Pauri — Travel Guide
Pauri (the scenic administrative headquarters of the Pauri Garhwal district and Garhwal Division in Uttarakhand, perched along the northern slopes of the Kandoliya ridge at an altitude of 1,814 meters / 5,951 feet above sea level), commands an astonishing 180 degree panoramic vista of snow crowned Himalayan giants including Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Kamet, and Bandarpoonch.
Kandoliya Temple — Ancient Pine Encircled Sanctuary on the Panoramic Ridge of Pauri
Surrounded by thick forests of Himalayan blue pine, oak, and crimson rhododendrons, Pauri has long served as the cultural, literary, and educational heart of Garhwal. The town offers an unhurried mountain rhythm, authentic Garhwali village life, and mesmerizing sunrise views illuminating the Greater Himalayas.
Pauri is home to extraordinary spiritual and scenic landmarks: the sacred pine shaded Kandoliya Temple, the ancient 8th century stone shrine of Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev Temple (established by Adi Shankaracharya), the peaceful pine hamlet of Khirsu (19 km away, celebrated for quiet apple orchards), the high altitude arena of Ransi Ground (one of Asia's highest sports grounds), and the scenic Chaukhamba Viewpoint.
Connected via smooth mountain highways just 30 km from Devprayag, 45 km from Srinagar Garhwal, 85 km from Lansdowne, and 135 km from Rishikesh, Pauri offers the quintessential tranquil mountain retreat away from commercialized tourist circuits.
Best Time to Visit Pauri:
- March to June (Spring & Summer / Best Mountain Weather):** Daytime temperatures range from 16°C to 28°C with blooming red rhododendrons (*buransh*) and clear sunny days, ideal for sightseeing, forest walks, and mountain photography.
- September to November (Autumn / Crisp Snow Views):** Razor sharp visibility of snow peaks with pleasant temperatures of 12°C to 22°C.
- December to February (Winter):** Chilly with daytime temperatures around 5°C to 15°C and cold nights with occasional snowfall in Khirsu and Kandoliya.
- July to August (Monsoon):** Clouds and mountain mist envelop the valley.
Famous Garhwali Mountain Specialties:
- Mandua Ki Roti with Pure Ghee: Nutritious finger millet flatbread served with farm fresh white butter and *Gahat Ki Dal*.
- Pahadi Chainsoo: Slow roasted black gram curry cooked in traditional iron kadhai.
- Kafuli: Traditional puree of mountain spinach and fenugreek greens seasoned with local spices.
- Jhangore Ki Kheer: Sweet barnyard millet pudding enriched with saffron, cardamom, and chopped nuts.
- Aloo Ke Gutke: Mountain potatoes tossed with crispy fried *jakhya* seeds and pahadi herbs.
By Air:
Jolly Grant Airport (Airport Code: DED Dehradun - 130 km west) is the nearest domestic airport with regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Lucknow. Taxis and hill cabs are available at the airport arrivals to reach Pauri in approximately 4 to 4.5 hours via Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Srinagar along NH-7.
By Train:
Pauri is served by key railway railheads in Uttarakhand:
- Kotdwar Railway Station (Station Code: KTW - 108 km south):** Major railhead connected with daily express trains from Delhi (Mussoorie Express, Garhwal Express). Hill cabs take approximately 3.5 hours via Lansdowne/Gumkhal.
- Rishikesh / Yog Nagari Rishikesh (Station Code: YNRK - 135 km):** Connected with express trains from major Indian cities.
By Road:
- From Delhi (~330 km / 7.5 to 8.5 hours):** Via Meerut, Kotdwar, Gumkhal, and Pauri (NH-534) OR via Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Srinagar (NH-7).
- From Rishikesh (~135 km / 4 hours):** Smooth all weather Char Dham Highway (NH-7) via Devprayag and Srinagar, then uphill along the Pauri Srinagar road.
- From Lansdowne (~85 km / 2.5 to 3 hours):** Scenic mountain ridge drive via Gumkhal and Bubakhal.
- From Dehradun (~155 km / 4.5 to 5 hours):** Via Rishikesh, Devprayag, and Srinagar.
