Lying on the southern slopes of mid Himalayas, Tehri Garhwal is on of the sacred hilly districts of Uttarakhand State. Before the creation of universe, Lord Brahma is said to have meditated on this sacred land. Muni-ki-Reti and Tapovan of the district are the places of penance for the ancient Rishis. Its hilly terrain and lack of easy communications have helped it to preserve its culture almost intact. Tehri and Garhwal are the two words combined for naming the district as Tehri Garhwal.

Area: 3642 Sq. Km.	Population: 6,18,931
Language: Hindi, Garhwali	Villages: 1868
Male: 2,97,986	Female: 3,20,945

History

Tehri and Garhwal are the two words combined for naming the district as Tehri Garhwal. While the prefix Tehri is the corrupted form of the word `Trihari` which signifies a place that washes away all the three types of sins, namely sins born out of thought (Mansa), word (Vacha) and deed (Karmana), the other part `Garh` means country fort. In fact during olden days possession of number of forts was considered as a significant measuring rod of the prosperity and power of their rulers. Prior to 888, the whole of the Garhwal region was divided into small `garhs` ruled by separate independent kings known as Rana, Rai or Thakur. It is said that the prince Kanakpal who hailed from Malwa visited Badrinath ji (presently in Chamoli district) where he met the then mightiest king Bhanu Pratap. King Bhanu Pratap was impressed with the prince and got his only daughter married to him and also handed over his kingdom. Gradually Kanakpal and his descendents extended their empire by conquering all the garhs. Thus up to 1803 i.e. for 915 years the whole of the Garhwal region remained under their control.

During 1794-95 Garhwal was under the grip of severe famine and again in 1883, the country was terribly shaken by an earthquake. Gorkhas had by then started invading this territory and heralded their influence over the region. The people of the region being already affected by natural calamities were in the deplorable condition and therefore could not resist Gorkhas invasion. On the other hand, Gorkhas whose several attempts for capturing the fort Langoor Garhi had earlier failed, were now in powerful position. In 1803, therefore, they again invaded Garhwal region when King Pradumn Shah was the ruler. King Pradumn Shah was killed in the battle in Dehra Dun but his only son (Sudarshan Shah was minor at that time) was cleverly saved by the trusted courtiers. With the victory of Gorkhas in this battle their dominion was established in Garhwal region. Later on their kingdom extended up to Kangara and they ruled over this region continuously for 12 years before they were thrown away from Kangara by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. On the other hand Sudarshan Shah could manage help from East India Company and got his kingdom freed from Gorkha rulers. The East India Company merged Kumaon, Dehra Dun and east Garhwal in the British Empire and the west Garhwal was given to Sudarshan Shah which was then known as Tehri Riyasat.

King Sudarshan Shah established his capital at Tehri town and afterwards his successors Pratap Shah, Kirti Shah and Narendra Shah established their capital at Pratap Nagar, Kirti Nagar and Narendra Nagar respectively. Their dynasty ruled over this region from 1815 to 1949. During the Quit India Movement people of this region actively participated for the independence of the country. Ultimately when the country was declared independent in 1947, the inhabitants of Tehri Riyasat started their movement for getting themselves freed from the clutches of Maharaja. Due to the movement the situation became out of his control and was difficult for him to rule over the region. Consequently the 60th king of Pawar Vansh Manvendra Shah accepted the sovereignty of Indian Government. Thus in 1949 Tehri Riyasat was merged in Uttar Pradesh and was given the status of a new district. Being a scattered region it posed numerous problems for expediting development. Resultantly on 24th February 1960 the U.P. Government separated its’ one tehsil which was given status of a separate district named as Uttarkashi.

