Those visiting Gangotri in Uttarkashi should not miss the opportunity to visit Harshil. Over a dozen streams merge into the Bhagirathi amid snow-clad mountains and lush apple orchards here offers a view which rarely fails to mesmerise a visitor. In addition, the Bhotia community’s rich culture can also be seen in Bagori village, where one can also buy hand-knitted woolen clothes made by the villagers. According to scriptures, lord Vishnu had turned into a black stone (Shaligram) due to the curse of Vrinda, wife of demon king Jalandhar.
Here, the glimpses of that Shaligram can still be seen in the midst of Bhagirathi’s waters near the lakshmi Narayan temple. The place was earlier known as ‘Hari Shila’, which is now called Harshil. Flowing out the glaciers situated on the border with Himachal Pradesh, the Jalandhari river first turns into beautiful waterfalls before Harshil and later it gets divided into over a dozen streams in the apple orchard area, which then merge into the Bhagirathi.
In Bangori village adjacent to Harshil, the Jaad Bhotia community’s Buddhist temples and wooden buildings showcasing ancient architectural art of the area, are also a major attraction for visitors. Being in close proximity of Mukhba- the winter abode of goddess Ganga- Dharali and Chholami, the visitors to Harshil can also visit the Ganga temple, Kalp Kedar and Panchmukhi Mahadev temples. The apples and rajma (kidney beans) of this area are also very famous.
Harshil is also where adventurer Frederick E Wilson settled down after deserting the British army in 1857. ‘Pahari’ Wilson, as he was later known, had become wealthy enough from his enterprises here to have minted his own money at that time.