We went to Kathgodam with my mausaji, mausi , Gunnu bhaiya and Dolly. We had two train tickets, one was Delhi to Kathgodam and the train was on 19th of May in the evening at 11:30 pm and the other was Delhi to Lal Kuan, this train was on 20th of May in the morning at 05:00 am.
We had a plan of dinner at Chor Bazar in Noida. But when papa checked reservation status of the train from Delhi to Kathgodam, it was confirmed. Everyone was surprised, because the ticket was showing waiting status till evening before chart preparation. So we all were in a hurry mood. We went out for quick dinner and when we came home we saw that the two of the taxis had arrived earlier than us. Then we quickly went in the house packed all the luggage and went in the taxi to the old Delhi Railway station. When we reached the station the time was 11:15 pm. Our Train was standing on the platform, so we quickly went into the train.
We reached Kathgodam at 05:30 am. We brushed on the platform. The water on the station was cooler than a block of ice. We had two Sumo vehicles, booked for our whole journey, waiting for us outside the station. Kathgodam is the last town in the plains and the journey to hills start from here.
After going on the hills a bit, we stopped at a small restaurant and ate our breakfast there. There were many mangoes on a nearby tree.
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| Mango, My Favorite fruit |
From there we travelled far away and reached Kainchi Dham. Our driver told us that that place was known as Kainchi dham because the road to it was in shape of a scissor (Kainchi). But I could not see the road bending like a Kainchi. We planned to stop there but the other sumo did not stop and we too move ahead with them without visiting the temple.
On the way, we stopped near farms with many peaches, plums and walnut trees. We wanted to pluck them but they were a little far from the road.
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| A tree laden with peaches |
After sometime, we saw that the road was moving along a river. Later we saw a natural rock in a frog’s shape, cut by water, and another in a foot’s shape, in the river. All the time we were travelling along the river.
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| The frog rock |
Then we saw a beautiful tree covered with purple flowers.
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| The tree with purple flowers |
Then we stopped at another restaurant. In its garden we saw something unusual, it neither looked like a fruit nor a vegetable. That restaurant was situated near the river.
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| What is it a fruit, vegetable or a flower! |
I was happy to see a clean river there because in Delhi I don’t get to see a clean river. I enjoyed its view from the hills.
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| The river moving along the road |
We took lunch and went on.
On the way we saw a long-truck that had its face down may be because of an accident. To me, it looked like a sad truck :-)
After travelling for around one and half hour we came to Almora. Almora seemed to be a large city. I think this city is called Almora as there were ‘all –mora-mora-mora (the bends).’ :-)
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| The large Almora city |
On the journey, we could see many step-farms and green mountains. The road was so round and round that if we were at the bottom of a mountain we need several hours to reach the top, but by trekking we could reach the top in less than half an hour.
After an hour we stopped near a rock. There was a snake of yellow color. Oui. When we looked at it closely it was only a yellow rock.
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| A yellow snake crawling on a rock |
Then we reached our hotel. We had two cottages booked in KMVN there. Cottages were like houses. Our cottages shared a common balcony. We liked that place. The way to the cottages from hotel reception had a slope and it was fun to run on it. For we kids, the interesting thing was TV in our room with TATA SKY connection.
After taking bath we all went in the restaurant of KMVN to eat our lunch. I like daal a lot and it was delicious there. After lunch as we were enjoying views from the balcony of our cottage we saw smoke coming out from nearby jungles. I felt that in those parts of the jungle there must be fire.
After sometime we left for the Jungle of Binsar. When we reached at the entrance it was already 4:30 pm and we were told that we have to come out by 6:00 pm. After some reluctance we decided to enter inside. It was a dense forest. At zero point we decided to leave our Sumos and to trek down. While coming down Mausaji started to talk about the wild animals of the jungle, he was the first one to get afraid but then we all were a little fearful. Surprisingly, we reached down before our Sumos and waited for the Sumos to arrive. There was a well nearby and by that time light rain also started.
Soon our Sumos arrived and when we reached our hotel the rain had stopped. We sat in the balcony, ate yummy jam-bread and took several photos of the beautiful sunset. And finally we could see the snow-capped Himalayas.
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| The beautiful sunset |
Next day, early in morning, me and papa went for a walk. I asked , “ where are we going?”
“To sit and look at the farms and the Himalayas”, replied he. I enjoyed it all and I liked all it more because I was with Papa, all alone.
Dear Rachit,
Uttranchal / Uttrakhand is full of unexplored place.
Very well written post supported with beautiful pictures. Last picture is awesome (sunset in between clouds).
