Situated in the Himalayan ranges, Tehri is among the holy sites in the country. It is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. 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.
The most important factor contributing to the religious importance of Tehri is 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 in 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, Ganga, Alaknanda and Bhilangna are some of the major rivers that flow through Tehri. The district receives lakhs of pilgrims every year.
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The district is also known for its temples. Raghunathji temple in Devprayag is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Rama, believed to have been built more than 1000 years ago. Temples such as Surkanda Devi and Chandrabadani Devi witnesses a large influx of pilgrims during Ganga Dussehra. 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.
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Tehri is also a renowned as a trekking destination and as a hotspot for adventure activities. New Tehri, Nagtibba, etc. 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 attract a large number of tourists. Apart from its pilgrimage sites and holiday getaways, Tehri has several forts and is a popular destination for rest and recuperation.
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.
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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. There are shops for handicraft items made of shells, pearls and beads.
WHERE TO STAY IN TEHRI
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 IN TEHRI
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.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT TEHRI
Tehri can be visited any time of the year. Summer months are pleasant with the 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.
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Dehradun is as given below. The best time to visit Dehradun is also specified.