ALMORA

LOCATION

Almora is one of the three hill districts of Kumaon, the other two being Nainital and Pithoragarh. It is the cultural capital of Kumaon. Almora is also referred to as the unspoilt child of nature. It is situated on a three-mile long horse saddle-shaped ridge and is surrounded by four hill ranges - Banari Devi, Kasar Devi, Shayahi Devi and Katarnal. The three peaks have temples of Goddesses while Katarnal has an ancient Sun temple worth visiting. 

WEATHER

Almora stands at a height of 1,638 meters. It has a moderate and salubrious climate. The best season is April-June and September-November. For those interested in snow views the best time to visit is in early summer and autumn. The rainy season is also very pleasant here.

ORIGIN

Almora was the capital of the Chand dynasty, which ruled Kumaon for more than one thousand years. One remarkable fact about Almora is that while almost all hill stations were discovered and developed by British, Raja Kalyan Chand founded Almora in the year 1568 when he transferred his capital from Champawat to Almora.

Legend has it that about 500 years ago Raja Kalyan Chand, then the ruler of Kumaon with its capital at Champawat, was riding hard in pursuit of prey on this horseshoe shaped spur. The hunted quarry saved itself by taking refuge in a thicket of Kilmora - a wild bush - and revealed to the royal hunter the site of his would-be capital. The origins of settlement in Almora may have been different but the story continues to hold sway in the minds of many of the locals. Bounded by the Kosi and Suyal rivers, the locale of the new capital was well suited strategically. Till the Gurkha onslaught, in the last decade of the 19th century, Almora remained well protected naturally.

TO SEE

Almora is situated in the midst of the Himalayas, the king of mountains and abode of the gods. From time immemorial people have visited this region for peace, solitude and liberation of the soul.

Almora is a good place to conveniently enjoy the spectacular snowscape of the central Himalayas. On a clear day - and most days in Almora are flawless - you can see forever and almost every peak. Almora allows you to enjoy the mighty Himalayas together with ridge after ridge of hills painted in different hues of blue and green. The terraced fields, the stone slatted barrack-like village houses have so far put up a valiant fight against the encroachments of urban expansion and destructive development.

Almora also has some beautiful health resorts. The chief among them is Ranikhet (1,829 meters). Ranikhet literally means queen's field. It is said that a Rani camped here once and gave this name to the city. During the days of the Raj, Ranikhet was a British cantonment.

There are a number of places of tourist interest around Ranikhet. Chaubatia is famous for its orchards; Tarikhet, 8 kilometers away, was once the nerve center of the Freedom Movement. Mahatma Gandhi also lived here for a while; Majkhali presents a fascinating view of snowy peaks and Upat, about six kilometers from Ranikhet, has an exquisite golf course. Kausani, 32 miles from Almora, is situated at a height of 1,890 meters. An enterprising Englishman, Mr. Norman Troop, developed it as a tea garden. Binsar, about 32 kilometers from Almora is situated at height of 2,412 meters. The Chand Rajas used to camp here during summer. It offers a wonderful view of the Himalayas.

Bajinath situated on the banks of the Gomti (a local river) in Garur Valley, is an idyllic place. It is famous for its 13th century temples. Jageshwar has a group of Shiva temples and is on the Almora-Pithoragarh road and is situated in a densely wooded beautiful narrow valley. The temples were constructed in the 13th century. They are a marvel to see for their artistic beauty and craftsmanship. Jageshwar is among the 12-jyotir lingas in the country.

Bageshwar and Sitalakhet are other places of interest. Bageshwar is one of the main camping sites for the journey to Pindari Glacier, which is situated at a height of 3,820 meters. Kafni Glacier is also close by (3,860 meters) and Sitalakhet is the new tourist resort on the Syahi Devi hill.

Almora has a museum that is a storehouse of information about the cultural heritage of Kumaon. There is a deer park on the outskirts of the city. The Nanda Devi temple in the heart of the city is a must for visitors.

