A Weekend Trip To Ranikhet

WELCOME THE WINTER

From Delhi To Ranikhet- 

In November, nature’s cold arm is just beginning to embrace the lower Himalaya, slowly transforming the landscape into a mist-covered, frosted picture postcard. Soak in the best of the season at Ranikhet, in Uttarakhand’s Almora district. Let your city-induced stress disappear in the mountain air, amidst the pine forests, the sloping meadows and the enchanting views of the distant peaks.

Ranikhet is the perfect spot for lazy, languorous holidays, you can also pack lots of action into your break here. At Upat is one of the most picturesque nine-hole golf links in the country, with snow-capped mountains providing a lovely backdrop. Not far from Upat is Kalika, with its famous temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali; here, you can also wander about a well-maintained forest nursery with an abundance of indigenous plants. 

For a day in a charming, relaxed setting, set out for a picnic at Bhalu Dam, an artificial lake surrounded by a pretty garden. Walks along scenic routes are an essential part of the Ranikhet getaway for most travellers. The stroll from the ancient Jhula Devi Temple to Chaubatia, known for its orchards, is an especially picturesque one and will have you stopping every now and then to soak in the views.

Ranikhet is also an ideal zone for trekking—from easy to challenging. Choose from routes such as Chaubatia Orchards to Holm Farm and Chaubatia to Bhalu Dam. Also scattered across the region Ranikhet is also an ideal zone for trekking—from easy to challenging. 

Choose from routes such as Chaubatia Orchards to Holm Farm and Chaubatia to Bhalu Dam. Also scattered across the region are a string of sparkling lakes. You can explore them and picnic at the edge of these waterbodies while avid anglers can spend hours fishing at lakes such as the Naukuchiya Tal.

You can drive from Delhi to Ranikhet, a distance of about 370 km, via Haldwani and Bhowali. If you want a room with a view—and you should when you’re in this part of the country—check into the Royal Mountain Hotel, where the comfortable rooms look out over the lower Himalaya.

Ranikhet is a good place to shop for woolens, especially shawls. The main
shopping districts in the town are the Mall and Sadar Bazaar. You should also stop by at the Tweed and Shawl Factory for its handcrafted products. Also carry back some Bal Mithai, the caramel-like fudge sweet that’s coated with sugar balls, one of Ranikhet’s specialties.

Even if November is just the beginning o winter, it can get chilly at these altitudes. Carry plenty of warm wear, not forgetting sturdy shoes for those mountain walks.

Hazratbal Mosque - Its Perfect White Marble Style Of Mosque Is Looked As A Significance Of Srinagar

HAZRATBAL MOSQUE

AT

SRINAGAR

Hazratbal Mosque is the most important Muslim Religious place, situated on the western shore of Dal Lake.  Its perfect white marble elegance is reflected in the waters of the lake.

Hazratbal's special significance is derived from the fact that it houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad. This is displayed to the public on religious occasions, usually accompanied by fairs. Apart from these occasions, Friday prayers are offered at Hazratbal and attended by throngs of people.

Hazratbal is remarkable for being the only domed mosque in Srinagar; the others having distinct pagoda like roofs. The shrine – mosque complex is situated on the western shore of the Dal Lake opposite Nishat Bagh and commands a grand view of the lake and the mountain beyond.

The history of the shrine goes back to the early seventeenth century when the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan's Subedar, Sadiq Khan, laid out a garden here & constructed a palatial building, Ishrat Mahal or Pleasure House in 1623. However, the Emperor, during his visit in 1634, ordered the building to be converted into a prayer House with some additions & alterations.

During the time of Aurangzeb, when Moi-e-Muqqadus (The Holy Relic) arrived in Kashmir in 1699, it was first kept in the shrine of Naqashbad Sahib in the heart of the city. Since the place was found to be insufficient in view of the unprecedented rush of people who thronged the place to have a glimpse of the Moi-e-Muqqades, it was decided to shift the it to Hazratbal, then known as Sadiqabad.

The construction of the present marble structure was started by the Muslim Auqaf Trust headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1968 and completed in 1979. The "Moi-e-Muqqadas" (Holy Relic of Prophet Mohammad S.A.W) is displayed on Various occasions related with the life of Prophet & his four holy companions.

The Moi-e-Muqqadus (Holy Relic of Prophet p.b.u.h) is usually on public display inside a glass casket on certain sacred and holy days. Tours and travel to the Hazratbal shrine gives you an opportunity to participate in the colorful and vibrant fairs that are held at Hazratbal every year, the most important among these is the Shab-e-Meraj.

Hazratbal lies in Srinagar and the nearest Airport is approx. 25 Km away. This Airport is connected with major cities of India. The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu which is 300 Kms away and from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India. Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis ply on this Highway. It Takes around 10 to 12 hours to cross this mountainous road which crosses some beautiful spots and the famous Jawahar Tunnel linking Kashmir Valley with India. Regular transport is available from various points in the Srinagar city with nominal charges. Route from Dal Lake can also be undertaken.