Kanatal and Tehri- an underrated gem 



Kanatal is located in Uttarakhand, one of India's most popular hill states. It is full of aesthetic beauty and is known around the world for being the home of the mighty and divine Himalayas, India's sacred rivers, stunning landscapes, wildlife, and diverse flora and fauna. It's no surprise that this is the land that aids in spiritual enlightenment.

The lush beauty of forests, lakes, mountains, rivers, and legends and stories of various Gods is what gives the state the name "Devbhoomi" or "Land of Deities."

Kanatal is a charming hamlet in Uttarakhand's Garhwal region. It is believed that visiting here provides the best opportunity to feel and experience everything that Uttarakhand has to offer. 

It is a quaint and serene place that lets you stay close to nature and remain off the grid.


Where is Kanatal ? 


Kanatal is known for its stunning views of the Banderpoonch Range of the Garhwal Himalayas. It also has forest trails, Apple orchards, and Shaktipeeth Surkanda Devi Temple. Kanatal is also a place where you can observe the rustic life of people in the Garhwal hills.



The Banderpoonch range and major Himalayan peaks are visible from here. As per the legend, Hanuman Ji came here after burning Lanka to douse the flames on his tail. This is how this place got its name Banderpoonch which literally means the tail of a monkey.


 How To Reach Kanatal ? 


Kanatal is located in Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal District at a height of 2590 metres above sea level. It is approximately 40 kilometres away from Mussoorie, 80 kilometres away from Dehradun, and 320 kilometres away from Delhi. There are two main routes from Delhi to the destination. One option is to take the Delhi Meerut Expressway to Meerut. Take the Meerut Bypass to National Highway 344, which leads to Haridwar and Rishikesh.


The second route follows the first route until it reaches National Highway 344, where it changes to National Highway 307 at Muzzafarnagar. To reach Dehradun, the new highway will pass through Roorkee. From Dehradun, take the Mussoorie Chamba road to Mussoorie.


Places to Visit in Kanatal

Surkanda Devi Temple

Surkanda Devi Temple is one of the many Shaktipeeth Temples spread across India. It is called Surkanda because it’s the place where the head (Sar in Hindi) of Goddess Sati fell. The temple is situated on the tallest peak in Kanatal. To reach the temple one needs to hike on a steep uphill path of around 1.6 kilometers. Although the distance is less the hike is very challenging it takes more than an hour to reach the top. Currently, the Uttarakhand Government is constructing a ropeway to the temple. Which will make it easier to reach. The temple architecture is distinct and similar to Japanese huts.


Tehri Dam and Tehri Water Sports Tourism Complex

Tehri Dam is one of the most famous as well as controversial multipurpose dam projects in India. It is the tallest dam in the country, located on the holy Bhagirathi river. The dam is located in one of the most geologically sensitive regions and is a modern engineering marvel. The creation of the dam lead to submerging of the town of Old Tehri and a new reservoir spread over an area of more than 70 square kilometers was formed. This reservoir is today known as Tehri Lake and is one of the largest man-made lakes in Asia. To rehabilitate the people of Old Tehri a new town was formed which is known today as “New Tehri”.


The Tehri Dam and Tehri Water Sports Complex are located 30 kilometers away from Kanatal. It is probably the best tourist spot to enjoy when you’re visiting this place. The blue pristine waters of the Bhagirathi river surrounded by hills form an immaculate scenery.

The water sports complex provides an opportunity to enjoy water sports over the reservoir. Speed Boating and Jet Ski ride are recommended. The boating is highly adventurous because of the presence of Rapids. The reservoir even has an island, and views of Dobra Chanti. This Suspension Bridge is the longest Suspension Bridge in India.

Dobra Chanti Suspension Bridge



Another activity unique to Tehri Reservoir is that in June when reservoir water is not that cold, they organize Diving trips for tourists. This gives the opportunity to see the ruins of the town of Old Tehri. You can see the houses and trees which were submerged when the dam was created. You can also stay in floating houses located in the middle of the reservoir. The rates and booking in the floating houses can be made online.

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