ALMORA: A FAVOURITE GETAWAY

Though Almora was established in 1568, much has changed since, but the attractions of Almora have not paled. Swami Vivekananda included it in his itinerary at the turn of this century. His famous lectures - From Almora To Colombo - record that he was stirred as much by the stark beauty of the mountains here as by the ocean at Kanyakumari. The headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, for long, were located at Mayawati Ashram - then in Almora. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore spent a summer to get over the personal grief after the loss of a beloved child and found the environs salubrious. A little later followed the great dancer - choreographer Udaya Shankar. He fell in love with the place and set up a cultural center here and, for a while, sleepy Almora hummed with creative energy. Ravi Shankar, Zohra Sehgal, Simki and the youngster Guru Dutt have all been here. Others have followed in their footsteps. Painters like Brewster, mystics like Lama Govinda and scientists like Boshi Sen. Pundit Nehru had served a term of imprisonment in the Jail at Almora and has left behind an evocative account of the pleasures of solitude and the changing moods of nature in his various letters written from this place.

  AROUND ALMORA  

One can visit the picturesque places around Almora, for sightseeing. Binsar, which has now been designated a sanctuary, is an hour's motor drive from Almora. Binsar hill, locally known as Jhandi Dhar, rises to a height of 2,412 meters and offers a panoramic view of Almora town, the Kumaon hills and the Greater Himalayas. The region around abounds in alpine flora, ferns, hanging moss and innumerable species of wild flowers. An unpaved ridge lined by prosperous private estate reaches the brow. A walk through the woods comprising mostly oak and rhododendron forest, leads to a vantage point at the summit, which offers an uncluttered view of the Himalayan ranges and the surrounding valley. Binsar was the favorite summer resort of the eminent Hindi poet Ajneya.

Way back in 1929, Mahatma Gandhi spent three fruitful weeks at this charming spot called Kausani (51 kilometers from Almora) in the Kumaon hills and described it is India's Switzerland. Today, despite deforestation in the area, Kausani can still lay claim to the title bestowed on it. Quaint villages, orchards laden with fruit and hill slopes covered with pine trees escort one into Kausani. In the distance, snow mantled peaks glitter in the sun and the breeze carries with it much of the cool freshness of the snows.

All through the day the mountains around Kausani seem to change in shape and color. Each change provides an entrancing spectacle and induces a deeper communion with nature. The Anakshakti Ashram atop a hill where the Mahatma stayed commands one of the most magnificent views of the mountain ranges around Kausani. The vast sweep of the Mountain View (simply called "The View" locally), which encompasses a remarkable 350 kilometers at Kausani, is the central point of attraction in this little hill station.

All round are gentle walks where a profusion of wild flowers keep one company. There are shady paths carpeted with pine needles and in the air is the wonderful, inimitable fragrance of pine. Terraced fields add a distinctive touch to the pastoral picture around.

VISITING ALMORA

The nearest airport is a Pant Nagar (Nainital). Regular flights operate during the summer.

The nearest railhead for Almora is Kathgodam.

Almora is well connected with all-important cities by road.

There are hotels, Inspection Bungalows, private cottages available to suit all budgets.

Mussoorie

Mussoorie

Mussoorie, like other hill resorts in India, came into existence in the 1820s or thereabouts, when the families of British colonials began making for the hills in order to escape the scorching heat of the plains. Small settlements grew into large stations and were soon vying with each other for the title of “queen of the hills.” Mussoorie’s name derives from the Mansur shrub (Cororiana nepalensis), common in the Himalayan foothills; but many of the house names derive from the native places of those who first built and lived in them. Today, well-to-do Indians own the old houses and estates, many of who follow the lifestyle of their former colonial rulers. In most cases, the old names have been retained.

Take, for instance, the Mullingar. This is not one of the better-preserved buildings, having been under litigation for some years; but it was a fine mansion once, and it has the distinction of being the oldest building in Mussoorie. It was the home of an Irishman, Captain Young, who commanded the first Gurkha battalion when it was in its infancy. As you have probably guessed, he came form Mullingar, in old Ireland, and it was to Ireland that he finally returned, when he gave up his sword and saddle. There is a story that on moonlit nights a ghostly rider can be seen on the Mullingar flat and that this is Captain Young revisiting old haunts.

There must have been a number of Irishmen settling and building with names such as Tipperary, Killarney, Shamrock Cottage and Tara Hall. “The harp that was once in Tara’s Halls” must have sounded in Shimla too, for there is also a Tara Hall in the old summer capital of India.

