RANIKHET The Queen Meadows

Queen’s prairie is the literal meaning of the place Ranikhet. Known for being the base for Kumaon Regimen, it is situated around 90 Km from Jim Corbett National Park at a height of 1,869 metres above the sea level. The place is worth visiting as it gives a scenic view of the giant Himalayan snow covered peaks.

Best Time To Visit

Summer March to June are the months for the summer season when the temperature ranges between 8 °C to 22 °C. March being the start of the season, remains moderately cool. Whereas, June is the hottest of all. The pleasant climate during this season makes this place very scenic and picturesque. And, the outdoor activities are also free to access.

Places to visit in Ranikhet

Chaubatia Garden A sprawling orchard of fresh and exquisite apples, plums, peaches, and apricots is the Chaubatia Garden. Located in the heart of the city, these gardens tend to be an ideal spot for outings and picnics. Also, this garden is best known for practicing the depleting step farming in the Himalayan regions.

Majkhali Known for its immersive and scenic natural beauty, Majkhali accounts to be one of the most peaceful villages in the state of Uttarakhand. Situated on the Almora Road, approximately 10 kilometres far from the central city, it is a quaint and picturesque hamlet.

Jhula Devi Temple Built roughly eight centuries ago, Jhula Devi Temple is located just a few kilometres away from Ranikhet. The present temple complex, however, was reconstructed in the year 1935 and is dedicated to a form of the Goddess Durga. It is said that the main deity rests on a wooden ‘jhula’, which translates to swing, hence the name Jhula Devi Temple has been given.

Upat Situated nearly 6 kilometres away from Ranikhet is the little town of Upat. Nestled in the lap of Garhwal Himalayas, this town is known for its 9-hole Golf Course maintained by the Indian Army. This Golf Course holds the honorary mention of being one of the highest in Asia.

Kalika Another major tourist attraction near Upat Golf Course is the ‘Kalika Temple’, which is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Located at a distance of 1 kilometres from Upat, in the town of Kalika, this temple is accounted to be one of the major tourist attraction in Ranikhet.

Bhalu Dam Surprisingly, Bhalu Dam is a man-made lake and an interesting place to see in Ranikhet. Located at a distance of roughly 3 kilometres from Chaubatia Gardens, it was built as a source of drinking water for the British soldiers nearly 2 centuries ago.

Dwarahat A wonderful retreat in the Kumaon Mountains is Dwarahat, an ancient town full of endearing temples and enchanting sceneries. Situated in the wondrous Almora district of Uttarakhand, it houses some 55 odd ancient temples built in the medieval ages by the Katyuri Kings.

The Kumaon Regimental Centre The Kumaon Regimental Centre is a famous museum that was built at the end of the 19-century. Established by Kumaon Regiment of Indian Army, it showcases the rich heredity of the Kumaon Region. This museum is home to various war artefacts of historical importance that exhibit the glory and achievements of the Garhwal and Kumaon regiments.

Rani Jheel Initially built by the Cantonment Board for the sole purpose of rainwater harvesting, Rani Jheel is a vast artificial lake that is located amidst natural ridges and woods. The pristine lake can be found at an altitude of almost 7,500-feet above sea level, and is a prime tourist attraction in Ranikhet that attracts tourists for boating, and is well known for the silence and tranquillity that it exuberates.

How To Reach

By Air Nearest Airport: Pantnagar Airport, the nearest to Ranikhet, is located at a distance of 119 km. Cabs and taxis are easily available from the airport premises. Indira Gandhi International Airport, on the other hand, is located at a distance of 370 km and can be reached after a eight hour car journey.

By Bus There are no direct buses between New Delhi and Ranikhet. You can board the Kathgodam Shatabdi Express and get down at Haldwani from where you can avail one of the buses run by Uttarakhand State Transport Corporation and reach Ranikhet. Alternatively, you can take a bus from ISBT Anand Vihar, Delhi and reach Kathgodam and Almora from where you can board a second bus run by Uttarakhand Roadways and KMOU (Kumaon Motor Owners Union). You can book AC Buses or non-AC ones depending on your requirements. Most operators provide the option of online booking which makes travelling easy and hassle free.

By Rail The nearest major rail head to Ranikhet is Kathgodam which is located at a distance of 88 km. Kathgodam can be reached from various Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow. Kathgodam is a busy railway station since it serves as the gateway to the entire Kumaon region.