If I am not wrong , Kainchi Baba Ashram is in Almora.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Looking forward to see your next post.
Thanks Mahesh for your appreciation. The sunset was really good. And so the pictures were also good.
Is Kainchi Baba Ashram same as Kainchi Dham? If yes, then it’s near Bhowali, on the way to Almora.
Kainchi Dham Ashram not in almora it is situated nearby Bhawali
Yes you are right Sanju.
Hi Rachit,
This is a very entertaining post. I am not surprised you did not find the road shaped liked a kainchi. But the frog shaped rock and the yellow snake do look soooo life-like.
“all -mora-mora-mora” is hilarious.
Thanks for the nice read.
-Vibha
Thank you Vibha.
The frog shaped rock did not look real, yes but the snake really looked live.
Reading the post brought back memories of my own visit to Kainchi Dham, Almora, Ranikhet, etc. in 2007. The Kumaon has its own charm. I only hope I get a chance to travel to Binsar as well.
I am glad that my post brought the good old memories of your trip to Kumaon.
Binsar is a dense, green forest. Near zero point there is good KMVN hotel, it will be a good idea to stay there and watch sunset and views of Himalaya in the evening/morning. Binsar is a big forest so if you trek you may find some wild animals and birds as well. It may be scary to walk alone but it has its own fun as well.
Rachit,
May God bless you. Your description is becoming better by the day. The supporting pictures are brilliant, especially the “River moving along” and the last one depicting the sunset.
Since you missed Kainchi Dham Temple, let me add a few words. The small town derives its name from a local Kumaoni word ” Kaichi”, which means “two sharp hairpin bends”. The town is situated between two hills that intersect and cross each other to form a shape of scissor, from where the name may also have originated.
The Kainchi Dham is around seven km from Bhowali. The Dham attained fame only after the temples along with an ashram were constructed by Neem Karauli Baba. Baba was a devotee of Hanumanji and built a grand temple at the site in 1962. The deities of other gods were added subsequently. As a mark of obeisance to the Baba, a grand sculpture has also been installed.
The ashram has many clean and well equipped rooms for the devotees’ stay.
I have been to the temple a few times and your post brought back the memories of this holy place. The “Hare Krishna- Hare Rama Dhun” rendered by the devotees sitting close to the entrance is still echoing in my ears.
So next time you are passing through the area, try to spend some time there.
Ram Sir,
Thanks for sharing the details about the Kainchi Dham.
Ram
Thank you for your blessings and for sharing details about Kainchi Dham.
You have written so nicely about Kainchi dham that next time I will try to spend some time in Kainchi Dham.
Last pic is really great !
Manish
Thats why I have posted it bigger. Thank you :-)
Al-mora is actually derived from an Arabic word. You see the Al part of it, thats the hint. Its mean ‘Its mine’ – Al mora. It used to be a very beautiful place and everyone thought that it should be theirs. Now probably it is competing among the busiest/small town dirt-iest/kind of place.
I have been to binsar but off late I have read so many good accounts that it deserves a trip and more so, if I want to do Munsiyari as you did :-)
Nandan,
Though it sounds like an Arabic word because of Al, but I see a less probability of it. I have not seen anywhere this definition. Have you really read somewhere Mora being mine in Arabic.
I translated Almora in google translator and according to it, Almora means time. Seems an odd name for a place, what do you say ?
Manish, Nandan is being himself!! Ofcourse it doesn’t mean like anything he’s saying :D
Great post, Rachit. Very nice!!! I really would like to go on a trip with you someday, really.
Smita,
We can plan a trip together someday. Next month we are planning to go to Mandu. Will you like to join us ?
Thanks :-)
Nandan,
You should do a trip to Munsiyari as its definitely a magnificent place.
Dear Rachit,
Well written in simple english the correct detail and with good phtograph. But there is no reference and phtos of the Dinapani incidently the heading of the message.
Post some of the pic of Binser and Dinapani if possible.
Thanks and regards.
Devendra Bist.
Dear Devendra Bist,
Actually, there was nothing much to post about Deenapani. The sun-set photograph that I posted was taken from our cottage’s terrace. The things to see there was mainly step-farms, the sunset and the view of the mountains.
About Binsar forest, I have written more in my second post on Birthi falls.
For some more photographs you can check my papa’s post on Deenapani.
Thanks :-)
Just Great………You have shown a real world to the people who dream of such experiences.
We are looking to help people in hills or far located villages in India financially in the field of Tourism and Hospitality. We want to help financially by supporting Sustainable and Indigenous Tourism. Kindly guide us few good places where we can invest for a good cause which only benefit the poor honest people living there.
Thanks
Sunil Kumar
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