As everywhere, the Scots were great pioneers in Mussoorie too, and were quick to identify Himalayan hills and meadows with their own glens and braes. There are over a dozen house names prefixed with “Glen.”

The English, of course, went in for castles, there’s Connaught Castle and Grey Castle and Castle Hill, home for a time to the young Sikh prince, Dalip Singh before he went to England to become a protégé of Queen Victoria.

Sir Walter Scott must have been a very popular writer with the British in exile, for there are many houses in Mussoorie that are named after his novels and romances like Kenilworth, Ivanhoe, Woodstock (later an American mission school), Rokeby, Waverly, The Monastery. And there is also Abbotsford named after Scott’s own home.

Dickens lovers must have felt frustrated because they could hardly name their houses Nicholas Nickleby or Martin Chuzzlewit but one Dickens fan did come up with Bleak House for a name, and Bleak it is even to this day.

Mussoorie did have a Dickens connection in the 1850s when Charles Dickens was publishing his magazine Household Words. His correspondent in India was John Lang, a popular novelist and newspaper proprietor, who spent the last years of his life in Mussoorie. His diverting account of a typical Mussoorie “season,” called “The Himalaya Club,” appeared in Household Words in the issue of March 21, 1857.

It is well over 50 years since a person lived in the parsonage and its owner today is Victor Banerjee, the actor, who received an Academy Award nomination for his role in David Lean’s A Passage to India. Victor doesn’t mind his friends calling him the vicar.

This naming of places is never as simple as it may seem. Let’s take Mossy Falls, a small waterfall on the outskirts of the hill station. You might think it was named after the moss that is so plentiful around it, but you’d be wrong. It was really named after Mr. Moss, the owner of the Alliance Bank, who was affectionately known as Mossy to his friends. When, at the turn of the century, the Alliance Bank collapsed, Mr. Moss also fell from grace. “Poor old Mossy,” said his friends, and promptly named the falls after him.

Nainital

Nainital Uttarakhand

Need a break from the ardor and the dust? Arrive by the hill resort of Nainital visiting the attractions. The general summer flee of India, Nainital attracts incalculable tourists through the summer ardor. The hill resort is indeed a pleasure. The gorgeous greens and the splendid mountains add to the beauty of the hill resort. The small town of Nainital in Uttaranchal is dotted with cottages, villas and bungalows. Situated by an altitude of 1,938 meters the hill resort of Nainital visiting the attractions offers several seats of leisure pursuit to the tourists. The hill resort is said to give birth to derived its specify from the goddess Naina. There is a temple keen to the goddess Naina too in Nainital. Other legend claims with the intention of the Naini Lake in Nainital lends its specify to the hill resort. The natural beauty and the charm of the scenic a skin condition also the cool weather create Nainital the place to be in through the summers.  

 Nainital - Past

The hill resort of Nainital has since long been the refuge of the sun parched souls of the plains. The British made it here summer headquarter. The British honey manufacturer of Saharnpur brought Nainital into publicity. Way back in 1841 AD Nainital was frequented. The natural beauty and especially the Lake made Nainital lone of the favourite summer destinations. Since after that cultivate engagement the community throng the hill resort of Nainital. Nainital Tour Packages booking services.

Nainital Tourism - Places to Visit

The hill resort of Nainital visiting the attractions is dotted with seats of tourist leisure pursuit. Amongst the many landmarks in Nainital is the Naini Lake. The Lake is as well referred to as the Tririshi Lake. The tourists become aware of the lake breathtakingly beautiful. You might even take pleasure in cruiser rides on the lake. Nainital Boat Club as well offers yachting facilities by the Lake. The prime attraction of Nainital hosts the once a year Kingfisher Yachting Competition in the third week of June.

While in Nainital you should visit the Cheena Peak or the Naina Peak. You can take pleasure in the panoramic vistas of the snow-capped Himalayas and the Nainital Valley. Then here is the View Point with the intention of is an additional vintage feature in the hill resort of Nainital visiting the attractions. Check dated the spectacular sights of the Himalayas and the Tibetan borders too. You might clutch or hire binoculars to follow the better views. You might take the ropeway with the intention of starts by the Mall in Nainital.

