Ranikhet is a small town located in the Almora district of the state of Uttarakhand. It is a situated at an altitude of 1869 meters above mean sea level and is very close to the western peaks of Himalayas. The city is a very important cantonment area and is maintained by the Indian Army itself.
Ranikhet Amid Natural Beauty [photo credit: funkeescooter via photopincc]Ranikhet, is the hindi translation for “Queen’s Meadow”. History has it that, a queen, Rani Padmini fell in love with this beautiful place and the King, Raja Sudhardev had to oblige to her, and built her a palace in these lands. The queen subsequently decided to make it her residence and that is where the name ‘Ranikhet’ originated. Though no traces of the palace are found in present times, the beautiful lush green lands against the backdrop of Himalayas, truly justify the mythology associated.
This town is the perfect place for anyone looking for a change. It has a different atmosphere in every season, making it a popular destination throughout the year. The huge pine trees, the green meadows and the panoramic view of the Himalayan Range, make this a sublime location, and one definitely worth visiting for every avid traveler.
How to Get There
Ranikhet, because of its location, cannot be reached directly by air or trains. The nearest station and airport is 89 and 119 kilometers away respectively. However, this hill station has great connectivity by road. Hence, a road trip with friends or family from places like Delhi, from where it is 350 kilometers, would be a great way to reach Ranikhet. The scenic drive all throughout is sure to leave you spellbound.
Best Time to Enjoy Ranikhet
As you would expect of a typical hill station, Ranikhet experiences a lot of rainfall and generally has a cool climate all year long. This makes it a great place to visit all throughout the year. However, unless you are a snow lover, to avoid hassles and difficulties due to the heavy snowfall, the best time to visit Ranikhet is from the months of March to October. The summers are very mild, with a maximum of 25 degrees. This makes it a great getaway during that time, especially for people living in the hotter parts of the country.
What to Do
Lush Greenery in the Chaubatia Garden,Ranikhet [photo credit: parth joshi via photopincc]1. Chaubatia Gardens – Located at 10 kilometers from the main town, these gardens have a large plantation of peaches, apricots and chestnuts. However, they are most widely known for the apple orchids and the amazing panoramic view that they offer of the snowcapped mountains of the Himalayan range.
Side View of the Bhalu Dam[photo credit: Captures of the life via photopincc]2. Bhalu Dam –This place is located at a further distance of 3 kilometers from Chaubatia. It has a small man-made lake which is the reservoir for the Bhalu Dam built on the Kosi River. This supplies water to Ranikhet and neighboring areas. It is a very scenic location that leaves a lasting impression.
The Innumerable Bells in the Jhula Devi Temple [photo credit: rguha via photopincc]3. Jhula Devi Temple – Whether you are looking for spiritual blessings, or are fond of rich history, this temple is the place for you. This temple houses the idol of Goddess Durga, who as history says, protected the villagers from the dangerous wildlife in times of need. People from all over the country flock to this place to make a wish to Maa Durga and whenever it is fulfilled, they come back to tie a bell to the temple. These innumerable bells are the characteristic of this temple, and it is well-renowned for this too.
Kalika Golf Links, Ranikhet [photo credit: tpms5 via photopincc]4. Kalika Golf Links – This 9-hole golf course is located just a little outside the main town, and it is maintained directly by the Indian Army. It is open for professional as well as recreational purposes, which makes it a great place to have some fun. The Kalika Temple, housing the idol of Goddess Kali, is also found very close to the Golf Links.
Scenic View Along the Roads in Ranikhet [photo credit: manishmo via photopincc]5. Explore more – Ranikhet is not only very beautiful, but also has great places near it that can be reached by a short road trip. Of these, the most prominent ones that can and must be visited are – Nainital (61 kms), Almora (44kms) and Kathgodam (85 kms). All these places have a charm of their own too.
Ranikhet Specialties
Special Quality Wool from Ranikhet [photo credit: abrinsky via photopincc]1. Shopping – Ranikhet is rich in the population of quality weavers, who produce excellent handloom items. These items are definitely worth collecting. Make sure to try and buy it directly from the weavers, as many shopkeepers tend to sell them at exorbitant prices.
The Famous Buransh Juice [photo credit: VisualAge via photopincc]2.Eating – Though Ranikhet does not have many trademark dishes, specific to the area, it does have a very famous sweet dish – Bal Mithai. It is a chocolate-like fudge made from milk cream and coated with sugar balls. Also, the Buransh Juice is a specialty drink of the area, which is made from a local mountain berry.
Thus, if you are looking for a beautiful, serene and quiet place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life, Ranikhet is the perfect place for it. On the very next opportunity you get, plan and make a road trip with your loved ones to Ranikhet, and be lost in its limitless scenery.
