In recent years, New Tehri has emerged as a very beautiful tourist destination on the map
of Uttarakhand. The natural beauty of the city and the breath-taking lake are all being continuously worked upon and is tried to enhance every day. After the old city submerging under the waters, the picnic spots recently built on the highest hill in the new city are a new sensation for the new-age tourists. Not only across India, people around the world are reaching here. Perhaps for this reason, I could also not stop myself and got drifted towards “Tehri” automaticaly..
Connected to many important routes like Dehradun, Mussoorie, Haridwar, Pauri, Rishikesh
and Uttarkashi, reaching Tehri is not a problem. Passing through the bus, I realized, besides being highly religious, this place situated between the mountains is quite beautiful that entice tourists in mammoth numbers across the globe. Once you reach here, you can also visit places as the Budha Kedar Temple, Kempty Falls, Devprayag, Chandrabadni and Surkanda Devi.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS…
Traveling just about 315 km from Delhi, when you reach the realm of this city, the curvy roads amidst the dense forests and green hills stretching as far as the sight allows, will attract you unconditionally. Located on the hill near the Tehri Dam built on the river Bhagirathi, this city is unique in many respects. Along with the truncated houses, offices, business sites, there lies a strange mystical attraction. The clean road that passes through the city center is called Mall Road.
PICNIC NEVER DITCHES!
Situated near Bhagirathi Puram that lies on the way to the Tehri Dam, the picnic spot built on the highest hill of the city remains a high attraction for “loners”. People at “Top Terrace” quietly enjoy hours of serene mountain watching. And once you reach this tranquil place, what will allure you even more is the beautiful temple called Devdarshan, situated on the hills straight in front of Top Terrace. A small and beautiful stadium is also built nearby to which at just 11km away lies another mesmerizing spot called “Chamba”. You can find your way to this captivating place through the main religious site of Gangotri Marg, Uttarkashi, which is situated on the banks of Bhagirathi river.
TEMPLE AT HILLOCK
The religious philosophy of “Panch Kedar temples” in Uttarakhand has its own special significance. Situated in the circumference of Balkhilya Mountain and Varunavat mountain range, one of these “Panch Kedar” is “Budha Kedar” temple located on the confluence of Balganga and Dharmaganga between Siddhakoot, Dharmakut, Yakshoot and Apsara Girni ranges. In ancient times, this place was at the confluence of five rivers Balganga, Dharmaganga, Shivanganga, Menkaganga and Mattanganga. But now three rivers are not visible. In the category of historical, mythological temples, “Budha Kedar” is considered to be the exclusive specialty of Tehri-Garhwal district. The statue of the Pandavas, which emerged on the pillars of the temple, remains a mystery even today.
FALL IN LOVE WITH KEMPTY
It is not always dangerous to fall! Dive and dance in happiness, as it is Kempty falls. 15 km from Mussoorie, on a narrow road is located the magnificent and picturesque waterfall, at an altitude of 1364 meters above sea level, serves as the biggest attraction in this area. The water falling down from the top is divided into five springs and presents a bird’s eye view. Probably "Kempty" name is composed of two English words Kemp (Camp)
and T (Tea), because British often used to organize tea parties here. There also lies a water body in the bottom of the waterfall whose water is very cold and people usually bath here.
A HEAVENLY CONFLUENCE
Devprayag is situated at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers. The combined stream of both rivers here first gets renowned as Ganga and the sangam being of equivalent importance to that of Triveni Sangam. The nearby Shri Raghunath Temple is also visited by the Hindu pilgrims from all the corners of India. It is located 18 miles south- south-east in Tehri. Due to the ancient Hindu temple and holy confluence, this pilgrimage has special significance and is thus known as Tirtharaj Prayag.
DEVOTEES TO DEITY
Among many others, “Maa Chandrabani” Temple lies with exceptional significance as it is believed that there is no idol inside the temple but a “Shree Yantra” which is worshiped with no eye-contact instead. However, the temple marks devotees all the year round but the flow of the pilgrimages becomes remarkable in and near Navratri. With this the temple has an unprecedented glory.
TEMPLE OF SATI’S HEAD
About 3000 meters above sea level, the famous Siddha Pitha Surakanda is situated on the Surakut Mountains of Jaunpur in Tehri district. According to legendary belief, Sati’s head was dropped here. When King Daksh organized a “yagna” in Kankhal, he did not invite Lord Shiva. Humiliated by her husband's insult and ignorance, Sati jumped into the “Yajna Kund”. On this, the furious Shiva hung Sati’s body in the trident and walked around the sky. Meanwhile, Sati’s head fell on Surakut mountain. Since then, this place has become famous as Surkanda Devi Siddhpitha.