DISTRICT: UTTARKASHI

DISTRICT: UTTARKASHI

Saat Taal - Photo - J.P.Panwar

Uttarkashi is situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi at an altitude of 1352 m above sea level. Uttarkashi is home to a number of ashrams and temples and also to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Most of the terrain is hilly. There are many small and big rivers in Uttarkashi district. The Yamuna and the Ganges (Bhagirathi) are biggest and holiest among them, their origin is Yamunotri and Gangotri (Gomukh) respectively. Asi ganga and jad ganga are some of the tributaries of the Ganges.

Someshwar Temple - Photo - J.P.Panwar

It has also become famous among adventurous people due to the scope of various adventurous activities. Uttarkashi town is also called as Shivnagri. Uttarkashi town has number of temples and ashrams. Uttarkashi is known for its religious people, weather, education and fashion. The list of villages selected under the project in Tehri district is as follows.

List of Cluster and Corresponding Villages in Uttarkashi District

S.N.	Cluster	Name of Village	Block	Number of Households	Total Population
1	Harshil	Sukki	Batwari	101	525
2		Harshil	Batwari	1083	1205
3		Mukhwa	Batwari	124	680
4		Dharali	Batwari	137	583
5		Bagori	Batwari	145	567
6	Raithal	Raithal	Batwari	192	1005

Cluster-1:  Harsil Cluster

Goddess Dyanki Devi - Mukhwa - Photo - J.P.Panwar

There are five village namely Harsil, Mukhwa, Dharali, Bagori and Sukki comes under Harsil Cluster. The distance between the villages ranges from 9 km to 3 km. Sukhi is only village located 9 km before the Harsil. All the villages in the cluster are surrounded by snow capped mountain situated on the banks of Bhagirathi River, with dense deodar slopes on either side of the region. The  Himalayan villages are located at Bhatwari block of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand State of India at an average height of 7,860 ft (2382meters) from sea level, 66 to 75 Kms towards East from District head quarter and 184 Kms from the state capital Dehradun.

Mother Ganga on the way to Gangotri - Photo - J.P.Panwar

The villages are located at 0 to 500 meters distance from National Highway No. 108 and 31 to 40 Kms from block headquarter Bhatwari. The cluster is closer to Gangotri, one of the Hindu pilgrimage sites of Char Dham. The protected area Gangotri National Park is also located at the distance of 30 to 39 Kms from the villages. Weather of entire region stays cold and pleasant throughout the year. At present, major inflow of tourists at this place starts from April to June and September to November.

Bagori Village - Harsil - Photo - J.P.Panwar

However, as a new beginning from 2014 onwards, Government of Uttarakhand has taken the decision to start the pilgrimage journey during the winter season as well - thus making it a yearlong affair and opening of employment and income generation opportunities for the local people. The maximum temperature during Village summer ranges from 15 ºC to 10 ºC. The months of winters begins from October and extend to January. Maximum temperature reaches to 10 ºC and goes down to 0 ºC or below. During winter season, it also receives a particular amount of snowfalls. It is one of the best place wherein people must go who want to spend some moment in solitude.

Cluster-2: Raithal Cluster

Raithal village is 40 kms away from district headqurter Uttarkashi and is on the way to holy pilgrimage of Gangotri. The block headquarter Bhatwari is located at the distance of 30 km from Uttarkashi, from Bhatwari one has to take another motorable 10 km route to reach village Raithal. The average height of the village is about 1900 meter from sea level. Generally the weather remains cold throughout the year. In the winter season the village receive snow fall. The village is also serving as base camp to famous 6 km Dayara Bugyal treak.  Dayara Bugyal is a beautiful meadow. 

Saat Taal - Photo Curtsy - J.P.Panwar

The famous Sheshnag Temple enroute is a major attraction of the trek.  From Dayara, one can also trek down to Dodi Tal (30 kms).  During winters, Dayara provides excellent ski slopes over an area of 28 sq.km. the Anduri or Butter Festival, as it is commonly known, held at Raithal every year. In this festival, people smear each other with butter and butter milk (Mattha). 'Anduri' is associated with the practice of villagers moving to higher altitudes during summer.

Himalayan Sheep - Photo - J.P.Panwar

For four long months, people move with their cattle to high altitudes for pasture. When winter approaches and its time for them to leave the grasslands, the villagers celebrate 'Anduri' to express their gratitude to Mother Earth. It is celebrated to thank Lord Krishna for protecting the cattle from the evil forces while they were grazing in the open meadows of Dayara. It is also celebrated to mark the occasion of Lord Krishna's lifting the Govardhan Pravat to crush the ego of Indra (the rain god). The festival terminates with cultural show and Raso dance by the village youth. In a bid to preserve the tradition, the people have constituted ''Dayara Paryatan Utsav Samiti' to host the festival. According to the founder members of the Samiti, they have stepped forward in support of the festival to promote eco-tourism as well as introduce rich culture and heritage of Uttarakhand to the world.