Dharchula

Dharchula
Hill Town
Clockwise from top : View of mountains from Dharchula, Rung Museum, Narayan Ashram and Buddha Cave.
Dharchula
Location in Uttarakhand
Dharchula
Dharchula (India)
Coordinates: 29°50′54.6″N 80°32′34.8″E / 29.848500°N 80.543000°E / 29.848500; 80.543000
Country India
StateUttarakhand
DivisionKumaon
DistrictPithoragarh
Elevation
940 m (3,080 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
7,039
DemonymDharchullya
Languages
 • OfficialHindi, Sanskrit
 • NativeDharchuleli Kumaoni, Rung Lo, Dharchuleli Dotyali
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
262545
Vehicle registrationUK-05
Websiteuk.gov.in

Dharchula (In Kumaoni: Dhàrchulà, धार्चुलऻ), is a town in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. It is located at an elevation of about 940 metres (3,080 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by high Himalayan peaks. The Mahakali River flows through the town, dividing it into two settlements situated on either bank—one in India and the other in Nepal. Residents on both sides of the border share close cultural, linguistic, and social ties, reflecting a long-standing common heritage. Local people are permitted to cross the river without passports or visas, facilitating interaction and trade. The population of the area includes Khas, Kumaoni, Dotyali, and Rung communities, contributing to its diverse cultural traditions. Dharchula is situated approximately 92 kilometres (57 mi) north of Pithoragarh, the district headquarters. It lies on the Pithoragarh–Lipulekh Pass Highway (PLPH) and falls along the route of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a significant pilgrimage in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.