Ranikhet – when I missed my train

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Ranikhet – when I missed my train

(with Binsar Mahadev Mela, Golf Ground & Rani jheel )

Forest area around Binsar Mahadev temple - comprising of Deodars & Pines

            There are a plethora of blogs on my link describing the  various facets of Ranikhet, as I keep visiting the destination to oversee the maintenance of my pad in an adjacent village called Badankhet/Timila.  However, this time around, after quite a long time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I made a summer visit to the destination, as per my past practice of t visiting my village home, for atleast twice a year, for regular upkeep of my home there.  Since the children were busy with their College, Office etc., this time around I travelled alone and on my invitation one of my relatives also agreed to accompany me for this visit.  Being only two of us, I decided to travel by train, unlike the past when I usually visited using my vehicle, as the economics of cost of petrol versus cost of train ticket, weighed towards the later, being only two of us travelling this time around.  Due to the heavy rush in the hills this year, I decided to travel on a Monday and return on Friday, so that I could avoid the tourist rush that usually happens on weekends being holidays for school children, in the month of June, 2022.

Panoramic view of Binsar Mahadev temple

             The Kathgodam Shatabdi leaves from New Delhi station at 6.20 A.M and I decided to book taxi through OLA, but the driver failed to respond despite ringing him many times over, so I had to book another one and thus, got a bit delayed from my planned time of departure.  However, as I had already scheduled some buffer time, we reached the station well in time.  The train departed at the right time, but got delayed at the fag end of the journey, for reasons best known to the Railways, the train was kept waiting for a long unscheduled stop at Rudrapur.  Having reached Kathgodam, I spoke to some Taxi drivers at the station premises, for dropping us at our home near Ranikhet and after some negotiation, one of the drivers agreed to drop us for Rs.2500/-.  However, as soon as we reached near his cab, he informed that he will charge an additional Rs.500/-, as the usual rate for dropping from Ranikhet, as the price he had quoted was for dropping us at Ranikhet market.  I told him that the rate already stood negotiated and as we were also not required to go till Ranikhet, what was the reason for charging this additional sum.  As he appeared to be adamant, I walked off from the Railway taxi stand, to one outside the station.  I got a taxi for Rs.2,500/- and as we were about to board, the earlier negotiated taxi driver came over and started arguing.  I gave him a tongue lashing and informed him that he should have realized that I was not a tourist, but someone who comes here regularly, as I was not travelling to any known tourist destination and he could not take me for a ride, further if required, I would call the Police.  On hearing this he reluctantly withdrew and we commenced with our onward journey at around 12.45 P.M. from Kathgodam.

Selling cotton candy puffs in the fair/mela at Binsar Mahadev temple complex

            As the road via Bhimtal was under repair at the Ranibagh bridge, the driver informed us that there would be a huge traffic jam and hence this time around and hence we headed through Jeolikote-Bhowali route.  The driver was a person with a pleasing personality and just after crossing Kathgodam, an old gentlemen signaled the driver to stop, thinking it was ferrying local residents.  He offered him Rs.50/- for journey till Jeolikote, but the driver refused, finding him to be an old person, on my insistence he allowed him to board and dropped him at Jeolikote.  Just after passing by Jeolikote, we stopped to have some local charcoal baked Maize, although the ‘chutni’ made of local freshly ground Mint leaves, Coriander leaves, Spring onions, Garlic and some local spices tasted as heavenly as always, however, the maize itself was a bit dry, due to lack of rains in region during the summers.  We again made a short halt just after after passing by Kainchi dham and purchased some local Plums, Apricots and Peaches, although their season was almost over, however, we enjoyed the fresh and ripe fruits.  Thereafter, I took a break at the KMVN run Highway Inn at Khairna and some of the old employees recognized me being a regular visitor in the past and we partook a quick lunch comprising of Rice, mixed vegetable and Dal (Lentils) with some fresh Cucumber & Onion salad and the meal was as sumptuous as ever.  Finally, we reached my home at around 4.15 P.M and I dialled for my caretaker, who had already arranged for a person to clean up the house.  My relative being a good cook himself, we cooked a Bengali quick and wholesome meal called “Khichudi’, which is a mixture of Rice, Dal with vegetables cooked together with some spices and had it with Omelets.  Thereafter, we retired for the night and had a very peaceful sleep in the hills, albeit it was a bit hot this time around and so no heavy blankets were required.

