Shaili takes us on a tour of Binsar, a sleepy hamlet, tucked in Kumaon Hills. An exclusive for Different Truths. 

Binsar is a picturesque sleepy hamlet, one of the most scenic spots of breath-taking beauty in the Kumaon Hills and is home to many rare animals, birds, and wildflowers. It’s any nature-lover’s delight! Binsar is indeed a summer trekker’s paradise on earth! Trekking in salubrious air, amidst the misty mountain trails, towering oaks, and Rhododendron…well, to say the least, a lifetime experience! 

The mantle of lush green hangs all around, rocks are covered with ferns and moss, foliage sprouting out of every conceivable nook and cranny of the hillside. The Binsar hill is locally known as Jhandidhar. It offers a panoramic view of Kumaon hills. Almora is about 38 km. Binsar is surrounded by the majestic deodar trees and in the night, the lights of Almora look fascinating! 

To reach Binsar, the closest airport is Pantnagar (157 km.) If you plan to come via Delhi, it is at 410 Km. One could take a train to Haldwani (120 km.) and visit Binsar via Nainital. Nainital, another beautiful hill station and a major tourist attraction is about 90 km. There are several guesthouses and hotels available to suit every budget. It would be advisable to book your accommodation in advance, especially during the summers when everybody seems to head towards the hills to escape the scorching heat. 

In springtime, the full-bloomed rhododendron flowers form a red carpet to welcome travellers. These flowers are also used to make a tasty soft drink (rhododendron or buransh squash), which is extremely refreshing and acts as a tonic for heart diseases, asthma, and high blood pressure. Also, trekkers must beware of the notorious herbaceous plant, the Himalayan nettle that stings on contact. 

Once in Binsar, you could go off for the sanctuary tour that covers dense Oak and Rhododendron forests, a house to several birds, a paradise for bird watchers. The Binsar forest is blessed with medicinal plants and herbs. Mallika and Gananath temples are 25 km away from the main Binsar. Also, worth a visit would be Chaukori, surrounded by the towering Himalayas and lush green tea gardens. These tea gardens yield high quality tea. One would get a panoramic view of the Himalayas from Chaukori. Many tours are available by road as packages. Amongst these the most popular are the Bageshwar-Baijnath-Kasauni Tour (85 km.) The Ranikhet tour and the Patal-Bhuvaneshwar tour. 

These tours include a visit to Sangam of two rivers, Srayu and Gomti, Baijnath temple where you see a variety of fish in the kund and a particular stone that can be lifted by nine little fingers. The tour also covers a visit to Chaubatia gardens, Kumaon centre and Jhoola Devi mandir. You also can visit the underground cave complex known as the commune of the Gods. The unique part is that there are 65 temples situated inside the cave of different Gods and Goddesses. 

The trip to Binsar is a wholesome holiday that includes both leisure blended with pleasure and beauty. Binsar is a complete getaway for complete relaxation of nerves! The various tours will provide further insight into this beautiful valley. Sir Henry Ramsay stayed in Binsar for several years in the Khali Estate, The Erstwhile royal palace. This was later occupied by Smt. Vijay Lakshmi Pandit and is presently a heritage hotel. Sir Ramsay had called Binsar as a dreamland of Kumaon hills and had great love for this picturesque valley calling it as the most beautiful valley in India. 

Well, indeed Binsar has a dreamlike quality about it! This intimate little hill retreat can make you feel that nothing can come between you and nature! Enjoy the tranquillity and mesmerising beauty of Kumaon hills…the sleepy hamlet, Binsar!

Visuals by Different Truths

Shaili Dhagat

Shaili is a prolific writer who has worked as a columnist and editor for the leading English newspapers like The Times of India, Indian Express, The Asian Age, Shillong Times and Deccan Herald, etc. She has written short stories, and poems for National and International journals. She has recently been crowned as Mrs. India International Global 2018, and soon will be representing India on an International platform. She would like to contribute towards Women Empowerment.

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