Srinagar

Srinagar, once the capital of the Garhwal Kings before the arrival of British, is situated in a sprawling valley on the bank of Alaknanda River at a distance of 29 km. from district headquarter Pauri. Today, it is one of the biggest townships of the district and a seat of Garhwal University.  It is located at a junction of roads from Kotdwar, Rishikesh, Tehri Garhwal, Kedarnath & Badrinath and it serves as main halting point for the pilgrims of  ‘Char Dham Yatra’. 

Srinagar, the traditional capital of Garhwal Kings, was an important center for Art & Architecture and Trans- Himalayan Trades. The town’s name derived from ‘Shri Kshetra’, ascribed to the location here of an ‘Sriyantra’ – a tantrik device associated with human sacrifice. Through centuries the town has been transformed from a ‘Chatti’ (Pilgrims’ Night Halt) to a ‘Durbar’ (Court) and to a busy commercial & educational center as its present status. Up to 1804 A.D., the town was the capital of Garhwal. In 1816 A.D. it came under the rule of British after the Gorkha invasion from 1805 – 1815 A.D. But by the time it passed under British control it had lost much of its glamour. The reduction of the town to a ruin is attributed to the repeated ravages wrought by the Alaknanda and to an earthquake in 1803 A.D. The Gorkha invasion only hastened the process of its decay.

Modern Srinagar was founded in 1879 A.D. when it was given a status of town area and its architectural complexion has changed drastically in the last few decades.  Area of the city is about 9.7 sq. km. Total population as per 1991 census is 18,791 with 12,913 male population and 5,878 female population. The literacy percentage of the city is 62.22. The climate of the city is hot in summer, cold and foggy in winter. The nearest railway terminus is at Rishikesh at the road distance of 106 km., and the nearest airport is Jollygrant, a place near to Deharadun at a distance of 123 km. via Rishikesh.

The religious places around the city are Raghunath Temple, Buli Temple, Satyanarayan Temple, Kamsmardani Temple, Kamleshwar Temple, Dharidevi Temple, Kishori Math, Shankar Math, Badrinath Math. Annually a five day fair is organized on Baikunth Chaturdashi.

Facilities: -

Accommodation: Alaknanda Tourist Rest house, Srinagar Tel: 52199, Tourist Rest house, Srikot  Tel: 52499, Hotel New Menka Tel: 52132,  Hotel Prachi Tel: 52431, Hotel Raj Hans Tel: 52192, Hotel Devlok Tel: 52237, Hotel Pine-Inn Tel: 52723 , Ahinsa Guest House, Ajanta Lodge, Dalmiya Daramshala, Baba Kalikamli Daramshala, Kamleshwar Daramshala,

Supplementary Accommodation facilities: Municipal Board Rest House, Jal Nigam Inspection House, PWD Inspection House, Garhwal University Guest House.

Restaurants: Rajhans, Chahat, Dai-Chhi, G.M.V.N., Ganges, Prachi, Jayaka, Menka, Relish Chic-inn.

Banks: State Bank of India Tel: 52173, Punjab National Bank Tel: 52126, District Co-operative Bank Tel: 52120, Union Bank of India Tel: 53429, Punjab & Sindh Bank Tel: 52162.

Markets: Gola Bazar, Ganesh Bazar, Upper Bazar.

Hospitals: Govt. Hospital, Sitapur Eye Hospital, Base Hospital Srikot, Babu Ram Dharmath Homeo Hospital Tel: 57074, Bhatt Clinic Tel: 52382, Dr. Ram Bhaj Dant Hospital Tel: 52362, Hatwal Clinic Tel: 52728, Kumar Clinic Tel: 53253, Madhur Clinic Tel: 52338, Madhur Nursing Home Tel: 53492, Naithani Clinic Tel: 52286, Nautityal Clinic Tel: 52384,   Sai Nursing Home Tel: 52208, Sri Nidhi Narayan Rural Medicare Centre Tel: 52004, Uniyal Homeo pathic Clinic.

Medical Stores: Ankit Medical Store Tel: 52885, Bhandari Medicos Tel: 52733, Gayatri Medical Store Tel: 52453, New Anjali Medical Store Tel: 57066, Uttaranchal Medical Store Tel: 52807, Ashutosh Aushdhi Bhandar Tel: 52494, Bhauguna Pharmacy Tel: 52114, Garhwal Drug House Tel: 52221, Jain Medicos Tel: 52662, Pradeep Medical Agency Tel: 52363. 

Education: H.N.B. Garhwal University Campus, One Government Polytechnic, One Government Industrial Training Institute, One Girls Industrial Training Institute, Four Intermediate Colleges, Five High Schools and Eleven Primary & Junior High Schools,   Seven  Private Computer Training Institutes.