Taking rest after a long trek from the villages around

Selling all types of fried snacks and sweetmeat at the local fair/mela at Binsar Mhadev temple complex

            After waking up the next morning, we had some morning tea and simple bread & butter with some tea/milk etc. and after that I with the help of the local water supply person filled the overhead water tanks, by running the newly installed water pump and it appears that from now onwards with the water supply being provided to individual homes, my struggle for calling for tanker to fill up the water tanks, would be a thing of the past. Thereafter, having taken bath and performed the puja, we headed for Binsar Mahadev temple.  During the month of June, usually during the very first week itself, there is a festival attended alongwith with a big ‘Mela’ (Fair) organized in the temple complex and it is visited by all and sundry from all adjoining villages from near and far.  There are a quite a few blogs of mine as well on the internet that has mentioned in details about this destination, thus, for the sake of brevity I would refrain from repeating about the religious & mythological importance of this destination.  However, as no mela had been held due to Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 & 2021, this year around it was conducted in a grander scale and also over an extended period of almost two weeks.  Since it was a Tuesday, as well the last day of the fair/mela, I took the opportunity to visit the temple and have darshan of Lord Hanuman inside the temple complex, as per my routine on Tuesdays.  It was also a chance to show my relative this important tourist destination of the Ranikhet region.  After having visited the temple and the mela, we headed towards Tarikhet to purchase some hardware goods required for maintenance of the home.  Thereafter, we had some local ‘Samosas’ (A kind of crisp fried wrap) with a plate of ‘Cholas’(Spicy cooked Bengal grams) and polished it off with some ‘jalebis’ (A kind of sweetmeat) and returned back home and got the maintenance work completed.  Had some tea and snacks in the evening and later had dinner at night and thus ended our second day of the sojourn.

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

Baba Hairakhan temple -

An old photograph of the Baba Hairakhan temple with my friends on foreground

            Since my relative had not seen Ranikhet, especially all the tourist spots, I had arranged for a trip for the next day and we started for the journey at around 10.30 A.M and I had arranged for the Cab from my village itself, wherein one of the residents owns several of them.  Accordingly, we first visited Baba Hairakhan temple in Chilyanaula just near Ranikhet.  Since there is an older blog available – those interested to know about this destination may click on the link - https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2013/01/chilyanaula-gallery-of-himalayan-vistas.html - where description of Baba Haira Khan temple is also provided.  Therefrom we headed towards the Ranikhet Market and then onwards to the Golf Grounds in Ranikhet.

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

Golf Grounds Ranikhet –

Panoramic view of Golf course in Upat, Ranikhet

            This Golf course, popularly known as Golf Ground by the locals, is situated at a place called Upat on the Ranikhet-Almora State Highway, while driving towards Majhkhali from Ranikhet, at a distance of about 5 Kms. from Ranikhet, just a little further ahead from Ghingarikhal.  This Nine-hole Golf course is managed by the armed forces stationed in Ranikhet i.e. the Kumaon Regiment and the Naga Regiments and is one the highest elevation Golf Courses in the world, perched at over 1700 meters or around 6000 feet above MSL (Mean Sea Level).  During the Covid-19 Pandemic this Golf Course had been closed for Public access, but now it has been opened for public viewing for the whole day on Tuesdays and from 11.00 A.M to 1.00 P.M on all other days.  However, only the south side of the Golf course will be accessible to the tourists.  The Golf course is well manicured with lush green undulating meadows of green grass with the Himalayan ranges in its back drop that offers a spectacular view for both tourists as well as those enjoying a game of Golf there.

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

 

Rani Jheel –

Panoramic view of Rani Jheel

            From Golf course, we retraced our route back to Ranikhet and after passing by Kalika, Somnath grounds etc., we took a small detour just across the Church in Ranikhet to head for Rani Jheel.  Although this lake was a rain water harvesting artificial water body and has been in Ranikhet since long, having been managed by the Cantonment Board of Ranikhet.  However, of late various tourism related activities have been introduced in this lake and it has become a tourist attraction of sorts.  Situated at a distance of about 2.5 Kms. from the Ranikhet market, it is small water body that can be approached through a vehicle or by trekking.  Although it is quite small, but for a small place like Ranikhet, it offers boating facilities at approximately Rs.75/- per person, it has also a zorbing facility and a small flying fox or zip line facility that are moderately priced and coupled with this there are quite a few colorful fishes that constantly swim in this water, hence the tourists and the locals come and enjoy at the location for short durations.  With the inflow of the tourists, now a days there are several juice counters as well as fast food stalls that have come up on the road,  just across the entry gate to the this small lake.  Although it is nothing spectacular like Naintal or Bhimtal, but definitely a fun place for kids and their parents to enjoy as a passing by destination.

