karnaprayag chamoli uttarakhand

How to reach Karnaprayag Chamoli

Karnaprayag is a holy town located on the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Pinder in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. This place has historic importance and a connection with the Mahabharata era. If you are planning to visit Karnaprayag and don’t know how to reach Karnaprayag then in this article we provide the complete travel guide to Karnaprayag so that you can reach Karnaprayag easily without any problem. So let’s get started. Firstly we will know some basic information about Karnaprayag like its location, geography, etc.

Location of Karnaprayag

Karnaprayag is located on NH 7 Badrinath Highway, Chamoli. Karnaprayag is the second entrance town of Chamoli district after Gauchar. If you are planning to visit Badrinath then Karnaprayag is one of the most important towns to stay. Karnapryag town itself is one of the blocks of Chamoli district.

By Road

Karnaprayag is well-connected with all the national and state highways of Uttarakhand and connected with all the districts via road network. You can take a direct bus from Delhi to Karnaprayag or from HaridwarDehradunRishikesh, or Haldwani. Also, you can take a sharable cab from Dehradun to Karnaprayag or Dehradun to Karnaprayag, Haridwar to Karnaprayag. Karnaprayag connects Garhwal and Kumaon regions by NH-87.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Karnaprayag is Rishikesh for the time being. But after the completion of the Rishikesh – Karnaprayag railway project, you will be able to reach Karnaprayag directly via train. We will update the information after the completion of the project.

By Air

The nearest airport to Karnaprayag is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun and the nearest helipad is in Gauchar which is just 10 Km away. From Dehradun, you can take a helicopter to Gauchar from Dehradun and then travel via cab from Gauchar to Karnaprayag. Gauchar to Karnaprayag distance is only 10 Km.

So this was the complete informational guide on how to reach Karnaprayag via different modes of transport.

Road route from Delhi to Karnaprayag

Delhi – Meerut – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag

Road Route Via Haldwani Ranikhet (Kumaon Region):

Haldwani – Ranikhet – Karnaprayag

Distance Charts:
LocationDistance
Karnaprayag to New Delhi402 KM / 14 hrs.
Karnaprayag to Chandigarh678 KM/16 hrs
Karnaprayag to Haridwar193 KM /5 hrs.

You can book the Uttarakhand Roadways bus from Delhi to Karnaprayag, Srinagar Garhwal, Gopeshwar etc directly online or take it offline. For online bookings of Uttarakhand Roadways buses visit – utconline.uk.gov.in which is the official website of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation.

Places to visit nearby Karnaprayag

There are plenty of historic places to visit nearby Karnaprayag where you can go. Some of the places are listed below.

1 – Karna Temple Karnaprayag

2 – Karnaprayag Sangam

3 – Chandpur Garhi

4 – Simli

5 – Adibadri Temple

Hope this guide will help you reach Karnaprayag easily without any problems. If you need a travel guide to any destination in Uttarakhand, feel free to contact us. We have a local tour and travel guides for any destination in Uttarakhand because they are local people from that particular area, so they know deeply about everything. No other tour guide will have such knowledge.

Karnaprayag Sangam

Karnaprayag is an ancient holy town located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Badrinath is 130 Km away from here and Gauchar is 10 Km before from where you can take heli services to Dehradun, Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib. At Karnaprayag the 2 holy rivers meet with each other Alaknanda and the Pindari River. Alaknanda flows nearby from Badrinath and Pindari from the Pindari glacier. Karnaprayag Sangam is the confluence of the river Alaknanda and Pindari rivers.

According to legends and it is also written in some holy books of the Hindu religion, Karna the warrior of Mahabharata and the elder brother of the Pandavas, performed severe penance at Karnaprayag to acquire an impregnable shield(Kavach and Kundal) from lord Surya(Sun).

This place has special religious importance and it also offers huge opportunities to adventure lovers and avid nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, photographers, content creators and vloggers.

Karna the bigger brother of Pandavas meditated here and there is a famous Karna temple in Karnaprayag that you can consider visiting. Karnaprayag sangam is the holy confluence of river Alaknanda and Pindari river. The Panch Prayag yatra has religious importance, it is considered a holy yatra and a crucial achievement concerning an individual’s spiritual progress.

The panch prayag yatra is encompassed around a route that includes 5 halts of Uttarakhand which are known as Panch Prayag, which are – Vishnuprayag, Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Sonprayag.