Blocks

S.No.	Block Name
1	Fakot(Narendranagar)
2	Chamba
3	Jaunpur
4	Thauldhar
5	Pratapnagar
6	Jakhanidhar
7	Hindolakhal
8	Kirtinagar
9	Bhilangna

Local Bodies

Type of Local body	Total Number
Municipalities	5
Town Panchayats	5

Municipalities :-

S.No.	Municipality Name
1	Muni ki Reti
2	Narendranagar
3	New Tehri
4	Chamba
5	Devprayag

Town Panchayat :-

S.No.	Town Panchayat Name
1	Kirtinagar
2	Ghansali
3	Lambgaon
4	Gaja
5	Chamiyala

Culture & Heritage

Uttarakhand has been blessed with a rich culture. From ghagra dresses of women to the delicious Phaanu dish and from Langvir Nritya to the Jhodas folk songs, everything binds the people here. The beliefs and lifestyles of Kumaoni and Garhwali people dominate the culture. Apart from these two prominent ethnic groups, the place is a home for Jaunsari, Buksha, Tharu, Bhotia and Raji ethnic groups. Most people of Uttarakhand prefer to stay in stale roofed houses and terraced fields.

The highlights of the Gharwali culture should be its history, people, religion and dances. All of them are a beautiful amalgamation of different influences from all the races and dynasties it has been ruled by. Its history is chequered in comparison to the arts culture but still interesting enough to hold a person’s consideration.

Its dances are connected to life and human existence and exhibit myriad human emotions. Any trip to this tranquil will be incomplete unless you explore the wonderful culture and lifestyle of the local people.

Garhwal owes its popularity because it features the Chaar-dhaam of the sacred Hindu pilgrimage and hence is known as Devbhoomi or God’s Land. The food of the region is simple and earthy in presentation, but heavenly in taste.

Given the harsh and hilly terrain, Garhwalis love their meat and it occupies a place of pride in any menu. During a village temple’s inauguration, all locals are invited, even if they stay outside the state or the country, and more often than not, they make it a point to pay a visit.

Garhwali Famous Foods:

Few Garhwalis can resist the thick, dark brown coloured rotis made from Manduwa (buckwheat or millet grain), which they eat with big helpings of homemade ghee. The other flatbread that is widely eaten in the Garhwal-Kumaon hills is the Gehat Parantha which is best enjoyed with Kulath Daal.

To make this parantha, the daal is soaked overnight, pressure-cooked, mashed and stuffed in kneaded wheat flour with lot of garlic, green chillis, salt and cooked, rolled into flat bread over a hot griddle or tava. Apart from this parantha, there are many others like Roat, Rus, Kaphuli, Chanchyya, Bhaang Ki Chutney, etc.

But the next time you plan a visit to Garhwal, We strongly suggest you connect with a native before and make a list of restaurants where you can taste the local delicacies. Your trip might just get an unexpected edge.

Flora

The flora of the district includes the vast range found in the Himalayas, varying from the sub-tropical species which grow in the outer ranges of low hills to the rich Alpine flowers in the north. Still, it can reasonably be termed to consist of mostly such trees as grow in its forests because large tracts of the land-surface in the district constitute forests. The chir, the oaks, the conifers, the sal, the deodar, the haldlu. the yew, the cypress, the rhododendron, the birch, the horse chestnut, the cycamore the willow, the alder and various types of fruit trees like the cornel, the figs, the kaiPhal, the mulberry, the kingora, the raspberry, the blackberry, currants, medlars, gooseberries, hazelnuts, apples, pears, cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, oranges, limes, bananas, pomegranates and walnuts are found in the district besides a variety of herbal plants bushes, scrubs and grass.

The flora of the district may be divided into six main botanical divisions : (1) the tropical dry deciduous forests, (2) the sal forests (3) the chir forests, (4) the deodar, fir and spruce forests, (5) the oak forests and (6) the Alpine pastures.

Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests-

These forests occur mostly near the confluence of the Yamuna and the Aglar and on foothills and extend up to the altitudes of 1,200 m. The predominant species are kuri, kemela, jhingan, and mandar. The chief undergrowths are the dhaula, binda, basingha and the gandela.