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

 

Jhula Devi temple & Chaubatia Garden –

A view of the famed Jhula Devi temple

            From Ranijheel we headed forward towards the Jhula Devi temple and therefrom to Chaubatia Gardens.  Whereas, the temple is one of the most famous temples in Ranikhet region and has a very huge following amongst the locals.  The Chaubatia Gardens is in Cantonment area and perched at almost 7,500 feet MSL and home to the famous Chaubatia variety of Apple and is now maintained by the Horticulture department.  I have been to these destinations on many occasions and hence these places find mention in many blogs of mine.  In case one wants to check about the details of the destination, you can click on the link provided in one of the paragraphs above.

View of the Chaubatia garden in Ranikhet

             Thereafter, we headed for the Kumaon Regimental Center Museum and since no photography is allowed inside and only war related artefacts and memorials are on display to see, although interesting, but without a visual reference it is difficult to weave a blog on the subject and hence am skipping it.  Having visited all the tourists destinations of Ranikhet, it was late afternoon and we were famished and hence had lunch in a local restaurant and after having some tea enroute at Tarikhet, where I got my tape-recorder repaired, reached home late in the evening and thus ended our day three of the visit to Ranikhet.

Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum in Ranikhet

             The next day had been earmarked for refilling of the water tanks, but as there was no supply due to poor voltage, the prime target for the day eluded us and we spent the day doing some odd jobs around and carrying out some house cleaning errands like using the vacuum cleaner etc., as we had to proceed back to Delhi the next morning.  Looking at the precarious situation of availability of Cabs during my journey from Kathgodam to Ranikhet/Timila, I had booked the same taxi driver at same rate to drop us at Kathgodam.  I had called him by 10.00 A.M and also confirmed over telephone about his having commenced journey to pick us up.  However, as is the norm of the cab drivers, instead of pre-decided time of pick up between 10.00 to 10.30 A.M, the fellow reached at around 11.00 A.M and after completing the usual chores of putting off the electricity, water etc. and closing all the doors and windows, we commenced our journey at around 11.20 A.M and the scheduled departure of the train was 3.10 P.M.  On the way we purchased some vegetables and tried to pick up some local fruits, but nothing was available.  However, just before reaching Kainchi Dham, due to haphazard parking of vehicles by the tourist, a huge jam had built up and it took 1.30 hours to get past the jam and by this time we had got considerably delayed.  Despite best efforts, the Cab driver, whose car brakes too had got overheated due to oncoming traffic, we missed the train by a whisker and the driver even tried to drive upto Haldwani railway station but the train had already left and thus I missed a train for the first time in my lifetime.  Thereafter, as the AC busses were scheduled to leave Haldwani for Delhi only late in the night, I took a cab (returning back to Delhi) that charged only for one way and reached back Delhi albeit late and thus, ended our short but enjoyable summer sojourn to the hills of Uttarakahnd.

© S Roy Biswas

 

Gaya – gateway to heaven for the departed souls of ancestors

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Gaya – gateway to heaven for the departed souls of ancestors

 

The spire of the famed Bodh Gaya temple

            Gaya as a city finds mention in many Hindu treatise and it is stated that the present day Gaya sits on the body of an ‘asura’ (literal meaning demon) name Goy, who had sacrificed his body for performance of ‘Yagna’ (sacrificial Hindu fire ritual) and his body turned into a huge stone mass and the entire region was declared as Gayakshetra by the Gods stretching 50 Kosas (ancient Hindu measure of length) and the head itself was 1 kosa.  The legend goes that Goyasura was born to Tripurasura and Prabhavati (daughter of ogress Shuka) in the Svetakalpa era i.e. at the time of creation of the Earth.  He did great penance and was granted a boon by the Gods as desired by him – “Let all those who seek the heaven of Vaikuntha see and touch me before proceeding”.  Thereafter, on request of Lord Bramha, who found his body as most pious amongst all on the Earth plane and requested Goyasura to sacrifice his body for performance of Yagna, which was gladly accepted by him.

Inside temple complex of the Bharat Sevashram Sangh in Gaya

             Since the supreme sacrifice being made by Gayasura, this place has become an imported destination for offering of ‘Pinda daan’, a funeral offering amongst Hindus, so that their souls reach higher reaches of the heaven.  As per the mythology associated with Gaya, as it is known now, King Vishala offered Pind daan in the Svetakalpa era, Lord Ram and Mata/Mother goddess Sita performed Pind daan ritual for King Dasharata here during the Treta yuga and Bhisma performed Pind daan of his father Shantanu of Mahbharata during the Dwapar Yuga.  Other holy persons like Prince Siddhartha of Lumbini who attained his Nirvana in nearby Bodhgaya.  The place has been visited by Mahaprabhu Shri Gauranga Prabhu, Sri Ramkrishana Parhans father and many such luminaries have performed the ritual of Pind Daan in Gaya.  Therefore, it is evident that Gaya is an ancient city associated with Hindu ritual of offering Pind Daan to their ancestors so that the departed souls access to higher heavens.

