Uttarkashi is one of the most revered and famous centres of pilgrimage in India. It is a vital town in Uttarakhand, on the banks of Bhagirathi River at an altitude of 1352 m above sea level. It is home to a number of ashrams and temples and also the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. The Bhotiya Jadh people predominantly inhabit Uttarkashi. It is also known as Soumya (modest) Kashi or Soumya Varanasi, just like the Varanasi of the plains lies situated between the Varuna and Asi which go on to join the Bhagirathi on the west and east of the town respectively. It was called the Varnavarta in the Skanda Purana and was formerly known as Barahat, a celebrated place for centuries.

Legends of Uttarkashi
This is the place where Duryodhana planned to kill the Pandavas by housing them in a house made of lac and setting fire to it. The Ashrama of an ancient Royal sage, Jada Bharata, who had given up his throne and led the life of a wandering ascetic, is also located here.

It is Vishwanath (Lord Shiva), who has mainly contributed to the sanctity of Uttarakashi as his northern (Uttariya) dwelling place. According to the Indian Puranas, he had prophesised that in Kalyug his seat at Varanasi would lose its religious sanctity when he would move to the Himalayas to reside as Uttarkashi where the Kirata-Arjuna duel had taken place.

This place is northernmost among the five Kashis in India. It is set in beautiful surroundings among the standing as it is on the Bhagirathi against a background of hills. Like Varanasi, Uttarkashi is also a town of temples and also like Varanasi the most important temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva under the name of Vishwanath. It is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. In a hall right in front of the temple stands a Trishul of Lord Shiva signifying power. It is said to have been erected there by a Malla King. Other important temples of the town are those dedicated to Parushurama, Dattareya, Annapurna, Bhairava and Kadashudra. The temple of Lakeshwar is in the eastern part of the town and is associated with the lac house built by Duryodhana.