Sal Forests-

These forests exist up to the altitude of 1,066 m., their best growths being found in the valley of the Chandan Rao in tehsil Devaprayag and in the valley of the Bandal in tahsil Tehri. Small tracts of the sal forests may also be seen in the neighbourhood of Muni ki Reti and Shivpuri in tahsil Devaprayag. Sal is highly gregarious. The upper limit of Sal is regulated to a great extent by frost. In excessively dry localities, it gives way to more xerophytic species. It does not extend beyond the outer ranges of the Himalayas even though the main river valleys in the northern part of the district are much below the maximum elavation at which this species may grow. It is commonly found up to the altitude of 762 m. on the southern aspects and 1,066 m. on the northern. The other chief trees found in these forests are sain, bakli, jhingan, haldu, kanju, sandhan, rohini and amaltas. The bakli is utilised for preparing charcoal. The wood of the sandhan is used for making agricultural implements. The khair trees are also met with in these forests.Grass abounds in sal forests, wherever sufficient light reaches the ground. In most sal forests, sal comprises 80 to 90 percent of the dominant tree species and tends to form a dense treecanopy, The sal forests had originally contained a much higher percentage of miscellaneous species.

Chir Forests-

These forests ordinarily extend on the southern aspects from 1,000 m. to 2,150 m. and on the northern aspects from 900 m. to 2,000 m. throughout the district, growing best in the valleys of the Bhillangana and its tributaries, the Alaknanda and the Mandakini. Chir is found On almost all geological formations though, On certain southern slopes with a limestone subsoil, it is unable to exist on account or the dryness of the soil coupled with relatively high temperatures. Nevertheless, Chir forests can establish themselves on dry southern aspects where owing to xerophytic conditions and the prevalence of fires, few other trees or shrub species survive. In all chir forests, the pine is the dominant tree species present though, on the northern aspects where, there is more moisture in the soil and fires are less destructive, scattered trees of there species also occur. Chir forests are seldom very dense. The ground is covered with grass, sometimes dense, whatever the aspect of density or overhead canopy, and there is also a discontinuous undergrowth 0f shrubs, often so widely scattered that even from a short distance their presence is scarcely noticeable. The open nature of these forests, the absence of other tree species and the poverty of the undergrowth are attributable to fires which have in the past swept annually throughout their length and breadth, to the xerophytic conditions under which they grow and to the fact that the chir is often located near tracts under cultivation which leads to its heavy lopping and felling. Towards its lower limit, chir gets mixed up with trees of miscellaneous species and, less frequently, with sal forests. Towards its upper limits and in moist and shady ravines, it gradually gives place to banj. The chir is tapped for resin and its wood is used for building purposes. The seed also yields oil and, when baked, it becomes edible. The dry leaves are- utilised for manuring.

Deodar Forests-

These forests occur in the northern part of the district in tehsil Pratapnagar, in a area of Ghansali and Dhanolti , associated with blue pine and cypress between the altitudes of 1,520 m, and 2,150 m. above sea level. The forests are open and the trees do not attain great height. The timber of deodar is the most highly prized of all the conifers for house. building, granaries, boat-building and railway sleepers.

Fir and Spruce Forests-

These forests occur in the northern part of the district between the altitudes of 2,150 m. and 3,050 m. Wherever silver fir occurs, it is the dominant species excepting when it occurs mixed with spruce even where, it is equally important. Parts of such forests are covered with kharsu or moru.

Oak Forests-

The three principal oaks are banj, moru and kharsu, each occupying more or less a distinct altitudipal zone in the district.Banj forests are ordinarily found between the heights of 1,800 m., and 2,150 m., above sea-level but they also occupy moist ravines running down into the chir zone where they reach levels as low as 1,050 m. A notable feature of the banj is its capacity to establish itself on the most unfavorable southern aspects. Those on the northern aspects are comparatively more dense. On southern aspects, the ground is almost invariably clothed with dense grass, while on northern aspects the incidence of grass is much less. The banj has a large number of shrubs associated with it.

