Snapshots
When the main shrine of the Gangotri Temple is inaccessible during winter, the god from that temple is said to spend the winter at the picturesque Mukhba Village in the Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand. The picturesque hilltop town of Harsil is three kilometres away from the charming little village of Mukhba.
Mukhba village is a hidden gem — here’s why!
The surrounding snow-capped mountain peaks are best seen from this section of the Himalayas, which is renowned for its unspoiled beauty. Above the town of Mukhba Village, at an altitude of 2,620 meters above sea level, the crystal-clear sky shows off unique shades of blue that are not seen anywhere else. There will be nothing but rolling hills and verdant vegetation to meet you when you arrive at this enormous, breathtaking scenery. A picturesque view of the valley is formed by the holy river Ganga, which winds its way through this town as it flows swiftly. It is one of the best places to visit near Harsil!
How to get there
By air:
- Jolly Grant International Airport in Dehradun is around 246.7 kilometres from Mukhba Village, making it the closest airport by air. Lucknow, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata are among the cities that have direct flights to the airport. Furthermore, connecting flights from Delhi might take you to additional locations like Kochi and Chennai.
- Another option is to take a train or a plane to Delhi from your city, and then a flight to Dehradun.
By rail:
- From your city, you may take a train to one of the surrounding stations—Rishikesh, Dehradun, or Haridwar—and then get a train to Mukhba village. Mukhba is around 357 km from the Dehradun railway station, 241.7 km from the Rishikesh station, and 265.5 km from the Haridwar station.
- Almost every city in India can be reached from these stations. Dehradun, Haridwar, or Rishikesh may be reached by taking a train from Delhi. From these closest cities, you may take a road trip to Uttarkashi, from whence you can continue on to Mukhba and the Harsil Valley.
By road:
Pilgrims from all across India travel to Mukhba village because of its religious significance. Many towns and cities in the area, including Rishikesh, Barkot, Tehri, and Uttarakashi, as well as large urban centres like Delhi and Dehradun, have well-maintained bus routes that stop at the hamlet.
Places to visit in Mukhba Village
Dayara Bugyal
Envision yourself at an altitude of 3048 meters, having tea with friends while you relax in a picturesque meadow and look out at the majestic Himalayan peaks. As you sip your tea, take in the picturesque woodland scenery and let the cool air enhance its flavour and scent. Go on a walk to Dayara Bugyal to turn this dream into a reality. Dayara Bugyal is a popular winter destination for skiers and snowboarders because of the abundant snowfall that occurs in the area. Dayara Bugyal is most beautiful between May and November, although visitors come all year round, thanks to the snow.
Lama Top
Starting in Bagori Village, Lama Top is another thrilling walk close to Mukhba Village. This walk leads to a Buddhist holy site, at a height of around 3,000 meters. The looping trail to Lama Top is approximately 5 km long and features both gentle and challenging climbs. Hiking along its paths through the thick evergreen forest is like entering a wonderful world, surrounded by the peace and tranquillity of nature. The views of the twin peaks known as the Horns of Harsil and the entire Harsil Valley are breathtaking from the peak. It is also one of the best places to visit near Harsil!
Dharali
The picturesque town of Dharali seems like something out of a fairy tale, sitting as it does at 648 meters above sea level on the placid banks of the sacred Ganga River. The picturesque Dharali environment, just three kilometres from the town centre, is surrounded by stunning mountain apple and rajma orchards. This location is truly a nature lover's paradise, enveloped in a verdant forest of pines and deodars.
Gangnani
Gangnani is the perfect destination for those in search of tranquillity amidst breathtaking and verdant natural scenery. Situated 74 km from the sacred town of Uttarkashi, Gangnani is a perfect getaway spot for those who love nature and have a spiritual bent. You are sure to have an unforgettable experience here, surrounded by breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains. It is truly one of the best places to visit near Harsil!
Gangotri Temple
One of the four pilgrimage destinations in Uttarakhand known as Chota Char Dham Yatra, Gangotri Temple is situated at an elevation of 3,100 m and is the tallest temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. At the base of the Gangotri glacier is the town of Gaumukh. In this region, the Ganga River is called Bhagirathi. It is one of the holiest places in Mukhba Village! In Devprayag, at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers, it is named the Ganga. "Bhagirath Shila" is near the Gangotri temple. Here on this pillar, King Bhagirath beseeched Lord Shiva to help him weather the Ganges River's plunge. Gathering water from the pillar, pilgrims bring it home as nectar or Amrit.