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Jageshwar

Jageshwar is a Hindu pilgrimage town in Almora district, Uttarakhand, and dedicated toLord Shiva. It is located 36 km towards the northeast of Almora, in Kumaun region. The temple city comprises a cluster of 124 large and small stone temples, dating 9th to 13th century AD.

Gannath

This place is situated at a height of 2116 metres and 47 kms away from Almora and the tourists who are nature lovers can enjoy this picturesque place with its natural caves and a traditional ShivaTemple.

Chitai Temple

The temple is situated at a distance of 8 kms and one can reach there by walking through an exquisite pine forest or by using a cart. This temple is devoted to Lord Golu and the people here are strong worshippers and hence this area is very busy. One can see thousands of small bells hanging here because as soon as the wish of a devotee is fulfilled they hang a bell to thank the lord.

Katarmal Sun Temple

This temple is situated 7kms away from Almora and has been built in the 9th century. This temple has a historical importance as it is considered to be next best to the famous Sun temple in Konark which is situated in Orissa. A tourist can see elaborate engravings in this temple but being old now it is in need of renovation.

Jageshwar Dham

This temple has a historical importance because it is considered to be the home of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is located at a distance of 34 kms away from Almora and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. A tourist can also enjoy the surroundings here as this temple lies in the middle of a thick deodar forest. One can find 124 temples and around hundred statues each carved out exquisitely.

Govind Vallabh Pant Public Museum

This museum has a historical significance and gives the tourists information about the traditions and cultures that existed in Kumaon. The tourists can see traditional paintings and sculptures and a valuable assemblage of artefacts.

Ranikhet

Ranikhet is an exquisite hill station in the majestic Himalayan ranges perched at a height of 1,829 meters above sea level, with an area of 21.76 sq. km in Uttarakhand. Developed by British, it is populated with ancient shrines, verdant green hills, undulating terrains along with the majestic view of the Nanda Devi peak and famous golf course.

Location

https://www.google.co.in/maps?q=ranikhet&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCsOD7p-rbAhVFto8KHQqvAj0Q_AUIDCgD

Lietrally translated as ‘Queens Meadow’, it has a lot to offer the visitors:

Jhula Devi Temple – Built in 8th century, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga perched on a wooden swing and it is said to be a wish fulfilling temple wherein pilgrims come and make their wish and upon it being fulfilled, they offer a bell to the temple.

Ram Mandir - A temple dedicated to Lord Ram is on a hilltop which is reached by a small flight of stairs. It consists of a monastery where students are taught ancient vedas along with Vedic and modern mathematics.

Chaubatia Garden – an exemplary orchard, it comprises of more than 200 varieties of fruits and flowers and is famous for its orchards of peaches, apricots, apples and plums. There’s also a state run fruit reseach laboratory in the vicinity and is the best model of step farming in the Himalayan region. The garden also offers a mesmerizing view of the snow crest alps of Nanda Devi, Nandaghunti, Trishul and Nilkanth and is an ideal spot for a picnic.

Bhalu Dam – One of the famous attractions, it is small artificial lake built in 1903 by the British Government and is encircled with idyllic garden and panoramic views of the mountain ranges making it a perfect serene spot for a picnic and relaxation.

Utpat – A lush green tiny town surrounded by forest and snow-capped mountains, Utpat is 5km from Ranikhet and is flocked by tourists for its remarkable 9 holes golf course which is second best in India and highest in Asia and the kalika temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Kali.

Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum - Established by Kumaon Regiment of Indian Army in the 1978, the museum has on display a vast collection of war artifacts from First World War till date. Contributions by the Kumaon and Garhwal Regiment during the World Wars, the Indo-China war and the Pakistan war, Kargil and Op Pawan can be identified at this Museum. It also houses valuable materials like Rani Jhasi's silver scepters, documents and pictures related to Kargil War, a wireless field telephone used in World War II by Japanese and Chinese rifles captured in1962 war.

Haidakhan Babaji Temple – The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is constructed by Haidakhan Maharaj who is believed to have been an incarnation of lord Shiva. The temple offers splendid views of regal Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi and Trishul. The temple with its spiritual ambience attracts devotees from all over the world.

Tarikhet – Situated 8km from Ranikhet, it is a famous hamlet known for its popular attraction of the Gandhi Kutiya, which was the resting place of Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle. The village is best visited during March to October as winetrs can get quite harsh.

Due to its favourable alpine climate, Ranikhet can be visited all year round.

Highlights

Ranikhet is a famous tourist attraction due to its vast swaths of plush green forests, ancient shrines, peace and tranquil ambience and a salubrious climate.
It has various magnificent sunset points, the most prominent one being Majhkali with a splendid view of the snow crowned Himalayan range enveloped in a pleasant breeze and serene atmosphere.
The temple of Binsar Mahadev dedicated to Lord Shiva is very famous and is situated amidst dense forest of Cedar forest and fresh water spring. It is believed to bless childless couples who pray here with a child.

Recommended Fo

A peaceful holiday surrounded by idyllic nature and wonderful temples.