Places to visit near Karnaprayag

The Karnaprayag is one of the panch prayag which is a very holy place that a Hindu must visit. It is one of the 5 confluences of the river Alaknanda and Pinder rivers. The holy town is located on the Badrinath route. The valley is surrounded by beautiful green hills.

Karnaprayag Sangam is one of the best places to see in Karnaprayag. Every day, hundreds of students and other people visit Karnaprayag Sangam and do photoshoots here, enjoying their free time with their loved ones.

If you are in Karnaprayag, then you must visit Karnaprayag Sangam. It is the perfect location for peace, enjoying the views of the rivers Alaknanda and Pinder meeting with each other, doing photography and videography here. Whenever I visit Karnaprayag, I visit the Sangam and it makes my mind at peace, this location is best for content creators.

It is very easy to reach Karnaprayag Sangam, the location is just near the NH7 Badrinath highway, Karnaprayag Chamoli. It is just a walking distance away, also there is an ancient Shiva temple at Sangam you must visit there.

Read our guide on how to reach Karnaprayag

Karnaprayag distance from various cities

DelhiKarnaprayag400 Kms (approx)
BareillyKarnaprayag318 Kms (approx)
LucknowKarnaprayag565 Kms (approx)
ChandigarhKarnaprayag377 Kms (approx)
ShimlaKarnaprayag435 Kms (approx)

Karnaprayag Distance Chart

The best time to visit Karnaprayag

The best time to visit Karnaprayag is from January to December. Summers and winters are both the seasons that are best to visit Karnaprayag. But we don’t recommend you to visit Karnaprayag or any other hill station during the monsoon season, because the hill areas become so risky and there are much chances of heavy rainfall that results in landslides.

Karnaprayag Travel Guide

Karnaprayag is a historic town where the rivers Alaknanda and Pinder meet at Karnaprayag Sangam. It is located between Rishikesh and Badrinath in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The town is named after the great Karna of the Mahabharata. It is said that Karna meditated at this place, and after that, the town was named Karnaprayag.

You can also visit the Karna Temple in Karnaprayag. It is one of the oldest temples of Chamoli and dates back to the Mahabharata.

It is said that Karna revered the Sun God for many years at this place to get the Kawach Kundals so that no one could defeat him on the battlefield. The Panch Prayag Yatra has a very important consideration in the Hindu religion. This yatra is considered very holy and a crucial achievement concerning an individual’s spiritual process. It is one of the valley towns of Chamoli, Uttarakhand.

The other historians and facts told us that at Karnaprayag Lord Krishna did the crimination of Karna. This place has holy importance and it is the 3rd Prayag from the Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand. The 5 prayags are Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandprayag and Vishnuprayag. These all prayags are located in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.

Karnaprayag is located at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindari rivers. Karanprayag is one of the Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand or the 5 confluences of river Alaknanda. The town is situated at an elevation of 1451 meters above sea level.

Karnaprayag is famous for the Karna temple, Karna was the elder brother of the 5 Pandavas. It is also known as the city of Karna of Mahabharata. Karanprayag City connects the Garhwal region with the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand via NH 109. There are many other places to visit in Karanprayag that you can consider visiting when you are in Karanprayag.

Get the Karanprayag travel guide, travel tips and places to see in Karanprayag. Our guides are always ready to help you.

If you are planning to visit Karnaprayag, then here is a guide on how to reach Karnaprayag guide.

Why should you visit Karnaprayag Chamoli?

Karnaprayag is surrounded by green hills and a foaming white river. You can meditate at the Karna temple, Karnaprayag, or spend your time here for mental peace. Tourists can also visit the ancient Uma Devi temple dedicated to Goddess Sati, the first wife of Lord Shiva, who later took birth as Parvati.

It is said that the great Hindu monk and philosopher, Swami Vivekanand along with his teacher Guru Bhai, Guru Turianand Ji, and Akharanand Ji indulged in a series of meditations at Karnaprayag, which lasted for 18 days.

There are some places to visit nearby Karnaprayag such as Nauti Village and Adi Badri Temple. You can also visit the exclusive places nearby Karnaprayag which are Nandprayag, Gauchar, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Gopeswar, Gwaldam, and Joshimath. These places are located in the proximity of Karnaprayag.

Karnaprayag  Travel Tips

Karnaprayag is a small town where you can spend your night during the Char Dham Yatra or Badrinath Yatra.

