New Tehri: The Emerging Jewel of Uttarakhand

New Tehri is a modern town spread over an altitude from 1,550 mts. to 1,950 mts. above sea level, overlooking the gigantic lake and the Tehri Dam The ruins of Old Tehri lie under water today. The newly established township is the district headquarters of Tehri Garhwal, a modern and well planned town, only 11 kms. from Chamba & 24 kms, from Old Tehri.

Top Attractions Around New Tehri

Tehri Dam: One of the tallest dams in the world, Tehri Dam is a marvel of engineering, harnessing the power of the Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rivers. The dam and the shimmering lake offer not only hydro-electric power but thrilling water sports and serene views.

Devprayag: At the sacred confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, Devprayag marks the official beginning of the River Ganga. This spiritual town with its twin suspension bridges is one of the revered Panch Prayags of Uttarakhand.
, The town of Devprayag lies at an altitude of 472 mts. and about 64 kms. away from New Tehri. Near the town . Devprayag is one of the five sacred Prayags (confluences) of the Alaknanda. Tradition has it that the town is named after Deosharma, a sage, who led a life of penance here and succeeded in having a glimpse of God.

Chamba: A charming hill station at 1,676 meters, Chamba offers captivating views of snow-clad peaks and is known for its apple orchards. Chamba happens to be a focal point, being located at the junction of roads leading from Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Tehri and New Tehri, 60 kms. from Mussoorie and 48 kms. From Narendra Nagar on the road to Gangotri. Chamba is a township lying high at an altitude of 1676 mts., offering a splendid view of the snow capped Himalayas and the serene Bhagirathi valley. The Chamba-Mussoorie fruit belt is also famous for its delicious apples.

Kanatal: A pristine hamlet on the Chamba-Mussoorie highway, Kanatal sits at an altitude of 2,590 meters and offers an untouched, romantic escape amidst oak forests and panoramic Himalayan vistas. Tehri district located on the Chamba-Mussoorie highway 35 kms. from Tehri-Garhwal. With a spectacular view of the snow-covered hills and green forests, Kanatal is situated nearly 300 kms.. The natural beauty of Kanatal allures many tourists every year.

Surkanda Devi: A short trek from Kaddukhal, Surkanda Devi Temple sits at 2,757 meters, surrounded by dense forests and mystic Himalayan views.. Surkanda Devi is a Hindu temple situated close to the small resort hamlet of Dhanaulti in Tehri District. and is close to nearby hill stations of Dhanaulti (8 kms.) and Chamba (22 kms.) and walking distance of approx 3 kms. from Kaddukhal, the place where vehicles are parked. It is surrounded by dense forests and affords a scenic view of the surrounding region including the Himalayas to the North. It’s especially vibrant during the Ganga Dussehra festival The Ganga Dussehra festival is celebrated every year between May and June and attracts many tourists.

Chandrabadni: Chandrabadni is a mountain (2,277 mts. above sea level). On the border of Devprayag and Pratapnagar is the well known temple of Chandrabadni Devi, at the top of the mountain about 10 kms. north of Kandi Khal (on the Devprayag Kirti Nagar road).

The legend says that the torso of Sati fell here and her weapons got scattered all around the place. Thus, even today a huge number of iron Trishuls (Tridents) and some old statues can be seen lying around the revered temple of Chandrabadni.

Chandrabadni commands a beautiful view of the Sirkanda, Kedarnath and Badrinath peaks. The temple is very small and contains a Shri-Yantra carved out on a flat stone instead of an idol. Traditionally, a cloth canopy is tied to the ceiling over this Shri-Yantra once a year by a Brahmin priest who is blindfolded.

Road distance from Tehri Dam to Maa Chandrabadni Temple is 86 kms.

Narender Nagar: Once the royal capital of Garhwal, Narendra Nagar is known for its forest-clad surroundings and regal charm. It offers mesmerizing sunset views over the Doon Valley and Ganga River. Located 54 kms from Tehri, at an altitude of 1,129 mts. lies the capital of the former King of Garhwal. Until a few years ago it was the headquarters of the District Tehri Garhwal, but now the New Tehri Town is the headquarters. The Palace of the Tehri Raja is situated amidst a forest. Narendra Nagar offers an excellent view of the . Hotels and the P.W.D. Inspection House offer accommodation.

Sem Mukhem:Home to the revered Nagraja Temple, Sem Mukhem is perched at 2,903 meters. The journey involves a scenic trek from Khamba Khal, making it a hidden spiritual retreat. Transport facilities are available up to Khamba Khal, a distance of 64 kms. from Tehri. One has to walk for about 7 kms. from Khamba Khal to reach Sem. The temple is situated at the top of a hill, about 5 kms. from the village Mukhem. Accommodation is provided by the ‘Pandas’ of the village of Mukhem.

Budha Kedar: This temple is situated at the confluence of the Bal Ganga and Dharam Ganga rivers at a distance of 59 kms. from Tehri. It is believed that Duryodhana offered Tarpan here. According to legend, it is at this temple that the Pandavas encountered Rishi Balkhily at Bhrigu Parvat when they were searching for Shiva after the Kurukshetra battle. The Rishi directed them to the site of the confluence to meet an old man meditating there. But when the Pandavas got there, the old man vanished and instead a Shivling appeared. Rishi Balkhily instructed the Pandavas to embrace the Shivling in order to free themselves from their sins. Their impressions are stamped on this Shivling. the biggest in northern India.

Kunjapuri: Kunjapuri is the name given to a peak situated at an altitude of about 1,676 mts., and about 93 kms. from Devprayag, 7 kms. from Narendra Nagar and 52 kms, from Tehri. Kunjapuri commands a beautiful view of the snow ranges of the Himalayas and of the Bhagirathi valley. There is an old temple dedicated to Goddess Kunjapuri Devi which is visited by a number of people every year. Nearby, in Agarakhal, there is a Dak Bungalow situated in picturesque surroundings. Kunjapuri is said to be one of the Sidhpeeths established in the region by Jagadguru Shankaracharya and legend has it that the upper half of the body of Sati fell here when Shiva was carrying it to Kailash.

Where to Stay

Besides the tourist rest houses (GMVN) there are many hotels and lodges to suit every budget.

For more information, please visit www.gmvnl.com & www.uttarakhandtourism.gov.in 

How to Reach

By Air: Jolly Grant is the nearest Airport from New Tehri, situated at a distance of 91 kms. Taxis are easily available from Jolly Grant Airport.

By Rail: The nearest Railway station from New Tehri is Rishikesh at a distance of 75 kms.

By Road: Tehri is well connected by motorable roads to major destinations of Uttarakhand. Luxury Buses are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate Delhi.