India Travel Guide

Binsar Travel Guide

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.

From Binsar one can see the 300 km panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks like Kedarnath Peak, Shivling, Trisul and majestic Nanda Devi from a place called 'Zero Point'.

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.

Geography
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. Binsar 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 ancinent temples of Lord Golu.

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

Flora
 
Binsar flora.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.

Places of Interest

Khali Estate
Binar has been an acclaimed hill resort of India. Binser 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'.

Binsar Mahadev
There are two Binsar in Almora district.The Binsar wildlife santuary as shown by wikipedia is not this Binsar.In fact, all the facts and figure shown here from wikipedia is entirely wrong.It seems that they misunderstood it with the Binsar which is near to Almora city. This Binsar is around 20 Kilometer from Ranikhet situated in the valley and nearly 70 Kms away from Almora city. It is located in a jungle and famous for temle of Lord Shiva. Recently a statue of Lard Krishna and Arjun has been built here.Every year in the month of June "Yagya" is organised in which thousand of dvevotee from far and wide visit here.It is a very calm place and deserve to visit. There is no facility of hotel and mrket as such.Nearest tourist place is Ranikhet which is famous for it's location.Hotels and other facility is avialable there.

Searching for peace and solitude? Looking for invigorating air and glorious mountain views? Longing for lovely walks, for the feel of brown leaves crunching underfoot? Hoping to spot a leopard? Or a black bear or two? 

Then come to Binsar, a tranquil forest resort tucked away in the Kumaon Hills far, far away from the madding crowd. Binsar is perched on top of the Jhandi Dhar hills and completely surrounded by dense forests. Oak, rhododendron, pine and deodar grow in amazing abundance. The mantle of green hangs all around - rocks covered with unusual moss and ferns, flowers and shrubs - foliage sprouting out of every conceivable nook and cranny of the hillside. The entire area is now a sanctuary.

Binsar was the ancient capital of the Chand Raj kings who ruled in the 7th and 8th centuries. Here, King Kalyan built the temple of Shiva, also known as Bineswar. The temple holds much significance for the devout. Outside Binsar, the temple complex of Jageshwar (34 km from Almora), nestles in a beautiful valley, crested by majestic deodars. This important pilgrimage is considered one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.

Panoramic vistas of the snow capped Himalayas are visible. You can see the peaks of Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Panchchuli and Nanda Kot. The view is so beautiful that you almost feel it is a cliché, insignificant little you within touching distance of the awe inspiring mountains.

Time just stands still at Binsar. You will keep discovering new walking trails up the mountains and down the valleys, new lookout points for another spectacular sunset. This intimate little hill retreat makes you feel that nothing can ever come between you and nature.

Getting there: Binsar is 380 km from Delhi. The closest airport is at Pantnagar, 127 km and the nearest railhead is at Kathgodam, 85 km. From here you can take a tourist bus, taxi or drive up via Almora, 30 km from Binsar.

Best time: You can come to Binsar at any time of the year, but avoid the monsoons completely. Binsar is lovely around October-November. Travel with two layers of woollens, walking shoes and an umbrella, as hill weather is unpredictable. Carry a torch, candles and camera.

Accommodation in Binsar is restricted to a few luxury estates, small hotels and the KMVN tourist bungalow. Advance bookings are essential.