Then here is the Hanumangarh temple. Besides praying you might take pleasure in the evening from the temple. Close to the temple is an observatory. Night look over of the moon from the observatory must not be missed.

Nainital as well has the St. John minster. The church is lone of the oldest buildings of Nainital built like the British twisted it into a hill resort. 

The British Cemetery and the vintage feature of the Dorothy's Seat on the Tiffin highest are other seats worth considering in Nainital.

Nainital - Tourist Destinations Near By

From Nainital you might supplementary visit the Sat, Bhim and the Naukuchiya Tal.

Sat Tal is 21 km away from Nainital. It was a cluster of seven tal or lakes originally. The hang around and oak trees add to the beauty of Sat Tal. You might try boating in the lake and take pleasure in the scenic beauty of the lake by the same

Then here is Bhim Tal by a distance of 23 Km from Nainital. The lake offers opportunities intended for run sports too. The natural beauty of the place makes it an tremendous excursion option from Nainital.

The Naukuchiya Tal, 27 km from Nainital is an additional place worth visiting. The nine corners of the Lake afford it the specify. It is the picture just what the doctor ordered touch to visit far from the madding crowds in Nainital.

Nainital - What to Buy

The hill resort of Nainital offers several shopping items to its tourists. You should check dated the renowned Handloom products and Kumaon woollens intended for their quality and kindness. Nanital as well offers shaped candles with the intention of are locally produced. The candles are unfilled in entrancing insignia and delightful designs. These charismatic items create tremendous options as gifts and souvenirs.

Nainital - How to Reach

The hill resort of Nainital is by a long shot welcoming. The Airport by Pant Nagar is 71 km away from Nainital. Flights link Pant Nagar with other seats like Delhi. From Pant Nagar you might stretch to Nainital through automobile or taxi.

The Kathgodam Railway Station is 35 km from Nainital. It connects Nainital with Delhi, Agra, Bareilly, and Lucknow. From the station you might stretch to Nainital through automobile or taxi.

The tremendous road meet people associations Nainital with Delhi, Bareilly, Almora, and Ranikhet. The automobile continue of Tallital is a moment ago lone km from the city foundation of Nainital.

For inhabitant moving surrounded by and around Nainital here are taxis, Ponies, cycle rickshaws and buses run by the State Road Transport Corporation.

Nainital - Best Time to Visit

The preeminent period to visit at all hill resort in India is certainly the summer months from swagger to June. The months of September and October are as well pleasant to be visited. Though the monsoon season in involving from edge of June to dignified must be avoided.

Nainital - Where to Stay

Accommodation is by a long shot unfilled in Nainital. You might take your pick from the several hotels and lodges with the intention of cater to the needs of the tourists. The accommodation options are in ample in Nainital. They suit the financial statement of the unreliable tourists with the intention of gather to the hill resort, especially through the summer months. Good food is as well unfilled by the several restaurants and eateries in Nainital.

Nainital - Fairs and Festivals

The hill resort of Nainital show business hosts to several fairs and festivals with the intention of interest tourists and the localities alike. Being the specify indicates the Autumn Festival is celebrated in the autumn season. The once a year festival takes place in honor of the goddess Naina Devi in the month of September. The hill resort gets renewed like the monsoons.

The winter months of October and November set eyes on the Kumaon Festival. The Kumaon festival is Organised by the Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh. Besides the gaiety in the air the festival is the just what the doctor ordered period to follow an insight into the inhabitant cultures and traditions.

BHIMTAL

BHIMTAL: A QUIET LAKE

The small town of Bhimtal is famous as a lake resort. It offers to the tourists a quiet vacation and facilities for water sports. This beautiful town also attracts hundreds of tourists every year by its peaceful green surroundings.

LOCATION

Bhimtal is located in the northern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is located at an altitude of 1,371 m above sea level amongst the Kumaon hills. It is 23 km from Nainital. The weather in Bhimtal is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters are cold (November-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September.




VISITING TIME

The best time to visit Bhimtal is from mid-April to mid-July and from mid-September to October.

THE PAST
The origin of this small town is obscure. Bhimtal got its name from Bhim, one of the legendary personalities and central characters mentioned in the Indian epic of Mahabharata.

