About Auli :

Located in the Chamoli district of the northern state of Uttarkhand, Auli is a small hill station which has recently received popularity as a ski resort in India. The slopes of Auli are considered to be the best in Asia and offer one of the very few skiing options in India. The Nanda Devi peak is visible on a clear day from the town. The city is also the venue of the annual winter sports organized during the months of February and March. The skiing season in Auli is normally between November till March.

Fast facts
Languages: Hindi and English
Best time to visit: December to March
STD Code: 013172

History
The temple at Joshimath is one of the four set up by the famous Indian saint, Guru Adi Shankaracharya. These are called pithas and are revered by Hindus all over India. The local semi nomadic Bhotiya tribes have inhabited Auli and the nearby areas for many centuries. These tribes carried out trade with the Tibetan nomads and since then, cultural intermingling has been a constant feature between these two regions. The slopes that are now popular for skiing once used to be the training grounds for the Indo-Tibetan border police force.A famous and daring skiing descent from the 23490 feet high Trishul peak was successfully attempted in 1958. Skiing down took only 90 minutes while the climb had taken four days.

Best Season, Climate, and Clothing

Since it is famous for winter sports, skiing in particular, the best time to visit this scenic hill station is during winter. November to March is the ideal time for the skiers as the slopes are in perfect condition for skiing during that period. From December to March, the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam organizes 7-day and 15-day skiing courses. Heavy woolens are needed to combat the harsh winters and temperatures can reach well below zero degrees Celcius.

Gangotri – The Eternal Gift Of Bhagirath’s Penance
Be it man’s urge to placate the Gods above or to quench his desire for adventure, Gangotri is an ideal location. Gangotri, the origin of the sacred river Ganges, attracts tourists in large numbers every year. The confrontation with the daunting rivers and attempts to unravel the mysteries of the supernatural world are ubiquitous sights here. Along with the thrill of conquering nature, what one experiences here is the mystical aura that India is so famous for.

Location
Couched in the magnificent Garhwal hills, Gangotri is at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level. It is on the northernmost part of the state of Uttar Pradesh and is very near the Indo-Tibetan border. It is approximately 300 km from Dehradun, 250 km from Rishikesh and 105 km from Uttarkashi. The summers are relatively cool and winters are freezing cold, with rains in the months of May and June. For the devotees and tourists, the gates of the temple are open only in the months of May to November.

Shri Badrinath Dham

Badrinath, the seat of the god Vishnu in his aspect of Badrinarayan, is the most important of the four sites in India’s Char Dham pilgrimage.Situtaed in the hills of Himalaya, at the height of 10,248 feet above sea level. The route to Badrinath is one of the most arduous one due to the lofty hilly terrain, curves and cliffs amidst the most scenically beautiful place on the earth.

The Temple:

The temple’s was built by the Kings of Garhwal about two centuries ago.The temple has three sections – Garbhagriha (Sanctum), The Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap. The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) houses Lord Badri Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad Rishi, Uthavar, Nar & Narayan.

Lord Badri Narayan (also called as Badri Vishal) is armed with Shankh (Conch) and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana – vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. Also here are the idols of Adi Shankar, Swami Desikan and Shri Ramanujan Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to have its roots here.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana – vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi

Rishikesh is just 24 Kms from Haridwar. Located in the laps of lower Himalayas, this place is considered to be the access point of three other pilgrim places of Badrinath – Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri the four great places which combine to make Chardham . Rishikesh is surrounded by scenic beauty of the hills on three sides with Holy Ganga flowing through it.

The whole place is considered to be sacred as it is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation. There are many temples-some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. The River side is dotted by the ashrams of Sadhus and sages. Rishikesh is also famous for ashrams teaching Yoga.

Location

The valley is located in Chamoli Garhwal in the state of Uttaranchal, close to Nanda Devi National Park. About 595 kilometres from Delhi, the altitude of the place varies from 3,200 m to 6,675 m.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to be here is in the months of July and August after the snow has melted. That’s when the weather is pleasant and the flowers are also in their full bloom.