Information board at Sita kund

A temple dedicated to Sun god at entry of Sita Kund

The outer precinct of Mangala Gauri temple

             There is another interesting anecdote narrated by local residents that is associated with Gaya and Lord Ram and Goddess Sita goes as follows - Whereas, it is said that Lord Ram performed the rituals at Ram Gaya and Goddess Sita waited at the place across the Phalgu River at Sita Kund to perform Pind Daan of King Dasharatha father of Lord Rama.  As Lord Ram got delayed in reaching Sita Kund and as no Pind daan can be performed after sunset, a heavenly voice advised Goddess Sita to perform the Pind Daan ritual before sunset by using whatever was available to her.  Goddess Sita performed the Pind Daan ritual using sand and there were five witnesses of the ceremony i.e. Phalgu River, Tulsi plant, Brahmin, Cow and a Vat/Banyan tree.  When Lord Rama returned, he asked Sita for any witnesses for the ceremony that she had performed, upon which the Phalgu River denied having seen anything and enraged at this alacrity,  Goddess Sita cursed the River and said that hence forth no water shall be visible in the River and it shall remain as a River of sand and it appears to be same till date.  The next witness i.e. Tusli plant also turned hostile and Goddess Sita cursed it too saying that the Tulsi plant will remain pious plant but will grow in all filthy places where dogs will urinate upon it and this is also true to this day.  Thereafter, the Brahmin also denied having seen anything and Goddess Sita cursed him as well saying that although born high, the Brahmin shall ever remain greedy and his craving and tryst for a little more than what is offered will remain in his character.  Then came the turn of the Cow, which too denied having seen anything and Goddess Sita cursed it saying that despite being offered the best of foods by its owners, it will stray all around and eat filth and that is true to this day.  Finally, the Vat/Banyan tree informed Lord Ram about the details of the ceremony/rituals performed by Goddess Sita and elated by it she gave the boon to the Vat/Banyan tree that it shall become eternal and anyone performing the ancestors Pind daan ritual and taking three rounds around it, shall have the message spread across all the Heavens regarding the completion of the ritual by the Hindu individual for his ancestors and this Vat/Banyan tree stands there till today and is known as Akshaya Vat (literally meaning immortal Vat or Banyan).

All ready for the Pind daan ritual in Gaya

The Falgu River in Gaya (Sourced from the internet)

The inside view of famed Vishnupad temple in Gaya (Sourced from the internet)

The famed Akshayavat in Gaya (Sourced from the internet)

            I had also visited the destination recently i.e. March, 2022 to perform Pind daan of my parents and ancestors.  There are several procedures prescribed for the same amongst the Hindus i.e. Pind daan should be performed only after the demise of both the parents etc.  As informed by the priest who had performed the rituals of my mother, it is required that Pind daan at Gaya can only be performed after the first death anniversary ritual known as Barshik (meaning yearly) has been performed.  Otherwise this Barshik ritual is required to be performed every year on the date of death as per Hindu calendar.  I had accordingly scheduled visiting Gaya for the ritual, after performance of this Barshik ritual, no further annual Pind daan or Barshik is required to be performed by the Hindu person after completing this procedure in Gaya.  One can either go and contact the local Brahmin directly to conduct the ritual, but I had heard of tales of some of these Brahmins exhorting of huge sums of money for performing the rituals or else one can visit the famed Bharat Sevashram Sangha to conduct the rituals through their nominated Brahmins.  I chose the second option of approaching for the rituals through Bharat Sevashram Sangha, a Hindu spiritual organization that is providing yeoman’s service in this regard in Gaya and during natural calamities etc. all across the country.  Since I had chosen to travel by Air, I was saved from the mob of agents, who usually descend upon the persons travelling by train to Gaya in hordes and mislead them and also browbeat them to pay huge sums of money for performing the rituals.