How to get to Ranikhet

Flight: The nearest airport is Pantnagar airport, Nainital located at a distance of 119 km. A cab can be hired from there directly to Ranikhet

Train: The closest station is Kathgodam railway station at a distance of 80km. A cab can be hired from there directly to Ranikhet.

Road: It is well connected to major cities and several private and state buses run to Ranikhet. Private car and taxi can also be hired.

Interesting Facts About Ranikhet

Ranikhet is the headquarters of the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army.
It is believed that the dense jungle near the Jhula Devi temple was once full of wild animals that used to attack local villagers. The villagers prayed to Lord Durga for protection and one day she came in a shephard's dream and advised him to excavate her idol. This temple is constructed at the spot where the shepherd found Goddess Durga's idol and since then she has been protecting the villagers.
The name derives from the popular legend that Maharaja Sudhardev wife, Queen Padmini was struck by the beauty of the place and had decided to make the place her residence and hence the name Ranikhet. Contrary to the belief, no palace exists in the area.
In 1869, The British visited Ranikhet as a summer retreat and developed it into a hill station for their troops and established the headquarters of the Kumaon Regiment.
The Mankameshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that was built by the Kumaon regiment in 1978.

Kausani

This is located at a distance of 52 kms from Almora and is present at a height of 1890 metres and a popular holiday destination. One can view around 400kms of snow peaked mountains from here like the peaks of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda devi, Nandghunti, Api, Panchachuli and Nampa. The tourists can enjoy a peaceful holiday here along with various amusements. This is another place where the tourist can enjoy the natural surroundings and as the experience the sunrise one can see the famous KatyurValley. This place is famous asthe birth placeof the popular Hindi poet SumitraNandan Pant. Mahatma Gandhi also loved this place and his stay is recorded in the Anasakti Ashram which the tourists can visit.Mahatma Gandhi named this hill station the ‘Switzerland of India’.

Binsar

It is located 30 kms away from Almora and lies among thick forests of rhododendron and oak trees and offers the tourist a breathtaking view of the Himalayas. This region is now a wildlife sanctuary which is the home of animals like barking deer and panthers. The tourists who love bird watching can find a lot of unique bird species like spotted dove, yellow backed sunbird, brain fever, large pied wagtail and streaked laughing thrush and butterflies. A viewing tower called the Zero point which is just 25 kms from here gives a picturesque glimpse of sunrise and sunset.

Bageshwer

This is located 90kms from Almora and is headquarter of the district of Danpur. One can visit this place for religious purposes as well as just to view the natural surroundings. But the tourists who want to visit the glaciers of Kafni, Sunderdunga and Pindari have to pass Bageshwar.

Baijnath

It is located 70 kms away from Almora and is a flat valley on the GomtiRiver. It is famous for its temple which dates back to the 12th and 13th century. This temple is devoted to Goddess Parvati and a huge idol –about the size of a human is sculpted in black stone and kept here. Outside the temple compound is situated a large round stone which can be lifted by nine men together by using one finger each. A kali temple is also located here.

Shitla Khet

This place is located between Almora and Ranikhet and is a beautiful place giving the tourist a breathtaking view of the Himalayas. The tourists can also enjoy the fruit orchards which are present here. This place is famous for scouting camps and while trekking on a beautiful mountain trail one can see the shrine of Syahi Devi around 3kms away. Khunt –a place located nearby is famous for being the birth place of PanditGovindBallabh Pant who was the first chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Cultural Attractions

The region of Kumaun hills is rich in folk lore and the folk tales.There are wonderful stories of leaders as well as stories of a mythical nature. Almora is a culturally rich town, which has been well-preserved, generation to generation. The most famous festival in Almora is the Nanda Devi Festival celebrated in September, during which a fair is also held. The Uttraini Festival organised in Bageshwar (90 km) is celebrated in January and a week-long fair accompanies it. The months of July and August see the Jageshwar Monsoon Festival and the all-time favourite festival of Dussehra is celebrated with much alacrity in Almora.

Shopping destinations

Almora is a small town where a shopper can get good bargains. It is not a shoppers paradise but one can get good local things like brass items, metal utensils, decorative items and woollen garments at a good rate. One can get cloth made from fur of Angora rabbits in the two hundred old bazaars called Lala Bazaar.

Restaurants

Almora is famous for its simple and traditional food. One can find simple Indian food like yellow dal with rice made with jeera or lemon. The potato tikki and the purialoo are famous in this area. The speciality food for non-vegetarians in this area is chicken curry which one can have at the Shikhar Restaurant. One can have tasty vegetarian food and delicious snacks like chaats, lassi and samosas at the Bansal cafe. A tourist can enjoy good coffee in the market areas. The area is famous for sweet savouries like rabdi-falooda, khoyasingori and balmithai which is a favourite with the tourists as well as the locals. Any holiday in the hills is incomplete without savouring this scrumptious fare!

Hotel Sunita and Restaurant, Bansal’s and Prem Da Momos are great local eateries.