Image Credits : pjoshi
Ranikhet, situated on the northern side of Uttarakhand, sits at about 1824 meters above the sea level. Ranikhet is a pleasant hill station which is situated in the Uttarakhand’s Almora district. The place is well-known to reflect the best of Himalayas. If you are an admirer of natural beauty, you should definitely visit this place. Ranikhet refers to the Queens Land and is a wonderful, all-season tourist destination. Ranikhet is an attractive and peaceful place, well known for its ancient temples and offers a panoramic vista of the Himalayan peaks. Maintained by the Indian Army, Ranikhet is also the home to the Naga Regiment, Kumaon Regiment, and Military Hospital.
Lush greenery, cocooned Himalayan areas, superb hilly terrains, and ancient shrines of Ranikhat make it one of the best and most visiting hill stations in Uttarakhand.
According to a famous legend, Rani Padmini, the wife of Raja Sudhardev, was so enticed by the beauty of this place that she asked her husband to build her a palace here. This palace was her residence here. That is exactly where Ranikhet – The Queen’s Meadow – got its name from. But there is no proof to justify this. Ranikhet was under the Nepalese rule and the people of Kumaon area won it under General Kashinath Adhikari’s leadership. It was after him that the Kashipur town was named. Later in 1869, the Britishers established the Kumaon Regiment’s headquarters here. They used this place as a retreat to escape from the Indian summer heat. During the British Raj, this place was also proposed to be the Indian Government’s summer headquarters.
Being a famous tourist attraction, there are lots of places for sightseeing and interesting in Ranikhet. This tranquil paradise with coniferous forests, bountiful fruit orchards, and verdant greenery offers you a rejuvenating break. So, below is the list of the best places to visit in Ranikhet: Jhula Devi Temple, Rani Jheel, Ashiyana Park Mankameshwar, Temple Babar, Khola Binsar Mahadev, Haidakhan Temple, Bhalu Dam, Katarmal Majkhali, Syalikhet Tarkhet, Kumaon Regimental, Center Museum, Rama Mandir, Chaubatia Gardens, Dwarahat Sunset Point, Shitlakhet Haidakhan, Babaji Temple
Nature Walk: When in Ranikhet, indulging yourself in a nature walk can assist you to explore the beauty of Ranikhet in the best way possible. The best walking trails in Ranikhet include the ones from Mall to AMU Guest House, Jhula Devi Temple to Chaubatia orchards, Army Holiday Home to AMU Guest House.
Paragliding: Close to the Majkhali village in the Guoluchine area, Ranikhet welcomes you for paragliding. You can expect to have a memorable, lifelong paragliding experience here.
Golfing: Ranikhet also offers you an excellent opportunity for golfing at the high altitudes. The golf course in Ranikhet is known to be one of the best and the highest golf courses in the world. You can also enjoy a stunning view of snow-covered peaks from here.
Trekking: For those who are on a trip with friends and love trekking, Ranikhet has a great trek too from the Chaubatia Orchards to the Holm Farm.
Fishing: Fishing is another outdoor activity that you can take part in and enjoy when in Ranikhet. Kosi River and Bhalu Dam offers you the best sites to enjoy fishing.
Enjoy Flaura and Fauna: Since Ranikhet is nestled amidst the population of very tall conifers, it is the home to many species of wildlife. You can find apples, orchids, peaches, and other alpine flowers and fruits here. You can also find many varieties of medical-related herbs here.
Shopping: A tour to Ranikhet will be incomplete without going shopping at the Sadar Bazaar. Situated near the Aroori Bazaar, the Sadar Bazaar can be found heavily crowded always with the locals and tourists both nearly every day. It is a one-stop location for every household products and food. Visit Ranikhet and savor a memorable experience of exquisiteness and natural essence. Getting up to a salubrious climate, sweet fragrance of flora, and sounds of birds are going to make this place much more appealing to you.
