Location: Pithoragarh
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What to do and see in Pithoragarh, India: The Best Places and Tips
Pithoragarh is a town with a Municipal Board in the Pithoragarh district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, which was carved out of the Almora district in 1960.
Restaurants in Pithoragarh
1. Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By Rahulpar2014 - New Delhi, India
We had Reservations to go hearing about all the scary stories from people. Waited for almost 2 hours for our turn during which also some people scared us about entering the cave. We realized on entering that they weren't kidding or exaggerating. This is almost a 100 mts drop from where you enter. And you are expected to enter on almost straight wall of haphazard rocks functioning as steps. Thank God for the chains to hold on to. The guided tour takes about 30 mts when in there. Don't worry, the cave is lighted & fairly ventilated. You won't feel hot or claustrophobic when in there. Just chat Har Har Mahadev & enter.
Not to be missed if you are even in 250 kms radius of this place.
2. Narayan Ashram
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By JayantSathe - Mumbai, India
I had been to Narayan Ashram in December 2012 after Dharchula Medical Camp. Narayan Ashram is at the height of about 9000 ft surrounded by Mountains of Nepal and India. The surrounding environment is very beautiful with lush green forest. In winter it is more enjoyable with most of the Mountains with ice cover. The Ashram has four buildings and Gaushala (Stable for Cows) as a separate structure. One of the building houses Lord Survya Narayan Statue on the first floor which is in the centre. The Structure is stone structure with wooden panels inside to protect the occupants from outer cold in rains and winter. It is well laid campus with garden and fields for growing vegetables and orchards for apples. The rooms are of two types being an Ashram as there are about6/7 rooms with attached bath whereas others are dormitory type with separate toilet/bath. During summer temperature rises up to 30 degrees Celsius while in winter it even goes to -5/10 degrees Celsius with slabs of ice in the main campus. The rooms are not very posh but well constructed with tin roof on top in one storied building where as the another one has have only ground floor with r. c. c. slab The third building namely Annapurnalaya is a not r. c. c. but stoned /wood structure with thick brick masonry walls. The rooms in this building are of smaller type but with view. Kitchen is well done and one can enjoy vegetarian food with restrictions on visitors not to smoke or drink in the campus.
3. Pithoragarh Fort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By YashwantDShah - Lucknow
Pithoragarh is at the far west of Uttarakhand, border's with Nepal. The town derives its name from a King called 'Pithora' and his palace called 'garh', hence it became 'Pithoragarh'. The so called 'Pithoragarh Fort' is no more since a district magistrate posted in Pithoragarh when it was being formed into a district from Almora, got the fort demolished and built an auditorium and girl's college facilities. But, remnants of the past can also be seen at the SDM's office which is in the fort like structure.
Pithoragarh is 150 kms by road from Tanakpur (the nearest rail-head) where the road passes through two major places in the hills, 'Champawat' and 'Lohaghat', while it is 240 kms if you drive from Haldwani via Almora (closer for people coming from Delhi side), but then this route is winding through hills almost entire 240 kms, while the route of 150 kms from Tanakpur is still gradual rise and descend that is more friendly to people who vomit while on hill travel. Besides many buses and private taxis (full hire), you can also share a jeep on single seat basis @ Rs.350 per person (from Haldwani via Almora) and Rs.250 per person (from Tanakpur)...both rates subject to change as per fuel price hike.
Pithoragarh is surprisingly is a vast valley and the town is broadly spread out. Though, not much visited by tourists, hence there are fewer hotels but you can easily get a room. Best hotels being Punetha Inn and a few others. Hotel rooms are clean and makes your stay comfortable.
An air-strip is being readied and much work is complete. There are many temples to see and visit around. 'Mosta Manu Temple' is the 'presiding deity of the town' dedicated to Lord Shiva at a beautiful commanding hill-top. 'Ulka Devi Temple' i nearby next to Kumaun Mandal vikas Nigam's Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) with clean and good boarding & lodging facilities. The 'Kamakshya Temple' (built by a family who saw a dream who were ardent followers of 'Kamakshya Devi Temple' at Guwahati) its route is via the Army Cantonment and the beauty of the temple setting atop a hill is awesome.
Besides the nearby temples and picnic spots, Pithoragarh can be a base for travellers wanting to see around beautiful places namely 'Munsiari'.
