Ranikhet Tourism

This temple dedicated to Lord Ram is about 7 kilometers from Ranikhet and is located near the Jhula Devi temple. Pilgrims need to ascend a flight of stairs to get to this temple and monastery. Students in this temple monastery are taught ancient Vedic texts in addition to vedic and modern math.

Located at a distance of 7 kilometers from Ranikhet, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Among the local people, she is popular as ‘Jhula Devi’. As per legend, the place was once overrun with wild animals that used to attack the villagers. The villagers then prayed to Goddess Durga for protection and one night the Goddess appeared before a shepherd and asked him to excavate her idol from a certain place. This temple was then built where her idol was found.

Pilgrims come to this temple to make a wish and when their wish is granted they hang a bell on the wall of the temple. Along with the bells dried coconut is also offered to the Goddess.

This church was built in 1884. When you enter this church its takes you back into a different world altogether. This ancient monument still exudes an old world charm. The wooded furniture is in still undamaged and intact despite the harsh winter weather. 

Though most resorts and restaurants have their own in house restaurants there are plenty of places to eat in while you are at Ranikhet. Some popular restaurants are Essence of Nature – The Grill House, Chevron Rosemount, The Team Lounge, Mayur Restaurant, River View restaurant and Royal Retreat

Some unique preparations that you should try here are Ras-Bhaat. AlookeGutke, Joula, Chudkan and Faanda. If you have a sweet tooth then you must try the traditional sweets like Singodi and BalMithai. Singodi is flavoured ‘khoya’ wrapped in oak leaves and BalMithai is a fudge that looks like chocolate but is made from ‘khoya’ and coated with sugar balls. The chutneys availabele in Ranikhet are also very famous.

Ranikhet is a very small place and thus there are no places where you could listen to live music. You may enquire the locals about the upcoming performances, if any.

Nights decent fast in Ranikhet and most people go to sleep early. Therefore there are no nightclubs or discos in the city. The nearest place where you will find a club is Dehradun, which is 314 kilometres away.

Your best bet at getting alcoholic beverages will be the bar at your hotel. You may try the bar at the Parwati Inn, which is pretty decent.  

Make sure you visit the KRC Community Centre, which is run by a welfare organization for widows of army soldiers. The centre is part factory where you can experience the sight of workers working on handlooms making tweed and shawls. The other half of this centre is a shop selling the finished goods and includes shoes, candles and condiments.

Though there are no retail chains in Ranikhet there are plenty of shops selling all the essentials that you may require on a daily basis.

This jungle themed park designed especially for children is located in the center of Ranikhet. The highlights of this park is the Colorful Fountain, Himalayan viewpoint and Herbal garden

Picnics at the Bhalu Dam, Chaubatia Gardens and visit to places like Sitalakhet would ensure you get to see the best of what nature has to offer in Ranikhet. 

The Ranikhet Golf course maintained by the Kumaon regiment is one on the highest golf courses is Asia. Located 5 kilometres from the city centre this golf course has 9 holes and should definitely be part of your itinerary is you are a gold aficionado. Even if you do not play golf this meadow with its rolling greens at such an altitude inspires you with awe and admiration.

Some popular Landmarks in the city are the Akashvani Building, Cantonment School, Sarna Garden Road and Panyali. Apart from these most of the famous landmarks consists of the famous tourist places and religious places like temples and the monuments in the city.

There are few festivals and annual events, which are celebrated with a lot of zeal and passion by the locals in Ranikhet. The most famous of them all is the Nanda Devi Mela, which is celebrated in the honour of goddess Nanda Devi. Other popular events in the cultural calendar of Ranikhet are Navratri, Hairakhan, ShayladehMela and DwarahatMela. People in Ranikhet also celebrate most Hindu Festivals like Holi, Dussera and Diwali with élan. 

If you want to experience some excellent views of the snow clad Himalayas then Majhkhali is the place to go to. Located on the Ranikhet-Almora road, this place has been voted among the top 25 hills in India.

This beautiful lake is the outcome of a dam built by the British Government in 1903. It is located in a reserved forest and is 3 kilometres away from Chaubatia Gardens. There are some excellent views of the Himalayan peaks that you can see. The place is also a popular fishing and picnic spot.

There are a lot of places near Ranikhet that are of major interest to the tourists. You may visit the famous Jim Corbett National Park. The National Park is situated 183 kilometers from Ranikhet. You could also go to the scenic Almora, which is only 46 kilometers from Ranikhet. Another popular tourist destination within a few hours of journey from Ranikhet is Chamoliat 73.3 kilometers.

Maintained by the Kumaon and the Naga Regiment of the Indian Army, the Museum has a wide collection ranging from stories of the heroics of the First World War till date. It has on display the various weapons captured, flags of enemies captured by the army and also the LTTE boat captured during Operation Pawan. It has stories of the First and the Second Param Vir Chakra who belonged to the Kumaon Regiment.

Built by the Kumaon regiment of the Indian Army, this temple has deities of Lord Shiva, MaaKalika and Radha Krishna. There is also a Gurdwara nearby.