Situated in the Himalayas, Ukhimath offers panoramic views of the Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks. It is a pleasant and picturesque hill town, 41 km from Rudraprayag. Located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and situated at an elevation of 1311 m, Ukhimath is a perfect place for travelers looking to enjoy the peaceful and pristine serenity of a hill station without the crowds. Earlier known as Ushamat, the town derived its name from Banasur’s daughter Usha. Ukhimath was the land where the wedding of Usha and Anirudh, grandson of Lord Krishna was solemnized. It is also a famous pilgrimage center and known for its ancient temples dedicated to Usha, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Aniruddha and Mandhata. Utsav Doli of Lord Kedarnath and Madhyamaheswar are brought to Ukhimath during winter and worshiped for six months. The temple also holds year round pujas of Lord Omkareshwar. Situated on the road connecting Guptkashi with Gopeshwar, the holy town is mainly inhabited by the priests of Kedarnath temple known as Rawals. From here, tourists also visit many other off-beat tourist destinations like the holy town of Madhmaheshwar, the ancient temple of Tungnath and the Deoria Tal Lake.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN UKHIMATH
Accommodation options are limited in Ukhimath. Only a few budget hotels and lodges are available. It is advisable to book rooms in advance. The state government tourist guest house offers basic amenities. Tourists also prefer to stay at Chamoli which has several options for stay ranging from budget to mid-range ones.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN UKHIMATH
There aren’t too many restaurants in Ukhimath. Chamoli is the closest place that has dhabas, restaurants and street food stalls. Non-vegetarian food is not available at places of religious importance but restaurants attached to hotels serve all kind of cuisines.
BEST TIME TO VISIT UKHIMATH
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Ukhimath is as given below. The best time to visit Ukhimath is also specified.