Best time to visit Pithoragarh is Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March - April), for you can get commanding views of the majestic snow-clad Himalayas. Else, Pithoragarh climate is cool with sufficient Sunshine round the year.
4. Mayawati Ashram
Overall Ratings
5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Uday Kumar H - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
Preamble: My elder sister was eager to visit and stay at Mayavati Ashram. Desire developed within me and my wife also. I sent an email to the Adhyaksha (President) Swamiji of Mayawati Ashram. I received a comprehensive nice reply detailing all the necessary information. He advised to visit Almora> Mayawati>ShyamlaTal or ShyamlaTal> Mayawati> Almora. The mail ended with the fascinating sentence, ‘Wishing you a smooth journey and a spiritually inspiring stay in our Himalayan monastery’. We decided to visit Almora in separate trip to enjoy other places like Kousani, Ranikhet, Nainital, etc. in the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand. Our final plan included to visit ShyamlaTal and Mayawati. After staying for 2 days in Shyamla Tal Ashram we went to Mayawati Ashram.
ADVAITA ASHRAM, MAYAWATI
Swami Vivekananda stayed at Advaita Ashrama, Mayawati, Champawat (Mayawati Ashram). This Ashram, founded on 19 March 1899, is a branch of the Ramakrishna Math. Swami Vivekananda submitted his fascinating thoughts in the Parliament of Religion in 1893 at Chicago that mesmerised the audience. After that he wanted an organization to spread the spiritual wave he had raised. In fact, Swami Vivekananda possessed a desire to have a retreat for the monks in the Himalayas. He expressed this desire to his two disciples - James Henry Sevier and Charlotte Sevier. The desire of Swami Vivekananda penetrated into their heart and they were instrumental to do everything required to start this Ashram to fulfil the behest of Swami Vivekananda. As said before this Mayawati Ashram started in 1899.
Swami Vivekananda thought of publishing a magazine. He realised his wish within a short time. He named the magazine - “Prabuddha Bharat (Awakened India)” of Ramakrishna Order. The first issue was released in 1896 in the editorship of Swami Vivekananda himself. Swamiji used a letter press which is now an exhibit on the Mayawati Ashram. Many years have elapsed. Publication of the journal is continuing. Academicians, research scholars, and others are writing papers and contributing to Prabuddha Bharat Monthly. Educative papers are published in the magazine. Now, papers can be browsed in the electronic edition. The website is www.advaitaashrama.org/pbmonthly.
Mayawati Ashram is dedicated to the study and practice of Advaita Vedanta (an introduction of philosophy). No images or idols are worshipped ay Mayawati Ashram, not even of Ramakrishna. No images were kept in the premises according to the Ashram ideals set by Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda stayed in a room. In that room every day after dinner slokas of Vedanta are read and explained. Visitors do not miss this.
The ashram is a major publication centre of books of the Ramakrishna Order in English and Hindi, mainly through its branch in Kolkata. Among its important publications are the ‘Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda’ in English and as well in Hindi translation, the Life of Swami Vivekananda, and English translations of important Hindu scriptures.
In addition to the monastery, the Ashrama also runs the ‘Mayavati Charitable Hospital’. The hospital caters to the medical needs of about 1400 villages absolutely free of charge in this remote and backward region of the Himalayas. The helplessness of the people here touches the heart of any visitor. The hospital solely depends upon public charity for its maintenance.
We approached Advaita Ashram Mayawati expressing the utmost desire of visiting and also accommodation in Ashram premises. Very kindly the then Adhyaksha allotted two rooms in Rishi Kutir in ground floor considering our age and my knee problem. We did not encounter any problem in reaching Mayawati from Shyamlatal.
The vehicle directly went to the hill top. After keeping our luggage in the room we immediately went for lunch. After lunch we spent adequate time on the hill top. We viewed the scenes which were beyond our imagination. My knowledge in language is poor and so unable to express my mind. I can only say the environment was serene, tranquil, and peaceful. A place where disturbed mind also acquires peace; utter peace.
The Rishi Kutir, where visitors are offered rooms, is also beautiful. There is a prayer hall in the first floor. Walking on the road is also pleasing. We took many photos which are attached with description.
