Ranikhet is a hill station in Uttarakhand, India. It’s known for its views of the Himalayas. Located in the Kumaon hills it is a cantonment town known for its ancient temples. it is most famous for the hundreds of bells that adorn Jhula Devi Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. Ranikhet, which means Queen’s Meadow in Kumaoni language, gets its name from a local legend, which states that it was here, that Raja Sudhardev won the heart of his queen, Rani Padmini, who subsequently chose the area for her residence, giving it the name, Ranikhet though no palace exists in the area.
Fruit trees grow on the terraced orchards of Chaubatia Gardens, with views of peaks including Nanda Devi. When Mahatma Gandhi visited the place, he stayed in a hut, now called ‘Gandhi Kuti’, in Tarikhet village during the independence struggle. It is also famous for the temple of Golu Devta, located at a scenic spot Syalikhet, 25 km from Ranikhet. Syalikhet is known for its unparallel beauty amidst green forest and apple orchards. The famous temple of Syahi Devi is also situated in Syalikhet.
Located at a height of nearly 1870 meters it is known for its chilly winter season but it rarely snows. A lucky few tourists may get to enjoy snowfall once in 3 yrs. Ranikhet has been under Nepalese rule before British colonial power took over control in 1815. In 1869, the British established the headquarters of the Kumaon Regiment here, as well as pargana Pali here, ever since it has been a cantonment town it was also used the hill station and summer retreat to escape from the heat of the Indian summer.
Ranikhet is known for its flora and fauna. it has a dense forest that houses, a wide variety of trees such as pine, oak, rhododendron, and deodar. Ranikhet is also home to a large variety of animals such as leopard, rhesus monkey, pine martens, Himalayan langur, dhole, rabbits, barking deer, sambar, and more. there are numerous places worth visiting in and around the town, these include Ranikhet Golf Course, one of the highest golf courses in Asia as well as Ashiyana Park, specially designed & developed for children on a jungle theme.
Ranikhet is also known for its temples, such as Mankameshwar Temple, Rani Jheel, Binsar Mahadev Temple, Haidakhan Temple, Katarmal Sun Temple, Jhula Devi Temple, Rama Mandir and Katarmal Sun Temple. It is also famed for its churches from the British era. Other places worth visiting are St. Bonaventure Church, Babar Khola, Bhalu Dam, Majkhali, Tarikhet, Syalikhet, KRC (Kumaon Regimental Centre) Museum, and Chaubatia Gardens. Agriculture and tourism are the backbone of economy in Ranikhet. Well connected by road, with rail link provided by Kathgodam and air link provided by Pantnagar.
Ranikhat is famous for its educational institutes that attract students from across India. open to tourists throughout the year, it is best to visit in winter. Ranikhet, offers an excellent view of the great Himalayan peak of Nanda Devi. Adventure seekers can try trekking, camping, and jungle safari. There are several hotels and resorts that provide luxurious, mid range and budget accommodation. Restaurants serve delicious Kumaoni cuisine at reasonable prices. It is perfect for weekend visit.
