FRONTIERS BEYOND BLOG

17
Sep ‘ 2024

Discovering the Cultural Treasures of Bageshwar

The northern state of Uttarakhand is a really gifted place when it comes to offering some real respite locations. It has been showered abundantly by mother nature and has a tonic to soothe any bruised soul and exhausted people. A combination of pilgrimage sites and also places that pull the nature lovers and adrenaline junkies; Uttarakhand has it all. A very small yet fulfilling temple town Bageshwar can serve as that very tonic that we just spoke about. Just 454 km away from the national capital of India Delhi and 362 km away from the state capital of Uttarakhand Dehradun, is this holy land. The town witnesses the grand confluence of the River Saryu and River Gomti.

bageshwarThis small town is situated in the Bageshwar district and it is a municipal board as well. Many avid travelers who have a little offbeat taste head towards Bageshwar to breathe in its embalming air and take a divine journey to immerse themselves in the rich culture and heritage the place has to offer.

You can plan to reach Bageshwar which is 470 km away from the National Capital Delhi via car or bus. The nearest Railway station is Kathgodam 180 km away and is very well connected to all the major cities of India. By Air, you can reach the Pantnagar airport which is a little above 200 km away from Bageshwar. Frontiers Beyond can help you choose the best mode of transportation based on your budget and preference.

The place strategically shares its borders with 3 beautiful districts of Uttarakhand; Chamoli at the northwest, Pithoragarh at the northeast, and finally the gorgeous Almora at the southern side. It makes for an ideal getaway spot for a very well-planned sightseeing trip or a prolonged vacation for an amazing soul-cleansing experience. It is also the gateway to some of the fantastic treks like Pindari glacier trek. Some of the notable spots of Bageshwar which make it popular are

Bageshwar Temple: The 14th-century temple stands tall with its conical towers against the backdrop of the Himalayas is famous for worshipping Lord Shiva. It is a very old structure that bears testimony to the confluence of the two rivers Gomti and Saryu and it attracts devotees all throughout the year. The place comes alive during the grand festival of Shivratri which marks Lord Shiva’s wedding ceremony with his Consort Parvati.

Chandika TempleChandika Temple: Situated just half a km away from the city, this temple worships the Goddess Kali, who is another manifestation of Parvati.

Gauri UdiyarGauri Udiyar: If you wish to witness a different-styled holy place then Gauri Udiyar will pleasantly surprise you. It is a cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and has some really amazing rock formations.

Bajinath Temple

Baijnath Temple: Take a 21 km short drive and reach the Baijnath Temple, it is slightly at a higher elevation than Bageshwar and quite popular with tourists mainly due to its location and the beautiful backdrop.

Bigul Village: Just 35 kms away from Bageshwar, you can head towards Bigul Village to catch the glimpse of the mighty peaks of Nanda Devi and Panchachuli peaks. It’s a beautiful hamlet that helps you unwind in its glorious charms and take in some fresh air for calming troubled minds. It is at a higher elevation than Bageshwar and slightly isolated, hence an idyllic spot for some detachment.

Bageshwar, owing to the fact that it is situated at a little lower elevation, does not manage to get some really chilly days around the year. In fact, it is a bit warm compared to many other places in Uttarakhand. The summers can be really warm and winter seasons are accompanied by heavy rains, making the air really moist. The beautiful rivers’ gurgling waters ensure that the heat is not all-encompassing. Overall, what kind of a trip you are really looking forward to will help you choose the best time for visiting this sweet town. And if still confused, then allow the experts of Frontiers Beyond to guide you and help you have a memorable trip to Bageshwar.

Not very far from the town, hikers and campers will find their haven around Bageshwar which boasts of some really gorgeous views and some amazing locations for camping and trekking around the rolling hills and meadows.

The uttarayani festival or ghugutia festival is just around the corner and is a perfect time in Bageshwar as well as around other places in Uttarakhand to worship the black crow and feed it with sweet delicacies prepared at home with jaggery. Apart from that you can always grab some of the favourite sweets like the Bal Mithai or Singauri, which will be available in all the small time shops scattered around the town. Held in the month of January, Uttarayani Mela or Fair attracts both locals and foreigners alike. People flock in great numbers to catch a glimpse of this beautiful fair. It is an absolute paradise for handmade apparel and other utility items. It is marked by the beautiful performance by the choiliya dancers. The show is worth visiting and you shall have temptations lurking around each and every corner.

So, enough good reasons to pack your bags with us and plan your next getaway in the lap of the Kumaon. Look no where else and simply embark on this amazing journey with us.