Binsar Tourist Guide - The crown jewel of Kumaon Hills - Destination Overview
Package Prices
Startinng from Rs 8999/- including site seeing with 2 night-3 Days package
Location: Uttarakhand,India -263601
Altitude: 2500 meters
Longitude: 79.7552° E
Latitude: 29.7054° N
Nearest Airport: Pantnagar airport
Nearest Train Station: Kathgodam railway station
How to reach: By Air - Pantnagar airport is one of the nearest airports to the city which you can reach with the help of various public transports. This airport is about 152 km away from the town. Flights are frequent and connected to various other cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Mukteshwar and many more places.
By rail - Kotdwar is the railway station nearest to this Hill station, located about 40 km away. You can get various passenger and superfast trains to travel to other major cities and states. Najibabad Junction Railway Station is also situated nearby and one can get many trains from here.
By road - Binsar can be reached by taking a bus and then a cab. Buses can be taken from Delhi to Nainital. The travel by bus in this route takes time of about 9 hours and 15 minutes.
Season to Visit: Best time to visit Binsar
The best time to visit this beautiful hill city is right after summer during the months of April to June and again before winter sets in, from October to November.
How to reach Binsar
By Air
Pantnagar airport is one of the
Binsar Tourist Guide - The crown jewel of Kumaon Hills
Binsar Tourist Guide: Overview
Binsar is a scenic, peaceful and a beautiful travel destination located in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state, which brings you much closer to the nature. It is perched at an elevation of 2,412 meters above mean sea level. Binsar has a rich, diverse and fascinating history that can be traced back to the ancient times. This iconic hill beauty is perched on top of the Jhandi Dhar hills. Basically this place is situated 33 km north of the Almora town in the Uttarakhand state of India. Binsar is surrounded by the alpine flora, ferns, hanging moss and species of wild flowers as well as the forest where oak and rhododendron are found everywhere. The weather in Binsar is pleasant throughout the year. Binsar is an ideal destination for writers, nature lovers and adventure lovers.
Why you must visit Binsar?
Binsar Hills known as Jhandi Dhar, which rises to a height of 2412 mts and offer an excellent view of Almora town, Kumaon hills and the greater Himalayan valley. This beautiful small town set in the midst of lush green forests covered with oak, pine, deodar trees. Binsar has plenty of tourist attractions including green meadows, temples and the Binsar wildlife sanctuary. The views of major peaks like Chaukhamba, Panchachuli, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, and Kedarnath are distinctly visible from here.
If you are a die-hard nature lover then add Binsar in your must see places. It is an ideal place for Bird watching and wildlife photography. There are several popular excursions in the proximity of Binsar. To enjoy peaceful and serene walks and the unmatched beauteousness of nature visit Binsar. Binsar is perfect for wildlife lovers and trekkers. It can also be visited by couples looking for a romantic getaway.
What is unique in Binsar?
The main attraction of Binsar is the majestic view of the Himalayan famous peaks which includes Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Panchchuli. Binsar is famous for the forests of Himalayan oak and rhododendron are excellent for trekking and communing with nature. One the most famous attraction of Binsar is Binsar Wild Life Sanctuary which has leopard, ghoral, black beer, monkeys, red fox, pine marten porcupine, over 200 species of birds and others wildlife found there. Besides the natural beauty, Kumaon invites you to enjoy the local culture and traditions. Their ancient temples and splendid architecture leaves you in a state of amazement.
History of Binsar
This quiet destination is located within the Binsar wild life sanctuary. If we talk about the legend during the war between Lord Golu and the king of Binsar, the trunk and head of Lord Golu fell in Binsar. Historically Binsar was a summer vacation place of rulers of Chand dynasty who ruled the Kumaon region between the 7th and 18th centuries. The rulers of Chand Dynasty, the Chand Raj Kings, visited Binsar in summers to enjoy the pleasant weather and peaceful scenery amidst the hills and mountains in this quiet town.
Binsar has also witnessed a mythological warfare between Golu Devta and the King of Binsar. Golu Devta, who is believed to be the incarnation of Gaur Bhairava or Lord Shiva, is a legendary mythological and historical God in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. As an outcome of miscommunication, Golu Devta was beheaded, and his trunk fell at the Gairad Dana Golu, near the now Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, and his decapitated head fell at Kaparkahan. Both these places still house temples dedicated to Lord Golu.
Best time to visit Binsar
The best time to visit this beautiful hill city is right after summer during the months of April to June and again before winter sets in, from October to November.
Events / Festivals in Binsar
This town is situated in the district of Almora, where people celebrate various festivals. Festivals in Binsar reflect the tradition and culture of the city. Harvest and trading activities are also carried out during festivals and fairs. In the month of October, Dussehra is celebrated every year. Nanda Devi festival is one of the most important festivals in Binsar.
Khatarua is essentially one of the most special festivals and is observed by the pastoral agricultural society with much fun and vigor in the month of Ashwin which falls in mid-September. This grand occasion calls for unrestrained merriment and on this special day people light bonfires around which children dance displaying multi-hued flags.
Food and Cuisine of Binsar
Binsar does not have too many options for food and cuisines. The handful of restaurants that it houses serve Kumaoni, Continental and typical Indian platters. You can also find some cakes, jams, pastries, homemade breads and more. Also try the local cuisine here which includes Bhaang Ki Khatai, Mixed dal Salad, Kappa (a green curry), Sisunak Saag (a dish prepared with green leafy vegetables and many local ingredients), Aloo ke Gutke( a Kumauni potato dish), Rus ( a preparation of many dals) and much more.
Binsar does not have a train station, and the nearest station is Kathgodam, at a distance of 53 km. from Binsar.
Shopping in Binsar
Shopping in Binsar is all about buying local handicraft products which include beautifully crafted wooden products made from the local wood.
These make for excellent souvenirs to take back home for friends and family. Apart from souvenirs, other popular products that can be purchased here are local honey, handmade soaps, hand-knitted shawls, sweaters and other woollen clothes.
Rhododendron squash is the speciality of the place and should not be missed. Shopping in Binsar is all about buying locally made handicraft items including the beautifully crafted wooden products that make for excellent souvenirs to take back home.
Apart from these, you can add mufflers, sweaters and hand-knitted shawls to your shopping list. Local honey and handmade soaps that Binsar is known for are some other products that you may buy from here.
