Kotdwar: Land of Bharat

Kotdwar is a tehsil in Pauri Garhwal district in Indian state of Uttarakhand. Its old name was Khohdwar, which means the gateway of the river Khoh: as Kotdwar is located on the bank of river Khoh so it was named Kotdwar. It is situated in the south-western part of state and is one of the main entrance points in the state of Uttarakhand. Kotdwar Railway station, established in 1890 by the Britishers is one of the oldest railway stations of the country. Being the gateway of Himalayan Region, Kotdwar rail route was used for timber transportation from Himalayan Region. First Passenger train ran in the year 1901.

Kotdwar is famous for its most known and holy Sidhbali temple which is situated at a distance of 2 km from Kotdwar. Sidhbali mandir is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is visited by hundreds of believers all round the year.

Kotdwar, not just a town but a place where it all begins ‘Bharat’ ‘Aryavarat’.

Kanvashram is an important place both historically, culturally and archaeologically in the history of India. It is located on the bank of river Malini about 14 km from Kotdwara. It is believed that Indra, the king of Gods, was scared by Sage Vishwamitra’s meditation, sent a beautiful heavenly damsel named Menaka to the earth to disrupt his meditation. She succeeded in disturbing Vishwamitra’s meditation. With their union she gave birth to a girl child. Menka having succeeded in her purpose left the child on the bank of river Malini and went back to her heavenly abode. This child was found by sage Kanva and brought up in his ashram called Kanvashram. She was named Shakuntala by the sage. She later married the King of this region named Dushyanta.