It is the 3rd panch prayag of Uttarakhand.

Karanprayag is one of the busiest towns and commercial hubs in the Chamoli district, so you will get all the facilities here such as ATMs, Petrol Pumps resorts, and others.

How to reach Karnaprayag

By Air

The nearest airport to Karnaprayag is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, which is situated at a distance of 192 Km. There are regular flights from Delhi to Dehradun and from Dehradun you can travel to Gauchar via Helicopter, and then you can take a cab from Gauchar to Karnaprayag which is just 10 Km away.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Karnaprayag is Rishikesh, which is approx 172 Km from Karnaprayag. Rishikesh is well-connected with the other major railway stations and destinations of India. From Rishikesh, buses and cabs are available to Karnaprayag directly.

By Road

You can take it directly from ISBT Kashmiri gate, Delhi to Karnaprayag. It takes approx 10 hours to reach Karnaprayag from Delhi via bus. Or you can take a cab to Karnaprayag from Delhi.

Shail Village Gauchar Chamoli

Shail village is one of the beautiful villages nearby Gauchar. It is just 3 km away from the main market Gauchar and easily accessible via road. The village doesn’t have any trek, as we generally see in the other most of the villages of Uttarakhand. This village is situated on Gauchar Duwa Road and anyone can visit Shail village without any problem.

If you don’t have a vehicle then you can easily reach Shail village on foot, it’s just a 3 Km road walk. You can see the beautiful view of river Alaknanda and Gauchar from here. The environment is so clean and peaceful, and also the peoples of the village are so good. One of my close friends Naren Shaily is from Shail village and is an artist, he draw some awesome wall paintings in his village to enhance the beauty of the village.

Whenever someone visits Shail village, he/she used to click photos with the wall paintings. Also, there is one of my favorite wall paintings of Lord Rama and Mata Sita in Shail village. If you are planning to visit here, then you must see the wall painting.

Shail village has surrounded a side by a green lush forest and the other side is blank, basically, it is located just above the top of NH 7 Badrinath highway. The population of the village is not so high, nearly 20 to 22 families live in the Shail village Gauchar.

Also, there is an ancient Bhairavnath temple in the village, which is the main attraction point of this village and a place to visit.

Shail village overview

Population – 60 – 70

Nearby city – Gauchar

Nearby national highway – NH 7

Places to visit in Shail village – Bhairavnath Temple

The village is so neat and clean, and also the environment is pleasing and surrounded by greenery. It is one of the smallest villages of Chamoli. Overall, the village is so beautiful and peaceful. If you are planning to visit Gauchar or are already in Gauchar, then you must visit Shail village. It is one of the best places to visit nearby Gauchar.

Bhatnagar Village Gauchar Chamoli

Bhatnagar is a beautiful village located just 500 meters away from Gauchar town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The geography of the village is like a flat land and it looks so beautiful from the aerial view. We will also provide some aerial shots of Bhatnagar village Gauchar.

The nearest town is Gauchar and it is the local market of the villagers. If you are in Gauchar then Bhatnagar is one of the best places to visit near Gauchar. The population of the village is approximately 300 and some people live outside the village.

Alaknanda River is just 500 meters away from this village and you can enjoy your time at the banks of the river. Also, the Gauchar railway station is under construction near the village so in future if you want to visit this village, you can reach it via train.

Bhatnagar Village Gauchar Overview

Location – Near Gauchar Town

PIN Code – 246429

Population – Approx 400

Nearest Airport – Gauchar Airport

Nearest railway station – Gauchar(Under construction project)

Nearest market – Gauchar 1KM and Karnaprayag 10 KM

How to reach Bhatnagar Gauchar

By Road

You can reach Bhatnagar Gauchar via NH 7 and after reaching the Gauchar main market, there is a branch road and you have to go on that road, which is just 500 meters away from the main road. You can drive via your vehicle to reach Bhatnagar village near Gauchar.

By Air

You can take a helicopter from Dehradun to Gauchar and then complete the rest of the journey via cab or by foot. It is just 1 Km from the Gauchar airport.

By Train

Currently the Rishikesh – Karnaprayag railway line project is under construction, so only road and air travel are possible. But within 2 years, the railway line will be operational, then you can travel to Bhatnagar Gauchar via train directly from Rishikesh Dehradun or Delhi.

