Bageshwar, The Holy Resort of Uttarakhand

Bageshwar, the Holy Resort of Uttarakhand

Bageshwar is a small town in Uttarakhand where the Saryu and Gomti rivers meet. It’s very holy place, especially for the devotees of Lord Sadashiva. Among all the Bageshwar temples, the Bagnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the most famous. It’s right in the middle of the town.

To the north, you’ll find Suraj Kund, a holy water tank where people go to pray. To the south is Agni Kund, which is also used for religious rituals. On the west side is the holy Nileshwar Mountain, and to the east is the Bhileshwar Temple, a well-known sacred place. Recently, Bageshwar has become a famous starting point for treks to the Pindari and Sunderdhunga glaciers.

Things to Do in Bageshwar

Visit the Bagnath Temple

Bagnath Temple is the top place to visit in Bageshwar. It is located where the Saryu and Gomti rivers meet and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built around 1450 AD it attracts many devotees during the Shivratri festival. Nearby you can also explore temples like Kalika, Durga, Bhairav, Vaneshwar, Ganganath, Hanuman, and Dattatreya temples.

Trek to Pindari Glacier

If you love trekking you can begin the Pindari Glacier trek from Song, a small place around 36 km from Bageshwar. This trek is loved by nature lovers and those who enjoy adventure. You’ll get to see amazing views of mountains, green forests, and flowing rivers as you walk.

Join a Festival

When you’re in Bageshwar in January, don’t miss the Uttarayani Mela. People gather near the river to enjoy music, dance, and many stalls selling local food and crafts.

Camping

You can camp near the river or in the forest around Bageshwar. It’s a wonderful way to rest and enjoy the stars at night.

Places to Visit Near Bageshwar

Baijnath

These ancient temples from the 12th century are hidden in the beautiful village of Baijnath. They are near the holy Gomti River. The temples’ designs and style show the past history of the Katyuri kings clearly. If you stay in Kausani or Almora, you can visit these temples easily for a calm and spiritual experience.

Gauri Udiyar

This famous cave is hidden in the green hills of Kumaon, Uttarakhand. It is about 8 kilometers from Bageshwar town. Inside the cave, you’ll find many idols of Lord Shiva. Udiyar means a small rock cave. Udiyar is a small cave made of rocks where wild animals like tigers used to live. When you go there, you’ll feel refreshed and peaceful.

Kanda

This small place is a group of 30 villages. It is 85 kilometers away from the busy town of Almora and 26 kilometers from Bageshwar. This town is known for its famous and holy Kalika Devi Temple, which makes it a special place. It is not only important for spiritual reasons but also a peaceful spot for people who want a break from the busy city life and want to stay close to nature.

Vijaypur

Just 32 km from Bageshwar, Vijaypur is a peaceful village where you can see stunning Himalayan peaks all around. Many people come to Vijaypur to take a break and to relax in its peaceful atmosphere. This place is famous for its green tea gardens that were started by the British when Vijaypur was called Ora. You can also see rare Himalayan birds, bears, and lots of different plants here.

Treks You Can Do from Bageshwar

Sunderdhunga Trek

This trek’s name means "valley of beautiful stones." This trek is close to the well-known Pindari and Kafni glacier treks. People say this trek is the most beautiful among the three. The Sunderdhunga trek starts from a village called Khati. From there, you walk along the river. On the way, you’ll walk through thick forests full of tall trees, peaceful green meadows, and rocky paths. The journey is calm, beautiful, and full of nature. As you walk, you’ll see amazing lakes and waterfalls in the hills, these views will make your trek even more enjoyable.

Pindari Glacier Trek

Trekkers love this glacier route. This trek usually takes between 5 and 15 days to finish. It is located 3,660 meters above sea level. Some people complete it faster, while others take more time, it depends on how they walk and rest. Every place you camp is surrounded by the fresh and beautiful nature of the Kumaon Himalayas. Namik Glacier and Nanda Devi National Park are part of this peaceful trek. You can easily reach it from Almora, and it is becoming popular among those who enjoy adventure and nature.

