Every Char Dham traveller passes through Srinagar Garhwal; almost none of them know it was once a kingdom's capital. Founded by King Ajay Pal in the 16th century as the seat of a unified Garhwal, it grew into the region's most important town — until a flood in 1894 wiped much of it away, and the capital moved elsewhere. What survives today is the Alaknanda valley's largest town, and a stop worth understanding rather than just driving through.
What Is Srinagar Garhwal?
A Kingdom's Capital, Undone by Flood
Ajay Pal, who unified the fragmented "land of fifty-two forts" — Gadhdesh, the old name for Garhwal, referring to its scattered petty kingdoms — into a single realm, established Srinagar as his capital in the 16th century. It held that status for roughly three and a half centuries, through the rise and eventual fracturing of the Garhwal kingdom under British-era pressures.
In 1894, a natural landslide dam on the Birahi Ganga, a tributary further up the Alaknanda valley, gave way. The resulting flood devastated Old Srinagar. The ruling family relocated first to nearby Kirtinagar, founded by King Kirti Shah shortly after, and eventually to New Tehri — the beginning of the chain of events that led, decades later, to the modern town of Tehri overlooking what is now Tehri Lake.
Distances From Srinagar Garhwal
| To | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Devprayag | ~35 km | 1 hr |
| Rudraprayag | ~70 km | 2 hrs |
| Rishikesh | ~100 km | 3 hrs |
| Haridwar | ~125 km | 3.5–4 hrs |
| Kedarnath (via Gaurikund) | ~155 km | 5–6 hrs |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Srinagar Garhwal?
Srinagar Garhwal (distinct from Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir) is a historic town on the Alaknanda river in Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, on the Char Dham road between Devprayag and Rudraprayag. It was the capital of the Garhwal kingdom from the 16th century until a devastating 1894 flood destroyed much of the old town, and today it is the largest town on this stretch of the Char Dham highway, home to Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University.
When was Srinagar the capital of Garhwal?
From the 16th century, when King Ajay Pal is credited with founding it as capital of the unified Garhwal kingdom, until the late 19th century. A massive flood in 1894 — caused by the collapse of a natural landslide dam on the Birahi Ganga, a tributary further up the valley — devastated Old Srinagar, after which the Tehri royal family relocated their capital to nearby Kirtinagar and eventually New Tehri.
What is HNB Garhwal University?
Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, established in 1973 (originally as Garhwal University, renamed in 1989), is headquartered in Srinagar on the banks of the Alaknanda. It is the region's principal university and makes Srinagar the largest educational and commercial centre on the Devprayag–Rudraprayag stretch of the Char Dham road.
How far is Srinagar Garhwal from Devprayag and Rudraprayag?
About 35 km from Devprayag and roughly 70 km from Rudraprayag, directly on NH-7, the main Char Dham road route.
Is Srinagar Garhwal a pilgrimage stop?
Not a primary one — it is better understood as the largest service town on this stretch of highway, useful for fuel, food, banking and hotel options between the smaller villages either side. Pilgrims interested in Garhwal history may want to stop for the historical context alone.
Retired Indian Army officer, founded Shiv Ganga Travels in 2010. Has driven the Devprayag–Srinagar–Rudraprayag stretch several hundred times across fifteen yatra seasons. More about the team.
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