Places to visit near Bhatnagar

There are a few other villages and ancient temples near Bhatnagar village Gauchar. Below are the places.

  • Rano Village
  • Sarmola Village
  • Kalinka Devi Temple
  • Sari Village
  • Baisod Village
  • Jhalimath Temple Sari
  • Karchuna Village
  • Bamoth Village
  • Shiva Temple Bhatnagar
  • Alaknanda Riverbank
  • Soogi Village
  • Panai Village
  • Shail Village
  • Chatwapiple Village

All the villages and locations listed above are within 10 Km range from the Bhatnagar village and easily accessible via road. Some of the villages are within a 2 Km range, so you can travel on foot.

So this was the complete information about Bhatnagar village. It is a pleasing village near Gauchar Chamoli, where you can visit when you are in Gauchar. Hope this information is useful for you and if you are planning to visit Gauchar then you must visit this village also.

For local guides, contact Garhwali Traveller, we have dedicated local guides from each village in Chamoli, Rudraprayag and almost all the districts of Uttarakhand. They will assist you properly, no one else can do because they are from the local area, so they have proper knowledge about those particular places or destinations.

5 Places to Visit in Gauchar Chamoli

Gauchar is a small town located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand at a distance of 800 meters from sea level. It is a small town which is surrounded by beautiful small hills and is popular for the Gauchar Airbase. There is not much more to explore in Gauchar, but a few places are here you can explore and visit if you are in Gauchar.

If you are in Gauchar then you can visit Gauchar Airport which is always open for travellers to visit, Bhatnagar village, Sari Village, Riverbank Alaknanda, Rano village near Gauchar, Govt Polytechnic Gauchar.

If you want to explore Gauchar more, you can also visit the Copper mine, which is approximately 10+ km away from Gauchar. It is a very old copper mine in Dhanpur village that was discovered by the Britishers in the 18th century, but due to some reasons, later after years of copper mining, the mine was discontinued. But it is open for visitors to see.

5 Best Places to Visit in Gauchar

There are some places in Gauchar that you can visit if you are in Gauchar. If you are in Gauchar or planning to visit Gauchar and are confused about where to start. We have dedicated travel guides in Gaucher who will help you to roam in Gaucher. Also, there are hotels in Gauchar where you can stay during your trip.

Gauchar Airport

Gauchar airport is one of the strategic airstrips which was constructed in the year 2000 and it is the most popular place. The total length of the Gauchar Aiport is 1.6 km. If you are in Gauchar then you must visit Gauchar Airport.

Bhatnagar Village

Bhatnagar is a small village which is located in Gaucher town on the bank of the Alaknanda river. If you are a person who loves to visit the villages and loves to explore the lifestyle and uniqueness of the villages, then you must visit there. Alaknanda River is just 500 meters away from Bhatnagar village.

Rano Village

Rano is another village near Gauchar that you can also visit if you are in Gauchar. You can travel to this village on foot or via vehicle. But we recommend visiting there on foot so you can enjoy the beauty of the Alaknanda River and the artificial beach near it.

Sari Village

This village is just 1 Km away from Gauchar and easily accessible by road as well as on footpath. But we recommend you to visit Sari via 2-wheeler with a shortcut way. If you visit here by Car, then you will have to cover a road route of 7 km. Sari, another village near Gauchar, is one of the best villages nearby Gauchar where you can also visit. Don’t confuse the name Sari village with another Sari village, which is near Deoriatal Lake in Ukhimath. The name is the same, but the locations are different.

Angrejo ka Bangla

Bangla is a historic place where there was a British bungalow of Britishers at that time. Which was constructed in the 12th century when India was under the regulations of the Britishers. The Bungalow is located at a distance of 6 to 8 km from the main market, Gauchar. It will take 15 to 20 minutes to get there. Currently, the Bungalow is under renovation and restoration from the new end.

Interesting Places To Visit

  • Rawal Devta Temple
  • Mata Kali Temple
  • Bhairavnath Temple

How to reach Gauchar

You can reach Gauchar via helicopter from Dehradun. Or you can reach Gaucher via road route from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Delhi and so on. The nearest railway station is in Rishikesh. But the new railway line from Rishikesh to Karnaprayag is under construction. So within a few years reaching to Garhwal region will be more affordable and time-saving.

