Nestled in the lap of Kumaon Hills in Almora district of Uttarakhand,
Ranikhet is a beautiful hill station that attracts umpteen tourists
every year. According to local folk tales, this is the place where Rani
Padmini fell in love with Raja Sudhardev and later chose this
picturesque valley as her home. Also, during the British rule in India,
Ranikhet was the summer capital for British before Shimla. Colonial
charm, splendid beauty, salubrious weather and untouched serenity of
this place makes it a perfect destination to spend some quiet time with
Mother Nature. Apart from being a wonderful holiday destination,
Ranikhet is also an ideal place to go for some trekking, mountain
climbing, camping, and rappelling.
In this blog we are providing
you information on major things to see and do in Ranikhet, which will in
turn help you to plan a perfect trip.
Spend Few Hours at the Chaubatia Garden
One
of the most famous attractions of Ranikhet, the ‘Chaubatia Garden’ is
known for their exquisite orchards of apples, plums, peaches and
apricots. Located at a distance of 10 km. from the heart of Ranikhet,
these gardens are an ideal spot for picnics and day outings. These
gardens are also one of the best examples of step farming in the
Himalayan region.
Spread
across an area of 600 acres with trees of oak, cedar, pine and
rhododendrons dotting the walking trails, these gardens give you ample
opportunities to capture nature’s craftsmanship in your memories for
lifetime. Views of the Garhwal Himalayan peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul
and Nilkanth from these gardens seem to unendingly captivate you with
their magical charm.
[ Also check: Top Weekend Hill Destinations Near Delhi ]
Enjoy the Serene Settings of Bhalu Dam
Located
at a distance of approximately 3 km. from Chaubatia Gardens, ‘Bhalu
Dam’ is a small artificial lake in Ranikhet, which was built as a source
of drinking water for British soldiers around 200 years ago. Tranquil
settings of the lake with overlooking Himalayan peaks, chirping birds
and fresh mountain air; make it a perfect spot for picnickers, nature
lovers and bird watchers.
Seek the blessings of God at various temples in the vicinity of Ranikhet:
- Jhula Devi Temple – An ancient temple dating back to 8th century, the ‘Jhula Devi Temple’ is one of the major tourist attractions in Ranikhet that is located near the Chaubatia Gardens and at a distance of 7 km. from the city centre. Situated on the Kumaon Hill, amidst the serene and tranquil settings, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga who sits here on a wooden ‘Jhula’ and therefore, the name ‘Jhula Devi Temple’. According to local folk legends, idol of Goddess Durga was discovered by a shepherd on the guidance of Maa Durga herself in his dreams; thetemple is situated at the very spot where the idol was found. As per local beliefs, Jhula Devi guards the villagers and their livestock from wild animals in the surrounding forests. It is also believed that whosoever ties a bell on the temple wall, is granted with his/her wish; therefore many tourists come to the temple to seek blessings of the Goddess and to get their wishes fulfilled.
- Binsar Mahadev Temple – Located at a distance of 19 km. from Ranikhet, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that lighting a diya on the day of Vaikunth Chaturdeshi in this temple can fulfil the desire of a child. Many pilgrims and childless couples visit the temple during their vacation in Ranikhet. Situated in the heart of thick forests of pine and deodars, with fresh water springs flowing in the area, makes this temple a must visit for people seeking solitude.
- Mankameshwar Temple – Built by the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army in 1978, the temple is situated amidst picturesque surroundings. Housing the deities of Radha-Krishna, Ma Kalika and Lord Shiva, the temple is visited by many locals as well as tourists.
[ Also Read: 17 Must See Locally Popular Temples in Uttarakhand ]
Try Your Hands at Some Golfing Fun at the Upat Golf Course
Upat
is a small town nestled in the lap of Garhwal Himalayas, at a distance
of 5 km from Ranikhet. The town is known for its 9 holes Golf Course
maintained by the Indian Army. This Golf Course is also considered to be
one of the highest in Asia. If you are a golfing freak, you can
definitely try playing a game here. Another major tourist attraction
near Upat Golf Course is the ‘Kalika Temple’, dedicated to Goddess Kali.
Located at a distance of 1 km. from Upat, in the town of Kalika, this
temple is visited by many tourists coming to Ranikhet.
