Ranikhet, Uttranchal

Ranikhet means 'Queen's Field' and is said to be named after the wife of the 12th-century raja, Sudhar Deve. Spread along a ridge at 1,830 metres (6,004 feet), Ranikhet is covered with pine and oak forests. On its northern side it offers fine snow views. Ranikhet is still a cantonment. The town is now the home of the Kumaon Regiment, one of the Indian army's best.

Climate: The climate is especially pleasant, being protected from the southwest monsoon by a high plateau which reduces the average annual rainfall to 127 centimeters (50 inches), half that of Nainital. It is, however, slightly warmer than its more famous neighbour, and although it snows in Ranikhet the snow rarely settles.

Best time to visit: Ranikhet is worth visiting in May or June.

How to reach there:
Rail: The nearest railheads are Kathgodam, at a distance of 84 kms (53 miles), and Ramnagar, 97 kms (60 miles) away.

Road: Ranikhet is connected by bus with Delhi, 367 kms (228 miles) away, and Nainital, 59 kms (37 miles) away. Both government and privately owned buses run on the local hill routes. The Ramnagar-Ranikhet road, running along the edge of Corbett National Park, is attractive. Private taxis and the goverment's parvat tours will hire out taxis to local sights.

What to see:

Hera Khan Temple: Hera Khan Temple and Ashram, near Chilianaula village, is four kms from Sadar Bazaar. The Hindu saint, Hera Khan, died in 1984 and the modern marble-faced temple with a grarden was constructed according to his wishes. The baba had many European followers and the ashram is inhabited mainly by them.

Jhula Devi Temple: is 7 km away. It is believed that once a month, a leopard comes to the temple, but only the priest sees it. Above Jhula Devi is a temple of Lord Ram and Binsar Mahadev, 19 kms away.

Uphat: is 6 kms from Sadar Bazaar on Almora Road. It is the site of one of the highest golf courses with views of the Great Himalayas. The course was originally laid out by a British cavalry officer as a cross-country race track, and the track now forms the perimeter of the nine-hole course. The golf course is run by the army, but anyone with a set of clubs is welcome to a game for a nominal charge. The course is, however, closed during the monsoon, from July to September. There is a refreshment kiosk in the centre of the golf course. Just beyond the golf course is a small temple to Kalika and a government forest nursery. Further along the same road, 13 kms, from Sadar Bazaar, is Majkhali, recommended for its views of the snows.

Chaubatia: It is ten kms from Sadar Bazaar. It was originally a sanatorium for British troops. It now houses the Government Fruit Garden and Research Station which grows 200 varieties of fruit. After wandering through the extensive woods and orchards of the garden one can also buy the produce at knockdown prices. The peak of the apple season is August-September. A three kms walk from Chaubatia leads to the artificial lake of Bhaludam.

Around the city:

Dwarahat is 38 kms from Ranikhet on the Badrinath road, was once the seat of the Katyari kings who are said to have ruled from the Great Himalayas to the plains. It is now famous for its 55 temples divided into 8 groups dating from the 11th century and have some fascinating stone carvings. A 5 kms walk from Dwarahat, or 15 kms away by road, is Dunagiri with views of the Himalayas. There is also a Durga temple built in 1181.

Tarikhet is a village 8 kms from Ranikhet on the Ramnagar road. A small hut, Gandhi Kuti, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during the Freedom Movement, is its main attraction.

Sitlakhet, 24 kms from Ranikhet, Manila 66 kms from Ranikhet and Chaukutiya 85 kms from Ranikhet are all beautiful picnic spots offering spectacular panoramic views of the Himalayas.