Arts and crafts of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is famous as the name of “the land of the gods” because there are some Hindu pilgrimage sites. Uttarakhand has a wealthy tradition of various arts and crafts like Painting, Ornament, Wood Carving, Murals of Aipan and Peeth, candle making and Temple architecture. Uttarakhand has become a great source of tourist attraction because of its multiple cultures. The people of Uttarakhand have a large spirit of inspiration because they live in a place where there is lush green, an aquamarine sky, and mountains filled with snow. The art and craft in the state of Uttarakhand are vibrant and need a thorough look. 

The state of Uttarakhand is an excellent centre to witness the outstanding items of art and craft. The variation of items of art and craft is a piece of evidence of the state’s rich cultural traditions. When you are on the mission to explore India, your best choice is to tour Uttarakhand because in this way you have an opportunity to look at the ideal craftsmanship, which is one of the hearts of the state. By exploring these art and craft items, you can look at the artistic ability of the people of Uttarakhand.

Though the state has a vast range of artistic activities, one very famous craft is wood carving. Uttarakhand is also very well-known because of this craft. The people of Uttarakhand make beautiful sceneries with the help of this craft, which stirs the designer in every way. The example of wordcraft can be seen easily in the temples and other places of Uttarakhand state. These places give proof of the magnificent woodcraft.

Let’s discuss some art and craft in detail in Uttarakhand:

Paintings in Uttarakhand:

Uttarakhand is rich with greenery, natural beauty, dense forest, and sky-hugging peaks, all of which have been asked as inspiration from generation after generation of Uttarakhand.  Therefore, you can also see some of the fantastic works of painting in the state of Uttarakhand. The most popular is the Garhwal School of Painting, which is visited by many people. Uttarakhand is home to one of the most attractive and defining Families or schools of the Pahari School of painting, known as the Garhwal School of Painting. Painting of Uttarakhand spans from the folk arts of the women of Kumaon to the most beautiful small-scale arts of Garhwal.

Uttarakhand’s paintings are special and various. Garhwal in Uttarakhand is famous for the Mughal style of painting, started by a Mughal prince during the considerable Mughal region. The women folk of Kumaon practice Aipan, an in-demand art form of Kumaon.  by drawing many geometric and other gods, objects of nature walls, paper and pieces of cloth are decorated. 

Another kind of painting is called Peeth, where the floor of the seat of goads and goodness is decorated with geometric designs. Wall painting is one more form of painting, it is one of the early traditions of the region. On the occasion of the wedding, the walls and doors of the bonuses are decorated with wall paintings.

Traditional Ornaments:

The state of Uttarakhand is well-known for its ornaments. Silver and gold jewellery is an important part of traditional Uttarakhand clothing. When you tour Uttarakhand, you see women wearing gold earrings and sometimes having various piercings in their ears. 

People in Uttarakhand have different inherited backgrounds like Brahmins, Rajputs, and tribal populations like Jaunsari, Bhotia, and Tharu. That’s why the traditional attires do have a lot of differences. 

In the Kumaun region, married women wear big naths made from gold covering. These are regarded as compulsory. In the Garhwal region, a married woman was assumed to wear hansuli. Sindoor, along with bindi was also compulsory for a married woman. Even today, a Gulaband is a clear quality of a married woman. It is drawn on a maroon or blue strip with gold square pieces ordered on it.

Wood Carving:

The most famous craft of Uttarakhand is complicated wood carvings. Every home is decorated with wood carvings in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand wood carving is very beautiful. It will bring the protection of the godly into your home. The windows, rugs, carpets, baskets, doors, copper utensils or the folk art Aipan created by Uttarakhand have a special connection to nature in their designs. The designs made by their people are unique, they are very creative in nature. Seeing their beautiful temples is 

Witnessing their creativity. The wood carvings of Garhwal and Kumaon are famed for their simple yet elegant and appealing designs.

Rich people can still praise the carved architecture in religious places like temples and homes. The architects improve the art of woodwork and were famous for their astonishing and stylish designs. Almost every door of Uttarakhand’s houses has wooden and well-designed doors. The maker used to do special netting to fill the windows open places to give it an alike effect to a screen. 

The amazing wood-carved admiration can be seen in famous tourist landings places such as the Temple of Srinagar, Chandpur Fort, Pandukeshwar, etc. If you want to see the best place of miniature on the stone, you should go to the various temples of  Uttarakhand.

Murals of Aipen and Peeth:

Uttarakhand has much to provide in the divinity of their art and culture. Every home and place of worship is embellished with some sort of mural done as a proper wall painting or as Aipan and Peeth. 

