― John Muir
Imagine a landscape graduating from sky blue to sapphire and pthalo, temple bells synchronizing to the sound of kumaoni and garhwali dialects, where religion meets the modern day man, and birds chirping away in harmony, pahadi children listening to age old stories sung by their grandmother about the pastoral history of a land so rich, endearingly called Devbhoomi, or the Land of Gods, where the four symbolic stations of our very own Hindu gods Shiva, Vishnu & Ganga.
Kumaon hills provide vast attraction for the tourists, trekkers, and pilgrims. The beautiful scenery and the colourful cultural life of Pithoragarh, Mukteshwar, Chaukori, Binsar, Kausani, Sitalakhet, Champawat, besides many other popular hill stations, are waiting to be discovered.
Perched at an altitude of 2,286 m above sea level, Mukteshwar is just 12 kms away. It is well known for its Veterinary Research Institute established in 1898. Mukteshwar presents a panoramic view of the snow-clad Himalayas in early summer and autumn.
Mukteshwar Temple: Holding back a 350-year old heritage is the Mukteshwar temple in Mukteshwar town. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It houses idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma along with a white marble Shiva Linga with a Copper yoni. The Mukteshwar temple is believed to be one of the 18 most important Shiva temples in the world.
Situated at a height of 2,312 meters above sea level, this temple is both sacred and beautiful. The Pandavas, during their 12 year-long exile, constructed this temple being Shiva followers, in the hope of getting Mukti or salvation from their troubled life.
Located around 25 kms away, an hour drive will take you to Ramgarh. It is famous for its apples, apricots, and peaches. India's Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, stayed here for a while and wrote some of his famous poems.
At 1938 m in the Kumaon hills, this attractive mountain resort was once the summer capital of Uttar Pradesh and now a bustling hill station. Naini Lake is often said to be one of the emerald green eyes of Lord Shiva's wife. One can enjoy a ride on pedal boats on a quiet summer evening.
A chairlift (ropeway) takes one up to the popular viewpoint of Snow View (2270 m). At the top, there are powerful binoculars for a close-up view of Nanda Devi, situated 7817 m above sea level.
There are good views and spectacular sunsets over the plains from Hanuman temple, 3 km south of Tallital. Just over 1 km further on is the state observatory, which is open on weekends.
It would take less than 2 hrs to reach Nanital from our location. The distance is 45 kms approximately.
North of Nainital at an altitude of 1829 m, Ranikhet is a peaceful hill station offering excellent views of the snow-capped Himalayas, including Nanda Devi. It is an important army town and the headquarters of the Kumaon regiment. Though not developed as a tourist center, Ranikhet is a delightful place to spend some time. There are several good walks-to Jhula Devi temple-and the orchards at Chaubatia (3 km).
Ranikhet is at a distance of 75 kms from our location and would take close to 3 hrs by road.
The picturesque hill station of Almora, at an altitude of 1650 m, is one of the few hill stations not created by the British. Some 400 years ago, it was the capital of the Chand rulers of Kumaon.
The area has the reputation of being a "power center" and travellers rent houses and stay here for months.
Do visit Cranks Ridge.
Almora is around 55 kms from Urna and it is less than 2 hrs drive.
The easternmost hill district of Uttarakhand, Pithoragarh is often referred to as miniature Kashmir. Nestling in a small valley, 5 km long and 2 km wide, the town was an important landmark of the Chand rulers of Kumaon and known as Saur valley. It is situated at an altitude of 1650 m above sea level. One can have panoramic views of vast snow range extending from Trishul, Nanda Devi, Panchchuli Group, and Mount Appi of Nepal from the Chandak hill located at around 2000 m.
Pitoragarh is around 135 kms from our location and would take around 5 hrs drive.
Nestling amongst thick, dense pine forests, atop a narrow ridge and separated from the towering mountains of the Nanda Devi range by low, medium mountains, at Kausani the grandeur of the Himalayan scenery comes alive. The view of the snow-covered Trishul and Nanda Devi is so clear that one gets a feeling of the snow within touching distance. Its ethereal sunrise and a 300-km-wide view of the Himalayan range have attracted thousands of visitors to this place time and again.
Kausani is approximately 100 kms (4 hrs drive) from our location and the drive is one of the most beautiful drives.
A famous Hanuman temple located in the womb of Kumaon mountains is the Kainchi Dham. The place offers a perfect combination of beauty and spirituality. Surrounded by mountains and forests with a river flowing alongside, Kainchi Dham is a heaven for people who seek peace and calm.
The temple was established by a local and very profound saint, Neem Karoli Baba in 1960s. It is also an ashram of Neem Karoli Baba who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Hanuman. Devotees claim to feel the divine presence of Lord Hanuman and Neem Karoli Baba at the ashram.
The Kainchi Dham got famous when in the year 1973, Steve Jobs, Ex-CEO of Apple Inc, visited the temple. Going through a stressful time in his career, Jobs came to India looking for a place where he could find answers to his questions and attain the ultimate truth of life, Nirvana, and Prajna. Jobs meditated at the ashram and went back enlightened. Later on, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, also visited the Kainchi Dham in search of peace and enlightenment.
The ashram is around one and a half hour drive from Urna.
At Urna, we encourage you to just be….still there is a lot you can do besides just lazing around and gazing endlessly into the Himalayas.