Moru forests are found at between 1,980 m. and 2,750 m. above sea-level and occupy an intermediate zone between banj and kharsu, which form extensive forests on the southern aspects, where the moru occurs sporadically. It attains its maximum development at elevations between 2,125 m. and 2,450 m. on moist soils and especially where the subsoil is limestone. On account of the density of growth and prevailing moist conditions, fires only penetrate into such forests rarely. Some other species compete with morn for dominance, the commonest being the deodar and the kharu.

The kharsu forests occupy very extensive tracts at heights between 2,350 m. and 3,500 m. in the northern part of tehsil Pratapnagar (except in the north-east) and in the north-eastern part of tehsil Devaprayag. It is found equally on the northern and southern aspects and has few successful competitors, excepting silver fir and moru. The fir, however, occurs only on a small fraction of the area occupied by kharsu. Moru can complete with success only on northern aspects. As its lower limit, kharsu often passes into banj forests though, on some northern aspects, it frequently gives place to moru, spruce or silver fir. At its upper limit, it passes into forests of birch and silver though, on southern slopes, it more frequently passes directly into pastureland without any gradual transition. Typical khasru forests are dense, the most common associate being burans ,which is almost as aboundant in the kharsu forests as it is in the banj forests. Shrubs occur in great variety, the commonest being timla.

Alpine Pastures-

These are found in the north eastern part of the district in tehsil Pratapnagar and Devaprayag between heights of 3,500 m. and 5,000 m. above sea-level. The land in these parts is covered with snow from October to May but, from June to September, varieties of grasses, herbs, shrubs and flowers grow in the area in abundance. The area provides beautiful and extensive pasture lands for the cattle. On the northern aspects, the birch is also met with and its stems give the famous Bhurjpatra or Bhoj-paper on which books were written before the advent of paper.

Fauna

The district has been the habitat, from times immemorial, of a large variety 0f mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Besides monkeys, longurs, wild-cats, goats, pigs, foxes and dogs, the district is noted for its black bears which are found in the Tehri forest division at lower altitudes and the brown and white bears which are found at higher altitudes. Panthers abound almost throughout the district, The flying squirrel, locally known as rinoola, is found largely in the Yomuna forest division. Tigers and elephants are not found in the district except when they enter the district from the Terai forests of Dehradun.

Among mammals, the chief carnivora found in the district are safed bagh (snow leopard) and baghera (leopard). The snow leopard is a rare species and is found near the snow regions (between 3.050 m. and 5,400 m.) in rocky areas. It preys on thar, bharal, sheep and goat. The leopard, which is quite common in rocky forests, carries away sheep, goats, mules and sometimes bullocks and rows also. The black bear lives generally in oak forests. It attacks unprovoked and lives on roots, acorn of oaks, grains, fruits and bark trees and rarely kills for flesh. It hibernates in winter though stray cases of mauling of human beings even during winter are known. The brown and white bear is found mostly in the snow regions.

Besides domesticated cattle, other animals generally met with here are bharal (Himalayan blue sheep), Himalayan thar, goral, kastura (musk-deer) and sambar. The Himalayan blue sheep or bharal is generally found above 4,270 m. in summer and is seldom seen at below 3,000 m. It is shy, quick and speedy and prefers undulating open ground. The Himalayan thar prefers moist rugged mountain terrian with little cover and lives under bushes or trees. In summer it is seldom found below 3,000 m. but in winter comes down to as low as 1,800 m. It is dark brown to almost black in colour, the older male being darker. The goral, a goat-like animal with pale brown colour (which turns to almost grey in summer), haunts the rocky hills in the middle of the forests 1,200 m. and 2,500m, It usually live in herds of 2 to 6. The kastura (musk-deer) which is famous for its musk pod, frequents steep hills with cover and is usually found above 2,700 m. The female deer has no musk. The musk doe begets 2 fawns at a time and, strangely enough, never keeps them together. Both sexes are devoid of horns. It is becoming extinct as it has been ruthlessly killed in the past for the valuable musk which is of high therapentic value in Ayurveda and is also used in the production of perfumes. The sambar is found up to the height of 2,700 m. and prefers moist dense forests. The young ones are greyish brown in colour but the elder males are much darker. It is locally known as jarao. It is said that it drops its horns in May and regrows them in October. The monkey is not seen above the altitude of 2,150 m. but langurs are found up to a higher level. The wild-dog which is found between 1,800 and 2,200 m. (above sea-Ievel) , lives chiefly on deer, sambar being its favourite prey. It lives in herds of 5 to 10. The hathi or Indian elephant may occasionally be seen in the forests between the Bhagirathi and the Yamuna on straying into the area from adjacent forests of the Dehradun district, It causes considerable damage to the cultivation on the border of the forest and destroys the young trees. Cheetal and panda are found largely in herds near Rishikesh forests on the roads to Devaprayag. Kakar-the barking deer-avoids moving about in herds and is usually found in dense forests.

