Image Credits : Bipin Gupta
Harsil – The Switzerland in India
On the way to Gangotri, lies a beautiful hill station of Harsil. Harsil sits at a height of 2620 m from sea level and spreads over nearly 1553 square km. This hidden, unspoiled jewel offers lots of scope for people who are in quest of serenity and peace in the Himalayan area. The picturesque place has become quite popular in the current years among nature lovers and travel enthusiasts. Nestled between the dense covering of deodar and pine and the Himalayas, Harsil offers a wonderful package for the vacation makers.
With chilling winters and pleasant summers, this place is amazing both for a family vacation or a romantic outing.
As per Hindu mythology, the king of demons, “Jalandhar” has terrorized all the Gods with his immense power. When Gods tried to defeat this demons king, his power always increased since his wife Vrinda used to pray to Vishnu for the victory of her husband. On knowing about this, all the Gods went to God Vishnu to get some help from him and they requested Lord Vishnu to vow Vrinda. They did so because the demons king could be defeated only if his wife committed adultery other than with her husband. So, God Vishnu tried to attract Vrinda with his charm but her devotion and love for her husband was so much that nothing was able to shake her morality. In turn, Lord Vishnu masked as Jalandhar to violate the chastity of Vrinda. Eventually, Jalandhar, the demon’s king was killed by Lord Shiva. It was then that Vrinda cursed Vishnu to turn into a black stone which will scatter here and there in the King Jalandhar’s territory. From then onward, this place is called Harsil. Harsil comes from two different words “Hari” and “Shila.” Here Hari refers to Lord Vishnu and Shila to a Stone. However, according to another legend, River Bhagirathi and River Jalandhari kept fighting with each other always. Their fights lead to terror and turbulence in the nearby areas. So, the mortals prayed and requested Lord Vishnu to help resolve the issue. Lord Vishnu accepted their prayers and turned into a stone, “Sila.” He then placed himself at the union of Bhagirathi and Jalandhari rivers. Hence, the place is named Harshil that literally means Lord Vishnu in the avatar of a rock.
Harsil has some sightseeing options. From the adventure seekers to nature lovers, the place has got something for everyone. - Wilson Cottage - Dharali - Gangnani - Sattal Harsil - Mukhba Village - Gangotri
Pilgrimage: In winters, when Gangotri is filled with snow, Ganga is taken to the Mukhba village, located at a kilometer distance from Harsil. So, devotees can visit the Goddess Ganga’s abode in Harsil to seek her blessing.
Trekking: Harsil mesmerizing valley is filled with deodar and oak trees, making it a paradise for the trekkers. Lots of trekking routes in Harsil takes you through the cascading waterfalls, gushing rivers, and green hills that are covered with oak and pine trees.
Village Tourism: Harsil, a beautiful village, encourages eco-tourism. Tourists can experience serene and calm environments together with the rustic life of that place, beliefs, and customs.