Witness the Culture of Kumaon Region During the Nanda Devi Fair
One
of the most significant attractions of Ranikhet, the ‘Nanda Devi Mela’
is held at the ‘Nanda Devi Temple’ in Almora, located at a distance of
50 km from Ranikhet. Organized in the month of September to honour
Goddesses Nanda Devi and Sunanda Devi, this fair is believed to bring
prosperity to the people of Kumaon region. The gala affair lasting for 3
days, sees hordes of pilgrims from all across the country.
[ Also Read: Famous Garhwali and Kumaoni Recipes ]
Soak Yourself in Scenic Vistas of Majkhali
Majkhali
is a small charming village located at a distance of 13 km from
Ranikhet. The place is known for its enchanting vistas of Mount Trishul
and Nanda Devi that can be best viewed from here. If you are a nature
lover and scenic panoramas give you a feel of inner peace and
relaxation, then Majkhali is just an ideal place for you.
[ Also Read: 15 Historical Places to Visit in Uttarakhand ]
Visit the Sun Temple at Katarmal
Located
at a distance of almost 25 km from Ranikhet, the Sun Temple at Katarmal
is dedicated to Sun God and holds a second place after the Sun Temple
in Konark. Built around 800 years ago, intricate carvings on the temple
walls, doors and panels and a magnificent architecture, makes you
appreciate the exceptional skills of the artisans of the bygone era. If
you are in Ranikhet, a visit to this temple should definitely be on your
itineraries.
[ Also Read: Top 30 Most Visited Temples in India ]
Watch the Rising Sun at Sitlakhet
Located
at a distance of approximately 30 km from Ranikhet, Sitlakhet is a
lesser known heaven for nature enthusiasts and holiday makers.
Mesmerizing beauty of the snow-capped Himalayan range soaked in varied
hues of the rising sun in Sitlakhet, cannot be described in words. If
you want to spend a peaceful holiday in the lap of Mother Nature and
away from commercialization of touristy hill stations, then this place
is perfect for you. The only accommodation at this place is the KMVN
guest house. Serene settings of the guesthouse surrounded with orchards
of apples, plums and peaches, make your stay even more wonderful and
memorable.
[ Also Read: India’s Most Famous Scenic Hill Stations ]
Take an Excursion to Dwarahat
Located
at a distance of almost 35 km from Ranikhet, Dwarahat is a small
picturesque villageknown for its ancient temples. The ‘Dunagiri Temple’
in Dunagiri near Dwarahat is the most famous of all the temples in the
region and is visited by many tourists coming for their vacations in the
nearby areas of Ranikhet, Kausani and Almora. Considered to be one of
the powerful Shakti Peethas, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga
and is located on a small hillock amidst the Kumaon Hills. Visitors need
to climb a stairway of 500 steps to reach the temple. Myriad
surroundings of the Himalayan peaks and dense forests give you a feel of
inner peace and solace.
Tourists visiting Dwarahat can also visit
‘Pandavkholi’, one of the secret places where Pandavas of Mahabharata
spent some time during their exile. Located amidst the Dronagiri Hill
ranges, Pandavkholi caves offer scintillating views of the surrounding
Himalayan peaks. To reach Pandavkholi, one needs to ascent a small trek
from Kukuchina that can be reached through a taxi from Dunagiri.
Another
must-visit attraction in Dwarahat is the ancient ‘Vimandeshwar Temple’,
dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to Puranic legends, Vimandeshwar
Temple is the second home to Lord Shiva after the Kashi Vishwanath
Temple in Varanasi. Many pilgrims who are not capable enough of
travelling to Kashi for the divine darshans of Lord Shiva, come to the
Vimandeshwar Temple to seek blessings of the Lord.
Other Popular Excursions from Ranikhet:
Nearby Places to Visit within 100-200 Kms Distance:
- Pithoragarh
- Bageshwar
- Jim Corbett National Park & Tiger Reserve
- Karnaprayag
- Chamoli
- Didihat
- Lansdowne
- Champawat
Take Part in Some Adventure Fun
If
you are an adventure freak, then indulging yourself in some
exhilarating experience of paragliding, jungle trekking, mountain biking
and night camping is must for you during your stay in Ranikhet. Various
tour operators organize these activities; you can contact one of the
reliable tour operators in the area to satiate your adrenaline rush
during your vacation in Ranikhet. Hope the above list of activities and
things to do while your travel to Ranikhet, helps you plan a memorable
holiday of your lifetime.
