Nondescript destinations of Kumaon – Khairna

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Nondescript destinations of Kumaon – Khairna

Panoramic view of Kosi River meeting Khairna River at Khairna

            Having described Tarikhet in my previous blog, as I reiterate my steps back towards Kathgodam from my village Badankhet in Tarikhet Block in Ranikhet Tehsil of Almora District in Uttarakhad in Kumaon region of the State, one passes through the junction of Ganiadholi, wherefrom the road bifurcates towards Ranikhet and Tarikhet.  Thereafter, as one heads away from Ranikhet, one comes across villages like Pilkholi, known to the travellers where one can buy traditional Kumaoni sweets like Choclate (a milk based product), Bal Mithai and Singhori (remaining ones too be milk based sweets).  Thereafter, across the twenty three kilometres journey from Tarikhet to Khairna one passes by many other villages perched by the roadside in the following sequence - Bajol – Bhujan – Majhera.  Thereafter, one crosses the bridge across Kosi River and turn right towards Kharina and the other road from here, towards the left hand side,  heads towards Almora.  Thus, Khairna (PIN Code – 263135/STD Code – 05942) is also basically a junction point, wherefrom the road bifurcates towards Ranikhet and Almora.

Ganiadholi - wherefrom road bifurcates towards Ranikhet & Tarikhet

A panoramic view of villages perched on the road from Ranikhet to Khairna

            Khairna is also a market township that caters to the needs of the villages all around it that are situated on the road towards Betalghat and other villages of Naintial district around it.  Earlier, the two destinations of Khairna and thereafter, Garam Pani were distinct and separate, but over the years, with the spread of the market area along the highway, the distinction has all but faded.  There is a Petrol pump situated in this quaint village town, being bang on the National Highway 109.  Khairna is situated on the confluence of the Kosi and Khairna Rivers, the first one flowing from Almora side and the second one from Nainital side.  Khairna is thus, placed in the valley perched in between mountains at an altitude of 913.34 meters i.e. about 2996.51 feet above mean sea level (MSL).  Therefore, during the day time in summers it is considerably hot and heat is modest during the nights.  However, during winters it is quite cold but not totally unpleasant. 

Khairna by night - shot taken from KMVN, Khairna

A Crested Kingfisher in Kosi River - early morning shot

View of TRH at Khairna managed by KMVN - sourced from internet

            There are no distinct travel landmarks in Khairna, but can be used as a transit point while travelling to distant destinations in the Kumaon region.  Although fishing is prohibited, but one can enjoy feeding the fishes by going down the stairs of the KMVN managed Tourist Rest House in Khairna, which also offers a restaurant as well as rooms to stay for the tourists/visitors.  The freshly cooked food in this restaurant has always been my favourite and whenever, I traverse through this part, especially when travelling by train upto Kathgodam, I stop here for either lunch or snacks and never had any complaint regarding the quality of food.  Various aquatic birds can also be spotted in this region, especially early in the mornings and hence a short stopover for birders is also advisable.  So next time you are in Kumaon, remember this quaint nondescript destination.

 Here is a short video of the destination –

 © S Roy Biswas