Srinagar

Srinagar (Garhwal) — not to be confused with its Kashmiri namesake — is the largest town in the Garhwal Himalaya, spread along the banks of the Alaknanda river. Once the capital of the Garhwal kingdom, it has a long history as a centre of trade, learning and administration, and today is dominated by the sprawling campus of the HNB Garhwal University.

The town is an important waypoint on the Char Dham route between Rishikesh and the higher shrines, with a youthful, lively character thanks to its student population and riverside setting. Nearby, the riverbank has been reshaped by the Srinagar hydroelectric project.

Close to town stands the famous Dhari Devi temple, guardian deity of the Char Dham, perched dramatically over the Alaknanda, along with the Kamleshwar and Kilkileshwar temples. Srinagar makes a convenient and characterful halt on the journey deeper into Garhwal.

October to April is most comfortable; summers are warm and the monsoon wet with landslide risk on mountain roads.