Chamiyala is a small, serene Himalayan village in Tehri Garhwal, ideal for travellers who love raw mountain landscapes, village life, and offbeat experiences away from tourist crowds. It works beautifully as a base to explore the Bhilangna valley and nearby Tehri region.
Tourism in Chamiyala
Tourism in Chamiyala is still very local and uncommercialised, centred on simple homestays, terraced farms, river views, and short hikes to nearby temples and viewpoints. Travellers usually club a stay here with wider Tehri Garhwal circuits that include New Tehri, Ghansali, Chamba, and adventure activities at Tehri Lake.
Location
Chamiyala lies in Bhilangna tehsil of Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, about 10 km east of the district headquarters (New Tehri side) and near Ghansali on the Bhilangna–Bal Ganga river belt. The village sits amid terraced fields and forested hills, with views of surrounding Garhwal ranges and easy access to river valleys.
History
As a Garhwali hill village, Chamiyala’s history is tied to the broader Tehri Garhwal princely state and the old pilgrimage and trade routes along the Bhilangna valley. Nearby Ghansali hosts an old Hanuman temple and annual fair, showing how the area has long served as a cultural and religious hub for surrounding villages.
Fairs and Festivals
Villages around Chamiyala celebrate traditional Garhwali festivals along with major Hindu occasions like Makar Sankranti, Holi, and Diwali. The annual fair at the Hanuman Temple in Ghansali, with folk music, local markets, and rituals, is one of the region’s notable events and draws people from neighbouring valleys.
How to reach
Chamiyala is reached mainly by road:
- From Rishikesh/Dehradun–New Tehri, you drive towards Ghansali and Bhilangna valley, then onward by local road to the village.
- The nearest railheads are Rishikesh and Dehradun, while the closest airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun); from all three, travellers continue by bus or shared taxi into Tehri Garhwal and then to Chamiyala.
Tourist attractions
While Chamiyala itself is a quiet rural stop, several attractions lie within comfortable driving distance:
- Tehri Dam & Tehri Lake: One of India’s tallest dams with a vast reservoir offering boating, jet‑skiing, kayaking, and lakeside camping.
- Ghansali & Bhilangna Valley: Scenic confluence town with historic Hanuman Temple, riverside views, and surrounding forests.
- Hill stations nearby: Chamba, Dhanaulti, Kanatal and other Tehri Garhwal viewpoints are accessible for day trips or extensions.
- Temples & village walks: Local shrines, ridge‑top viewpoints, and terraced‑field walks around Chamiyala offer authentic Garhwali village experiences.
Cuisine of Chamiyala
Cuisine in Chamiyala mirrors traditional Tehri Garhwal fare: simple, hearty meals cooked from local grains and vegetables. Expect dishes like mandua ki roti (finger‑millet bread), jhangore ki kheer (millet pudding), aloo ke gutke (spiced potatoes), bhatt ki dal, saag, and chutneys made from seasonal herbs, usually served in family‑run homestays or small eateries.
