Chamoli City is a beautiful town in the district of Chamoli Garhwal, known for its vivid landscapes and captivating surroundings. Due to its natural paradise and spiritual significance, Chamoli is regarded as the "Abode of God". Chamoli is home to many revered sites that are prominent in Hinduism. Of these, Badrinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and regarded as the gateway to heaven is one of the major pilgrimage site. Every year, millions of devotees visit to attain utmost salvation and to receive the blessings of Lord Vishnu. The name "Chamoli"
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Chamoli City is a beautiful town in the district of Chamoli Garhwal, known for its vivid landscapes and captivating surroundings. Due to its natural paradise and spiritual significance, Chamoli is regarded as the "Abode of God". Chamoli is home to many revered sites that are prominent in Hinduism. Of these, Badrinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and regarded as the gateway to heaven is one of the major pilgrimage site. Every year, millions of devotees visit to attain utmost salvation and to receive the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
The name "Chamoli" is derived from a Sanskrit word called "Chandramoli" denoting Lord Shiva as 'One who wears Moon on his head'. Among many, the "Chamolanath Temple" holds particular significance, and it is believed that the district derives its name from this temple. Beside this, Chamoli is the birth place of Chipko Movement started by environmental activist Sundar Lal Bahuguna in 1970.
Gateway to Heaven
Chamoli is one of the popular destinations among the travellers, frequented by many throughout the year. The endless beauty of the town can be enjoyed from every corner and upon entering, one can instantly sense spirituality in its ambience. Surrounded by towering lush green mountains, Chamoli offers stunning vistas of the Himalayan range.
The current identity of the town came into shape once it was separated from Pauri Garhwal in 1960s. Throughout the history, various rulers reigned here for years, among them Katyuri dominated the most. It is said that, during Katyuri reign, the revered guru of Hindu Aadi Shankaracharya Ji laid the foundation of Jyotirmath.
Popular Places
After beholding the beauty of Chamoli, visitors can also explore notable nearby areas mainly Badrinath Temple, Auli, Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib and the first village of India "Mana".
Badrinath Temple marks as the final shrine in the revered Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra, which is considered the Moksha Dwar in Hinduism. Whereas, Auli is renowned for its breathtaking view of snow-covered Himalayas and is a popular place for skiing. It receives heavy snowfall during winter, covering its long meadows in snow sheets.
On the other side, Valley of Flower, one of the UNESCO heritage sites, is a home to more than 600 species of flora, while "Hemkund Sahib Ji", is the revered pilgrimage site of Sikhs.
From these attractions, one place that lure the most is 'Mana' Village. Earlier, the village was known as India's last village but was renamed the First Village of India in 2021. Here, visitors should explore the Vasundhara waterfall. It is believed that Pandavas stayed here during their exile. One interesting fact about this waterfall is that people believe that if it's water falls on you then your soul is pure; if not then it's a sign of sin. Moreover, you can also see the mystical "Saraswati river".
It is said that Ved Vyas ji cursed the Saraswati river to disappear for disturbing him, while he was reciting the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesh. Interestingly, rivers disappear from that place and reappear at Prayagraj Sangam, which is why the river is also known as Gupt Gamini (Hidden River).
History of Kedar Khand
Historically, the region was known as the Kedar Khand and it was mentioned in the puranas that the Kedar Khand was the "Abode of God". It is believed that the epic Ramayana and Mahabharata scriptures were written in Kedar Khand.
Legend has it that Lord Ganesha wrote the first script of Vedas in the Vyas Gufa, located just one km from Badrinath in Mana Village. Additionally, Maharishi Ved Vyas also scripted the Mahabharata in this cave, which is why this cave is known as Vyas Gufa.
Most of the relics found here are usually associated with the Mahabharata and other ancient periods. Legend has it that King Pandu performed a great penance in the village of Pandukeshwar, and the area known to be his Tapasthali, hence the earned name after him. Kedar Khand Purana reads that the Chamoli is the land of Lord Shiva. Visitors can also explore the workplace of the prominent Rishi Atri Muni Ashram, which is located in Anusuya and the ashram of Rishi Kashyap at Gandhamadan.
Religious Places
Primarily, Chamoli is known for its prominent religious places. It is home to many revered temples, each with its own significance and importance. Every year, a large number of devotees visit these temples to pay obeisance and seek blessings. Some notable temple of Chamoli City are : -
Things to Do
Chamoli offers a variety of activities based on your interest and fitness level : -
Religious Sites | The city is encircled with prominent religious sites, which may provide peace and spiritual strength. |
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Skiing | Auli is one of the premier skiing destinations in India. Its ropeway services provide panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including popular peaks like Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba etc. |
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Trekking | Adventure enthusiasts keen to explore the mountains can embark on trekking expeditions. |
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Camping | Camping in Chamoli offers a unique experience to immerse in nature and enjoy its raw beauty. |
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Stargazing | Benital, the first Astro village of India, provides an opportunity to observe the celestial bodies. Every year, the Uttarakhand Tourism organizes the Nakshatra Sabha, to experience the awe-inspiring and fascinating stargazing. |
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Village Tourism | Being in the city, tourists can take a village tour to experience the daily routine, traditions, cuisine, and more. |
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Heritage Site | Visitors can explore two renowned UNESCO heritage sites; the "Valley of Flowers" and "Nanda Devi National Park". Both are known for their rich biodiversity and remain open for a limited period from June to October. |
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Popular Trekking Routes
Besides its religious places, Chamoli is a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts because of its renowned trekking routes. Visitors can explore some popular treks like Kuari Pass Trek, Auli Bugyal Trek, and Valley of Flowers.
Apart from these, there are some other notable trekking routes : -
- Chopta Trek.
- Rudranath Trek.
- Tungnath Temple Trek.
- Chandrashila Trek.
- Brahma Tal Trek.
Accommodation Facility
Travellers can easily find small hotels, lodges, guest houses, and home stays within the city. Additionally, visitors can also book GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) Guest Houses either online or offline.
Important Tips for Travellers
For a safe and comfortable journey, travellers must keep the following points in mind : -
Travelling by Bus or Shared Taxi | Travelling by own vehicle | Others |
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- Arrive at the bus or taxi stand early in the morning, as buses depart early for their destination.
- During Char Dham Yatra, visitors may experience rush in both buses and shared taxis.
- Keep sufficient cash for the journey, as online payment may not be catered.
- Take care of your belongings during the journey.
- Always board a shared taxi from the union authorized stand.
- Note down the bus or taxi number to locate it during the stops.
- Before boarding a taxi, confirm its drop off location.
- Prefer first and second row seats in a taxi, as third row may cause dizziness and suffocation.
| - Driving experience or hill route knowledge is a must; else, you may face many problems.
- Carry necessary tools such as a puncture kit, tire inflators, a jack, and a spare wheel.
- Avoid parking on the mountain edges, especially during the rainy season.
- Drive carefully and take necessary precautions in the rock fall zone.
| - The city weather remains cold round the year, so it is advisable to carry woolen essentials.
- Network connectivity is limited in remote areas, it is recommended to carry cash to pay bills.
- If planning to visit Badrinath or Hemkund Sahib, online registration for both traveler and vehicle is mandatory.
- Keep necessary medicine, as medical stores are limited in number.
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Nearby Attraction
Being surrounded by many popular places, visitors can enjoy some notable tourist attraction near Chamoli City : -
