Posted 24 February 2023 in Travel Wanderlust

10 reasons why you should visit Binsar in Uttarakhand

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.

Places to visit in Binsar

1. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

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.

2. Bineshwar Mahadev Temple

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.

3. Binsar Zero Point

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.

4. Gananath Temple

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.

5. Khali Estate

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.

6. Pariyadeva Pashan

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.

7. Kasar Devi Temple

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.

Activities to do in Binsar

Trekking: Trekking is one of the best things to do in any hill station. Binsar Zero Point is known for its surreal beauty and stunning views of the Himalayan peaks. Nestled in the heart of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in Almora district, Binsar Zero Point is the highest viewpoint from where tourists and trekkers can enjoy a 360-degree view. While trekking uphill to Zero Point, explore the wilds of the reserve and hear the birds singing. Located at an altitude of 2,420 m, Binsar Zero Point is great for enjoying a sunrise or sunset.

Nature Walk: Say goodbye to your monotonous lifestyle and visit Binsar for a great stay. The nature walk is one of the activities to do while staying in Binsar. Go for a walk early in the morning or in the evening surrounded by green lush forests and rhododendron bushes, with birds chirping all the way with you.

Wildlife Safari: Binsar is popular for its Wildlife Sanctuary. The wildlife reserve is home to more than hundreds of flora and fauna. The best way to explore this beautiful sanctuary is via a jeep safari. The day-safari is one of the activities allowed in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. The vehicles are available at the wildlife reserve’s gate.

Travel tips

Do not forget to keep winter clothes even in summers.
As Binsar is situated in the lap of nature, do not litter the pathways.
Respect the flora and fauna of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Do not feed any wild animals while visiting the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.

How to reach

By air: Pantnagar Airport in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand is the nearest domestic airport to Binsar. It is located 152 km from the wildlife reserve. Pantnagar Airport is connected to several major cities of the state and country via regular flights from and to Pantnagar. IndiGo offers several direct and connecting flights between major cities of the country. Taxis are available from the airport to the city.
By rail: Kathgodam Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Binsar. The railway station is around 119 km from the hill station. Taxis, cabs, and tempo travellers are available at the front of the railway station.
By road: Binsar has well-integrated motorable roads connecting it to major cities of the state. With regular Uttarakhand roadways buses and private buses, Binsar is well-connected to neighbouring states.

Best time to visit Binsar

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.

Climate/Temperature

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.

Conclusion

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.