Pages

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Ranikhet – adventure tourism etc. (with Bubu Dham & Binsar Mahadev)

Ranikhet – adventure tourism etc.

(with Bubu Dham & Binsar Mahadev)

A representative image of adventure tourism (sourced from internet)
            I have posted a series of blogs regarding the destinations associated with eco-tourism destinations in Ranikhet, in the first blog of the series I had provided for links to my older blogs covering the major tourist destinations of Ranikhet that had been visited by me in the past.  Another aspect of mountain tourism that is fast evolving and is becoming a favorite of the youngsters is termed as ‘Adventure tourism’ and incorporates activities such a hiking, trekking, mountain biking, Zip line or Flying fox etc.  Although extreme adventure tourism like trekking across high mountain passes or visiting remote locations requires one to visit such locations that are very far off from the modern amenities and is designed for fitness freaks and extreme adventure lovers.  However, anyone, especially youngsters, visiting the hills now seek lighter adventure tourism activities like Para-gliding and Zip lining etc.  In this context, Ranikhet has also developed some such adventure tourism destinations –

Adventure Tourism

The hotel cum restaurant wherefrom the zip lining and cycle zip line can be enjoyed
A photo of enthusiast enjoying the zip line (sourced from internet)
The pamphlet of company offering activities (sourced from FB page of the company)

Do's and dont's etc. of pamphlet from FB

            The most enjoyed mild adventure tourism are Zip line or Flying Fox activity that can be enjoyed both by children, youngsters and adults alike subject to their being physically fit.  There is an agency called ‘Mogli Adventures’ that operates the Flying Fox or Zip lining from a hotel complex called ‘Sahaj’ (whose link is given as follows - http://www.sahajhotel.com/ ), wherein one can dine as well as stay, so a day outing with the adventure tourism activities of both Flying fox/Zip lining, which happens to be one of the longest in India i.e. about One Km. or exactly 3116 (claimed to be as second longest in India) is a must visit destination for adventure lovers.  In addition to normal Zip line, the agency in the aforesaid Hotel complex also runs a ‘Cycle Zip Line’, wherein a person cycles on a Zip line to and fro suspended about 7 meters above the ground, although precautionary upper line with safety harness attached, for a period of about 30 minutes.  The activities cost about Rs.1300/- per person for the Flying fox/Zip lining adventure that includes pick up from the end point of the Zip line back to the Hotel and about Rs.800-1000/- for the Cycle Zip Line for 30 minutes, depending upon the season.  To check out the first-hand experience of the Flying fox/Zip lining activity, may check out this You Tube link - https://youtu.be/MeFqCju6gAc ).  Here is a link to the Facebook link of the agency i.e. Mowgli Adventures - https://www.facebook.com/Mowgli-adventure-101905267854049/.  The Sahaj Hotel is situated on the road leading to Majhkhali from Ranikhet and as on crosses the Kalika region and the Golf ground, just before reaching Majhkhali, the hotel is situated in Naini village at a distance of 9.2 Kms. from Ranikhet and Majhkhali lies further ahead at a distance of 12 kms.

Apart from the above activities, Ranikhet now also offer Paragliding option from the vicinity of Chaubatia Gardens area and here is the link to the site - https://www.wildrift.com/paragliding-in-uttarakhand/

Here is a short representative video of the destination -



Bubudham temple

Panoramic view of Bubu Dham temple
A close-up shot of the Bubu dham temple

            As one traverses across the road from Ranikhet towards Majkhali, the Siddheshwar Mahadev also known as the Bubudham is situated on a curve known as Kaligad dath (‘dath’ means a curve on the road in Kumaoni language) in Village Dadhgaliya.  The place is situated about 7.5 kms. from Ranikhet township and is very easily accessible all-round the year as many busses as well as shared taxis normally ply on this route and even private taxis can be hired locally.  The temple has had a long past, as during the British era only the cantonment area was developed with proper roads and villages around it were poorly connected.   The villagers from adjoining areas used to trek for job related activities as well to purchase goods etc. to Ranikhet and back.  It is said that a person travelling late in the night through the dense forest area, if in difficulty, invariably used to get attended to or helped discreetly by an aged person, who would thereafter disappear.  As the fame of such a person spread, the local villagers started lighting lamps etc. at the place where this elderly person usually appeared and they referred to him as ‘Bubu’ (grandfather in Kumaoni language) and with passage of time this place came to be known as the Bubudham.  Now a days a big temple complex has been built at the site, which is dedicated to Lord Shival and now known as Siddheswar Mahadev and this temple complex is presently managed by one Mahant Srhi Jairam Bharti ji.  Since, this quaint little temple is situated right on the highway, one can take some time out of their schedule and visit this destination, as it is situated with a magnificent background.

 Here is the link to a short video of the destination -



Binsar Mahadev temple

A panoramic view of Binsar Mahadev temple

It is located at a distance of 19 Kms. from from Ranikhet, on the way to Ramnagar amidst dense Pine, Oak, Rhododendron and Deodar forests with a rivulet flowing in front of it. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Binsar Mahadev is a unique place for Yoga and spiritual meditation amidst the solitude. Located at an altitude of about 2000 meters over mean sea level, Binsar Mahadev is an important and most visited temple of the region. It is also important for its architectural significance as well and mythological anecdote being that it was constructed overnight by the Pandavas. Historically, the temple was built by King Pithu in memory of his father Bindu is hence is also called Bindeshwar temple. The temple comprises of idols of Ganesh, Har Gauri and Maheshmardini. The idol of Maheshmardini is engraved with texts in 'Nagiri lipi' (an ancient form of scripture), which indicates the link of temple back to ninth century. However, the temple complex had fallen into disuse over the years and in the late 1950’s the Panch dashanan Juni akhada saint Mahant Mohangiri was pivotal in its reconstruction and giving it the modern day look.  An important fair is held here every year on the occasion of Baikunth chaturdashi in the month of June.

Here is a link to a short video of the destination -


© S Roy Biswas

No comments:

Post a Comment