Introduction
“Dev bhumi” meaning “The Land of Gods” is a well-known attribute used for this heavenly state of North India, Uttarakhand. Its architecture is an embodiment of spirituality and environmental resiliency. Situated at Shivalik hills/ Kumaon hills of the Himalayan range, it has scenic beauty & mesmerising vistas of mountains with various hill stations. It has witnessed excellent and exceptional evolution of temple architecture during the golden era of Katyuri Kings. The people of Uttarakhand have deep symbiotic relationships with climate and modern technologies being rooted in its culture and religious rites. Culture and mythology are significant factors that shape its heritage, influenced by Hindu Katyuri Kings, Colonial British rule and the Buddhist & Tibetan values of the Spiritual leader Dalai Lama.
Following are some interesting places to visit in Uttarakhand listed in chronological order of the period they were created.
Kedarnath Temple | Places To Visit In Uttarakhand
According to Hindu Mythology, one of the 12 jyotirlingas (Significant 12 shiv linga) of Lord Shiva and the most significant of “Panch Kedar” temples, standing tall and magnificently at an altitude of 3580m in Kedar valley, forms one of the sites of essential pilgrimage of Char Dham Yatra. Situated at the riverbank of Mandakini River since the 8th century CE, the temple is a blend of spirituality and adventure for adventure seekers. Kedarnath Temple is made of a grey hunk of stones. Its stone slabs are interlocked with iron clamps and with no mortar. It has been built in the shape of a lingam with a cylindrical pedestal.
Badrinath Temple
In Nagara temple architecture, Badrinath temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda river, in the Garhwal hill tracks of the Chamoli district, and it is at an altitude of 3133m. Adi Shankaracharya established it in the 9th century CE. Made up of stone, Badrinath Temple has walls and pillars bearing numerous carvings. Its tall arched gateway leads to sabha mandapa and darshan mandapa ending into garbha griha. Its roof projects into a conical spire with a gilded gold dome atop.
Mahasu Devta Temple | Places To Visit In Uttarakhand
Mahasu Devta temple was built in the 9th century CE, situated on the Tons river at Hanol, Dehradun. The temple is a magnificent example of a composite wood and stone structure. This Nagara-styled temple is built in the Kathkuni method, which is this region’s vernacular method. The wooden structure is covered with two tiered conical canopies with a tapered Kalash pinnacle at the top. The roof eaves and balcony projections are ornamented with dangling pendant corner bells which sway with wind breezes.
Baijnath Temple Complex
Baijnath temple complex is situated in the Bageshwer district along the banks of the Gomti river at an altitude of 1125m. It is a cluster of 18 Hindu temples reserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple was built by Katyuri kings between the 9th to 12th centuries and approached from the riverside by steps made of stones. The main shrine is dedicated to Vaidyanath Shiva.
Katarmal Sun Temple | Places To Visit In Uttarakhand
One of its kind and second to Odisha’s Konark sun temple, The Katarmal sun temple is set amidst forests of Kumaon hills of Almora and is dedicated to Lord Sun. Built in the 9th century by Katyuri kings, the main temple is surrounded by 44 smaller temples, mainly made of large locally quarried stone, constructed at different periods. The main shrine is made with quite a thought, such that on the occasion of an equinox, the light supposedly penetrates inside through openings in walls and illuminates the main idol.
Tera Manzil Temple
Built in the 12th century CE, The unique temple in Rishikesh has 13 floors, thus the name “Tera manzil temple” from the Hindi language. Conventionally the temple is dedicated to a single deity. Instead, this temple houses smaller shrines of various Hindu deities on each of its floors. Temple is situated on the holy Ganges banks, which have a backdrop of lush green Himalayas. At the time of Ganga aarti, the temple is illuminated with glittering light creating a beautiful reflection in the river.
Lakhamandal Temple
Lakhamandal temple complex sits in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Dehradun and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The name of the temple means many lingams or many temples. Built-in nagara style of temple architecture, this temple was built between the 12th to 13th centuries CE. Recent scientific clearance carried out by ASI revealed many structural remains in the temple premises, including remains of flat-roofed temples assigned to the 5th-6th century CE.
Chaubatia Garden | Places To Visit In Uttarakhand
Chaubatia means the meeting point of four paths; since the garden is located at the crossroads of four major cities; Bhargaon, Ranikhet, Dehrti and Pilkoli; hence the name. Chaubatia garden is at an altitude of 1850m. It is known for the fruit orchids of quality peaches, apples and apricots. Spreading over hundreds of acres of land, this garden offers an opportunity to experience and admire nature from close. Being an urban botanical garden, it connects people to cultivating delights and quality plants. A unique attraction in this garden is The Fruit Garden of the Government Fruit Research Centre.
Governor’s House- Raj Bhavan
The Governor’s House has an area of 220 acres, built in line with Buckingham Palace in London. It has twice-storied 113 rooms for state visitors and VIP guests that visit Nainital. It comprises a beautiful garden, Golf links and a swimming pool. The building was completed in 1900 CE. It was built in an early domestic Gothic style. It has visuals of an English country house. It is made of local dark grey marble stone, dolomite limestone for the interior, and naloina freestone for the exterior. The fitting of glass, brass and tiles came from England.
Forest Research Institute | Places To Visit In Uttarakhand
The astonishing British monument in the doon valley, known as Forest Research Institute, was built in 1929 CE. Its estate is spread over 450 hectares of land with a colonial building style. It has an officers’ guest house at the back of the entrance. Its facade is made of red brick and white arches. It comprises a mini forest and museums within its campus. Its courtyards are archetypal to Indian and oriental architecture.
Sakya Center
Sakya centre is a Buddhist monastery situated in Dehradun. It is also known as Pel Sakya, based on Tibetan Buddhism. The building is a magnificent example of a Tibetan Buddhist shrine. It is a place for a community of monks following Tibetan traditions. It also provides an experience in learning these traditions to understand and share the culture and lifestyle of monks to promote spiritual practice.
Abbott Mount Church
The church is located at Abbott Mount hill station with an altitude of 6400ft. The church was built in 1942 with 13 cottages named after John Abbott, a British that discovered the place. Yet serene and quiet environment, this place is rumoured to be a haunted place.
Beatles Ashram or Chaurasi Kutia | Places To Visit In Uttarakhand
Beatles ashram, mainly known as Chaurasi Kutia, is an ashram situated on the eastern bank of the Ganges. It is famously known for the stay of the celebrity band “The Beatles”. It comprises stone huts for meditation known as “Puri”; the Maharishi’s Bungalow made up of brick, concrete and stone; a wooden structured open dining space with a kitchen block and a two-storey lecture hall, etc. It also has a garden and landscaping filled with flowerbeds of red hibiscus surrounding the main built mass.
Buddhist Temple Complex
The Buddhist temple complex was built in 1965 and includes buddha temple, a Mindrolling monastery named after his eminence Kochen Rinpoche. The complex is built in the Japanese architectural style. Its environment provides mental peace. This temple complex is known as the “Nyingma” school for spirituality.
Indian Military Academy | Places To Visit In Uttarakhand
Founded in 1932, the Indian military academy is a training facility for Army officers. The Indian Government purchased the erstwhile Railway college of Dehradun to build this facility. The Chetwode building is the primary structure of the campus. The campus comprises an 18-hole golf course, a museum, a war memorial and a shooting demonstration room.
Epilogue
To conclude, Uttarakhand has various tourist and adventurous spots to visit, and 15 is just a number that does not justify its beauty.
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