Harsil - An Unexplored Valley
Harsil is located in a picturesque valley inhabited mainly by the Bhotia tribes. The temperature of Harsil remains pleasant during summers and reaches a freezing point during winters. There are numerous Deodar and Apple trees in Harsil and the region receives snowfall from December to March. Harshil is situated on Uttarkashi - Gangotri Road at a distance of 72 kms after Uttarkashi.
Dense Deodar forests, gushing water of Bhagirathi River, chirping birds, salubrious environment and serene environs are the highlights of this little secluded destination.
Harsil Travel News
02 Mar 2024
Snowfall Update - Snowfall in Chardham, Harsil on 02 Mar 2024
Around 6 inch snowfall recorded in Harsil on 02 Mar 2024. There has been snowfall in Harsil along with Char Dham in Uttarakhand and other high altitude. Though the Badrinath temple is closed for winters, the opening date of Badrinath has been announced.
20 Feb 2024
Uttarakhand Snowfall Update 20 Feb 2024
Snowfall was reported on Monday in regions such as Kedarnath Dham, including Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Chandrashila, etc. Additionally, light snowfall was observed in tourist spots like Chopta, Dugalbitta and in Deoriatal.
The phenomenon extended to Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham, Harshil Valley, and other high-altitude areas of Uttarkashi. Despite the snowfall, road movements remained unaffected at present.
Activities in Harsil
Trekking: The mesmerizing valley of Harsil filled with oak and deodar trees makes it a trekker’s paradise. Many trekking routes pass through Harsil which takes one through cascading waterfalls, verdant hills covered with pine and oak trees, gushing river streams.
Pilgrimage: During the winter when the Gangotri is under the snow, Goddess Ganga is brought downhill to Mukhba village which is just 1 km from Harsil. Devotees can visit the winter abode of Goddess Ganga and seek her blessings.
Village Tourism: The beautiful village of Harsil encourages eco-tourism where tourists can experience these calm and serene environments along with learning about the rustic way of life, customs, and beliefs of the community that lives there.
Staying in Harsil
Harsil is a hushed hill station situated in Uttarakhand which has missed the eyes and ears of frequent tourists. There isn’t a variety of accommodation available at Harsil options as the hill station is not as popular as Nainital or Mussoorie. Instead, only a handful of budget guesthouses with limited facilities are available at Harsil. The government has also set up GMVN guesthouses at Harshil.
Harsil Food Guide
Being a hushed hamlet, there are not much options to eat at Harsil. Travelers can find roadside food stalls and local restaurants serving North Indian cuisine and popular Chinese items like noodles, momos. Apart from that these food joints may serve authentic Garhwali cuisines like Gahat Dal, Sisunak Saag, Kappa, and Chainsoo to name a few.
Mythology about Harsil
According to Hindu mythology, Jalandhar, the king of demons had terrorized the gods with his power and whenever the devas tried to defeat him his power would increase as his devoted wife Vrinda would pray to Lord Vishnu for her husband's victory. The gods then went to Lord Vishnu for seeking help and requested him to vow Vrinda, as her husband could only be defeated if his beloved wife would commit adultery outside her marriage.
Vishnu used his charm to tempt Vrinda but her love and devotion for her husband didn't shake her morality. Having no other escape, Lord Vishnu then disguised as Jalandhar and violated Vrinda’s chastity. Jalandhar was eventually killed by Shiva, upon realizing that Jalandhar had died, Vrinda cursed Lord Vishnu that he will turn into a stone and will scatter everywhere in the territory of king Jalandhar. Hence, the place got its name Harsil.
While the other folklore tells that the two rivers, Jalandhari and Bhagirathi always fought with each other to prove their metal. The fighting caused turbulence and terror in the areas nearby, the mortals then prayed to Lord Vishnu for resolving the issue. Vishnu listened to their prayers and transformed into a 'Sila' or stone. He placed himself in the midst of the confluence of Jalandhari and Bhagirathi rivers. Therefore, the place was named Harshil which literally suggests Lord Vishnu in the form of a rock.
Harsil is also popularly written as Harsil Valley, Harshil, Harshil Valley
Maud Gervain
31 Aug 2024
Q. Harsil is located on the banks of which river?
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Babita Arora
30 Aug 2024
Q. How many days are required to visit Harsil Valley?
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Supriya Saxena
26 Aug 2024
Q. When is the apple plucking season in Harsil? Can we buy apples from locals?
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Harsil Weather
Check out the Harsil weather report for September
Harsil Weather in September
The minimun and maximum temperature in September in Harsil is 11°C and 21°C respectively. The weather is generally cloudy and rains in September and you would feel cold throughout the day. Light Woolen clothes are recommended for Harsil in September.
What is Harsil famous for?
Harsil is famous among tourist as Hill Station.
Harsil is recommended destination for Corporates, Family and Kids, Foreigners, Groups, Solo.
Harsil is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Base Camps (Trek), Cantonment Area, Char Dham Route, Emerging Destinations, Hill Station, Orchards, Romantic, Yoga and Meditation.
