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Posted 24 February 2023 in Travel Wanderlust
Binsar is a hill station nestled in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. Known for its beauty and landscape, Binsar is a must-visit for photographers, nature lovers, and bird watchers. With many different species of flora and fauna, it is a major tourist destination in Uttarakhand. Many Himalayan peaks like the Nanda Devi, Trishul, Shivling, Chaukhamba, and Panchachuli are visible from Binsar. According to the legends, the hill station was named after a 16th-century Lord Shiva Temple, named Bineshwar Mahadev Temple. This small village, nestled at an altitude of 2,420 m, offers breathtaking views of the Kumaon hills and the Himalayas. No wonder that the Chand dynasty rulers liked the hill station so much that they made it their summer capital. The rulers ruled the Kumaon region from the 7th century till the 18th century.
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in the year 1988 for the protection of Quercus forests. Located in the central Himalayan region, this wildlife reserve is home to more than 200 different types of birds. Nestled in the Himalayas, atop the Jhandi Dhar hills, the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is sprawling over 11,265 acres of land.
The sanctuary houses a museum about the animals, plants, and birds of the region. One can witness red rhododendrons in full bloom in the months of March and April. Some of the animals residing in the wildlife reserve are Himalayan goral, leopard, musk deer, chital, jungle cat, wild boar, red fox, and Indian muntjac, among others. Bird watchers can find birds like blackbirds, magpies, forktails, parakeets, woodpeckers, and nuthatches.
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Bineshwar Mahadev Temple is one of the major tourist attractions of Binsar in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. Dedicated to Hindu God Shiva, the temple was built in the 16th century by the Chand rulers who ruled the Kumaon region during that time. The hill station was named after this temple.
Bineshwar Mahadev Temple, located at a distance of 6 km from Ayarpani, takes pride in its stunning architecture. The temple comes on the way to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and is a halting spot for tourists. Being a religious site, a large number of devotees visit this sacred place every year.
The Binsar Zero Point is a viewpoint that offers a 360-degree view of the Himalayan peaks. To get to the point, you need to undertake a short trek of 2 km from Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary Tourist Rest House. This exquisite place is nestled at a distance of approximately 9 km from the entry point to the National Park and a 2 km walk after that.
Gananath Temple is one of the major tourist attractions near Binsar. Located in the same district, it is renowned for its natural caves and an ancient temple dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. On the occasion of Kartik Purnima, an annual fair is held at the temple. Devotees sing folk songs and hymns on the occasion. The temple is also popular for water falling on the Shivling from the floating roots of a tree.
The Khali Estate is nestled atop a hill in the lap of pine and oak forest. Sprawled over an area of 25 acres, the stunning heritage bungalow-turned-hotel is a major attraction of Binsar. Khali Estate offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The beautiful bungalow was once home to the commissioner of Kumaon, Sir Henry Ramsay.
Pariyadeva Pashan is a popular archaeological site and a viewpoint that offers a panoramic view of the Himalayas. The site is popular among archaeologists as they have found relics from the Megalithic age, dating back to 1500 B.C. - 500 B.C. One can find objects such as long stones with cup-marks from that era. The site is nestled on the Almora to Binsar route.
The Kasar Devi Temple is 40 minutes-drive from Binsar. Built in the 2nd century, the temple is known as a centre of spiritualism as Swami Vivekananda meditated at this place. Tourists can witness a panoramic view of the Himalayas from the temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kasar Devi. Other than the spiritualistic aspect, the temple is also famous as it has an enormous geomagnetic field since it is under the Van Allen Belt.
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Binsar is a hill station that has something to offer every season of the year. The best time to visit Binsar is from April to June in summer, and from September to November in the post-monsoon season. The winter months are ideal for bird watchers, nature lovers, and honeymoon couples.
Binsar has a moderate to subarctic climate all months of the year. The surrounding area is green during the monsoon whereas Binsar receives snowfall during winters. Winters are very cold with the minimum temperature going down to 0°C. Summers are pleasant with a maximum temperature up to 30°C and a minimum temperature of 15°C.
Binsar is one of the major tourist destinations in India where you can go for a nature walk with birds as companions and stay amidst nature with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains. With so much to do and visit in Binsar, it is one of the best hill stations to visit in North India. The small hamlet is worth visiting and can be covered in 3-4 days.
