Uttarkashi is situated on the banks of Ganga at a distance of 199 kilometres from Dehra Dun. It is a prosperous
town with modern amenities and is the Headquarters of the district of the same flame.
Uttarkashi is a small and beautiful town, situated between two rivers:
Varuna and Ashi, whose waterflow into the Bhagirathi from either side of the town.
Elevated, at a height of 1588 metres, this little town is very similar to Kashi and Varanasi,
in that it has the same kind of temples and ghats and likewise, a north or'uttar' facing
river. The major temple is the Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Two other very
important temples are located in the Chowk area. These are the Annapurna Temple and the Bhairav
Temple. Once, it is said, there were 365 temples here. Hiuen Tsang referred to this place
as Brahma Pura, while the Skanda Puran has recorded it as Varunavata. It is believed that
in the second millennium of Kaliyug, Kashi will be submerged, and Uttarkashi will replace
it as an important religious centre.
