Monday, October 24, 2011

About Ranikhet

Situated at an elevation of 1,829mts above sea level, Ranikhet is a hill station and cantonment town in Almora district of Uttarakhand state. It is the home for the Kumaon Regiment and Naga Regiment and is maintained by the Indian Army. Ranikhet literally suggests ‘Queen's meadow’ in Hindi language. This place was named after Rani Padmini whose heart was won by Raja Sudhardev. Rani Padmini subsequently chose this picturesque area for her residence, naming it as Ranikhet. In year 1869, the British established the headquarters of the Kumaon Regiment at this very place and they used this quaint hill station as a retreat to beat the sultry conditions of the plains. Ranikhet offers magnificent views of the Western Himalayas and the invigorating view of the highest peak of India, Nanda Devi is also visible from here.

Ranikhet is an ideal destination for nature lovers, adventures and a person seeking peace of mind. The salubrious weather and serene environment of Ranikhet has made it one of the most frequented and loved hill stations of Uttaranchal. A person can find nature and it's elements in full harmony at Ranikhet. Ranikhet is rich in varied flora and fauna. The forests of includes thick pine, oak and deodar trees. The fauna of Ranikhet includes leopard, sambhar, himalayan black Bear, Indian hare, mountain goat, barking deer, monkey, jackal, langur, porcupine and fox. The average literacy rate of Ranikhet is 83% (according to 2001 census) which is way higher than the literacy rate of India. The main languages spoken in Ranikhet are Hindi, English and Kumaoni. Ranikhet is an ideal retreat during summers and it is also getting popular as a weekend destination because of its ease of accessibility.

Places to See in Ranikhet
 

Jhula Devi Temple: Built in the 8th century, Jhula Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The people of Uttaranchal have strong belief in the Jhula Devi Temple and numerous bells are hung in the temple.  Ram Mandir is also situated very close to Jhula Devi Mandir.

Golf Course: Ranikhet Golf Course is one of the highest golf courses of Asia. Ranikhet Golf Course is a 9-hole course making it one of the prime attractions of Ranikhet.

Binsar Mahadev: Binsar Mahadev Temple is situated amidst beautiful pine and deodar trees and it also has lovely cedar forest surroundings. Binsar Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and a visit to this sacred shrine invigorates our mind and soul with positive vibes. A beautiful stream flowing close to the Binsar Mahadev Temple adds amazement to the natural beauteousness of this sacred place.

Katarmal: It is the second most important temple to Sun God, the first one being Sun Temple of Konark in Orissa. Located 25kms from Ranikhet this historical important temple is more than 800 years old.

Chaubatia Gardens: It is situated 10kms from Ranikhet and is renowned for apple orchards. Ranikhet is popular for its luscious apples, apricots, peaches and various alpine fruits. Apart from fruits one can buy fresh juices and honey from Chaubatia Gardens. Picturesque views of the snow capped peaks of the mighty Himalayan range can be seen from Chubatia Gardens.

Bhalu Dam: It is an artificial lake situated in the Chaubattia Gardens. The views of the massive Himalayan peaks are enchanting and ravishing from Bhalu Dam. It is an ideal spot for camping and picnicking. It is situated 3kms from Chaubattia Gardens.

Haidakhan Temple: Situated 4kms from Ranikhet, Haidakhan Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva made by Shri Haidakhan Maharaj who is said to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. The splendid views of the gigantic Himalayan peaks are clearly visible from Haidakhan Temple.

KRC (Kumaon Regimental Centre) Museum: This Regiment Museum showcases the history of Kumaon and Garhwal regiments. KRC Museum was established in the 1970s. It displays the valuable treasures like Rani Jhansi's silver sceptre, Chinese rifles from the 1962 war, a World War-II Japanese wireless field telephone and documents related to the Kargil War.