Birds-

The district is rich in avifauna and in particular pheasants, partridges, pigeons and doves of various kinds which are the chief game birds. The bird life has a zonal distribution according to the altitude. The pheasants generally seen in the district are kaleej, koklas, cheers, and monal. The kareej, a common bird, occurs below 2,600 m. in heavy undergrowth of forests. The koklas is found in the fir zone and prefers moist woody forests. The prized monal is generally found at over 2,700 m. in the fir forests and comes down to the deodar forests during the winter. Wild fowls (locally called kukas) , harials, parrots, chatak, papiha, haldu, nilkanth, pigeons, partridges are found in varied colours and in abundance. Among partridges, the most common are kala titar, chakor and neora. The kala titar is found at up to 2,130 m. and frequents the grass and shrub patches near cultivated land, The chakor loves barren and open hill slopes dotted with bush and grasses and is found between the altitude of 1,300 m. and 3,600 m. It regularly visits the cultivated fields in search of grain or tender shoots of crop and lives in parties of 6 to 20 but is found in pairs in the summer. The neora or- hill partidge which is a dweller of evergreen forests, is found at heights between 1,300 m. and 2,700 m. and prefers broad-leafed forests. The pigeons found in the district are harial or wedge-tailed green pigeon, malyo or blue rock pigeon and snow pigeon of safed malyo. The hariyal is seen mostly in banj forests and is found in flocks. It is essentially a fruitarian bird. Its colour is yellowish-green with maroon markings on the middle of the back. The malyo has a slaty-grey colour with glistening metallic and purple round neck and the head is washed with steel-blue. It lives gregariously on cliffs and precipices, visits the cultivated fields in large flocks in search of food. The sated malyo or snow pigeon is a beautiful pigeon with a white under body, black head, a white cross bar on tail and three white bars on grey wings and completely replaces the blue rock pigeon in the higher altitudes. In habits, it closely resembles the blue rock pigeon. Among doves more numerous are the ghugti, or rufous turtle dove and the fakhta or ringed dove. The ghugti, a large dove, which is found at heights of up to 3,000 m. likes well-wooded forests and is generally seen in pairs or flocks. The fakhta is also a large dove which is found at heights up to 2,700 m, and is usually seen in the outhouses of bungalows in the forests. The shyam karka (woodcock) is also a game bird which dwells in moist fir forests and is nocturnal in habits. It looks like an outsized snipe and has dirty grey and brown markings. The eyes are placed farther back in the head than in other birds. It migrates to comparatively warmer areas during winter.

The non-game birds generally found in the district are magpies, jays, thrushes babblers, laughing thrushes and wood-peckers. These are common in the Yamuna division.

The birds found along the water-courses are brown dipper, spotted forktail, white-capped redstart and various wagtails. Murgabis and teels are also found in the Bhillangana.

The other birds found in the district are the paradise fly catcher, the great Himalayan barbet, the grosbeak, the parakeet, the golden oriole, the hedge sparrow, the sunbird, the flower peckers, the mor (peacock) , robins and the minivet. Out of the preying birds, vultures, falcons, ookav, basa, sikra, dhania, machmar (fish-killer) are foun. Besides, a number of fly catchers, the warblers, bulbuls and the myna, various swifts, sky- larks, bush chats, swallows and the buntings are the other birds which add to the rich bird life of the district.

