Places to Visit in Uttarkashi: Temples, Lakes, Hot Springs and Treks
Places to visit in Uttarkashi: Kashi Vishwanath, the Shakti temple's trishul, the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Maneri, Nachiketa Tal and Gangnani.
Most people know Uttarkashi as the last real town on the road to Gangotri: a night's halt, a fuel stop, a place to buy what you forgot. It deserves more than that. The town sits on the Bhagirathi at about 1,150 metres, with one of the oldest Shiva temples in Garhwal at its centre, the country's best-known mountaineering school above it, and lakes, hot springs and treks within a day's reach. Give it a full day on the way up or the way down and the Gangotri trip changes character.
Places to visit in Uttarkashi, at a glance
| Place | What it is | From the town |
|---|---|---|
| Kashi Vishwanath Temple | The old Shiva temple at the centre of town | In town |
| Shakti Temple | Goddess shrine with a tall iron and copper trishul | Opposite Kashi Vishwanath |
| Nehru Institute of Mountaineering | India's leading climbing school, with a museum | Just above the town |
| Maneri | Dam and reservoir on the Bhagirathi | About 8 km north |
| Nachiketa Tal | Forest lake with a small temple | A drive and a short walk |
| Dodital | High lake at about 3,000 m, the source of the Assi Ganga | A two-day trek |
| Gangnani | Hot springs on the Gangotri road | About 50 km towards Gangotri |
Kashi Vishwanath and the Shakti Temple
Uttarkashi means "the Kashi of the north", and its Kashi Vishwanath temple is the reason. The Shiva temple stands in the middle of the old town and is mentioned in the Skanda Purana; local tradition says its lingam was installed by Parashurama. Right opposite is the Shakti Temple, whose great trishul, roughly six metres of metal planted in the courtyard, is said to have been thrown by the goddess against the demons. Pilgrims on the way to Gangotri stop at both. Go in the early morning or at the evening aarti, when the town is quiet and the bells carry across the river.
Nehru Institute of Mountaineering
On the hill above the town, the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering trains climbers from across India and abroad, and many of the country's best-known mountaineers passed through it. Visitors usually come for its museum of Himalayan climbing, with equipment, photographs and stories of the major expeditions, and for the view over the valley from the campus. Ask at the gate about visiting hours; the institute is a working school and courses take priority.
Maneri and the river
About eight kilometres upstream, the dam at Maneri holds back the Bhagirathi in a long green reservoir. It is a short drive and a pleasant stop on the way to Gangotri, with the river and the forested slopes around it. Below the town, the ghats on the Bhagirathi and the confluence with the Assi Ganga are where pilgrims bathe; the current is strong, so keep to the steps.
Nachiketa Tal and Dodital
Two lakes make Uttarkashi more than a halt. Nachiketa Tal is a quiet lake in oak and pine forest, reached by a drive out of town and a walk of a few kilometres; it takes half a day and suits families. Dodital is the serious one: a lake at about 3,000 metres, said to be the birthplace of Ganesha and the source of the Assi Ganga, reached by a trek of two days from the road head above Uttarkashi. It is open from spring to autumn and closes under snow in winter. Go with a registered local guide.
Gangnani hot springs
On the road towards Gangotri, about 50 km from Uttarkashi, Gangnani has hot springs channelled into a bathing tank beside a small temple. After the cold of the upper valley it is the stop most yatris remember. Harsil and Gangotri are farther along the same road; our Gangotri to Gaumukh guide covers what lies beyond.
When to go
April to June and September to November are the best months: the Gangotri temple is open and the roads are generally reliable. The monsoon, July and August, brings landslides on the Gangotri road, so keep a spare day. Winter is cold but clear in the town itself, and Uttarkashi stays open; Dodital and the high road are snowbound.
Where to stay
Stay near Kashi Vishwanath for the temples and the market on foot, or on the bypass and the Gangotri road for parking and an early start upstream. Our hotels in Uttarkashi page compares the areas with real photos. If you are going on to the shrine, see hotels in Harsil and where to stay for Gangotri.
Where to stay on this route
- Divine Ganga RetreatUttarkashifrom ₹3,106
- Shiv Parivar ResortUttarkashifrom ₹5,859
- Harsil Village ResortHarsilfrom ₹5,161
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Before you go
- Visit Kashi Vishwanath and the Shakti Temple together; they face each other.
- Keep to the steps at the ghats; the Bhagirathi runs fast here.
- Ask at the Nehru Institute gate about museum hours before you climb up.
- Keep a spare day in the monsoon; the Gangotri road is prone to landslides.
Good to know
- Uttarkashi means 'the Kashi of the north'.
- The trishul in the Shakti Temple is roughly six metres tall.
- Dodital is said to be where Ganesha was born, and the Assi Ganga rises from it.
- Gangnani's hot springs are fed into a bathing tank beside a temple on the Gangotri road.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places to visit in Uttarkashi?
Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Shakti Temple, the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Maneri, Nachiketa Tal, the Dodital trek and the hot springs at Gangnani.
How many days do I need in Uttarkashi?
One day covers the temples, the mountaineering institute and Maneri. Add half a day for Nachiketa Tal, or two to three days for the Dodital trek.
How far is Gangotri from Uttarkashi?
About 100 km, usually four to five hours by road, passing Gangnani and Harsil.
Is Dodital trek easy?
It is a moderate two-day walk to a lake at about 3,000 metres. Most fit walkers manage it with a guide; it is closed by snow in winter.
Where should I stay in Uttarkashi?
Near Kashi Vishwanath to walk to the temples and the market, or on the bypass and the Gangotri road for parking and an early start.
About the author
Pulp Hotels Team
The Pulp Hotels Team is the desk that runs Pulp Hotels and the verified properties on this route — Barkot, Uttarkashi, Harsil, Guptkashi, Joshimath, Badrinath and the Kedarnath valley. We deal with the owners of those hotels, and with the pilgrims staying in them, through every day of the season, and these guides are written and corrected from that work and from the official notices each season brings. Fares and opening dates change every year, so we leave them out on purpose and point you at the source instead.
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