The holy geometric design of Aipan and Peeth divinely clarifies complications. On all special occasions and household ceremonies and customs, like wedding ceremonies, Aipan is done. These designs have holy geometry, and people believe that they bring god blessing and luck. Peeth is a painting made all over the sitting area of Gods and Goddesses with the support of rice paste decorated with colourful natural dyes.

Temple Architecture:

Temple architecture in every part of India has always been looked down on by the kings and people in charge there. Anyone who wants to view the beauty of Uttarakhand state likes to explore the perfect architecture of the temples of Uttarakhand. Temple architecture is one of the crafts which is supported by the king and queen of states.  Temple architects are seeing it in every corner of the state. So, you’ll have time to spend searching the rich temple architecture. These temples contain large stone walls that are 

Furnished with different ornamental models and metal idols. These temples were also a place to meet with thinkers. 

Final words

Here I have explained the famous arts and crafts of Uttarakhand. You can also get any of them whenever you visited this heavenly place. And don’t forget to bring love gifts from this world. 

Gauchar Mela – Cultural and Trade Fair of Uttarakhand

Gauchar – A Hilly town located in Karanprayag Tehsil of Chamoli district in the Uttarakhand State of India. Gauchar is famous for Gauchar fair and Gauchar Airport. The Gauchar valley is also known as the Valley of Flat Land, located on the left bank of river Alaknanda. Gauchar lies between Rudraprayag and Karanprayag on the Badrinath route NH58. Gauchar is surrounded by 7 hills. Gauchar is well known for a historic trade fair known as Gauchar Mela.

About Gauchar Mela

The Gauchar Mela is a cultural and traditional fair held annually in the Gauchar town of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand It is one of the largest and oldest fairs in the state. Every year thousands of people visit Gauchar Mela and this cultural and trade fair is held between 14 November to 20 November.

Gauchar Mela is a cultural and trade-related fair that has been held for decades in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Gauchar Mela of Uttarakhand is a great attraction point for local people and other traders all around the state. The Gauchar fair is held on the 14 of November every year. This fair is a trade and industrial fair, where traders from different states come to Gauchar to sell their products. The fair holds 2 types of themes: sports and cultural activities. Sports activities are done in the daytime and cultural activities are held in the evening, in which different schools participate and win prizes.

See the below video of Gauchar mela 2023, we will create a new video of Gauchar Mela 2024 this year and will update it.

History of Gauchar Fair

Gauchar mela is a historic trade fair held on the 14th of November every year in the Gauchar town of Chamoli district. Gauchar town falls en route to Badrinath temple. The first version of Gauchar Mela was organized in the year 1943, so you can imagine how historic this fair is. This fair was established between India and Tibet to increase trade. Gauchar Mela is one of the attraction points and hundreds and thousands of people visit Gauchar every year on the occasion of Gauchar Mela. There are many other places near Gauchar you can consider visiting.

At that time, the trade was one-sided and carried by the Bhotias(in amount), who inhabited the frontiers of Chamoli Garhwal. But in winter the whole region is covered by heavy snow due to the high altitude and these people migrate to lower regions(Joshimath)in winter for 6 months.

The fair helped Bhotia people to sell their woolen clothes, handicrafts, spices(Faran the famous spice) and other stuff and buy the raw materials for the next summer trade across the Indo-Tibetan borders. It was not only a local fair or fair between the peoples of Uttarakhand and Bhotia, people from all over north Indian states like Uttar Pradesh(UP), and Punjab attended it.

After India’s independence (165 August 1947) Gauchar Mela was organized by the UP government and in 2000 Uttaranchal was separated from UP after that the fair was organized by the Uttarakhand government as an industrial, cultural, and development fair. It is the biggest fair in the region for the promotion of trade and culture. All the departments of the state government participate in this annual event and showcase their agricultural methods and techniques.

Attractions at Gauchar Mela

One of the primary attractions of the Gauchar Mela is the trading of pahadi items, clothes, toys, pahadi vegetables and many more. This fair is so old and it has been 73 years since this fair was organized.