- Regular UTC and GMOU state transport buses depart continuously from Anand Vihar ISBT (Delhi), Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh.
Local Transport:
Shared mountain jeeps, local buses, and private taxis connect Pauri town with Khirsu, Srinagar Garhwal, Kandoliya, and Bubakhal.
Shopping in Pauri offers authentic Garhwali produce, organic grains, and woolen handlooms:
- Upper Bazaar & Agency Chowk: Traditional markets for handwoven Garhwali woolens (shawls, jackets, caps), brass puja bells, and handcrafted wooden items.
- Organic Produce Outlets: Certified organic Mandua flour, Jhangora, Gahat dal, dry *faran* herbs, *jakhya* seasoning seeds, pure multiflora forest honey, and local apple cider.
Must-Visit Places in Pauri
Pauri Garhwal features an extraordinary collection of ancient Shiva temples, high altitude viewpoints, alpine forest parks, and pine hamlets:
1. Kandoliya Temple & Pine Shaded Hilltop Park (2 km)
The foremost guardian sanctuary of Pauri, dedicated to Lord Kandoliya Devta. Perched on a forested hilltop 2 km from the town center, the temple is surrounded by fragrant pine and oak trees, offering panoramic views of Pauri town, terraced valleys, and the snow clad Chaukhamba massif.
Kandoliya Temple — Hilltop Shiva Sanctuary Overlooking Pauri and Snow Capped Himalayan Peaks
2. Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev Temple & 8th Century Shankaracharya Shrine (Alaknanda Overlook)
An ancient 8th century stone temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, established by Adi Shankaracharya during his historic Himalayan pilgrimage. Built in classic Kedarnath stone shikhara architecture, the sanctuary commands breathtaking views of the sacred Alaknanda Valley below.
Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev Temple — 8th Century Historic Stone Temple with Panoramic Valley Vistas
3. Chaukhamba Peak Viewpoint & Greater Himalayan Panorama (Pauri Ridge)
A designated vantage point on the high ridge of Pauri that provides an unobstructed, breathtaking 180 degree vista of the four pillar mountain of Chaukhamba (7,138 m), flanked by Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Kedarnath peaks.
Chaukhamba Viewpoint — Majestic Four Pillar Snow Peak Massif Viewed from Pauri Ridge
4. Khirsu Serene Pine Forest Village & Apple Orchard Retreat (19 km)
A tranquil, offbeat hill village situated 19 km from Pauri at an altitude of 1,700 meters, enveloped by dense deodar, pine, and oak forests. Khirsu is famed for quiet forest nature trails, organic apple orchards, and panoramic mountain solitude.
Khirsu Village — Peaceful Deodar and Pine Forest Haven with Expansive Himalayan Views
5. Ransi Ground (Ransi Stadium) & High Altitude Alpine Arena (Asia's Highest Sports Ground)
One of the highest altitude sports grounds in Asia, situated 2.5 km from Pauri town amid dense pine groves. The stadium hosts regional athletics tournaments and offers refreshing walking circuits with alpine vistas.
Ransi Ground — High Elevation Sports Stadium Encircled by Towering Pine Trees
6. Nagdev Temple & Dense Rhododendron Trekking Trail (Bubakhal)
An ancient serpent shrine dedicated to Lord Nag Devta, reached via a delightful 4 km forest trail through thick oak and rhododendron woods blooming scarlet in spring.
7. Laxmi Narayan Temple & Historic Pauri Upper Bazaar Sanctum
A revered temple in the heart of Upper Bazaar dedicated to Goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu, featuring traditional Himalayan stone craftsmanship and festive pujas.
8. Jwalpa Devi Temple & Nawalika River Shakti Sanctuary (34 km on Kotdwar Highway)
A famous Siddha Peeth dedicated to Goddess Jwalpa Devi, situated on the banks of the Nawalika River along the Pauri Kotdwar highway, drawing thousands of devotees year round.
9. Tara Kund & High Altitude Sacred Mountain Lake (2,200 m Rath Region)
A picturesque alpine lake situated at 2,200 meters, framed by mountain meadows and an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Tara.
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