Among the animal wealth of the district, noteworthy are the musk-deer (male only) that provides the famous and costly kasturi (musk) and the barad and white tutariyal species of deer that provide soft skin and tail for manufacturing mufflers and caps.
Among the avifauna wealth of the district monal provides costly and beautiful feathers which are put to several commercial uses.

Reptiles-

Snakes are not numerous in the district but the cobra and the Russel’s viper are commonly found up to 1,800 m. The only hill- snake found above the altitude of 2,400 m. is Ancistrodon himalayanus which attains a length of about 65 cm. and is venomous though its bite is not fatal. Among the non-venomous snakes, the python is most notable. It grows to a length of about 9 m. though specimens over 6 m. are rare. The rat-snake, which attains a length of about 3 m., is also seen in the district. The leech is particularly active during the rains and prefers oak forests. The frog and the toad, both amphibians, are met with through out the district. Several species of lizards are frequently to be seen on rocks basking in the sun. The blood-sucker lizard, in spite of its name, is perfectly harmless and grows to a length from 25 cm. to 40 cm.

Fish-

Fish is found in almost all the rivers, streams and lakes. The Jalkur, the Aglar, the Bhillangana, the Bhagirathi (the Ganga) and the Alaknanda abound in the larger fish. Some of these known as Gidhi, Gyoonri, Ghoonla weigh from 1 to 3 kg. while bara khasra weighs about 10 kg.

Handicraft

The Uttarakhand Handloom & Handicraft Development Council (UHHDC) acts as a facilitator to motivate, guide and organize artisans and provide common platforms for direct interactions between creaters and connoisseurs, producers and buyers. The State specializes in production of woolen handlooms, cotton handlooms, silk products, products of other natural fibers and also many other innovative combinations.

The people of Uttarakhand have created and nurtured various forms of arts and crafts since ages. Crafts usually utility items like doors, windows, rugs, carpets, baskets, copper utensils or the folk art Aipan made by Gharwalis have a unique touch of nature in their designs.

Here we are going to share some Handicraft Products which is made by Gharwali’s

1- Jute Braided Bag- Jute Braided work shpping Bag is ideal for carrying grocery and other items. This product is 100% natural, environment friendly and bio degradable. This product is mainly made by the women beneficiaries of self help groups formed by Bhartiya Gramotthan Sanstha in Rishikesh and nearby areas.

2- Jhoomer- This product is also 100% natural environment friendly and also made by house womens in their groups.

3- Yoga Slipper– Yoga slippers are flat and comfortable. They are made up of jute fiber. They are 100% Animal free, natural and eco-friendly.

4- Jute Fruit Basket- Ideal use for For keeping fruits, vegetables and other household items. Apart from fruit and vegetables this basket can also be used to store multiple household utilities in proper way.

5- Jute Ganesh Ji– This eye catching hand made jute wall Ganesh icon in brown jute demonstrates the elegance and greatness of God. This wall idol is well matched to place it in holy places of your home or to be given as a present on good occasions such as festivals, house warming ceremony etc.

6- Jute Door Mats- Door mats is an essentials part of our homes These natural/ Beige color foot mats are very attractive and superior in quality. These can be placed on the entrance, outside bathroom, in the kitchen and bedroom.

7- Jute Aasan– Jute Aasan is ideal for puja rooms. These natural/Beige color foot mats are very attractive and superior in quality.

Tehri Gharwal (Uttarakhand) Handicraft acts for the overall development and promotion of handlooms and handicrafts in the state. It aims at generating sustainable employment opportunities in these sectors by promoting specialized products for commercialization.