Pandusthal Trek

This trek goes to Pandusthal, a place where the old battle between the Kauravas and Pandavas from the Mahabharata happened. This path takes you through peaceful forests and green fields. On the way, you’ll enjoy fresh air and amazing mountain scenery. This trek is perfect for people who enjoy both history and nature. It’s not very difficult, so anyone can do this trek and enjoy the journey.

Bageshwar’s Popular Fairs and Festivals

Harela

It’s called the ‘day of green’ because of its name. People celebrate this colorful festival in July or August. People celebrate this for 9 to 11 days when it’s time to grow new crops. Local people pray for a good crop and wish for happiness as well as success. The festival is held to remember the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. During the celebration, locals worship their idols made of clay.

Vishuvati / Bikhauti

Also known as Mesh, this festival is one of the oldest in Bageshwar and is celebrated by Brahmins, Shilpkars, and Kshatriyas when the summer season starts. People cook fried snacks, sweets, and offer betel leaves as part of the tradition. Locals sing Pahadi songs, perform folk dances, and take part in small fairs like Dwarahat, Lohakhai, and Chaugar.

Ghee Sankranti / Ghee Tyohar (Olgia)

This festival, also called Olgia, is celebrated on the mid-August. It started when the Chand rulers received gifts like fruits and sweets from the people. Now, farmers continue the tradition by giving gifts to landowners and get money or gifts in return.

Accommodation and Food

• You can stay in different places like small hotels, luxury hotels, guest houses and Dharamshalas, which provide affordable rooms for pilgrims.
• Some temples provide food but there are also many restaurants and eating spots nearby, so you don’t have to worry about meals.
• In Bageshwar, you must try local dishes like Kafuli, a delicious curry made from green leafy vegetables, and Aloo Ke Gutke, which are spicy boiled potatoes. These foods are popular in the Kumaon region.

How to Reach Bageshwar

By Flight

The closest airport to Bageshwar is Pantnagar Airport, which is about 180 kilometers away and located in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand. Every week, four flights travel between Pantnagar and Delhi. From Pantnagar Airport taxis and buses are easily available to reach Bageshwar.

By Train

Closest railway station to Bageshwar is Kathgodam, which is in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Distance between Kathgodam Railway Station and Bageshwar is around 149 kilometers. You can easily get taxi or bus from Kathgodam to Bageshwar. Kathgodam is well connected by train to big cities like Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata. Many trains run here regularly, since it’s the starting point for visiting the Kumaon area.

By Road

You can easily reach Bageshwar by road from important towns in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand. From ISBT Anand Vihar, you can catch buses to Almora, Nainital, Haldwani, and many other places. From these spots, it’s easy to take a local cab or bus to get to Bageshwar.

Travel Tips

• Best time to explore: Best time to visit Bageshwar is from April to June and September to October when weather is nice around 15 to 25°C.
• Mobile Signals & Offline Maps: BSNL and VI networks work best in the hills. It is good to download offline maps for smooth journey.
• Trek Early: It’s best to start your trek early when weather is cool and the sky is clear. This way you’ll have enough time to come back safely.
• Don’t fully trust weather apps: Weather in the mountains can change quickly so it’s a good idea to carry raincoat or umbrella even if your phone shows sunny weather.

Conclusion

Bageshwar is a peaceful town with lots of beautiful nature, holy places, and fun activities. You can explore old temples like Bagnath or go on exciting treks to glaciers like Pindari and Sunderdhunga – there is something for everyone to enjoy. You can take part in local festivals, try delicious Kumaoni food, and camp near the river. Whether you want to relax or go on an adventure, Bageshwar is a wonderful place to visit. The peaceful surroundings and mountain views make it a great place to visit in Uttarakhand.