Tourist Places To Visit In Auli
Planning A Trip To Auli? Here’s our list of top tourist places to visit in Auli
Cleanly sliced white mountains and chains of oak and pine trees fringe what is one of the cleanest, most beautiful destinations of Uttarakhand. Situated in the Garhwal Hills of Himalayas, Auli has come to become a famous skiing destination in India, one that rivals many international resorts. Apart from skiing and filling your soul with breath-taking sights, Auli is also home to a lot of touristy places. Like the Auli Artificial Lake, which is used to supply snow to skiing grounds, Chenab Lake, Gurson Bugyal trek, mountain ranges of Nanda Devi, Gorson Reserve Forest; or if you are looking for some peace and spiritual light, Joshimath, Rudraprayag and Nandprayag.
The Tourist Places in Auli are sure to keep your soul asking for more. Read on to find out about each.
Skiing Destinations
Auli grounds, erstwhile used by the Paramilitary Forces for training purposes, have been adjudged as one of the best skiing grounds by the French and Austrian experts. The mountains of Nanda Devi, Kamat, Mana Parvat, Dunagiri, Ghori and Nar Parbat become coveted skiing destinations in this quaint hill station.
The end of winter and beginning of summer is the best time to ski, trek and explore this place. Most festivals and championships are organised between January and April. Hikers may also find cleared marked walks, ski routes as well as trails of mountain bikes. If you are a skiing enthusiast, or are interested in zooming down snow-covered curves of slopes, then this is the place for you.
There are also learning schools for first timers, so novices need not worry.
Gurson Bugyal
Gurson Bugyal is a popular location to stand and soak in the sight of the magnificent Himalayas. It is located at a height of 3056 m above sea level. You can see the Nanda Devi, Trishul and Dron mountains from this perch, which is a 3 km trek from Auli.
12 km from here is another popular tourist spot, famous among trekkers. This is Kwani Bugyal, another spot for sightseeing, best visited during summer. It is higher than Gurson Bugyal, at 3380 m above sea level.
Joshimath
Joshimath is home to a number of Hindu temples and becomes a major pilgrim hub for Hindus from all over the world. One of the four seats of Hindu Religion, founded by Adi Guru Shankracharya, belongs here.
While temples of many incarnations of Lord Vishnu have been famous all over India, from Ram to Krishna; Joshimath is known for its Narasimha Temple, the half lion-half human avatar of Vishnu. Narasimha temple also houses the idol of Badrivishal of Badrinath in the winter months, when everything freezes up at Badrinath Temple.
Joshimath is also a stopover for Badri-Kedar pilgrims and doubles up as the gateway to the Valley of Flowers.
Rudraprayag
Prayag means confluence. Rudraprayag is one of the five prayags or confluences where river Alaknanda and Mandakini meet. It is a spot to experience spiritual ecstasy, not necessarily for the temples and the mood of pilgrims thronging Badrinath and Kedarnath, but for the simple sight of two rivers coming together with quiet affection.
If you are looking at visiting some famous temples here, there is Rudranath and Chamunda Devi Temple, revered greatly in this area.
Nandaprayag
Nandaprayag is another pilgrim town near Chamoli, another prayag or confluence; this one of River Nandakini and Alaknanda. Nandaprayag becomes the gateway to Badrinath and Kedarnath, a scenic pilgrimage centre for one and sundry. One of the most famous temples on the bank of Alaknanda River is the temple of Gopal, the young form of Lord Krishna who herded cows in Gokul.
Chenab Lake
Chenab Lake is not easily accessible. If this statement is to discourage you from travelling here then probably you are not a real trekker.
Located across the pilgrim village of Joshimath, Chenab Lake is reached only after crossing the Dang village. You will have to hike because the roads are not well developed and the terrain is filled with snow. The crystal waters of Chenab are a healing sight to visitors though, fully worth the effort. The place exudes peace in cool bunches of waves.
Trishul Peak
The Trishul Peak is a collection of 3 summits that circle the Nanda Devi Sanctuary and become a coveted trek. At a height of 7120 m, one of its peaks became the first peak above 7000 m to be climbed in 1907. With this history and a view to die for, Trishul Peak of Western Kumaun becomes a must for seasoned trekkers.
TravelX 