Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi is a district in Uttarakhand state of India. It is situated on the bank of Bhagirathi at a height of 1158 metres above sea level. The district derives its name from the town with the same name which is the headqurter of the district.

It sprawls in the extreme north-west corner of the state over an area of 8016 sq. km. On its north lie Himachal Pradesh State and the territory of Tibet and the district of Chamoli in the east.

Population of the district as per census 2001 was 295.01 thousand.

It is spread on a large tract in the valley. It is also called city of temples. This famous place of pilgrimage is equated to Kashi or Varanashi. The confluence of the rivers Varuna and other streams, by which side this town is situated, is considered a holy place. The temples of the god Vishwanath, and epithet of lord Shiv, Ekadash (eleventh) Rudra, and Bhairav are among the most famous temples of India.

There are six tehsils, 6 development blocks, 36 nyay panchayats, 427 gram panchayats, and 673 villages (5 uninhabited) in the district.

History

Uttarkashi district was created on February 24, 1960 out of what then constituted the parganas of Rawain and Uttarkashi of Rawain tahsil of erstwhile Tehri Garhwal district.

Uttarkashi is an ancient place with rich cultural heritage and as the name suggests is the Kashi of the north (Uttara) held almost as high a veneration as Kashi of the plain (Varanasi). The area which is held sacred and known as Uttarkashi, lies between the rivers Syalam Gad also known as the Varuna and Kaligad, and also as Asi. The Varuna and the Asi are also the names of the rivers between which the Kashi of the plain lies. One of the holiest Ghats in Uttarkashi is Manikarnika so is the one by the same name in Varanasi. Both have temples dedicated to Vishwanath.

The hill tribes namely Kiratas, Uttara Kurus, Khasas, Tanganas, Kunindas and Pratanganas find references in the Upayana Parva of the Mahabharata.

According to an account given in the Mahabharata, Jada Bharatha a great sage performed penances at Uttarkashi. The Kedar Khand of Skanda Purna refers Uttarkashi and the rivers Bhagirathi, Jahanavi and Bheel Ganga.

The district of Uttarkashi was part of Gharwal Kingdom ruled by Garhwal dynasty that carried the cognomen `Pal' which was changed to Sah during 15th century conferred by Sultan of Delhi perhaps Bahlul Lodi. In 1803 Gorkhas of Nepal invaded Garhwal and Amar Singh Thapa was made Governor of this region. The Gorkhas came into contact with the British power in 1814 as their frontiers in Gharwal became determinous with those of the British. The border troubles prompted the Britishers to invade Garhwal. In April, 1815 Gorkhas were ousted from Garhwal region and Garhwal was annexed as British district and was split up into eastern and western Garhwal. The eastern Garhwal was retained by the British Government. The western Garhwal, lying to the west of the Alaknanda river with the exception of the Dun was made over to the heir of Garhwal dynasty Sudarshan Sah. This state came to be known as Tehri Garhwal and it was merged with the state of Uttar Pradesh in 1949 after India attained independence in 1947.

After formation of Uttarakhand, the area is now in the State of Uttarakhand.

Politics

Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitation order of 2008

1 Purola Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - 1-Mori Tehsil; 2-Purola Tehsil; KCs 2-Naugaon, 3-Barnigad, PCs 39-Gandoli & 41-Gair (Banal) of 4-Rajgarhi KC of 3- Rajgarhi (Barkot) Tehsil.

2 Yamunotri Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 5-Chinyalisaur Tehsil; KC 1-Barkot, PCs 40-Gulari, 42-Rajgarhi, 43-Chaptari, 44-Gangtari & 45-Nagangaon of 4-Rajgarhi KC of 3-Rajgarhi (Barkot) Tehsil; PCs 50-Kalyani, 51-Jineth, 52-Genwala (Bhandarsyun), 53-Kurmola, 54-Jhunga of 1-Dunda KC & Barkot NA of 4-Dunda Tehsil.

3 Gangotri Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 6-Bhatwari Tehsil; PCs 46-Barethi, 47-Matli, 48-Nakuri (Barsali), 49-Beerpur (Dunda) of 1-Dunda KC & KC 2-Bhatwari (Dhanari) of 4-Dunda Tehsil.

Places of interest
Uttarkashi Town, Maneri, Gangnani, Dodital, Dayara Bugyal, Harsil, Sat-Tal, Gangotri, Kedartal, Nachiketa Tal, Gaumukh, Bhojwasa, Nandan-Van Tapovan, Yamunotri, Harkidoon,