best Season : Throughout
the year, but preferably October to March.
STD Code : 0542.
EP (European Plan) : Only
Lodging.
AP (American Plan) :
Including lodging & three full meals. |
HOW
TO REACH
- Air
: Indian Airlines connect Varanasi to
Bhubaneshwar, Lucknow, Agra & Delhi, where
the above places are directly connected by
flights with Calcutta.
Fare: Calcutta-Bhubaneshwar-Varanasi Rs.4711
(J), Rs.3400 (Y).
- Rail:
Varanasi is connected by rail with all the major
cities in India.
Fare (approx): Calcutta-Varanasi Rs.740 (AC-2A),
Rs.550 (I), Rs.175 (II)
- Road:
Good bus service connects Varanasi with most of
the important places of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Some of the road distances are:- Agra 610 kms,
Allahabad 127 kms, Bodh Gaya 240 kms, Gorakhpur
215 kms, Khajuraho 406 kms, Kushinagar 260 kms,
Lucknow 320 kms, Lumbini 320 kms, Patna 270 kms
Calcutta 681 kms, Bombay 1550 kms, Delhi 710 kms
etc.
CONDUCTED
TOURS
Tour
& Itinerary Timings Fares Operator
1.River Trip Temples Summer: 0530 - 1145 hrs. Rs.75
U.P. State Road Benares Hindu Winter: 0600 - 1215
hrs. Transport Corporation University Tel: 63233.
2.Sarnath Summer: 1430 - 1825 hrs. Rs.100 Ramnagar
Fort Winter: 1400 - 1755 hrs. Starting Point:
U.P.Tourism Development Corpn, Tourist Bungalow,
Parade Kothi. Joining Point : Government of India
Tourist Office, The Mall. (Tickets are sold in the
bus only).
PLACES
OF INTEREST
(Distances
given are from Govt of India Tourist Office)
River
Front 5 kms, Alamgir Mosque 8 kms, Bharat Mata
Temple 3 kms, Tulsi Manas Temple 8 kms, Gyanvapi
Mosque 5 kms, Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple) 5
kms, Vishwanath Temple (Benaras Hindu University) 12
kms, Durga Temple 8 kms, Sarnath 10 kms,
Archaeological Museum, Sarnath (1000-1700 hrs.
Friday Closed), Fort Museum, Ramnagar (0900-1200
& 1400-1700 hrs), Bharat Kala Bhavan Hindu
University (0800-1200 hrs. Summer & 0900-1630
hrs Winter). Closed on Sundays & University
holidays.
MISCELLANOUS
INFORMATION
Foreigners
Registration Office, Office of the Deputy
Superintendent of Police,(Intelligence), Srinagar
Colony, Varanasi. Tel:62752.
INFORMATION
CENTRES
1.
Government of India Tourist Office, 15-B, The Mall,
Cantt.,Tel : 43189.
2. Uttar Pradesh Government Tourist Bureau, Parade
Kothi, Cantt., Tel : 43486.
3. Uttar Pradesh Government Tourist Bureau, Varanasi
Cantt., Railway Station, Tel : 43544.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh
is one of the most popular pilgrim centres and
gateway to the Himalayan Shrines of Badrinath,
Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The Yoga
Centres of Rishikesh have enhanced the significance
of the place.
Area
: 11.20 sq.km.
Altitude : 356 metres.
Temperature (deg C):
Summer- Max.44.4, Min.29; Winter-
Max.32.2, Min.18.3.
Clothings : Summer-
Cotton & tropical; Winter- Heavy
woollen.
Languages Spoken :
Garwali, Hindi, Punjabi, English.
Best Season : Throughout
the Year. |
TRANSPORT
AND COMMUNICATION
- Air
: The nearest airport is Dehradun (Jolly Grant),
35 kms from Haridwar. Vayudoot services operates
from Delhi to Dehradun (Jolly Grant). Jagson
Airlines also operates flights from Delhi to
Dehradun.
- Rail:
Rishikesh is connected by rail via Haridwar (24
kms), to Howrah, Bombay, Delhi, Lucknow,
Varanasi, Dehradun and other cities.
Fare (Approx): Rs.2300 (AC-I), Rs.1000 (I),
Rs.275 (II).
- Road:
By road Rishikesh to Haridwar 24 kms, Dehradun
47 kms, Mussoorie 77 kms, Badrinath 301 kms (Son
Prayag), Kedarnath 228 kms, Gangotri 258 kms,
Yamunotri 288 kms (Hanuman Chatti), Srinagar 105
kms, Joshimath 252 kms.
