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Information about Ranikhet
Ranikhet is situated about 72 km from Nainital in
the Kumaon hills at 6,000 feet. Ranikhet means the
Queen's meadow. Ranikhet is set along a 1,800 m
high ridge and covered with pine and oak forests,
giving very little indication of where its centre
is. This is one of its attractions in that there
are many enjoyable walks. The views from the ridge
are magnificent and the twin peaks of Nanda Devi
(7816 m) can be clearly seen. There are plenty of
museums, temples, lively bazaars |
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orchards full of fruit in Ranikhet. Ranikhet is also a
great place where one can relax and gaze leisurely at
the majestic snow-clad Himalayas.
History of Ranikhet
Ages ago, a Kumaoni queen, Rani Padmini fell so deeply
in love with the green glades and meadows of a tiny hill
paradise that her king, Raja Sukherdev, built her a
grand palace there and named the place as Ranikhet or
queen’s meadow. There is no trace of a palace to lend
credence to this legend, but few who have visited
Ranikhet have any doubts about its charm. In 1869, the
land was bought from local villagers and the British
established a summer resort and recreation settlement
for their troops, and a cantonment town governed by the
military authorities. They also developed a hill station
here. At one time, Lord Mayo, Viceroy of India, was so
enchanted with the place that he wanted to move the
summer Headquarters of the army away from Shimla. That
did not happen but Ranikhet became and still is the
Regimental Centre or the Kumaon Regiment.
Shopping in Ranikhet
Sadar Bazaar is the main shopping area, and has a number
of small restaurants and hotels. The bazaar in the
noisiest and most crowded part of the town.
Tourist Attractions in Ranikhet
The main tourist attractions in Ranikhet are Chaubatia,
Upat, Bhalu Dam, Majhkhali, Cooperative Drug Factory and
Tarikhet. Chaubatia was originally a sanatorium for
British troops, but it now houses the Government Fruit
Garden and Research Station which grows 200 varieties of
fruit. Upat is the site of one of the highest golf
course, with views of the Great Himalayas. Upat offers
golfing at high altitudes, where a high-powered shot can
land far, far below in the valley. Tarikhet is situated
about 8 km from Ranikhet. This place is famous for the
Gandhi Kuti, a small hut in which Gandhiji once stayed,
and the highly venerated temple of Golla Devta.
More....
How to reach Ranikhet
By Air:
The nearest airport is located at Pantnagar.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is located in Kathgodam.
By Road:
Ranikhet is well connected with other places in the
region including Nainital, Almora and Ramnagar. |
