Temples in Bageshwar
- 01
Bagnath Temple, Bageshwar
Bageshwar's main temple, dedicated to Shiva as the Tiger Lord, standing at the confluence of the Saryu and Gomti in the heart of town. It gives the town its name and is the focus of the Uttarayani fair.
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning on a weekday; Shivratri and the January Uttarayani fair for festival atmosphere
- Tickets
- No entry ticket. Remove shoes, dress modestly and follow the priests' directions. Crowds and traffic increase sharply at festivals.
- 02
Chandika Temple
A hillside temple to the goddess Chandika just above Bageshwar town, busiest during Navratri, with a view down over the town and the two rivers.
- Time needed
- About 1 hour including the short drive or walk
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; Navratri for the festival
- Tickets
- No entry ticket. Remove shoes and dress modestly. Navratri crowds can be large.
- 03
Gauri Udiyar Cave
A large cave shrine about 8 km from Bageshwar, roughly 20 m by 95 m, that houses images of Shiva. A short excursion for pilgrims and anyone curious about the town's lesser-known shrines.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours including the drive
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to June; avoid the monsoon, when paths can be slippery
- Tickets
- No ticket is published. Remove shoes where asked and follow local customs inside the shrine. Confirm access and timings locally.
Experiences in Bageshwar
- 04
Kafni Glacier Trek
A quieter glacier trek that branches off the Pindari route at Dwali and follows the Kafni river to the snout of the Kafni Glacier below Nanda Kot, at about 3,900 m.
- Time needed
- About 6 days on foot alone, or 2 extra days added to Pindari
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- May to June and September to October
- Tickets
- Check current forest entry and camping rules with the Bageshwar forest division or your operator. A local guide is advised because the upper valley is less marked. Confirm current fees locally.
- 05
Pindari Glacier Trek
Kumaon's classic glacier trek, following the Pindar river from the Loharkhet and Khati side of Bageshwar district to Zero Point below the Pindari Glacier, at roughly 3,700 to 3,800 m.
- Time needed
- About 6 days on foot, plus a day's drive each way from Kathgodam
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- May to June and September to October
- Tickets
- Check current forest entry and camping rules with the Bageshwar forest division or your operator; registered operators usually include forest charges. A local guide is strongly advised. Confirm current fees locally.
- 06
Sunderdhunga Glacier Trek
A harder and much less used trek from Khati up the Sunderdhunga valley via Jatoli to Kathaliya, with day climbs towards Maiktoli and the Sukhram area at about 4,000 m.
- Time needed
- About 7 to 8 days from Bageshwar
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- September to October; May to June is also used
- Tickets
- Forest entry charges apply and are usually arranged by the operator. Go only with an experienced local guide, as the trail is less marked. Confirm current rules and fees locally.
Day trips in Bageshwar
- 07
Kanda
A quiet hill area about 25 km from Bageshwar, at roughly 1,500 to 1,900 m, with terraced fields, an old Bhadrakali temple nearby and village stays. On the road towards Chaukori.
- Time needed
- Half a day, or one night in a village stay
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to November and March to May
- Tickets
- No ticket. Village stays should be booked in advance; confirm facilities and rates directly.
Culture in Bageshwar
- 08
Uttarayani Fair
Bageshwar's week-long fair around Makar Sankranti in mid-January, held on the banks of the Saryu and Gomti beside the Bagnath temple. Once Kumaon's greatest trade fair, it still draws people from across the hills.
- Time needed
- A morning to a full day during the fair week
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Mid-January, around Makar Sankranti; confirm the year's dates
- Tickets
- No ticket for the fair. Rooms fill quickly during the fair week, so book early. Check the year's dates with the district administration.
Close enough to combine