Area : 21.76 sq.kms.
Altitude : 1829 mts.
North of Nainital this peaceful hill station was established as a
barracks and is still home to the Kumaon Regiment. Situated at 1829
mts., this sylvan retreat offers an interesting mix of hill and
military cultures. This is also known as ‘The Queens Field’.
According to legend a queen in the course of a journey came by this
spot and was so enchanted by it that settled down here. Ranikhet has
forests of oak and pine and is a fine place to enjoy a panoramic
view of the Himalaya from the village which has several places to
stay. It is an ideal holiday for nature lovers and its main
attractions apart from its natural beauty are golf course the
orchards of Chaubatia and the Jhoola Devi Temple.
There is much to see in and around Ranikhet starting with Kalika
Temple (5 kms.) known for its forest nursery and the shrine to
goddess Kali. The plateau of Upat (6 kms.) has a 9-hole golf course
ringed by tall pines .Chillinaula ( 5 kms ) is famous for its Shiva
temple.Tarikhet (8 kms.) is known for its Gandhi Ashram and the
highly venerated temple to Gollu Devta.Both Majkhali ( 13 kms.) and
Chaubatia ( 10 kms.) offer a view of the Himalayas. Picnickers flock
to the lake at Bhaludam (13 kms.) while anglers converge in kerna
(24 kms.).
Idyllic Sitalakhet (34 kms.) is ideal for a quiet holiday. If ruins
can recall grandeur then the cluster of 55 temples at Dwarahat (38
kms.) recreates the glory of the Katyuri Kingdom through it
architecture. Dating back to the 12th century the Durga temple at
Dunagiri (52 kms.) attracts pilgrims round the year. Not being
widely known the resort of Manila (77 kms.) can be enjoyed in
solitude.
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