- Bus
Services: Haridwar is connected by bus
with Agra, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Kullu, Manli,
Shimla, Rishikesh etc.
- Conducted
Tours: Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam
Conducts package tours from Rishikesh to
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
For
Details & Booking Contact: Garhwal Mandal Vikas
Nigam, Mun-Ki-Reti, Rishikesh- 249 201, Tel: 372,
357, 373.
Calcutta Contact: Garhwal Mandal Vikash Nigam,
Bhagat Chamber (Beside Coal India Bldg), 12-A, N.S.
Road Calcutta- 700 001. Tel: 220-7855.
PLACES
OF INTEREST
(Distances
are from the Tourist Office)
Bharat
Temple (1.6 kms) [ Open from 0500 to 1100 hrs and
1300 to 2100 hrs ], Rishi Kund & Raghunath
Temple (1.6 kms), Laxman Jhoola (6.7 kms), Pushkar
Temple (1.6 kms), Shatrughan Temple, Muni-Ki-Reti
(4.8 km), Swarg Ashram, Gita Bhawan, Parmath Niketan
(8 km), Lakshman Temple, Sadanand Jhoola, Triveni
Ghat, Shivanand Ashram, Kailash Ashram, Academy of
Meditation.
EXCURSIONS
Haridwar
24 kms, Dehradhun 45 kms, Uttarkhand 144 kms,
Kedarnath 228 kms, Badrinath 203 kms, Gangotri 253
kms, Yamunotri 226 kms, Nilkanth 16 kms, Mussoorie
77 kms.
YOGA
ASHRAMS
1)
Divine Life Society, Shivananda Nagar, Tel: 40.
2) Yoga Niketan, Muni-Ki-Reti, Tel: 227.
3) Academy of Meditation (M. Mahesh Yoga Ashram)
Shankaracharya Nagar, Tel: 121.
4) Yoga & Meditation Centre (Yoga Sadhana
Ashram), Railway Road.
TOURIST
INFORMATION
(1)
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited, Muni-Ki-Reti,
Rishikesh- 249 201. Tel: 372, 357, 373.
(2) Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited, Bhagat
Chamber, (Beside Coal India Building), 12-A N.S.
Road,Calcutta- 700 001. Tel: 220-7855
Dehradun
Surrounded
on the east by river Ganga, on the west by Yamuna,
the Doon Valley is a most picturesque region at the
foothills of the panoramic Shivalik ranges.
Altitude
: 640 metres.
Temperature (deg C):
Summer- Max 36.6, Min 16.7; Winter- Max
23.4, Min 5.2
Clothings : Summer-
Cottons, Winter- Woollens.
Languages spoken :
Garhwali, Hindi, English.
Season : Throughout the
Year.
STD Code : 0135. |
TRANSPORT
AND COMMUNICATION:
- Air
: The nearest Airport Jolly Grant (26 kms from
Dehradun) is connected by Vayudoot services from
Delhi. Jagson Airlines also operates flights
from Delhi to Dehradun.
- Rail:
Dehradun is an important railhead on the
Northern Railway & is connected to all major
cities in India.
- Road:
On State Highway No.45 Dehradun is well
connected by good motorable road to Mussorie- 35
kms, Delhi- 235 kms, Haridwar- 54 kms, Bombay-
1927 kms, Rishikesh- 42 kms, Agra- 408 kms,
Shimla- 280 kms, Yamunotri- 173 kms, Kedarnath-
268 kms and Roorkee- 67 kms etc.
- Conducted
Tours: Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam
organises daily sightseeing tours. Calcutta
Contact: Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Bhagat
Chamber, Beside Coal India Building, 12-A, N.S.
Roa Calcutta- 700 001. Tel: 220-7855.
WHAT
TO SEE
Sahastradhara
Cold Sulphur Springs (14 kms), Tapkeshwar (Shiva)
Temple (5 kms), Robber's Cave (8 kms), Lakshman Sidh
(12 kms), Tapovan (6 kms), Botanical Garden of
Forest Research Institite.
EXCURSIONS
Rajiji
National Park (20 kms), Dhaulkhand Forest Reserve,
Dakpathar (45 kms), Chakrata Hill Resort (94 kms).
TOURIST
INFORMATION
1)
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, 74/1 Rajpur Road,
Dehradun- 248 001. Tel: (0135) 26817.
2) Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, 12-A Netaji Subhas
Road, Bhagat Chamber, Beside Coal-India Building,
Calcutta- 700 001. Tel: 220-7855.
