| RANIKHET - FACTS
& FIGURES
Best Time to Visit : Around
the Year
Languages : Kumaoni, Hindi,
and English
STD Code : 05966
RANIKHET - THE
UNSPOILT HILL STATION
Ranikhet is a small hill station set
in the Kumaon hills. It offers the tourists a panoramic
view of the mighty Himalayan peaks. The environs of
Ranikhet are sylvan, peaceful and attractive. Ranikhet
is a cantonment town and is known for its ancient temples.
RANIKHET - LOCATION
Ranikhet is situated in the northern
part of the state of Uttaranchal, in the northern region
of India. It is situated in the Kumaon hills and is
located on an altitude of 1824 m above sea level. Ranikhet
is 59 km from Nainital and 50 km from Almora. The weather
in Ranikhet is alpine. Summers (April–June) are
mild and winters are cold (November–February).
It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July–September
and experiences snowfall in winters.
RANIKHET - VISITING
TIME
Ranikhet can be visited throughout the
year. However, it experiences snowfall in winters.
RANIKHET - THE
PAST
According to popular belief, Ranikhet
got its name when Rani Padmini, queen of Raja Sukherdev,
the local ruler, saw this place and was struck by its
beauty. She was so captivated by the place that she
decided to stay there, and the place came to be known
as Ranikhet (literally, queen’s field). The region
around Ranikhet was ruled by local Kumaoni rulers and
later came under British rule. The British developed
Ranikhet as a hill station for their troops and established
a cantonment in 1869. Ranikhet is still a cantonment
town and is the Kumaon Regimental Center.
RANIKHET - TOURIST
SPOTS
Ranikhet offers an excellent view of
the great Himalayan peak of Nanda Devi (7816 m). Travelers
can take a walk around the town and its sylvan surroundings.
The Jhula Devi temple and the Chaubatia orchards are
within walking distance, south of the main Mall Road.
Bhaludham, 3 km away, is an artificial lake. Upat Kalika,4
km north of Ranikhet and on the main road to Almora,
offers panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges and has
a nine-hole golf course.
RANIKHET - SITES
NEARBY
There are a number of places to visit
near Ranikhet. The famous tourist center of Nainital
is 59 km from Ranikhet. Nainital is famous for its Naini
Lake and a number of picnic spots in and around it.
Almora is 50 km from Ranikhet,
is famous for its health resorts and panoramic views
of the Himalayan ranges.
Dwarahat, 38 km away, was
once the principal seat of the Katyuri Rajas. It is
full of ancient sculptures.
Sitalakhet (35 km), Tarikhet
(8 km) and Khairna (22 km) are some of the places that
one can visit from Ranikhet.
RANIKHET - HOW
TO REACH
Ranikhet does not have an airport or
railway station. The nearest airport is a Pant Nagar
(Nainital). Regular flights operate during the summer.
The nearest railhead for Ranikhet is Kathgodam. Ranikhet
is well connected with all important cities by road.
The main bus station is located near the main tourist
office adjacent to the Sadar Bazaar area. The bus service
from Ranikhet to Nainital (3 hours), Almora (3 hours),
Kathgodam (4 hours), and Kausani (4 hours) is frequent
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