Tourist Places

As you know that District Tehri Garhwal is one of the beautiful district among all the districts in Uttarakhand, India. Tehri district is well suitable for the young generation as well as old generation in tourism. The district has both types of spots like sacred and religious spots as well as adventurous spots inside its inclusion. Everyone should come to this district once in their fledgling life and should be enjoying here either in a religious way or in an adventurous way. Some of the spots are mentioned below

Devprayag

All cities of Uttarakhand have a history in their own right, but Devprayag has its own unique history. This town is a place of Pandits who belongs to Badrinath Dham. Those who do not know where the rise of the Ganges is due to them, we should tell them that the birth of Ganga starts from here after the merging of two rivers named as Bhagirathi and Alaknanda. Bhagirthi comes from Gangotri and Alaknanda comes from  Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers.

Situated at the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi, the town of Devaprayag lies at an altitude of 472 m. on the metalled road running from Rishikesh to Badrinath and about 87 km. from Narendra Nagar. The town is the headquarters of the tehsil of the same name and is one of the five sacred prayags (confluences) of the Alaknanda. Tradition has it that the town is named after Dev sharma, a sage, who led a life of penance here and succeeded in having a glimpse of God.

The lovely and divine beauty of this town attracts the lot of tourists here and it is also believed that Lord Rama and King Dushratha did meditation here. For the tourists who have a devotion faith in their heart, the ancient and great temple of Raghunathji is claimed to have been erected some ten thousand years ago and is built of massive uncemented stones. It stands upon a terrace in the upper part of the town and consists of an irregular pyramid capped by a white cupola with a golden ball and spire. Religious ablutions take place at 2 basins excavated in the rock at the junction of the holy streams – on the Bhagirathi known as the Brahm Kund and the other on the Alaknanda called the Vasisht Kund. The temple, along with the other Buildings of the town, was shattered by an earthquake in 1803 but the damage was subsequently repaired through the munificence of Daulat Rao Sindhia. The temple is visited by a large number of pilgrims every year.

The town is the seat of the pandas of the Badrinath Dham and possesses a post and telegraph office, a public call office, a police out-post, a dak bungalow of the public works department and a hospital.

Besides the temple of Raghunathji, there are in the town Baital Kund,Brahm Kund,Surya Kund and Vasisht Kund; the Indradyumna Tirth,Pushyamal Tirth, Varah Tirth ; Pushpavatika ; Baitalshila and Varahishila ; the shrines of Bhairava, Bhushandi, Durga and Vishveshvara ; and a temple dedicated to Bharata. A bath at Baithalshila is claimed to cure leprosy.

Nearby is the Dasharathachal Peak, containing a rock, known as Dashrathshila, on which Raja Dasharath is said to have led a life of penance.A small stream, the shanta running down from the Dasharathachal, is named after Shanta, the daughter of Raja Dasharath and is considered to be sacred.

Dhanaulti

Dhanaulti, located amidst thick, virgin forests of Deodar, Rhododendron and Oak, has an atmosphere of perfect peace & tranquility. The long wooded slopes, relaxed outdoors, cool crossing breeze, warm and hospitable inhabitants, lovely weather and fabulous view of snow covered mountain makes it an ideal retreat for a relaxed holiday. Situated on the Mussoorie-Chamba route, Dhanaulti is 24 kms. From Mussoorie and 29 Kms. From Chamba. For accommodation, Tourist Rest House, Forest Rest House and a couple of guest houses are available.

Kunjapuri

Kunjapuri is the name given to a peak having an altitude of about 1,676 m above from the sea level. There is a holy temple named as Kunjapuri temple and one of the most visited places of Tehri district not because of just its story related to gods and goddesses but also for his panoramic view of Garhwal Himalayan peaks. It commands a beautiful view of the snow-ranges of the Himalayas like Swargarohini, Gangotri, Banderpunch and Chaukhamba and of the valley of the Bhagirathi like Rishikesh, Haridwar and DoonValley. It is 7 km far away from Narendra Nagar, 15 km from Rishikesh and 93 km far away from Devaprayag.