TOURIST SPOTS

The main tourist attraction of this small hill station is its lake. It is one of the largest lakes in the district of Nainital. The lake offers scope for boating to the travelers. In the middle of the lake, there is a beautiful island with a restaurant. The island provides a panoramic view of the lake as well as its luxuriant surroundings. Travelers can also explore the region around the lake and take a walk through the quiet forest surrounding the lake. There is a large Victorian dam at one end of the lake and terraced flower gardens can be found on either side. Bhimtal is also known for its lovely dappled paths, ravines festooned with dog rose and wild raspberry. Farmhouses are set among terraced fields and citrus trees laden with fruits. There is a Folk Culture Museum in Bhimtal, which is a private institution. It has a good collection of artifacts and information about the hill districts of Uttarakhand.

The collection includes ancient wooden artifacts, information about traditional rites, rituals, stone implements, and items of archeological importance. It also houses a sizable collection of reproductions and photographs of rock art.

SITES NEARBY

Naukuchiatal is 4 km from Bhimtal. It is a lake having nine corners. Like Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal also has quiet verdant environs, which attracts the traveler to it. This tree-fringed lake is good for boating.

Sat Tal (literally seven lakes) is 7 km from Bhimtal. It is another important place to visit. Sat Tal was originally a cluster of seven lakes, out of which two have dried up. It is famous for fishing and boating. The densely wooded hills and little creeks along the shores of the lakes are a perennial attraction to the tourists.

Godhakhel Temple is 3 km from Bhim Tal.

HOW TO REACH
Bhimtal does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is at Pant Nagar (55 km) and the nearest railway station is at Kathgodam (23 km). Bhimtal is well connected by bus with Nainital and Kathgodam. Tourists can also reach Bhimtal by hiring taxi from Nainital or Kathgodam.

Bhimtal

Lansdowne

LOCATION- Lansdowne Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Lansdowne is the most notable, albeit small, hill station in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated 45 km from Kotdwar en route Kotdwar-Pauri road in the Pauri Garhwal district.

CLIMATE

Like other hill stations of Garhwal, the temperature is pleasant here in the summer months and offers visitors with ample opportunities to enjoy the gifts of nature. However, winter months can be severely cold with snowfall throughout and temperature can go below sub-zero levels in these months.

PAST

Lansdowne was originally a popular hill station of the British. Attracted by its salubrious climate and natural beauty, they established a cantonment here. The place still has cantonment and proudly preserves its links from the past. 

SITES TO VISIT

Surrounded by thick oak and blue pine forests, the hill station of Lansdowne is a place devoid of the hustle and bustle of other hill stations. It is a place for the tourists who want to enjoy nature in its eternity. It is probably the only place, apart from Mussoorie and Chakrata, on the regular tourist circuit in this region.

The famous Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army also has its command office here. They have maintained the old-world charm of the 19th century and the place is still an ideal getaway.

SITES NEARBY

Situated 45 km from Lansdowne, Kotdwar is a gateway to the hills and one of the last rail terminals for Garhwal.

The ancient Karnva Ashram is located 14 km from Lansdowne. Legend has it that Shankuntala gave birth to prince Bharat here, after whose name the country is called Bharat Varsh. Other nearby places of interest includes Sidhbali Temple (3 km) and Charaik Hills (20 km).

Jwalpadevi (52 km) is one of the better-known religious areas of the entire division on the main Pauri-Kotdwar road. A large number of devotees come here during Ashtami (April and October) for pilgrimage.

Tarkeshwar Mahadev (30 km) is a temple of Lord Shiva situated at an altitude of 2092 m, on top of a hillock surrounded by a thick forest of deodar, blue pine, and oak. The temple is among one of the oldest in the world. The highlight of this place is that even at an altitude of 2092 m, there are water pools.

 

ADVENTURE

The best way to explore Lansdowne is to go for trekking. Nature has provided Lansdowne with every gift that humankind can ask. A tourist looking for nature trails can have all their demands fulfilled. Camping and river crossing are the favorite pastimes of tourists who visit this place.

HOW TO REACH

The nearest railhead for Lansdowne is Kotdwar (2 hours), which is well connected by buses. Lansdowne is also linked by a motorable road to almost all the important cities in the hills of Uttarakhand.

Lansdowne is 295 km from Delhi, 95 km from Haridwar and 150 km from Dehradun capital of Uttrakhand.