Dodital

History Of Dodital

In the Himalayas there are many Hill stations of Northern India. In the lap of the Himalayas, there are many lakes too: Sahastra Tal, Vasuki Tal, Naini Tal, Bhim Tal, Gohana Tal, Durmi Tal, Devri Tal, Bhenak Tal, Guddiyar Tal, Mahadevasar Tal and Sahasrabahu Tal, but Dodital excels all others. Its water is believed to possess a unique quality that freshens the skin. Dodital has two other names, Dhoondital and Dundital. Dhoondital means Ganesh-Ka-Tal (lake of Ganesha). There is a legend that in the Puranic age, Ganesh selected it as his abode. An ancient idol of Ganesh still exists here and it is difficult to hazard a guess about its age. In Sanskrit, Dhoondis is synonymous with Ganesh.

People of the last border village Aghora say that fear had earlier kept the people away from Dodital, as they believed that the people who went there never returned. They either died of exhaustion or in the hailstorms that frequent the place. Many years ago, a party of pilgrims came here with some guides from Aghora village. At that time the hailstorm lasted for twelve hours but fortunately, there was no casualty. The storm neither harmed them nor their village. From then, the road to Dodital was opened for tourists. Now, many groups of tourists converge here every year and carry home the cherished memory of their sojourn in the lap of the Himalayas, an unforgettable experience.

Tourists Attractions

'Dodi' is the local name of the trout. Multitudes of trout float in the lake, hence the name Dodital. Now, for many years the government has been running a fisheries center at Kalyani that lies on way to Dodital. The fish are let lose from the Assi Ganga to the Bhagirathi. The Assi Ganga rises from Dodital and joins the Bhagirathi four km north of Uttarkashi.

Mahadev-ka-Vishal Trishul (Shiva's Great Trident) is the most unique and distinguished feature in the Uttarkashi region. Made of eight major metals, it is truly matchless. It is believed that Shiva killed Vakasur with this trident that is 26 ft high. There is a legend here that in the long past it dazzled the eyes of the onlookers by its glitter. For this reason, it was smeared with color. In the temple, a mere touch of a finger can shake it, but outside the temple, it cannot be shaken even by applying great force.

Vishwanath temple is located opposite the Shiva Trident. Many folk tales are connected with it. Barahat is located near Uttarkashi and gives the first its first view.