Bewitching Binsar is a sleepy little town tucked away in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Located at an elevation of about 2420 meters, in Almora district, Binsar offers majestic views of the Garhwal Himalayas like Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Trishul and the Panchachuli range. Surrounded by Rhododendron and pine trees all over, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is perfect for an adventure trek or nature walk to experience the magic of nature. With the concrete jungle and hard paced life we live in, Binsar offers a much required solace to immerse ourselves in the laps of nature while recharging our tired souls. A Complete Family Travel Guide To Binsar will tell you just about everything you need to know about this picturesque hamlet.
View this post on Instagram
A Complete Family Travel Guide To Binsar
History
Binsar was the summer capital of the Chand Dynasty who ruled over the Kumaon region. From the 7th to 18th century, Kumaon region prospered under the Chand Rulers. They built many temples around Binsar that still continue to garner huge number of devotees. Its a belief that, Binsar was named after Bineshwar Mahadev Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, built by Raja Kalyan Chand of the Chand Dynasty.
How to Reach
By Road
Binsar is at a distance of 380 kms From New Delhi. The nearest town of Almora is 30kms away and Nainital is 96 kms far. It is very well connected to all major cities of northern Indian by road. The roads are good however, the landslides during monsoon may be an issue.
By Rail
Kathgodam located at a distance of 120 kms is the closest railway station to Binsar. Buses, shared cabs and private taxis are readily available from Kathgodam.
By Air
The closest airport is Pantnagar which is 150kms from Binsar. Taxis to Binsar are available outside the airport. There are regular flights to Pantnagar from New Delhi Airport.
Places to Visit
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is a forested hilly terrain located at a height of 2500kms. This sanctuary is spread over 50 sq. kms and is covered with rhododendron and Himalayan oak tress. This sanctuary has over 200 species of birds which is evident by their loud chirping sounds. The sanctuary is also home to animals like leopards, monkeys, ghoral, barking deer among others.
Zero Point
A 1.5 km trek from Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary brings you to Zero Point – A vantage point that provides absolutely stunning views of Himalayan peaks of Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Trishul and the Panchachuli range.
Kasar Devi Temple
Kasar Devi Temple dedicated to Goddess Durga, is an epitome of spirituality and meditation due to its location. It is one of the three places in the world that falls under the Van Allen Belt due to its high geo magnetic field. in 1820, Swami Vivekanda meditated here and then it became a popular meditation spot for hippies. The hippie hills nearby is a popular hang out offering 360 degree views of the Himamlayas.
Gairar Golu Devta Mandir
Gairar Golu Devta Mandir or the temple of a million bells resonates with sweet tinkling of bells. Here, devotees hang bells as offering to Golu Devta who is believed to be an re-incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Bineshwar Mahadev Temple
Built by Raja Kalyan Chand of the Chand Dynasty the Bineshwar Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to beliefs Binsar got its name from this temple.
Pariyadeva Pashan
This is a favourite of archeological enthusiasts. Periyadeva Pashan is popular for ancient relics like a huge stone with cup-like impression on it. The relics found here date back to the megalithic era.
Things To Do
Trekking
The 1.5 km trek to Zero Point in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is a treat for adventure lovers. The trek is not difficult so its perfect for kids and families. The views of the Garhwal Himalayas from the top is absolutely stunning. Make sure you visit when its not very cloudy to get a crystal clear view.
Bird Watching
Binsar is a paradise for bird watchers. Binsar has been declared as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. You can spot more than 200 species of birds including Magpies, Forktail, Laughing Thrush, Parakeets etc. Apart from birds, variety of butterfly species are also found in Binsar.
Meditate
View this post on Instagram
Kasar Devi Temple is located 10 kms from Binsar. Kasar Devi, along with Machu Pichu in Peru and the Stonehenge in UK are the only 3 places in the world to fall under the Van Allen Belt, that has high geo-magnetic field. This place therefore is ideal for meditation as proven by great men like Swami Vivekanada, Rabindranath Tagore, Bob Dylan and also Tibetian Buddhist gurus like Lama Angarika Govinda.
Revisit History
The Chand Dynasty who ruled was Kumaon was a prosperous kingdom. Many art forms and paintings were developed in their era. Their traces still remain and can be revisited in the Binsar Sanctuary Museum. Do not forget to view the huge rock with a cup like impression found here believed to be from the megalithic era.
Shopping
Rhododendron trees are widely found in here and the squash made from these flowers is not only extremely refreshing but also loaded with benefits. Do make it a point to try this. Locally grown honey, organic spices and herbs are also a good buy here.
Nature Walk
View this post on Instagram
Start your trek from small pathways on the roads circling the hills, pass through sleepy hamlets, watch the varied vegetation and diverse terrain, rejuvenate your tired feet in the gurgling Binsar River before heading back to civilisation.
Go on a Spiritual Journey
Binsar is the place to do some soul searching. The temples found here are revered by many and are visited by many followers. The location of the temples here add a different charm to them which make it even more appealing to the soul.
Photography
View this post on Instagram
The Himalayan peak views, the flora and fauna of Binsar is any photographers dream come true. The colour of the peaks change depending on the positions of the sun and there are many avenues to catch the perfect shots.
Binsar Weather
Binsar boasts of great weather all year round. the temperature ranges from 0-30 degree. Being on a height, the summers are pleasant too with cool air blowing from the pine trees. The rains covers the area in lush greenery. The place looks magical with clouds and mist covering the clouds. It gets heavy snowfall in January which makes the whole terrain look surreal.
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit is in the summer months of February to April and the winter months of September to December. The mountain peaks are clearly visible from December to February. If you want to witness the local culture and tradition of people here try not to miss the Nanda Devi Festival held every September for a duration of 5 days.
Places To Stay
Binsar is a lesser known tourist destination so there are a handful of hotels or resorts to choose from. We stayed at Club Mahindra Binsar Valley which is a well maintained amazing property. There is also a KMVN resort at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
In case you found the above useful, you might also like the following:
The new images, which are said to be of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, show that the camera block may be less disturbing.