Srinagar is a beloved city all across India for its beautiful Dal Lake, boat houses, maple trees, and the imposing figures of the mighty Himalayas in the distance. This coupled with the warm Kashmiri hospitality, makes it a perfect vacation spot all year round- be it spring for the blossoms in Shalimar Bagh, or summers for the respite from heat, autumn for its orange coloured crunchy maple leaves, or winters for its naked trees lined with white powdery snow.
But what if I told you, nestled in the Pauri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand lies another Srinagar? Located at an elevation of just 560 meters, bang on the left bank of the beautiful Alaknanda River, this Srinagar is located about 100 kilometers from Uttarakhand and is the very last city on the plains, after which, the mountains begin! It's surprising then that the largest city in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand is overlooked, is remains unknown to most tourists and travelers.
Also known as the educational hub of Garhwal, Srinagar is the hottest city in the region due to its low altitude and makes for an important city market in the valley. This city is mostly known for its rich historical importance, and for its various temples. But there is so much more to it!
Getting There
The nearest railway stations to Srinagar are Kotdwara and Rishikesh, but these are only small stations and most major trains do not stop here. The nearest major railway station to Srinagar then would be Haridwar, located some 130 kilometers away from the city.
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Local buses going to Srinagar can be easily found at either Haridwar or Rishikesh. There are no direct buses to Srinagar from Delhi, and one must change at either of these two cities.
The nearest airport to Srinagar is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, located around 150 kilometers away from the city.
Things to Do
Dhari Devi Temple
Located about 19 kilometers from Srinagar, this is one of the most popular temples in the region. The temple is situated at the Srinagar-Badrinath Highway up to Kaliya Saur. The idol of Dhari Devi kept under the open sky and taking pictures of the idol is prohibited. The center of faith for the people of Garhwal, this temple goes right is seated right in the middle of the Alaknanda River.
Baikunth Chaturdashi Mela
The most popular festival of the Garhwal region, this annual mela falls in the month of October- November, on the 14th day after the Hindu festival of Diwali. Apart from its religious significance, the fair is also gaining popularity as a cultural festival now with a various number of cultural shows and sports competitions being organised during a span of 4-5 days. This festival is of deep importance to the people of Garhwal and the whole town is illuminated with lights during these days.
Gola Bazaar
One of the largest markets in Garhwal Uttarakhand, this bazaar serves as an important commercial place for people from all over the valley. From various eateries, to shops selling traditional Garhwali procure like clothing and fruits and vegetables, one can find almost anything and everything here.
Keshorai Math Temple
An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Sarasvati, this temple was built in 1682 AD, by a man named Keshorai. This temple is known for its architecturally beauty. Carved out of massive boulders, it is indeed a very beautiful temple.
Baba Gorakhnath Caves
Legend has it that a massive rock protruding from the slope of the mountain is where Guru Gorakhnath meditated and met his disciples. The entry to the cave a rather small and one has to almost crawl through it. As of today, the cave is completely abandoned and not being taken care of, but this state only makes it a great spot to be at, away from the hustle bustle of the tourist crowd.
Sri Yantra Tapoo
This is a beautiful little spot in the city, where the city derives its name from. A small patch in the middle of the Alaknanda River, forming a sort of an island, this slab supposedly carries immense divine energies and is an important shrine for the city of Srinagar. Apart from its mythological and divine importance, this place also serves as a great spot surrounded by the crystal blue waters of the river, to sit and relax and bask under the warm sun!
Chauras Complex
This sweet spot located just on the outskirts of Srinagar serves as a haven for nature lovers looking for some peace and quiet. The main attractions of this area including a massive area of flat riverbed of the river Alaknanda, perfect to relax and perhaps indulge in some yoga and meditation. There are also options of kayaking and other boating activities, along with a few short hikes one can take from here to be as close to Mother Nature as possible.
Hill Top
As the name suggests, this is a spot situated on the top of a hill, overlooking the whole Srinagar city, along with the entire valley and a bird's eye view of the river. It takes a short hike from the nearest road end to reach here but the efforts are undoubtedly rewarding. If you wish, you can return back to Srinagar the same day, but if you wish to witness some spectacular sunrise and sunset views, you must camp overnight to get a bit of adventure rolling!
Srinagar is all this, and more! The white sandy banks right beside the pristine waters of river Alaknanda, surrounded by the lower and upper Himalayas make it for a perfect nature getaway. Besides, with the numerous famous temples in and around the city, you can combine adventure with religious worship and call Srinagar a wholesome experience!
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