Monasteries of different countries in Bodh Gaya

            Bharat Sevashram Sangha provides for free or at very nominal rates, rooms to all Hindu pilgrims visiting Gaya for performance of Pind daan.  The rituals for Pind daan are performed during the first half i.e. forenoon and is required to be concluded before sunset.   Since, I had arrived late in the afternoon, I had to schedule the Pind daan for the next day and accordingly, as advised purchased a new Gamcha (locally woven towel), a vest, underwear and a Dhoti (a long cloth worn akin to trouser by Hindus).  Although the rooms were not upto the mark, as also the food in Ashram that is plain stuff but wholesome (being catered for all the cost per person is @Rs.30/-), however, there are hotels and eateries outside the precincts of the Ashram, whose services can be availed, if one is unwilling to partake food at the Ashram.  But staying there has its advantages, as you are surely not going to get scammed by the scammers roaming in Gaya.  Early next morning, we were briefed by one of the Sadhus (a saint) of the Ashram about the rituals.  It was informed that the death of ancestors are divided into two types – (i) Natural death; and (ii) Unnatural death (even death by Covid wherein no rituals at pyre could be conducted is considered as an unnatural death).  For the natural death Pind daan has to be performed at three places namely – (a) Phalgu River; (b) Vishnupad; and (c) Akshayavata (although it may be offered at all sixteen points in Gaya), whereas in case of unnatural death an additional Pind daan has to be offered at the Pretshila.  It is a long drawn procedure, where the direct descendants from both paternal upto three generations are offered Pinda thrice each and maternal side direct first descendants are offered thrice, while rest are all offered one Pinda each.  Thus, starting early is the clue to completing the rituals by mid-noon as it gets really hot thereafter.  The Ashram authorities assign a Brahmin to each person and payment is determined in respect of rituals to be performed that includes payment for Bhujji daan (Vegetables, fruits and cereals offered ceremonially to the departed souls) items for Pind daan rituals.  An amount of Rs.251/- is earmarked for the Brahmin who keeps the records of the ancestors who had visited Gaya earlier, they have records dating back to centuries and claim to be descendants of Goy or Gayasur.  The rights of these Brahmins are distributed as per the Geographical placement of one’s ancestors and once you make the Pind daan, one is required to place the same on record in the register maintained by your designated Brahmin.  I completed all the rituals and since I had not got conned, I made some voluntary donations at all the three Pind daan places and as also to the Bramhin who had maintained the records in respect of my ancestors.

 

Monastery of Bhutan in Bodh Gaya

            Since no other work was scheduled for the first day, we had decided to visit the famed Sita Kund in the evening, as it was very hot during the day time.  We took an auto-rickshaw to Sita Kund and as I have already narrated the story of Sita Kund, I am not repeating it for the sake of brevity.  Although here are a few photographs shot by me using my mobile phone –

A huge 80 foot tall statue of Lord Buddha in Lotus position in Bodh Gaya

A causeway leading to a Buddhist monastery in Bodh Gaya

           After visiting Sita Kund, we reached the famed Mangala Gauri temple, which is a temple that dates back to the 15^th Century and is a shakti/sidh peeth with the mythological belief that one of the breast of Mata Sati stated to have fallen here during the time when enraged Lord Shiva performed tandava with dead body of Mata Sati lifted over his head and Lord Vishnu in order to save the world had used his bow & arrow to cut the pieces of the body, which fell in fifty two (52) places all over India and these places are considered sacred and identified as Shakti peetha or sidh peetha.  As per Hindu beliefs, the other breast fell at Kangra, where the famed Brajeshwari Devi temple is situated.  However, as per my observations during the visit, I found that people from South India were visiting the place in hordes.  As we had reached the temple almost at sunset, the quality of photos is not all that great.

Inside view of a monastery in Bodh Gaya

A close up of monastery doorway in Bodh Gaya

            On the second day, after having completed the rituals of Pind daan in the first half of the morning and as my flight was scheduled for the next day, we made a decision to visit Bodh Gaya.  But as no cell phones were allowed and also Indians were not allowed to enter the premises in shoes or even rubber sandals, whereas foreigners were entering the area in their shoes/sandals et al and also allowed to carry their mobile phones.  Although I was disillusioned with this kind archaic mind set of the Bihar Government tourism department, still I decided to have a first-hand look inside the temple complex, because of its immense spiritual value, being the place of attainment of enlightenment of Lord Buddha here.  Since I was able to click only one photo from outside, I am keeping this experience of mine short.  There are many temples with architecture of many Buddhist countries strewn around in Bodhgaya, may enjoy the photographs of the destination –

A wide angle view of the monastery doorway

A panoramic view of monastery in Bodh Gaya

Another panoramic view of a monastery in Bodh Gaya

 Here is a short video of the destinations visited during Gaya visit

© S Roy Biswas

 

 

 

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

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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