[jyotirmoy]

Situated at 1829 metres above sea level, Ranikhet with its idyllic charm has long fascinated holiday seekers. Legend holds that a queen who was passing by was so bewitched by the beauty of the place that she abandoned her journey to settle in this womb of serenity.

Ranikhet, as hill station, has drawn holidaymakers throughout the year, luring them with its climate and visual delight. Against the backdrop of snow-capped Himalayan peaks, Ranikhet makes a perfect holiday resort for those seek a getaway.

The place was used by the British as a hill station and as the headquarters of the Kumaon Regiment. With its tall oak and pine, and the blooming flora, Ranikhet offers a panoramic view of the Himalayas, from the Bhagirathi peaks in the west to Nanda Devi in the east. It is an ideal holiday spot for nature lovers, and its main attractions, apart from its natural beauty, are a golf course, the orchards of Chaubatia and the Jhoola Devi Temple.

The bazaar of Ranikhet is quiet unusual, it is located on the slope of a mountain. It owes its name to the steep slope, therefore it is called the “Khadee Bazaar”, Khade meaning steep in the local language.

The lowest part of the bazaar is at 5000 feet and the upper most at 8000 feet. The roads in Ranikhet wind their way through greenery, providing a much-needed relief to the travellers.

Among the places to see are Chaubattia, a garden spot commanding a fascinating view of the Himalayas. The chief attraction of the place is the Government Apple Garden and the Fruit Research Centre attached to it.

Baludham, a small artificial lake is little less than 3 kms from Chaubattia. Upat Kalika, a golfers delight, with its nine hole golf courses is a must see.

Hairakhan Ashram, yet another place to visit, is the temple of Baba Hairkhan and offers a panoramic view of the extensive Himalayas. Then there are the Jhula Devi and Ram Mandir on way to Chaubattia garden. These are famous for the temples of Goddess Durga and Lord Ram.

Doonagiri is another place of interest, especially for the religious minded people. It is a temple of Goddess Durga and provides a good view of the Ramganga and Someshwar valleys from here.

Khairna offers a treat to those who wish to go fishing in the Kosi river.

Binsar Mahadev, located in a sleepy hollow in dense pine and deodar forest, with an old temple of Lord Shiva, is a unique place for meditation.

Another place of interest is Dwarahat, 37 kms from Ranikhet and a prominent tourist attraction of Kumaon. Once the power centre of Katyuri rulers in the 16th century, Dwarhat became a part of Chand dynasty.

Apart from temples, Dwarhat is full of ancient sculptures. Kumaon’s famous Syalde-Bikhoti Mela is held in Dwarhat from 13th to 15th April annually.


To travel by rail, the nearest railway station is Kathgodam, which is 80 km away. One can also travel by road. There are regular buses to Nainital, Almora, Delhi, Ramnagar, Kausani, Haldwani, Badrinath and Haridwar. There are shared jeeps to Almora. To reach Nainital, one can travel by bus via Bhowali.