I visited Dhanaulti for the first time many years
ago by chance.
It was nothing more than a small village with a
couple of hotels back then.
We were on our way to Gangotri with a friend. Those
were the early days of my travels, and I'm not sure why, but we came up with
the idea that a weekend bike ride to Gangotri could be easily accomplished from
Delhi. Isn't that crazy?
But it seemed doable at the time, and we set out on
a Saturday morning, in the month of August.
The journey that followed was torturous, with heavy
traffic and an endless line of Kanwariyas, as well as 6 hours of nonstop rain.
We had barely arrived in Chamba after nearly ten hours on the road when we
realised it would be best to abandon our plans to visit Gangotri.
We took the turn
from Chamba towards Mussoorie , tired and exhausted, in search of a place to stay for the
night, and that is how we ended up in Dhanaulti. What had started out as a bad
day ended with us finding a fresh and beautiful place that would become my
weekend getaway for the next few years.
Since then, I've visited Dhanaulti numerous times and it continues to be my favourite destination when I want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life for a while.
Below is a quick glimpse of Dhanaulti:
Places to see in Dhanaulti
Things To Do In Dhanaulti
Surkanda Devi Temple
This temple, about 8 kilometres from
Dhanaulti, is associated with the Sati myth and Shiva's Tandava. According to
legend, Shiva passed through this location while moving Sati's dead form and
accidentally dropped her head here. That is how the Surkanda Devi temple came
to be, and it is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Dhanaulti
and the surrounding area.
Surkanda Devi, Chandrabadni, and Kunjapuri are all part of the Devi Darshan
triangle trek. It's a 2-kilometer difficult trek from the main road to Chamba.
To get to the temple, you'll have to park your car along the road and climb a
long flight of stairs.
The temple, as well as the whole hike,
is encircled by thick woods. When you reach the brink, you'll be rewarded with
a breathtaking and scenic view of the entire valley. It is also known for its
Ganga Dussehra festival, which takes place in the autumn.
Government Aaloo Farm
This
is a government potato farm, but it is the best spot in Dhanaulti for a perfect
sunrise view and some great photography. Simply ask any local and they will
point you in the right direction.
Eco-Park
The only two tourist attractions in
Dhanaulti are the Eco Parks. In the village, there are two small parks, one on
either end. The first is known as Amber, while the second is known as Dhara,
and they are about 500 metres apart. Both of these parks were created with the
support of residents by the Forest Service. Both parks are developed around a
small forest with Deodar trees that has been designated as a protected area.
Pariyon ka Mandir
You can also visit the Pariyon ka mandir if you don't mind a little trekking, but please do so with a local guide as there is a chance of getting lost [and being bitten by dogs]. The path is about a kilometre long and leads through the forest to the temple at the top of a hill. Fairies, according to legend, visit this location every night, and hence the name, Pariyon ka Mandir
What to do in Dhanaulti
The list of things to do in Dhanaulti is close to the list of places to visit in Dhanaulti. There isn't much to do in a place like Dhanaulti, but that is why you come. Everyone has moments in their lives that they are compelled to do nothing. There were no get-togethers, no deadlines, no visits to friends or family, and no frantic timetable. You've come to Dhanaulti in search of certain occasions.
Photography
For someone with even the tiniest interest in photography,
this small village is a dream come true. It's like paradise on earth here, with
breathtaking views all over, and it'll be difficult to avoid scrolling.
Trekking
Trekking will be added to the list of things to do in
Dhanaulti. On a morning, you can trek to Surkanda Mata Mandir and Pariyon ka
Mandir. You can go on the Nag Tibba Trek for a more serious trek, but it will
take at least two days from Dhanaulti. It takes one day to get to Nag Tibba and
another day to get back to Dhanaulti.
Adventure
Activities
Some adventure games, such as Flying Fox, are available at
one of the Eco Park camp sites. It's not much, but it's a good way to spend a
few minutes.
Shopping in Dhanaulti
In Dhanaulti, there isn't anything to buy. There are just a
few sops here that sell groceries and other necessities. If you wanted to buy
something, the best place to go will be Mussoorie's Mall Road and browse the
options there.
What to eat in Dhanaulti
In the area, there are numerous small restaurants and eateries. Almost all north and south Indian dishes are served here, as well as some Chinese dishes such as noodles and momos. You can eat at your hotel or at one of these restaurants. There isn't any particular dish or specialty that you can seek out here; it's just normal food.
Best Time to Visit Dhanaulti
Throughout the year, the weather in Dhanaulti is good and
cold. In the months of January and February, it snows, and the average night-time
temperature is close to 0 degrees. Even though there is no snow in March, it is
still a bitterly cold month. Spring arrives in the area around the end of
March, and the months of April, May, and June are the best months to visit.
Getting There
By Air
The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 85 kilometres
away, is the closest airport to Dhanaulti.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Dhanaulti is Dehradun, which
is about 60 kilometres away. Dehradun is served by regular trains from cities
and towns all over India. After Dehradun, Rishikesh will be the next closest
railway station.
By Taxi
You can also take a private taxi from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Mussoorie after arriving by train, bus, or flight. A taxi from Dehradun will cost around Rs. 2000, while Rishikesh and Haridwar will cost around Rs. 3000–4000. ‘
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