Time to reach Advaita Ashram, Mayawati: From Bareilly Station is 6 hours and from Shyamlatal 2 hours
Room booking information-Advaita Ashram (Mayawati and Kolkata):
Address Mayawati: Advaita Ashram P.O. Mayavati, Via- Lohaghat, Dt. Champawat, Uttarakhand, India, Mayawati, Uttarakhand 262524
Address Mayawati: Advaita Ashram P.O. Mayavati, Via- Lohaghat, Dt. Champawat, Uttarakhand, India, Mayawati, Uttarakhand 262524 Phone: 05965 234233
Address Kolkata: Advaita Ashram, 5 Dehi Entally Road, Kolkata - 700014, West Bengal, India, 5, Dehi Entally Rd, Entally, Kolkata, West Bengal 700014
Phone: 033 2244 0898
5. Jageshwar Dham
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 248 reviews
Reviewed By ak_chatterji - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
Nestled in the folds of the Kumaun hills, lies hidden in a narrow valley with dense deodar Forests, the venerable temple cluster of Jageshwar Dham.It is just 35km from Almorah. We on our way back from Chaukori, made it to this place in about 7 hours (about 100km). Road is good but with many bends.
The ambiance of the place is extraordinarily captivating, with the Deodar trees lining the background of the temple complex, which imparts great beauty to the place. It is said to be the seat of one of the 12 Jyotirlings, hence of great religious importance. The 8th century temple complex, comprises of a cluster of temples of great beauty.
The main temple is the Jageshwar Mahadev temple of lord Shiva. The monsoon festival (sawan mela) is during July/August and also during Maha Shivratri.
A small township with all amenities and comfortable places of stay,(includin KMVN Rest House) is there on the 3km long road leading to the temple complex, off the National Highway, connecting Almorah and Pithoragarh. A visit to the temple town is a very satisfying experience.
6. Patal Bhuvaneshwar
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By DIPEN N - Nainital, India
Enshrined in mystery and mythology, Patal Bhuvaneshwar is the hidden pilgrimage centre,near Gangolihat the famous Shaktipeeth.Located 91 Kms from Pithoragarh on the way to Berinag,at an elevation of about 1350 Mt's., this highly revered shrine is devoted to lord Shiva.Limestone rock formations have created various spectacular stalactite and stalagmites figures.The way to the cave temple is through a long, narrow tunnel.
Entry fee of INR 50 for one family required.
Timings 8 AM to 4PM
7. Kamaksha Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By SatyendraGarg - New Delhi, India
Kamaksha Temple is a beautiful religious place to visit at Pithoragarh. It is about 7 kilometers from the town. Situated on a hill top it has a grand view of Pithoragarh town, the airport and the valley.
This temple, second of its kind in India is more than 50 years old. Apart from the famous temple at Gauhati, this is second temple named after Godess Kamaksha. The temple is neat and beautiful.
Apart from the snow capped hills, one can view terraced fields from the temple. A real beautiful temple and a beautiful view of hills, valley and Mountains.
8. Abbott Mount
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
9. Avani Kumaon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Avani produces and sells different kind of products which are environmental friendly and natural. At present we have four product lines which are: Textiles (wool, wool/silk, pure silk, linen):naturally dyed handspun shawls, stoles, mufflers, jackets and saris. Natural Dyes (dye powder, extract, pigment); Art Supplies (crayons, watercolors); Lifestyle Products (soapnut powder,organic kumkum).
Reviewed By Shankarkris1 - New Delhi, India
We went after 5 PM on Saturday and these people were gracious enough to open the store for us. We wanted to see the pine needle electricity generator and Mr. Dewan was very helpful in taking us down to see it and also explained the working as much as he could. He was unbelievably helpful and also showed us the areas where they grow Indigo, and other vegetables. We have no words to thank him and Avani is indeed lucky to have a person like him. Best of luck team, you are doing superb work.
10. Mostamanu Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By SatyendraGarg - New Delhi, India
After seeing Pithoragarh Fort, one can go to this beautiful temple on the hilltop, about 6 kilometers from town. The temple is on a good location and one can have a good view of Pithoragarh town and Soar valley from here. The temple campus is good and going around the temple and seeing the deity is a good experience. In the compound there is a heavy stone and it is believed that if one can lift the stone, one's wishes would come true.
Now the whole approach road to the temple is motorable and one can take vehicle right up to the temple door.
