Uttarkashi as its name suggests is Kashi of north(Uttar).It is also called the land of God & Godness. Location (city/area)- Uttarkashi is 150 kms north of Rishikesh in the hills of Uttaranchal at 1158 metres. It is the market town and administrative centre forthe hundreds of villages in the surrounding mountainsIn the yatra (pilgrimage) season May - October, thetown becomes very busy with tens of thousands of pilgrims passing through each day. During the winter the town bazaar is still busy but only with locals and people from the surrounding villages. The town is not old, having had a serious earthquake in the early 90's. The surrounding hills are covered by protected pine forests and it is excellent countryside fortaking short walks or longer treks.