Gangotri
(3140 m)
In
the hinterlands of the Himalayas is Gangotri where,
it is believed, Ganga, the stream of life, touched
earth for the first time. According to the Hindu
religious scriptures, the goddes manifested herself
in the form of a river to absolve the sins of King
Bhagirathi's sons, following his penance of several
centuries. At the legendary source of the river,
Goddes Ganga is worshipped in the form of deity. The
Gangotri temple was built in the early 18th century
by a Gorkha commander, Amar Singh Thapa and later
rebuilt by the Maharaja of Jaipur. By November,
Gangotri is snowbound, and so the deity is taken 25
kms downstream to Mukhba, so that her devotees are
not thwarted. Despite the severe cold, however,
several "SADHUS" remain at Gangotri year
round, even through the very severe winter. Gomukh,
the identified source of the river Ganga, is 18 kms
further uphill. The trek to Gomukh is gradual, and
severl pilgrims undertake the journey to pay homage
to the river at its known source.
Altitude
: 3140 metres.
Temperature (deg C):
Summer- Max.20, Min.5; Winter- Max
Subzero, Min.Snowbound
Clothings : Summer- Light
woollens, Winter- Heavy woollens.
Languages Spoken :
Garhwali, Hindi, English.
Best Season : May-June
and September-October. |
HOW
TO GET THERE
- Air
: The Nearest Airport (306 kms) is Jolly Grant,
17 kms from Rishikesh and 24 kms from Dehradun.
- Rail:
Nearest Railway Stations are Dehradun (24 kms)
and Haridwar ( kms).
- Road:
Gangotri is easily approached from Rishikesh (24
kms from Haridwar and 43 kms from Dehradun),
which is connected to all important centres in
the region through good roads. En-route
accomodations & other facilities are
available at the follwing places:- Narendra
Nagar, Chamba, Tehri, Dharasu, Uttarkashi,
Bhatwari, Gangotri, Sukhi, Harsil, Lanka,
Bhaironghati. Road distances from Gangotri:-
Rishikesh 248 kms, Delhi 472 kms.
- Local
Transport: Porters available at Lanka
and Gangotri. Rates negotible.
WHAT
TO SEE
SUBMERGED
SHIVLING :
A natural Shivling formed of rock, submerged in the
river, where according to mythology, Lord Shiva sat
when the Ganga first descended to earth. The
Shivling is visible only when the water is clear
in early winter.
GOMUKH
TREK (23 Km):
Snout of Gangotri glacier & source of the
river Bhagirathi,Gomukh is located at an altitude of
4200 metres. En route accommodation is
available at Bhojwasa in Tourist Rest House.
CONDUCTED
TOURS
GARHWAL
MANDAL VIKASH NIGAM, Muni-ki-Reti, Rishikesh, runs
the following tours during the season
(May-November). Dates of the first and the last
tours are governed by opening and closing dates of
Gangotri & Yamunotri Temples in May and
November, respectively.
1)
YAMUNOTRI-GANGOTRI-GOMUKH: 8 days. Opens every
Monday. Rs. 1500-2000.
2) MUSSOORIE-YAMUNOTRI-GANGOTRI-GOMUKH : 7 days.
Opens every Thursday. Rs. 1600-2000.
MISCELLANEOUS
TOURIST
INFORMATION CENTRE : Near Bus Stand, Uttarkashi,
Phone No.: 190.
BANK AND MONEY CHANGER : State Bank of India,
Gangotri ; Nearest foreign currency exchange
facility is available at Uttarkashi.
HOSPITAL: Primary Health Centre at Harsil. POLICE
STATION: At Gangotri.
YAMUNOTRI
Yamunotri,
the source of the river Yamuna, is the westernmost
shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, located on a flank
of the Bandarpunch peak. The trek along the river
bank is quite magnificent, dominated by a wide
panorama of mountains. It is said that the temple of
Yamunotri was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in
the last decade of the 19th century. In 1923 this
was destroyed, with only the idols left, and was
rebuilt. It was once again damaged in 1982. A hot
water pool at Yamunotri is used for the preparation
of "PRASAD" normally rice and potatoes,
cooked by dipping them in the hot water, tied in
cloth bags.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Altitude
: 3322 Metres.
Temperature (Deg.C):
SUMMER Max 20, Min 6; WINTER Max Sub-zero,
Min Snow-bound.
Clothings : SUMMER -
Light woollens, WINTER - Heavy woollens.
Languages Spoken : Hindi,
Garhwali, English.
