Uttarakhand medley – Nainital & around

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Uttarakhand medley – Nainital & around

  

The famed Naini lake of Nainital

In continuation of my earlier blogs that was published for promoting tourism in Garhwal region, the present blog starts with the other part of Uttarakhand’s linguistically identified region i.e. Kumaon.  Kumaon region can further been identified as four distinct regions i.e. Nainital, Almora, Pithoragarh and Champawat.  The first blog of the series will start with Nainital and places around it  Here is the video that covers this region –

  

Nainital

Nainital is the most well-known destination of Uttarakhand and is also the district Headquarters that goes by the same name.  Nainital is also known as the ‘Lake district of the State’, as this district has many small and big lakes scattered all around.  The entry to Kumaon region is through Haldwani or Kathgodam, which is the last rail head.  From Kathgodam the journey for Kumaon region commences and the most famous destination in this circuit is Nainital.  Nainital, named as the place where the ‘eyes’ (Naina) of ‘Sati’ fell here and is revered as one of the 64 ‘Shakti Peeths’, is the most famous destination in the Kumaon region.  The lake is about 1.3 kms. long and about 0.5 kms. in breadth, while the northern end of the lake is called the ‘Mallital’ and the southern tip as ‘Tallital’.  The lake is situated at an altitude of 1940 meters and is surrounded by many peaks, some of which tower over 8,000 feet i.e. China Peak.  It is a destination enjoyed by tourists, both during summers and winters equally.  Apart from Nainital, there are other equally enthralling destinations having lakes around Nainital and easily accessible from Nainital during a day tour and to name a few (ascending order of distance from Nainital) –

Sattal – This destination as the name depicts, is a conglomeration of seven lakes and is also perched at around an altitude of 1300 odd meters.  This destination is enjoyed by tourists for boating and is a much sought after destination for ‘Birders’, as it offers sighting of plethora of birds;

A view of the Sattal lake

Bhimtal - This quaint little township perched at an elevation of 1370 meters, houses the biggest lake of the region and accordingly named Bhimtal.  It is an enjoyable destination that offers facilities of boating and fishing;

View of Bhimtal lake

 Naukuchiatal – As the name suggests, the lake in this destination is ‘nine cornered’ one and perched at an elevation of 1220 meters.  It is the deepest lake in the region at is about 175 feet deep and tourists can enjoy boating, angling and bird watching in the destination.

 

The Naukuchia lake

Here is the link to my blog encompassing all these destinations –

1)      https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2011/12/nantial-lake-district-of-kumaon.html

Panghoot

View of Panghoot or Pangot

Also known as Pangot, this destination is a sublime one, away from hustle and bustle of Nainital and a drive of 13 Kms. from the township.  Perched at an elevation of 6,510 feet, this quaint little village destination is a must visit for avid bird watchers, as about 580 bird species have been identified visiting this area.  Here is the link to the blog for the destination - https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2012/09/walking-through-clouds-panghoot-around.html

Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar - the house where Jim Corbett used to stay during summers

This township is about 51 Kms. from Nainital and perched at an elevation of 2171 meters i.e. about 7500 feet, this destination is named after the 350 years old Shiva temple situated here.  This destination offers fantastic views of sunrise and sunset alongwith sporting activities like rappelling etc., to add to the charm of this destination.  It is a must visit destination for nature lovers and those who enjoy the splendour of the hills.  Here is the link to the blog about this destination -  https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2011/12/kumaon-mukteshwar-view-of-sitla-from.html

Kainchi Dham

The famed Kainchi dham temple

Kainchi is a beautiful ashram located in secluded mountain of the Kumoan Hills in Uttarakand. The temple was first inaugurated in June 1964. It is approximately 38 km from Nainital. Many hundreds of people visit the temples here every day, during the season.  It was some time in 1962 when Maharajji called for Shri Poornanand of Kainchi village while he himself waited sitting on parapet wall by the road side near Kainchi. When he came, they refreshed the memories of their first meeting which they had 20 years back in 1942. They discussed about the place around. Maharajji wanted to see the place where Sadhu Premi Baba and Sombari Maharaj had lived and performed Yagyas. The forest was cleared and Maharajji asked for the construction of a Chabootara (rectangular platform) covering the Yagyashala. Maharajji contacted the then "conservator of forests" and took possession of the requisite land on lease.  The Hanuman temple is built over the platform mentioned above. His devotees started coming from different places and a chain of bhandaras, kirtans, bhajans started. The Pran-Pratishtha of idols of Hanumanji and others was performed on 15th June in different years. Thus, 15th June is celebrated every year as Pratishtha Divas Each year, during the famous June 15th bhandara.  The place is of international repute boasting of followers like Steve Job & Mark Zuckerberg.

© S Roy Biswas

Uttarakhand medley – Garhwal (Kotdwar and Dehradun side)

Uttarakhand medley – Garhwal (Kotdwar & Dehradun side)

In my previous blog about Garhwal, I had discussed about destinations accessible from Haridwar side.  In this video I have tried to cover destinations that are easily accessible from Kotdwar and Dehradun side and provided links that give detailed description of the destinations through my blogs –

Kotdwar –

As the name suggests, it is the entry point to the other side to Garhwal region and is a small township situated on banks of River Khoh.  The railway station was established by the Britishers way back in 1890 and the first passenger train arrived here in 1901.

