About Tehri
Situated in the Himalayan ranges, Tehri is among the holy sites in the country. It is located in the Garhwal region ofUttarakhand. The most important factor contributing to the religious importance of Tehri is the fact that River Ganga takes its real form here. Rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers merge at Devprayag in Tehri to form Ganga. Hindu mythology is replete with instances of
sages who performed penance in areas currently located within Tehri. Devprayag, Muni ki Reti, Tapovan, etc. are some of the places of mythological importance. The brilliant sight of pristine rivers flowing through the district has a calming and rejuvenating effect on travellers. Bhagirathi River, named after King Bhagirath who performed penance to bring Ganga to earth from heaven, Ganga, Alaknanda and Bhilangna are some of the major rivers that flow through Tehri. The district receives lakhs of pilgrims every year. The district is also known for its temples. Temples such as Surkanda Devi and Chandrabadani Devi witnesses a large influx of pilgrims during Ganga Dussehra. Raghunathji temple in Devprayag is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Rama, believed to have been built more than 1000 years ago. Buda Kedar and Devi Kunjapuri temples are other popular shrines in Tehri. Haridwar and Rishikesh, two of the most sacred towns in the country for Hindus, are located just at the outskirts of the district. Apart from its religious significance, Tehri is also a renowned as a trekking destination and as a hotspot for adventure activities. Thousands of trekkers visit the region every year to go on small and big treks. are starting points for several popular treks. Treks for Kanatal, Chandravadni, Koonjapuri, Panvali, Kantha, Sehastra Taal, Khait Parvat, Surkanda Devi, Maithiyana Devio, etc. start from New Tehri. Trek to Khatling Glacier is also popular. River rafting at Kaudiyala and rock climbing are other popular activities which attracts large number of tourists. The numerous forts of Tehri built during the ninth century allowed the Pal rulers to hold control in the region for over a millennium. Today, these forts serve as famous tourist attractions in the region
Apart from its pilgrimage sites and holiday getaways, Tehri is a popular destination for rest and recuperation. One of the largest districts in the state, several tourist hotspots like Chamba, Devprayag, Dhanaulti, Jaunpur, Gangotri,Yamunotri, Kanatal, New Tehri, etc. are situated in Tehri. Old Tehri is situated at the confluence of Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rivers. It was chosen as the capital of the kingdom of Raja Sudarshan Shah in 1815. New Tehri was developed to rehabilitate the people of Old Tehri who were displaced by the construction of Tehri Dam. Currently, New Tehri serves as the district headquarters. HISTORY
The district gets its names from the innumerable fort that was built in the region in the ninth century. Not much is known about Tehri’s history before the rule of the Pal dynasty. Kanak Pal came to North India to help Nepal against the Tibetan uprising. Subsequently, he settled down in Garhwal region and started the rule of the Pal dynasty. With over 60 descendents of the family, the dynasty ruled Tehri for over thousand years from early ninth century to 1815. During this period, they managed to stay independent by resisting the mighty Mughals and various other powers. King Sudershan Shah established his capital at Tehri and his dynasty ruled the region till 1949 when an internal uprising in Tehri forced the Maharaja to accede to the Indian Union and become part of Uttar Pradesh. CULTURE
The locals of Tehri district generally speak Garhwali. Most of them are also fluent in Himachali and Hindi. Some of them speak English and Punjabi as well. The district also hosts numerous big and small fairs which are the best occasions to get insights into the culture, music, dance and craft of the district. Lakhawar Mela, Chandrabadani Fair, Surkanda Devi Fair, etc are amongst the most popular festivals. Tehri’s cuisine is different from other regions of India and is known for its extensive use of pulses. SHOPPING
There are various shopping options in Tehri. From small street stalls to bustling bazaars, shoppers can find a wide range of places to shop from. In Haridwar, one can shop for rudraksh, Gangajali (vessels containing Ganga water), pickles, kumkum (vermillion), ayurvedic medicine and precious stones. Winter clothes and beautifully knit kurtas and salwar kameez are a specialty of this region. Tourists will also love to shop for handicraft items made of shells, pearls and beads that are other attractions. WHERE TO STAY
There are innumerable accommodation options in Tehri. Hotels ranging from budget to mid-range to luxury are available. Almost all the hotels present picturesque views of the Himalayan ranges. Apart from hotels, one can also find resorts and cottages offering mid-range and budget stay. HPTDC rest houses are available in various parts of Tehri. Dharamshalas are also available for budget accommodation. WHERE TO EAT
There are innumerable eating options in Tehri. However, most parts of Tehri serves only vegetarian food. There aren’t too many fancy restaurants. However, small restaurants serve delicious local and other Indian cuisines. Restaurants attached to hotels serve multi-cuisine delicacies. BEST TIME TO VISIT
Tehri can be visited any time of the year. Summer months are pleasant with temperature hovering between 7 and 35 degree Celsius. Winters are extremely cold with temperature dropping below zero degrees Celsius in some parts. Snowfall is common during winters at higher altitudes of Tehri. The district receives moderate to heavy rainfall.