Best Season : May-June
and September-October. |
HOW
TO GET THERE
- AIR
: Airport Jolly Grant, 17 km from Rishikesh
& 24 km from Dehradun.
- RAIL
: The nearest convenient Railway stations are
Dehradun and Hardwar.
- ROAD
: Yamunotri is easily approached from Rishikesh,
Saharanpur and Dehradun. En route accommodations
and other fecilities are available at the
following places: RISHIKESH-YAMUNOTRI ROUTE :
Narendra Nagar,Chamba, Tehri, Dharasu, Barkot,
Sayana Chatti, Hanuman Chatti, Jankibai Chatti,
DEHRADUN-YAMUNOTRI ROUTE: Mussoorie, Kempty
Falls, Yamuna bridge, Damta, Kunwa, Naugaon.
SAHARANPUR-YAMUNOTRI ROUTE : Herbertpur, Dak
Pathar.
- BUS
SERVICE : Regular bus services operate
from Rishikesh to Yamunotri.
- LOCAL
TRANSPORT : Ponies and porters are
available from Hanuman Chatti.
WHAT
TO SEE
Yamunotri
stands in the shadow of Banderpunch mountain
(6315 Metres). Its various places of tourist
Interest include the Temple of Yamunotri,
Surya Kund, A hot water spring and Divya Shila.
SAPTARISHI
KUND : 10 Kms. A natural lake and beautiful picnic
spot.
MISCELLANEOUS
TOURIST
INFORMATION : Nearest Tourist Office is at
Mussoorie, Tel.: 2863
BANKS : State Bank of India has a branch in Barkot
and Gangotri.
POLICE STATION : At Hanuman Chatti.
Badrinath
The
temples of Shiva and Vishnu at Kedarnath and
Badrinath have been the destination of pilgrims for
centuries. Once reached after tortuous treks but
easily accessible today by road. At Uttarkashi at a
height of over 3000 metres the snow melts to form
the sacred rivers of Ganga and Yamuna is a deep
recess of the mountains. The route to the two
sources begins at Rishikesh and passes ancient
temples and Valleys along the way. The Shrines are
open from 1st week of May upto Diwali day.
GENERAL
INFORMATION:
|
Badrinath |
Kedarnath |
Gangotri |
Yamunotri |
Altitude |
3133
mts |
3581
mts |
3048
mts |
3291
mts |
Temperature
Summer- |
Max.
17.9 deg C, Min. 5.9 deg C |
Max.
20 deg C, Min. 6 deg C |
Winter- |
Max.
Sub-Zero, Min. Snowbound |
Max.
Sub-Zero, Min. Snowbound |
Best
Season |
May
to October is the best season for the four
places. |
TRANSPORT
AND COMMUNICATION
- Air
: The nearest airport to all the four places is
Dehradun which is 335 kms from Badrinath, 268
kms from Kedarnath, 306 kms from Gangotri &
227 kms from Yamunotri. Dehradun is connected by
Vayudoot flights to Delhi. And Jagson Airlines
operate flights from Delhi to Dehradun (Jolly
Grant)
- Rail:
The nearest railhead to all the four places is
Rishikesh (298 kms),where regular bus services,
conducted tours & taxis are available to
Badrinath (293 kms), Kedarnath (256 kms),
Gangotri (248 kms) & Yamunotri (237 km).
- Road:
Badrinath is connected by road to Rishikesh (293
km), Haridwar (313 km), Kotdwara (325 km),
Joshimath (42 km) & Valley of flowers (38
km), Delhi (518 km). Kedarnath is connected by
road with Rishikesh (226 km), Delhi (450 km),
Hardwar (250 km), Kotdwara (256 km), Badrinath
(242 km). Gangotri is connected by road to
Rishikesh (248 km) and Delhi (472 km). Yamunotri
is connected by road with Rishikesh 227 km &
Gangotri 228 km.
Route from Rishikesh to Badrinath
Rishikesh-Deoprayag 69 kms, Srinagar (U.P) 105
kms, Rudraprayag 139 kms, Karnaprayag 171 kms,
Nandaprayag 192 kms, Chamoli 202 kms, Pipalkoti
221 kms, Joshimath 252 kms and Badrinath 294
kms.
Route from Rishikesh to Kedarnath via
Rudraprayag
Rishikesh-Rudraprayag 139 kms,
Agastamuni 157 kms, Kund 171 kms, Guptakashi 181
kms, Phata 194 kms, Soneprayag 207 kms,
Gaurikund 212 kms and Kedarnath 226 kms,
Distance between Gaurikund and Kedarnath (14
kms) has to be covered on foot.
