Uttarakhand: 10 photos that prove its natural splendour

Uttarakhand is perhaps one of the most beautiful and naturally abundant states in India. Surprisingly, the state is still largely unexplored as tourists seldom journey to places other than Nainital, Mussoorie, Dehradun or further. Here, we have curated ten stunning photos of Uttarakhand to drive home its beauty; almost surreal, these photos look almost like paintings that are too good to be true, but are real!

In photo: View from Tiffin Top, Nainital

Tapovan is a short trek away from Gomukh and is one of the country's most beautiful alpine meadows. A very offbeat places, it's visited only by ardent explorers in search of surreal landscapes and serenity that is evident in this photo. While the trek is steep at places, the journey is definitely worth it.

In photo: Akash Ganga flowing in the valley as sun sets over Tapovan

Rishikesh's charm will never be off us, or you, and for all the right reasons too. Waking up to this view is something that is nothing less than otherworldly, as River Ganga flows down the Himalayas in all its might. As mornings turn into noon here, you will see plenty of young people aboard rafts, testing themselves against the might of the river. The usual humdrum of this town will woo you in spite of its constant chatter.

Uttarakhand is as wild as a Himalayan state can be, but there's more to it. Venture into its wilder side as you go chasing tigers and elephants at the Jim Corbett National Park. Of course, there is a lot more to see here, and there's plenty for those not keen only on the big cats. A safari here will show you how naturally abundant the state is.

A morning at Kedarnath Temple is something that no other experience in the world can equal. It's one of the most revered Shiva temples in the world, and sees devotees coming in from all over in summertime. A visit to the temple in September, right before it shuts down for the winters, is a great choice to beat the crowd as well as for a rare chance of experiencing snowfall here.

An otherwise nondescript hamlet, Devprayag is another place that one is bound to fall in love with. This is where River Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet and take the name of River Ganga henceforth. The sight of two majestic rivers meeting at the fork in the Himalayas here is otherworldly and will make you ponder about nature's majesty.

Tungnath is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world, and is one of the five Panch Kedars in Uttarakhand. It is located in District Rudraprayag and needs a trek of about 3 hours from Chopta. The higher you go on this trek, the more inspiring your views would be. It is believed to be more than a thousand years old, and the views from the top are nothing less than nature's bounty.

Read more: In the world of Uttarakhand's Panch Kedars

Partaking in Ganga aarti at Haridwar is an experience that will lure you time and again. It is believed that this is where River Ganga touches the plains for the first time, and devotees from around the world participate in this daily ritual in honour of the river. Thousands of floating lamps grace the free-flowing water during the aarti, making it a spectacle to behold.

One of India's most loved destination for winter sports, especially skiing, Auli is a stunning place. Nature has showered Auli with the best of its colours, and winters are not necessarily the only time you should visit it. Come spring season and the place turns lush with Himalayan flora, adding more charm to this beautiful resort town.

Chaukhamba is a majestic mountain massif in the Garhwal Himalayas, with Chaukhamba 1 as its highest peak. One can get spellbinding views, such as this, of the massif from Ukhimath as well, though the unforgettable views are from Deoria Tal. This is a lifetime's memory for nature lovers, do not skip!

In photo: The majestic Chaukhamba massif over Ukhimath