Apart from trading, the Gauchar Mela also features a variety of cultural events and entertainment. Traditional folk music and dance performances, along with local cuisine stalls, add to the festive atmosphere. Visitors can indulge in delicious Garhwali dishes and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Importance of Gauchar Mela

The Gauchar Mela holds significant economic and cultural importance for the people of Garhwal. It provides an opportunity for farmers, local people of the region and district and traders to showcase and sell their items .Additionally, the fair serves as a platform for preserving and promoting traditional practices and customs that have been passed down through generations.

Overall, the Gauchar Mela is not just a marketplace but a celebration of the vibrant rural life and cultural heritage of Uttarakhand. It attracts locals and tourists alike, offering a unique glimpse into the agricultural and cultural traditions of the Garhwal region.

Gauchar the Valley of Flat Lands

Gauchar Chamoli

Gauchar is a small town located in Chamoli district on the riverbank of the Alaknanda River, which is about 800 meters above sea level. Gauchar is famous for its flat land and historic trade fair, which is also known as Gauchar Mela. Gauchar is surrounded by mountains all around it. Gauchar is a beautiful valley of flatlands. Gauchar is located in the Chamoli district of Karanprayag Tehsil of Uttarakhand. Gauchar town is located on the left riverbank of the Alaknanda River.

Gauchar lies on NH 7 (which was formerly known as NH 58) and it serves as the halt for the tourists on the way to Badrinath TempleAuliHemkund Sahib, and many other tourist places. Gauchar Airport played a big role at the time of the Kedarnath Flood in 2013 many people’s lives were saved through the rescue operation.

You can reach Gauchar from Dehradun via a Helicopter also

Culture of Gauchar and Importance of Gauchar

Gauchar Mela Ground is very famous in the Garhwal region, where the Gauchar Fair (Mela) starts in November. Gauchar Mela is one of the largest fairs in Garhwal and Uttarakhand. Gauchar Mela has been hosted for many years. In 1943, it was the largest trade fair of the Garhwal and Uttarakhand, which was hosted for the first time by the Bhotias of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. Bhotias mainly live in the Mana Village,which is 3 Km from the Badrinath Temple. 70 Km far from the Mana Village, China Border is situated there.

About Gauchar Mela

Gauchar Mela(Fair) is held every year in the month of November, which starts on 14 November and lasts for 7 days. Gauchar Mela is a great attraction for traders, the local peoples of Gauchar, and the peoples of Garhwal. Cultural programs are also taken there until the 6 nights of the Fair. Garhwali and Kumaoni singers and actors come there and entertain the people with their performances. Local dances and songs are also performed by the students of different Schools.

Activities to do in Gauchar

There are not many more places to visit in Gauchar, only you can visit Gauchar Airport, Gauchar Mela Ground, Riverbank of Gauchar near Bhatnagar Village. Like Nainital or Mussoorie which are the tourist hubs of Uttarakhand. Gauchar is a hilly town covered with mountains all around it.

Gauchar is a small town near the Alaknanda River, lies between the Badrinath Route NH 7. 

Places to Visit in Gauchar: There are some famous temples in Gauchar like Kalinka Devi, Rawal Devta, Panneshwar Mahadev temple in Panai village of Gauchar, and Gauchar Airport.

For what Gauchar is famous for?

Gauchar, a valley town, is so famous for the historical Gauchar Mela which is held in the month of November (14 to 20) every year and also for the Gauchar airport.

Places to visit near Gauchar

  • Bhattnagar Village
  • Sidoli Road
  • Duwa Kanda Road
  • Sari Village
  • Rano Village
  • Haryali Devi temple
  • Karnaprayag

and there are a few other locations to visit in Gauchar.

Nature Visits

Gauchar is surrounded by green forests and hills and small rivers known as Gadhera in the local Garhwali language.

Shopping Area

There are many shops and stores in Gauchar. Wine shops, fashion stores, shoe stores and grocery stores have all the necessary things available there.

Accommodation in Gauchar Chamoli

Gauchar is a small town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. As a result, there are many options for staying here like GMVN Guest House near Gref Chok Gauchar which is a 1-star hotel and restaurant. There are other restaurants and hotels like Hotel Taj Palace near the New bus stand Gaucher, Wooden Umbrella Restaurant Gauchar, Hotel Arjuna and Restaurant, Hotel Sahara (Sahara Lodge), Hotel MohiniKolonel Cottages, etc are the best options for staying in Gauchar.

