Sitapur – A Picturesque Place in Uttarakhand
If you want to feel close to nature in the most peaceful way, then visit Sitapur Uttarakhand. It’s a beautiful little village surrounded by hills and greenery. Many pilgrims like to stop in Sitapur and rest here before continuing their Char Dham pilgrimage. Sitapur is just 7 km from Gaurikund and 26 km from Guptkashi, which makes it a convenient place to stay especially during the busy Char Dham Yatra season when other places may be crowded.
It’s a small and beautiful hill town with amazing mountain views, nice weather and the people here are very welcoming. There’s a lot to see and enjoy in Sitapur. Keep reading this travel guide to learn more and have a wonderful trip.
How to Reach Sitapur
By Flight
If you're coming from Delhi, Sitapur is around 440 km away from Indira Gandhi International Airport. The closest airport to Sitapur is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. It's properly connected to Delhi, and taxis are available from there to Sitapur.
By Railway
Haridwar is the best railway station to start your journey. You can get buses or taxis from Haridwar to Sitapur. Rishikesh and Kotdwar also have stations, but fewer trains go there, so Haridwar is the more convenient option.
By Road
To reach Sitapur, you can take a bus, taxi, or drive your car using NH 107, which runs from Rudraprayag to Gaurikund near Kedarnath. From Delhi, follow NH 334 through Haridwar and Rishikesh, then join NH 107 at Rudraprayag. Sitapur is on this route, and you’ll pass through towns like Guptkashi on the way.
Note: Helicopter services to Kedarnath are available from Sersi, Phata, and Guptkashi, which are located near Sitapur.
Weather of Sitapur
The summer season here starts in mid-April and continues until the monsoon begins. The temperature stays around 22°C. The monsoon (July to mid-October) brings landslides and blocked roads, so it’s best to avoid that time. Winters in Sitapur are quite cold, with temperatures around 9 to 10°C. The best time to visit is during summer or just after the monsoon season, when the weather is pleasant.
Places to Visit
Gaurikund
Famous for its hot spring with healing properties, this spot is an important stop for pilgrims. Before going to Kedarnath, many visitors take a holy bath here which washes away negativity and purifies the body as well as the soul.
Guptkashi
The name Guptkashi means "Hidden Kashi," and this town is deeply connected to Hindu mythology. People believe that after the Mahabharata war, Lord Shiva stayed here when the Pandavas were looking for him. Later, he went to Kedarnath, where they finally found him. The town is special because it’s also connected to the story of Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that Shiva tested Parvati’s devotion before they got married.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath is a holy temple where devotees worship a special pyramidal rock inside the main temple. They believe this rock is a form of Lord Shiva himself, which makes it a very important and sacred place for people to visit and pray.
Badrinath
Badrinath, located in Badrikashram, is a holy place where Lord Vishnu is worshipped. People believe he meditated here under a Badri tree. Badrinath is not just spiritually important, it’s also surrounded by stunning mountains and the flowing Alaknanda River. The peaceful views make you feel calm and refreshed.
Gangotri
Town of Gangotri is famous for its temple. It is the second place pilgrims visit on the Char Dham route. It is surrounded by lovely mountains and attracts many devotees who come to pray and find peace. It’s a spiritual place where people feel close to nature and God.
Yamunotri
Yamunotri is a special place where people worship the Yamuna River as their mother goddess. It is located 3,293 meters above sea level in the Uttarkashi district. At Yamunotri, there is a small hot water spring where pilgrims cook rice and potatoes. These cooked foods are offered as prasad. Before entering the temple, devotees also pray to Divya Shila, a special rock nearby.
Sonprayag
Sonprayag is an important religious spot on the way to Kedarnath Dham. ‘Prayag’ means the meeting point of rivers, and Sonprayag is where the sacred Basuki and Mandakini rivers join.
Rudraprayag
Rudraprayag is a clean and peaceful town where the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers meet. The forests around Rudraprayag have many rare plants, and the area is calm and perfect for nature lovers and pilgrims.
Ukhimath
During the winter months, when Kedarnath Temple is shut, the idols of Lord Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar are brought to Ukhimath. During this time, devotees come to the Omkareshwar Temple to pray.
Joshimath
Joshimath was earlier known as Jyotirmath. It becomes the home of Lord Badrinath in winter. In winter, the idol of Lord Badrinath is moved from the Badrinath temple to the Vasudeva temple in Joshimath. In the cold season, devotees visit this temple to pray and feel spiritually connected.
Triyuginarayan Temple
Triyuginarayan Temple is very old and was built in the Treta Yuga. It’s the place where Shiva and Parvati got married. Inside the temple, there’s an Akhand Dhuni, a sacred fire that has been burning continuously since their divine wedding.
Fairs and Festivals
Big Hindu festivals like Shiva Chaturdashi, Janmashtami, Akshay Tritiya, Deepavali, and the Badri-Kedar festival are celebrated with great joy. During these times, more pilgrims and devotees visit the temples to take part in the celebrations.
Accommodation
Sitapur has many hotels and lodges where you can stay. It is often the starting point for many Chardham Yatras because it is a convenient and main place for pilgrims to start their journey.
Sitapur to Char Dham – Distance Guide
| Destination | Distance | Time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badrinath | 220 kms | 8 hrs | Sitapur – Guptkashi – Ukhimath – Chamoli – Pipalkoti – Joshimath – Govindghat – Pandukeshwar – Hanuman Chatti – Badrinath |
| Kedarnath | 25 kms | 2 hrs | Sitapur → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath |
| Gangotri | 334 kms | 10 hrs | Sitapur → Guptkashi → Ukhimath → Augustmuni → Rudraprayag → Srinagar → Naughar → Uttarkashi → Gangotri |
| Yamunotri | 330 kms | 12 hrs | Sitapur → Guptkashi → Ukhimath → Augustmuni → Rudraprayag → Srinagar → Chinyalisaur → Dharasu Band → Barkot → Jankichatti → Yamunotri |
Activities You Can Try in Sitapur
- Trekking and Nature Walks: Enjoy a peaceful walk in Gaurikund and Guptkashi, where you can see stunning mountain views and lots of greenery.
- Try the Local Food: Try popular Char Dham dishes like Aloo ke Gutke (spiced potatoes), Kafuli (creamy spinach), Mandua ki Roti (finger millet flatbread), Arsa (sweet rice cakes), and Jhangora ki Kheer (millet pudding). Local dhabas and temples often offer these tasty meals.
- Shopping for Handicrafts: Visit small stalls where you can buy warm clothes, beads, and religious items.
Conclusion
Sitapur is a peaceful and beautiful village near Kedarnath. Many pilgrims stop here to rest and enjoy its refreshing surroundings before continuing their Char Dham Yatra. Sitapur isn’t just a stop. There are temples nearby, hot springs, and lovely views that make the whole journey unforgettable. Whether you come to pray, enjoy nature, or just relax, Sitapur warmly welcomes everyone who arrives. It is a place where you can feel calm and refreshed.
