Uttarkashi


Uttarkashi, meaning Kashi of the north, is a town in Uttarakhand, India. Uttarkashi means the Kashi of North and is also known as Somya Kashi. Uttarkashi is a religious place for spiritual and adventurous tourism. Uttarkashi town is also called as Shivnagri. The town has number of temples and ashrams. Uttarkashi is known for its religious people, weather, education.
It has also become famous among adventurous people due to the scope of various adventurous activities.
It is the district headquarters of Uttarkashi district. Uttarkashi is situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi at an altitude of 1158 m above sea level. Uttarkashi is generally known as a holy town close to Rishikesh. It is located in the state of Uttarakhand in India. Uttarkashi is home to a number of ashrams and temples and also to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. The name of the town reflects its similarity to and location the city of Kashi. Similar to Varanasi, town of Uttarkashi is situated on the Ganges, lies next to a hill named Varunavat, on confluence of two rivers Varuna and Asi, has a ghat called Manikarnika Ghat and has a temple dedicated to Shiva similar to in Varanasi, in the center of the town.

Geography

Uttarkashi is located at. It has an average elevation of 1,165 metres.
Most of the terrain is hilly.
There are many small and big rivers in Uttarkashi district. The Yamuna and the Ganges are biggest and holiest among them. The Yamuna originates from Yamunotri while Bhagirathi originates from Gangotri.
Asi ganga and Jad ganga are some of the tributaries of the Ganges.

Demographics

India census, Uttarkashi city had a population of 40,220. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Uttarkashi has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 71%. In Uttarkashi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Most citizens of Uttarkashi are Garhwali, with large numbers of Punjabi, Kumaoni and people from other parts of Northern India. It also has a significant population of the Bhotiya Jadh people.
People of Uttarkashi speak Hindi and Garhwali.
After Varunawat Landslide in 2003, the rate of increase in population of the town was affected due to the migration of people to other towns and cities. As the time passed, the town boomed with the development and population growth.
But the town was again severely affected by the disastrous floods in 2012 and 2013. This made most of the people to shift to the safer places like Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Tourism

Yoga

Since ancient times, Uttarkashi has been a meditaitonal ground for many sages. This has been mentioned in Skand Purana that many sages has found solace here. Due to its serene and perfect location along the holy ganges, Uttarkashi has always been the first choice for Yoga.
Netala, a small scenic heaven around 7 KM towards the source of Holy Ganga is an emerging spot for Yoga Classes.
List of Yoga Schools
  1. Yoga Bhawna Mission( Yoga Teacher Training School, affiliated with Yoga Alliance USA situated at New Gangotri Bypass road, chungi Badethi

    Trekking

Uttarkashi is also known as a trekking hub as it is gateway to the no. of unxexplored and unexplored trekking destinations. Some of the famous summer and winter trekking destinations are Dodital, Dayara Bugyal, Kedarkantha, Har Ki Dun for camping and grandeur Himalayan panoromic views.
This town has many schools for boys and girls and one Post Graduate college affiliated to Garhwal University. The Government Polytechnic Uttarkashi, situated in Joshiyara around 3–4 km away from main city, provides higher education in technology.
Below is a list of schools in Uttarkashi:
  1. Him Christian Academy is a convent school affiliated to the I.C.S.E Board situated at Matli.
  3. Masseeh Dilasa School is a convent school affiliated to the I.C.S.E Board situated at Tiloth.
  5. Kendriya Vidhyalaya Uttarkashi is a higher senior secondary school affiliated to the C.B.S.E situated at Manera.
  7. Maharashi Vidhya Mandir is a higher senior secondary school affiliated to the C.B.S.E situated at Gyansu.
  9. Rishiram Shikshan Sansthan is a higher senior secondary school affiliated to the C.B.S.E situated at Manera.
  11. Bhagirathi Children Academy affiliated to the C.B.S.E is situated at Court Road.
  13. Alpine Public school affiliated to the CBSE Board is situated at Barahat.
  15. A.S.S.S is affiliated to the C.B.S.E Board situated at N.I.M Road.
  17. Gopal Vidya Mandir is affiliated to the C.B.S.E Board situated at N.I.M Road.
  19. Goswami Ganesh Dutt Saraswati Vidhya Mandir Intermediate College is affiliated to the Uttarakhand Board situated at Court Road and is known for giving toppers in Uttarakhand Board merit list.
  21. Adhya Shankaracharya Shikshan Sansthan Intermediate College is affiliated to the Uttarakhand Board situated at N.I.M Road and is known for giving toppers in Uttarakhand Board merit list.
  23. A.S.S.S is affiliated to the Uttarakhand Board situated at N.I.M Road Joshiyara.
  25. B.N.K.B.A.S.S.S.I.C is affiliated to the Uttarakhand Board situated at KotBungalow.
  27. Gandhi School is affiliated to the Uttarakhand Board situated at Court Road
  29. Government Girls Inter College is affiliated to the Uttarakhand Board situated at Court Road.
  31. Government kirti Inter College for Boys is affiliated to the Uttarakhand Board situated at Court Road.
  33. Rajiv Mahasay Saraswati Shishu Mandir affiliated to Uttarakhand Board situated at Tiloth.
  35. Saraswati Vidhya Mandir Intermediate College is affiliated to the Uttarakhand Board situated at Jyothipuram Tiloth.
  37. Saraswati Vidhya Mandir Intermediate College is affiliated to the Uttarakhand Board situated at Laksheshwar.
  39. Saraswati Shishu Mandir is situated at Tiloth.
  41. Saraswati Shishu Mandir situated at Joshiyara.
  43. Saraswati Shishu Mandir situated at Gyansu.
  44. Azim Premji School at Matli. The school is affiliated to Uttarakhand State Board and committed to provide quality education for the students of all sections of community.