A Glimpse of Binsar
Binsar is a beautiful, picturesque travel destination situated in Uttarakhand, which offers the attraction of 300 degrees of a panoramic view of the Himalayas. It is a paradise for those who enjoy peace in nature’s bounty. God has blessed Binsar with the best in everything.
Binsar is a small town perched at an elevation of 2,412 metres above sea level. The mighty hills of Binsar are also known as Jhandi Dhar. There is a place called Zero Point located in Binsar, where it offers a view of majestic peaks like Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, Panchchuli, Nanda Kot, Shivling, Trishul and Nanda Devi Peak. A walk to zero point in the morning hours will bring you very close to Mother Nature. During the 11th to 18th centuries AD, Binsar was the summer capital of Chand Kings, who ruled over Kumaon. It was established in 1988 for the conservation and protection of the shrinking broad-leaf oak forests of the central Himalayan region.
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its wide variety of flora and fauna. The higher altitudes of the sanctuary are covered with oak and rhododendron trees. March and April are the months when flowers, especially ruby-red rhododendrons, are in full bloom. Binsar is quite a peaceful, sleepy travel destination and is also a paradise for every photographer, as it has over 200 bird species.
Explore More about Binsar
Language
Since Binsar comes under the land of Kumaon District, the Kumaoni language is spoken by the majority of people.
Festivals & Fairs
Nanda Devi is one of the major festivals of this region, celebrated in September to honour the Goddess–Nanda Devi and Sunanda Devi. It has been organised since the Chand kings ruled this place in the 16th century. “Nanda” is a symbol of prosperity and is used to be a goddess of Chand’s Dynasty. It is one of the not to miss events. This festival showcases their rich culture.
Famous Cuisine
Binsar has some mouthwatering local cuisines. Their dishes are usually prepared using a lot of local ingredients, spices, herbs and pulses. Do strive for some popular dishes like Bhatt ki daal, Aloo ke gutke, Bhaang ki khatai, Kumaouni raita, and Ragi roti. Also, don’t forget to try Buransh, a popular local crush made up of rhododendron flowers. One will try this food from any native food restaurant in Binsar.
Best Things to Do in Binsar
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary – Walk to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, as it is home to rare species of flora and fauna. Animals are easy to spot as Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is very dense and spread over an area of 45.59 sq. km.
Binsar Sanctuary Museum – One can visit Binsar Sanctuary Museum, which is situated in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. This museum provides a piece of good information about the different types of flora and fauna of the Sanctuary.
Hiking – Hike to zero point is worth the time. It offers a 300-degree view of the snow-capped Himalayas with the natural Enjoy walking to the oak forests in the morning hours will bring you very close to Mother Nature.
Bineshwar Mahadev Temple – Binsar is also known as “The Valley of Gods” because of an ancient temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Bineswar is the major crowd-puller of Binsar. It is a sacred temple established in the 13th century and is a must-visit place. Apart from being a religious place, Bineshwar Mahadev Temple is also famous for its great architectural excellence. Kesar Devi is a small hamlet mainly known as Kesar Devi Temple. It gained recognition in the 1890s when Swami Vivekananda visited and meditated there. The temple is located about 9 km from Binsar.
It is interesting to note that this temple is of special importance because of its enormous geomagnetic field. Nasa has been researching the cause of the formation of the Van Allen Belt for the past couple of years. People who have meditated at Kesar Devi Temple have attached special importance to it.
Trip Planning
Best Time to Visit Binsar
Summer (April–June) – One can find the pleasant weather during this time. Summers in Binsar are mild and moderate. It has a maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celcius and a minimum temperature of around 15 degrees Celcius.
Monsoon (July–September) – Moderate amount of rainfall during these months in the region of Binsar. Monsoon in this region makes the weather even more pleasant.
Winter (October–February) – Winters in Binsar are pretty cold, with a maximum temperature of 22 degrees Celcius and a minimum temperature of around 0 degrees Celcius. Weather in the early October to November months is pleasant. If one wants to experience the crystal clear Himalayan views, late December to early February is the best time to visit Binsar.
Things to carry for Binsar
Weather is often mild during summers, in terms of things to carry, it is advisable to pack some warm woollen clothes and also carry a raincoat or umbrella.
How to reach Binsar?
By Air – The nearest airport to Binsar is Pantnagar Airport, a distance of 150 km away. Flights to Pantnagar fly daily from Delhi.
By Rail – Kathgodam is the nearest railhead to Binsar, located around 105 km. Trains pass to this place daily from New Delhi. Taxis and buses are easily available from Kothgodam to Binsar.
By Road – No matter where you are in the state of Uttarakhand, you will find regular bus and Taxi services to the town of Binsar.
Why Binsar should be on the Bucket List?
- For those who love the pleasant environment and quietness in natural beauty, Binsar should be on the bucket list. It also offers spell-binding views of the majestic Himalayan peaks.
- Binsar is a paradise for photographers and watchers as it serves as the habitat for rare animals, birds and flower species.
It is one of the best places on Earth for experiencing adventurous hiking, camping and nature walks.
