Jwarna, a high-altitude village in the Kanatal region of District Tehri Garhwal, is emerging as one of India’s most accessible astro tourism and astrophotography destinations, offering clear naked-eye views of the Milky Way between May and September every year.
Located at an elevation of over 8,000 feet above mean sea level, Jwarna combines dark skies, consistent weather, and excellent road and air connectivity, making it a preferred destination for astronomy enthusiasts traveling from Delhi NCR and other major Indian cities.
Between May and September, visitors to Jwarna can clearly see the Milky Way with the naked eye, a phenomenon becoming increasingly rare due to rising light pollution across India. The region’s low ambient lighting, dry mountain air, and stable night-time atmospheric conditions allow for consistent celestial visibility on most clear nights.
In addition to Milky Way viewing, satellites are visible almost every night, and meteors (or shooting stars) are frequently observed, even outside peak meteor shower periods.
During major astronomical events such as the Geminid Meteor Shower, Perseids, and other annual meteor showers, the frequency of visible meteors increases significantly, making Jwarna a prime observation point.
Jwarna has also developed into a hub for regularly organised astro photography workshops, attracting participants from across India. These workshops focus on Milky Way photography, night landscapes, long-exposure techniques, star trails, and meteor photography, and are conducted by experienced mentors.
Special astro photography workshops are organised annually during the Geminid Meteor Shower and other key astronomical events, allowing participants to capture multiple meteors per night under professional guidance. These events have contributed to Jwarna’s growing reputation as a structured and reliable astro tourism destination rather than a purely exploratory one.
Apart from night-sky observations, Jwarna is gaining attention for its distinct moonrise phenomenon, where the moon appears to rise gradually from behind distant Himalayan ridgelines. This event is frequently photographed due to the dramatic interplay of light, landscape, and altitude.
The region is also known for offering what many visitors describe as one of the best sunrise views in India. From the designated sunrise point near Jwarna, early-morning skies reveal expansive Himalayan panoramas bathed in changing hues, making the destination popular among photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Jwarna offers comfortable glamping accommodations, enabling visitors to experience high-altitude astronomy without compromising on safety or comfort. Combined with warm local hospitality and good road access, this has positioned Jwarna as a round-the-year destination, suitable for short weekend trips as well as extended stays.
The area is considered ideal for corporate offsites, outbound training programs, families, couples, and solo travelers, particularly those seeking active holidays cantered around astronomy, nature, and photography.
Check Whispering Pines Resort in Jwarna for your stay
Situated less than 300 kilometres from New Delhi, under 80 kilometres from Rishikesh and Dehradun, and approximately 85 kilometres from Dehradun Airport, Jwarna is currently regarded as the closest location from Delhi where Milky Way visibility is possible without optical equipment. Its proximity to urban centres sets it apart from other high-altitude stargazing locations that typically require longer travel times and difficult terrain.
Jwarna’s location also provides easy access to several well-known destinations in Uttarakhand, including Tehri Lake, Surkanda Devi Temple, Dhanaulti Eco Park, George Everest Point, Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, and Bhatta Waterfalls. The surrounding forests host rare Himalayan flora and bird species, adding ecological value to astro tourism experiences.
With its combination of naked-eye Milky Way visibility, frequent satellite sightings, meteor showers, structured astro photography workshops, and close proximity to Delhi, Jwarna is increasingly being recognised as India’s most accessible high-altitude astro tourism destination.
As interest in astronomy-based travel continues to grow, Jwarna’s unique blend of accessibility, altitude, and consistently clear skies places it at the forefront of India’s evolving astro tourism landscape.
