Binsar

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated only 30 Kms away from the township of Almora lies Binsar nestled amongst thick forests of Oak and Rhodendron and yet offering surprisingly close views of the Himalayan peaks. The entire region is now a wildlife sanctuary and has a host of wildlife like Panther and Barking Deer. The temple of Binsar lies nearby. Binsar is a beautiful, quiet and wild Himalayan destination with rich natural surroundings among dense forest. Binsar is perched on top of the Jhandi Dhar hills. This place is situated 33 km north of the Almora town in the Uttarakhand state of India.

Binsar Hills known and Jhandi Dhar, rise to a height of 2412 mts and offer an excellent view of Almora town, Kumaon hills and the greater Himalayan valley. The surroundings abound in alpine flora, ferns, hanging moss and species of wild flowers. The chief attraction of Binsar is the majestic view of the Himalayas - a 300 km, stretch on famous peaks which includes Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Panchchuli. Major wildlife attractions of this wildlife sanctuary are the Leopards, Indian Red Fox, Jackals, Ghorals, Porcupines, and Pine Martens.

History of Binsar

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 45.59km² and situated at an altitude varying 900 to 2500 metres with an average height of 2412 mts. It is rich in its flora and fauna. Binsar is also noted for mythological warfare between King of Binsar and Golu Devata. Due to some confusion Golu Devata was beheaded and his trunk fell at Gairad Dana Golu near Binsar national Park and his head felled at Kaparkahan near Binsar. Both The places has ancient temples of Lord Golu.

Binsar was the summer capital of the Chand Kings, who ruled over Kumaon, from 11th to 18th centuries AD. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1988, for the conservation and protection of the shrinking broad leaf oak (Quercus) forests of the Central Himalayan region, and it inhabits 200 bird species. Binsar which was the former capital of the Chand Rajas of Kumaon, is now home for a pristine mid altitude wildlife sanctuary. In the older days people came from far-flung villages, trekking on paths they themselves created to pay homage to Bineshwar Mahadev. Unlike Shimla, Nainital and Ranikhet - north Indian hill stations discovered and developed by the British, Almora is a truly Indian hill resort with its own unique flavor.

Fauna & Flora

These includes leopard (Panthera Pardus), Nemorhaedus goral (goral), Chital (Axis axis) Musk deer, Serow (Capricornis sumatiensis) , Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Sus scrofa, Black Bear, pine marten, Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Langur (Presbytis entellus), Monkey (Macaca mulatta), Porcupine, Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista), Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak), amongst others. It has been declared an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International with over 200 species including Tits, Forktail, Nuthatches, Blackbirds, Parakeets, Laughingthrush, Magpies, Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelana), Monal, Koklas, Eagles, Woodpeckers and a range of others. Binsar is also home to many reptiles and innumerable invertebrates including a wide range of Butterflies.

The place has Pine forest at the lower level and Oak and Rhododendron at the higher altitude. This place is abundant in alpine flora, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, hanging mosses and many other species of wild flowers. Other main plants of this sanctuary are Kaphal (Myrica esculenta) , Pinus roxburghii, Engelhardtia spiicata, Macaranga pustulata, Quercus gloca, Quercus incana, Quercus leucotricophora(Banjh), Quercus semicarpifolia, Quercus dilatata, Cedrus deodara, Alnus napalensis, Aesculus indica, Pinus wallichiana, Quercus lanuginosa and Quercus floribunda, etc.

The sanctuary has been declared an “Important Bird Area by Bird Life International.” There are more than 200 bird species in the sanctuary, including Forktail, Blackbirds, Laughing Thrush, Kalij Pheasant, Nuthatches, Parakeets and Monal.

Khali Estate

Binsar has been an acclaimed hill resort of India. It is the trekkers paradise. There is an estate near Binsar called Khali estate, it was once the home of Sir Henry Ramsay, who was the commissioner of Kumaun from 1856 to 1884 and popularly called by British authors as 'King of Kumaun'. He also built his bungalow at Binsar. Vijay Laxmi Pandit, the sister of Jawahar Lal Nehru, also lived here. Khali is also a place at Binsar where Jamna Lal Bajaj of Gandhi-Seva-Trust started 'Shailashram'.

Bineshwar Temple

This is a Lord Shiva shrine. This temple can be visited while you are driving towards the sanctuary. It was constructed by the Chand Rajas, who once made Binsar his summer capital.

Golu Devta Temple

This is another temple located at a 4 Km distance from Binsar. This temple is dedicated to the deity of Kumaon. Devotees come here to fulfill their wishes with the blessing of the God.

Almora

Almora is 23 kms away from Binsar. It is one of the important centres of Kumaon. Almora rose to its reputation in the 16th century as the capital of the Chand Rajas. Soon after this, the British made it the district headquarters. Now this place is a bustling crowded town. Today, Almora keeps hold of its traditional character, which is evident in its quaint by-lane shops and colonial buildings.

Binsar Mahadev

This Binsar is around 20 km from Ranikhet situated in the valley and nearly 70 km away from Almora city. It is located in a jungle and famous for temple of Lord Shiva. Every year in the month of June "Yagya" is organised in which thousand of devotee from far and wide visit here. It is a very calm place and deserve to visit. There is no facility of hotel and market, nearest tourist place is Ranikhet where hotels and other facility are available.

Archaeological Spots

The Binsar hills are rich in ancient relics. Near Dinapani on the Almora-Binsar road, there is a point called "Pariyadeva-Pashan" where there is a long stone with cup-marks. According to Historians these cup Shaped marks belong to Megalithic Age.

Binsar Sanctuary Museum

Binsar has a museum about the flora and fauna of the region and provide good and valuable information about the Sanctuary.

Kasar Devi Temple

Kasar Devi Temple is located at a distance of around 9 km from the Binsar, it was the house for Dutch Monk from 1970 to early 80s. It is said that this temple was the house for the hippies and hippie culture got popular from here. This temple is still a major tourist attraction for the foreigners.

Popular activities at Binsar

Popular activities that you can take up in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary are Jungle Walk, Drives, and Mountain Viewing. Jungle walk is available to explore the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. It serves as the best way to observe the wild side of Binsar. You can take drives inside the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. The possible route for drive in Binsar is from the main gate to the Forest Rest House. One can also drive outside on the eastern fringes of the sanctuary, from the main entrance towards Gairad Bend and also to Paleo Bend and back down to the gate.

Mountain Viewing is another popular activity to be taken in Binsar. You can enjoy close-up views of the snow-capped Great Himalayan mountain range. People from all over the world come here to take a look from the above. Here, you can also get fine views of Himalayas from the Zero Point.