A hill station in Uttarakhand, Barkot is known for its scenic natural beauty. Located at the confluence of Yamuna and Tons Rivers, Barkot is situated in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. At an elevation of over 4,000 ft, Barkot offers panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains of Bandar Poonch. Barkot is an important stopover en route to Yamunotri and Gangotri, which are two out of the four Char Dham pilgrimages.
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There are some amazing tourist attractions in Barkot. Yamunotri along with Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath forms the Char Dham pilgrimage. It is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Surya Kund is quite popular with pilgrims. It is believed that taking the ritual dip in the Surya Kund removes all sins. Origin of the River Ganga and seat of the goddess Ganga, Gangotri is one of the four sites in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit.
Despite its beauty, Barkot has always remained under the shadows of other well-known destinations in Uttarakhand. The place is an ideal vacation spot for tourists interested in temples and pilgrimage and also those looking for adventure activities. Barkot offers several opportunities for trekking and white water rafting. As a pilgrimage town, it is perfect for those looking to connect with their spiritual side. There are several ashrams here and they organize meditation. Barkot has remained pristine and untouched by modern developments due to lack of publicity.
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Barkot can be visited anytime of the year. The town can be reached easily from Dehradun and Rishikesh. There are many options when it comes to budget and mid-range accommodation in Barkot as a lot of pilgrims on their way to the Yamunotri prefer to stay at Barkot. There are tents to camp on the bank of the Yamuna River. There are guest houses, dharamsalas and ashrams for pilgrims located near the Vikasnagar-Barkot Road. There are few dhabas and restaurants where you can get local food. There are no luxury hotels or restaurants in Barkot. Non-vegetarian food and alcohol are strictly prohibited.
The best time to visit Barkot is between the months of April and October. The region remains closed during winters because of heavy snowfall. Try to avoid monsoon months as the risk of landslide increases during the season. Carry woollen clothes as the temperature drops significantly at night.
Photograph Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Dehradun is as given below. The best time to visit Dehradun is also specified.