Route from Badrinath to Kedarnath
Badrinath-Joshimath 42 kms, Chamoli 92 kms,
Gopeshwar 103 kms,
Guptakashi 183 kms, Gaurikund 214 kms and
Kedarnath 228 kms.
Route from Rishikesh to Gangotri-Gaumukh
Rishikesh-Narendranagar 16 kms, Tehri 77 kms,
Dharasu 118 kms, Makuri 137 kms, Uttarkashi 148
kms, Gangnani 90 kms, Sukhi 204 kms,
Bhaironghati 238 kms, Gangotri 248 kms, Bhojwasa
18 kms, Gaumukh 4 kms, Distance between Gangotri
& Gaumukh (22 kms) has to be covered on
foot.
Route from Rishikesh to Yamnotri (via
Dharasu)
Rishikesh-Dharasu 118 kms, Barkot 178 kms,
Sayanchatti 206 kms, Hanumanchatti 213 kms,
Jankichatti 221 kms and Yamunotri 227 kms.
Distance between Janakichatti and Yamunotri (14
kms) has to be covered on foot.
Route from Gangotri to Kedarnath (269
kms)
To reach Kedarnath one has to return to
Lanka from where there is a road route via
Uttarkashi, Tehri, Kiritnagar Srinagar (U.P),
Rudraprayag Agastamuni, Kund, Gaurikund.
CONDUCTED
TOUR
Package
Tours Conducted by G.M.V.N. Charges (Rs) Sl.No. Name
of the tour Frequency Days Adult Child
1.
Rishikesh-Kedarnath-Badrinath Daily 7 1601 1251
2. Delhi-Kedarnath-Badrinath Except Monday 7 1801
1451
3. Rishikesh-Badrinath (2/2 coach) Daily 4 1001 851
4. Rishikesh-Kedarnath-Badrinath- Daily 12 2601 2251
Gangotri-Yamunotri
5. Rishikesh-Yamunotri-Gangotri-Gomukh Every Friday
7 1751 1501
(By 3/2 coach)
6. Rishikesh-Valley of Flowers- Monday 7 1801 1451
Hemkund-Badrinath & (July to 1st week of
September) Thursday
7. Delhi-Kedarnath-Badrinath Every Monday 8 2801
2501
(Deluxe tour by 19 seater Bus)
8. Delhi-Yamunotri-Gangotri-Gomukh- Daily 13 3151
2751
Kedarnath-Badrinath Except Friday
9. Delhi-Yamunotri-Gangotri- Every Friday 12 4151
3651
Kedarnath-Badrinath
(Deluxe tour by 19 seater bus)
TAXI/CAR
TOURS
1.
Rishikesh-Kedarnath-Badrinath Daily 6 2901 per seat
2. Delhi-Kedarnath-Badrinath Daily 7 3301 per seat
3. Rishikesh-Yamunotri-Gangotri Daily 10 4451 per
seat
Kedarnath-Badrinath
4. Delhi-Dehradun-Yamunotri- Daily 11 4751 per seat
Gangotri-Kedarnath-Badrinath
5. Rishikesh-Badrinath Sun., 4 1701 per seat Tue.,
Fri.
P.S 1) Yatra Office can conduct special Chardham
tour with Goumukh, if there is minimum group of 25
member with additional charges.
2) The package fare includes transportation and
sharing accommodation only.
Reservation: 1) P.R.O Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam
Ltd., Bombay C/O M.T.D.C (Tour Branch), CDO
Hutments, M.Cama Road, Bombay - 400 021. Tel:
2027762/2026713.
2) Muni-Ki-Reti, Rishikesh, Tel:372.
USEFUL
INFORMATION
1.
Inoculation against Cholera is necessary.
2. Boiled Water is advisable for drinking.
3. Tinned provisions are useful.
4. Travellers should carry warm clothing, blankets,
water proof ground sheets, rain coat, umbrella,
torch, walking sticks, canvas shoes and some
medicines.
5. Dandies, Kandies, Ponies are available at all the
bus terminals at reasonable charges with the help of
G.M.V.N. conducted tour guides.
INFORMATION
CENTRE
1.
Tourist Information Centre, Joshimath (42 kms from
Badrinath), Tel: 81.
2. Tourist Information Centre, Shrinagar (Garhwal
U.P). Tel: 99 (Kedarnath).
3. Tourist Information Centre, Uttarkashi (100 kms
from Gangotri), Tel: 171.
4. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd., Muni-ki-Reti,
Rishikesh, Tel: 372.
|