Food Guide for Gauchar

Being a small town, there are not many big restaurants for luxury food items, but there are some hotels where you can enjoy Chinese and Indian foods at budget prices. Some popular restaurants in Gaucher are Kanak Restaurant, Om Ji, Hunger point Gauchar, Prem Chowmein Center, etc.

How to reach Gauchar

Via road – Gauchar town lies on NH58 buses, taxis are available from Rishikesh directly.

Via Air – You can reach Gauchar via helicopter from Dehradun directly. Read the complete guide and information about the route, ticket pricing, and schedule.

Madmaheshwar Travel Guide

Madhyamaheshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to lord shiva located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. This holy temple is located near Mansoona village and the trek to Madmaheshwar starts from Ransi village. The temple is located at an elevation of 3,487 meters and it is the fourth Panch Kedar of Uttarakhand. The other temples in the circuit include KedarnathTungnath and Rudranath to be visited before the Madmaheshwar yatra and Kalpeshwar Temple is the 5th panch kedar in the circuit.

The middle(Madhya) or belly part of the navel of the bull, considered a diving form of Shiva is worshipped at this ancient temple. It is believed that this temple was built by Pandavas.

The surroundings of the temple offer majestic views of the great Himalayas and green bugyals. You are going to love the beautiful scenes and natural beauty.

The navel shaped – lingam is made of black stone and is enshrined in the sanctum of the temple. Madhmaheshwar is mystically covered by the snow-capped Himalayas on the right side, lush green alpine meadows on the left side and dense forest act as its backdrop.

Opening Date of Madmaheshwar Temple Kapat 2025

The opening date of Madmaheshwar is coming soon. Last year was on the 19th of May. The gates of Madhyamaheshwar temple have been opened for pilgrims for this 2025 Yatra season. Here is the guide to the gate opening process of Madhyamaheshwar temple.

  • The doli of lord Madhyamaheshwar started its journey on 20th May from Omkareshwar temple located in Ukhimath.
  • The first stop of the yatra was the Rakeshwari temple at Rasi village, where doli performed the traditional rituals on the 21st of May
  • Then the doli reached Gondar village on the 21st May and will be staying there for a night halt
  • On 22nd May at around 11.20 AM the gates were opened by Pujaris following all the rituals

Madmaheshwar Temple closing date 2023

The closing date of the Madhyamaheshwar temple is declared on the occasion of Vijayadashmi/ Dussehra. Last year, the temple was closed on the 18th of November. And for this year the date will be declared on Dussehra.

Activities to do in Madmaheshwar

Pilgrimage

Madmaheshwar is one of the ancient Hindu shrines and the temple of lord Shiva. Many pilgrims partake in arduous pilgrimages every year to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. The temple remains covered under a thick blanket of snow during winter.

Trekking

Madmaheshwar is located 16 Km from Ransi village and Ukhimath is the nearest town with road connectivity. Madmaheshwar trek is a hard trek in some locations so if you are not enough physically fit then you must prepare yourself for this trek 1 month of the travel.

Camping

There are no accommodation facilities at Madhyamaheshwar, so trekkers and pilgrims have to set up tents near Madhyamaheshwar and enjoy the natural beauty and the views of the great Himalayas. It’s a perfect location for camping, but keep nature clean and get away your waste with you.

Madmaheshwar Travel Tips

Madmaheshwar temple remains closed from November to April

Do check the weather and road conditions before visiting Madmaheshwar

Check the opening and closing dates if you are planning to visit the temple and offer prayers

If you are not physically fit, then you can also find mules and porters for hire, but the real enjoyment is completing the trek on your own feet.

Madhyamaheshwar temple opening and closing timing – 6 AM to 9 PM

Staying in Madmaheshwar

There are a few homestays in Madmaheshwar where you can stay. But don’t expect any luxury at the homestays and Madmaheshwar. Because the temple is located at a very remote location, no premium and luxury facilities are available here.

You will get homemade and hygienic food here. Accommodation options are also available at Ransi Village, Gaundar, Bantoli etc.

Nearby Destinations Madmaheshwar

There are some other locations you can add to your Madmaheshwar trip, you can stop in Ukhimath to visit the Omkareshwar Temple. Budha Madhyamaheshwar is situated 2 Km from the main Madmaheshwar temple. If you love trekking, then you can also visit Kanchani Tal, which is 6 Km away from Madmaheshwar.

The trek to Kanchani Tal is a little difficult, so be mentally prepared for that. You can also extend your trekking expedition to Nandikund and Pandusera.