ABOUT DWARAHAT & UTTARAKHAND

DWARAHAT......

The District of Almora of Uttarakhand State has tremendous potential of developing tourism industry due to the beautiful landscape, religious places, trekking trails, national parks, mountain peaks and historical and archeological sites. Apart from tourism, the rural population is engaged in agriculture. The state has immense potential for the development of horticulture crops-apple, orange, Malta, plum Heshalu,kafel,mango, etc are widely produced fruits. The region also holds good promises for developing herbal pharmaceutical industry owing to abundant medicinal plants.

Located in a wide valley of the river Dwarahat, Ramganga lies around 32 KMs from Ranikhet. And is a very important town from both historical and archeological point of view and may also have been the capital of some branches of Katyuri kings. about 10 KMs from Dwarahat lies the prominent Doonagiri temple atop a hillock which is prominent in legends for containing the herb drug Sanjivini. The temple dedicated to the goddess Durga is situated in the midst of good-looking and dense forest and a tea estate. Some distance from Dwarahat..........
Dwarahat lies in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and like the region itself, is surrounded by thick green forests and gently rolling hills. The region seems to have been a pilgrimage hub of sorts in the past. Just 20 km away from Dwarahat lies the Maa Doonagiri Temple. Legend holds it that the mountain on which the temple stands was brought to the region by Lord Hanuman.......

Panch Prayags in Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand)

Panchprayag....
Panchprayag confluence of the most sacred rives, is considered the epitome of immortal piety. River confluences in India are considered very sacred, especially since rivers themselves are extolled as goddesses. And outside of Prayag, the great confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna & the mythical Saraswati at Allahabad, the most revered confluences are in Garhwal Himalayas, since the two mighty rivers Ganga & Yamuna and its tributaries trace their source to these mountains, the points at which they meet are sanctified as major pilgrimage centres.
Deoprayag....
Deoprayag is regarded as the most complete showcase of legends, heritage & traditions. 70 km from Rishikesh , here the Bhagirathi from Gaumukh & the Alaknanda from Satopanth unite and for most Indians, this confluence is no less holy than the Sangam at Allahabad. These three rivers flowing majestically through sculptured channels carved through the rocks have carved angular blocks of land around the confluence & the town is set into these three angles. Located at a height of only 618 m, Deoprayag is an invocation to the gods who have gfenerously endowed this spot with tremendous natural beauty. It is believed that Lord Rama and his father King Dashratha did penance here. The temple of Raghunathji houses a tall image of Lord Rama made of black granite. The most celebrated event at Deoprayag is the congregation of devotees, who come here to worship at Raghunath temple. There is also a small temple popular as Bharat Mandir of Rishikesh in recluse.
Rudraprayag....
Named after Lord Shiva (Rudra), Rudraprayag is situated at the holy confluence of Alaknanda & Mandakini rivers, at a distance of 34 km from Srinagar. It is believed that to master the mysteries of music, the sage Narad worshipped Lord Shiva, who appeared in his Rudra incarnation to bless the sage.
Karna Prayag....
Situated 11 km from Gauchar, the icy flow from the Pindari Glacier becomes the Pindari river, and when it meets the Alaknanda at 788 m, the confluence is known as Karnaprayag. The wooded thickets of the hills surrounding Karnaprayag were the meeting ground for Shakuntala C Raja Dushyanta, immortalised in Kalidasa's immortal classic and a favourite ballad ever since. The place derives its name from Kama, the son of the Queen Kunti and her fiery lover, Lord Surya (sun), Kama's lineage was kept a secret, but he propitiated the Sun God here, and acquired a pair of earrings & armour that made him invincible.
Nandprayag....
22 km from Kama Prayag, Nand Prayag at 914 m forms the confluence of the Alaknanda & Mandakini (flowing from a glacier near Nanda Devi Peak) rivers. On their way to Tapovan across Kunwari Pass or on their way to Roopkund, it is popular with trekkers. It is said that the confluence is named for the pious Raja Nanda.
Vishnuprayag....
Hormed by the confluence of the impetuous Vishnu Ganga (known after this point, as the Alaknanda) and the Dhauliganga river, Vishnu Prayag, 1372m, has an ancient temple called Vishnu Kund. It is said that the sage Narad worshipped Vishnu at this sanctified spot. Visitors will find the Kagbhusandi Lake bewitching with its emerald green depths giving it a still surface, while on the banks, blossoms evoke the colours of nature in all her glory.