Dharchula is a town and a nagar panchayat in Pithoragarh district in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India. An ancient trading town for the trans-Himalayan trade routes, it is surrounded by very high mountains and is situated in a valley, on the banks of the Kali River at 915 m (3,002 ft) elevation. The Kali is the western boundary of Nepal with India. Nepalese and Indian nationals cross unrestricted, however there is a customs checkpoint for goods.
Dharchula lies about 83 km (52 mi) northerly of Pithoragarh along the route of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage tour. The name of the town may originate from the Hindi words for "mountain peak" (dhar) and "stove" (chula) because the valley in which it lies resembles a stove.
Dharchula is very cold during winters, but it does not usually get snow. Summer temperatures are similar to the plains.
Nepal has a town with a similar name, Darchula, about 22 km (14 mi) air distance northeast. The people of both towns have similar traditions, culture, and lifestyle and move across the border without hindrance and without passport or visa. The area has a mixture of Kumaouni and dotiyali language, traditions and culture.
Read more about Dharchula: Demographics, History, Climate, People, Lifeline of The People, Language and Culture, Flora and Fauna, Important Places, Landmarks and Events