Lansdowne –

Perched at an altitude of 1706 meters above mean sea level, this small hill station is home to the famed Garhwal Rifles regiment that migrated from Almora in 1887.  It is a small nondescript little destination for idling out for a few days and is situated about 45 Kms. from Kotdwar.

Here is the link to the blog about Lansdowne –

https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2012/01/visiting-lansdowne.html

Khirsu –

Khirsu is a small village perched about an altitude of 1700 meters and is nestled amongst the Oaks & Rhodendrons that offers a 300 Km. view of the Himalayan ranges on a clear day.  It is about 11 Kms. from Pauri via Bua Khal and about 119 Kms. from Kotdwar and one can visit the famed Jwalpa Devi temple enroute from Kotdwar.

Here is the link to the blog about Khirsu –

https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2012/01/khirsu-nature-lovers-delight.html

Mussourie –

Although this destination is not easily accessible via Kotdwar and there are other better ways of reaching Mussourie.  I am putting up the details of this destination in this blog, as it is one of the most renowned tourist destinations of Garhwal and amongst one of the best hill stations of India and best accessible from Dehradun.

Here is the link to the blog about Mussourie –

https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2011/12/mussourie-queen-of-hill-stations.html

Chakrata –

Like Mussourie, this destination is not easily accessible through Kotdwar, but for the same reason, I am putting in the details of this destination, as it is a place of solitude and to be one with nature.   Definitely a nature lovers delight and best accessible from Dehradun side.

Here is the link to the blog about Chakrata –

https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/search?q=chakrata

Uttarakhand - Garhwal medley (destinations from Haridwar side)

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Uttarakhand Garhwal – destinations from Haridwar side

Har ki pairi in Haridwar

            This is the end of the year and due to bed ridden conditions of my mother, I am not able to move around as freely, as I used to in the past.  So while browsing through the my old blogs and videos, it suddenly struck my mind to generate a video of the destinations visited by me in Uttarakhand, which I have adopted as my second home that is to be my final resting place post retirement.  As one is aware that Uttarakhand is divided linguistically in two distinct divisions i.e. Garhwal & Kumaon.  Accordingly, I crafted a video of the destinations accessible in Garhwal and the first amongst them is the video depicting places that one can visit from Garhwal side –

          The video has been crafted especially to encourage tourism in the region and is a small effort from my side.  Since all these destinations have been personally visited by me and detailed blogs have been published by me, I am just providing the links in this medley to assist the visitors to chalk out their own programs.

Haridwar – 

Also known as the gateway to the Land of Gods, the holy Ganga River hits the plains of India for the first time at this destination and flows upto the Bay of Bengal.  Reverend by the Hindus from all over India & the world, this place holds a special place in every Hindu's life and his beliefs.  I have visited the destination many times and detailed description is in the blogs below - 

 i) https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2011/12/haridwar-rishikesh-neelkanth-short.html

ii)         https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2018/09/haridwar-gateway-to-land-of-gods-ganga.html

Rishikesh - 

Also known as the Yoga capital of the world, this tranquil little destination is about 25 odd kilometers from Haridwar and also the starting point for the famed Chardham destinations of Garhwal.  Resplendent with many small & big ashrams strewn across the holy Ganga River, it is also reverend by the Hindus from all walks of life.  I have visited this destination many times and it is summed up in m blog as follows -

https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2018/01/rejuvenating-in-rishikesh.html

Yamunotri – 

The Chardham visit in Garhwal region of  Uttarakhand comprises of four major shrines and pilgrims make pilgrimage in a clock wise fashion.  Accordingly, the first destination visited is Yamunotri, which is a temple situated at the origin of River Yamuna.  One can read the details of the visit to the destination in the following blogs -

i) https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2009/08/chardham-yatra-yamunotri.html;

ii) https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2011/12/chardham-yamunotri-final-trek.html

Gangotri –

The second destination in the famed Chardham Yatra is held by the temple town of Gangotri that houses a temple dedicated to holy River Ganga and the famed Gomukh or Cow's mouth where from the holy River Ganga is said to emanate and this place is at a distance of 18 kilometers from Gangotri.  It is one of the most reverend destinations for Hindus and here is the link to my blogs about this destination (first part deals with the journey to the destination and second part about the destination itself) -

 i) https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2011/12/towards-gangotri-chardham-yatra.html

ii) https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2011/12/gangotri-visit-to-famed-shrine.html

Kedarnath - 

Now this destination has found more fame than ever because of the efforts of Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Sh. Narendra Bhai Modi ji, it was devastated by an unprecedented climate related accident in the year 2013, this destination is also one of the famed Jyotirlinga's.  The blog of mine was crafted way back in 2007 and hence contains photographs of destinations long lost to the above mentioned devastation -

https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2011/12/magnificent-kedarnath.html

Badrinath – 

One of the most reverend destination for Hindu's and one of the four Dhams recognized for Hindu pilgrimage, the others being Puri in Odissa, Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu and Dwarka in Gujrat.  This one of the first destinations to be visited by the author and that too in 2001 and hence the photographs (as above), where in the inner temple can be seen is not visible at present because of the outside facade and this had been damaged due to avalanche that had hit the temple during the same year's winters.  So some old pictures can be accessed alongwith details of the visit in the two series of blogs whose link has been provided for information - 

i) https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2011/12/towards-badrinath.html

ii) https://ghummakar-biswas.blogspot.com/2011/12/badrinath-abode-of-gods-surrounding.html

© S Roy Biswas