If you are a nature lover and want to do something different, trek from Hindolakhal village to the temple through the green forest will be more adventurous. It is about 5KM. Travelers also appreciate the sunrise and sunset view from the Himalayan peaks. After reaching to the temple, pilgrims can shoot photographs for their lovely moments spend with their loved ones and enjoy the surrounding beauty. The opening time of Kunjapuri Temple is from 6am to 8am. The best time to visit Kunjapuri Temple is  all round the year. Come here in Navratra season and get the chance to see the Hindu rituals and the beauty of the Indian culture here.

History:-

Kunjapuri is temple of Goddess Durga , as it being one of the thirteen Shakti Peethas (Power Centers) in Shivalik range and one of the three Shakti Peethas in Tehri district established by Jagadguru Shankaracharya. Other two Shakti Peethas in the district are Surkanda Devi and Chandrabadni. Kunjapuri, along with these two peethas form a holy triangle. Shakti Peethas are the places where body parts of Goddess Sati (incarnation of Goddess Parvati before she took birth as Parvati) fell down while Lord Shiva was carrying her dead body in his arms and roaming unconsciously through the Himalayan ranges of Bharatbarsh after Sati had flung herself in the yajna fires when some derogatory remarks were made about her husband by her father Daksha. The Durga temple at Kunjapuri receives thousands of visitors throughout the year but during Navaratras there is much flow of devotees.

New Tehri

New Tehri is newly established township and district headquater of Tehri Garhwal. It is situated at an elevation between 1550 to 1950 mts. Above sea level. A modern and well planned town, only 11 Kms. From Chamba & 24 Kms. From Old Tehri, it overlooks a massive artificial lake and a Dam calles Tehri Lake and Tehri Dam respectively. It has become an important center of attraction on the completion of the dam.

General Information

Altitude

1550 mts. To 1950 mts.

Language

Garhwali, Hindi and English

Clothing

Summer – Cotton,
Winter -Wollen

Surkanda

The Surkanda peak lying at an altitude of 2,750 m. in the western part of tehsil Tehri, and is famous for the temple of Surkanda Devi. It is about 8 km. from Dhanolti on the motor road running from Mussoorie to Chamba and is connected with Narendra Nagar which is about 61 km. and with Tehri which is about 41 km. by motor roads. To reach the temple one has to leave the Mussoorie-Chamba road at Kadu Khal and climb a steep ascent of about 2.5 km. on foot. It is surrounded by dense forest.The beautiful and picturesque environment of nature makes this place more attractive for tourists. It commands a beautiful view of Dehra Dun, Rishikesh, Chandrabadni, Pratapnagar and Chakrata. Flowers of varied kinds and colours and indigenous herbs grown in abundance here and some of the beautiful birds of the western Himalayas are also found in the neighborhood. The Ganga Dushhera festival is celebrated every year between May and June and attracts a lot of pilgrims here. This is a temple which is situated among the trees of Rounsli. It is covered with the fog most of the time of the year which also attracts the tourist here.

History:-

According to old stories about the origin of worship at the site is associated with the legend of Sati, who was the wife of the ascetic god Shiva and daughter of the Puranic god-king Daksha. Daksha was unhappy with his daughter’s choice of husband, and when he performed a grand Vedic sacrifice for all the deities. Sati’s father Daksha made some derogatory remarks about her husband and she had flung herself in the yajna fires. Meanwhile, Shiva was stricken with grief and angry at the loss of his wife. He put Sati’s body over his shoulder and began his tandava (dance of cosmic destruction) throughout the heaven. The other Gods, afraid of their tandav, forced Vishnu to calm down Shiva. Thus, wherever Shiva wandered while dancing, Vishnu followed. He sent his Sudarshan wheel to destroy the corpse of Sati. Pieces of Sati body fell until Shiva was left without a body to carry. There are 51 pieces of Sati’s body scattered across all over the Indian subcontinent. These places are called shakti peethas and dedicated to various powerful goddesses. When Shiva was passing over this place on his way back to Kailash carrying Sati’s body, her head fell down at the spot where the sacred temple of Surkhanda Devi stands and due to which the temple’s got its name as sirkhanda which in the passage of time is now called Surkanda.