Bageshwar: Temples, Festival Culture and Mountain Landscapes

Bagnath Temple and festival days in Bageshwar

Bagnath Temple stands in Bageshwar at the confluence of the Saryu and Gomti rivers. During the annual Shivratri festival, the temple welcomes large numbers of visitors. If you are interested in religious traditions, you will find a tangible connection here between the place and a recurring festival occasion.

The Uttaraini festival is also part of Bageshwar’s calendar: it takes place in January and lasts a week. The main goods on offer include ponies, goats, sheep, furs, yak tails, musk glands, borax, salt horns, books, shoes, and fresh and dried fruit. In addition to its duration and timing, the market gives the festival an economic dimension of its own.

Kausani: Culture, places to visit and stargazing

In Kausani, the Anasakti Ashram is associated with Mahatma Gandhi’s 1929 visit; this stay is said to have inspired his writings on Anasakti Yoga. The Sumitra Nandan Pant Museum displays manuscripts, poetry drafts and the poet’s personal belongings. In Kausani, you can therefore encounter both a history connected with Gandhi and insights into the work and legacy of Sumitra Nandan Pant.

Other places to visit include the Kausani Tea Estate on Bageshwar Road, which visitors can travel to. The Starscapes Observatory in Kausani offers views of planets and other celestial phenomena. If you plan to visit either of these places, check the latest operating details before you go.

Hikes with different starting points

From Kausani, a moderate 5 km hike leads to the village of Pinnath. It ends at a small temple dedicated to Lord Bhairon. The length, difficulty and destination give the hike a clear profile; check current trail conditions before setting out.

The town of Bageshwar serves as a shared base for hikes to the Pindari Glacier; the road’s starting point is in Loharkhet. The route to the Pindari Glacier is listed as Grade 3B. The glacier is 3 km long and 250 m wide. These details describe different aspects: the hikes’ access point, the route’s grade and the glacier’s dimensions.

Kanda: Landscape and village life

Kanda lies at an altitude of 1,500 to 1,900 metres and is surrounded by mountains and terraced fields. Around the village of Sonargaon near Kanda, visitors can walk and observe the daily life of the local community. This combines views of the landscape with a glimpse into village life.

In Kanda, you can observe local arts and crafts and try them yourself, including dried-flower decoration and Alpana and Rangoli designs. If you would like to take part in these activities, check current offerings separately.

Temples and other nearby destinations

The Baijnath Temple complex stands on the banks of the Gomti in Baijnath, 26 km from Bageshwar. It comprises a main shrine dedicated to Shiva and 17 subsidiary shrines in the Nagara architectural style. Baijnath is also home to an ancient stone idol of the Hindu goddess Parvati.

Sriharu Temple is about 5 km from Bageshwar. A large fair is held there every year on Vijay Dashmi, after Navratras. Chandika Temple is about 1 km from Bageshwar; every year during Navaratras, many devotees gather there. Gauri Udiyar is a cave temple with a collection of Shiva idols, located 8 km from Bageshwar. The different festivals and temples offer specific destinations to include in your travel plans, without requiring every visit to have the same focus.

Getting there and choosing a hotel location

Bageshwar is well connected to the road network and can be reached by bus and private taxi. The nearest railway station is Kathgodam. Road conditions, services and schedules can change; check your specific connections before travelling.

You can use your planned hikes as a guide when choosing a hotel location: Bageshwar is the shared base for hikes to the Pindari Glacier, while the Pinnath hike starts in Kausani. If you are planning to visit both destinations, check connections for your travel dates before deciding where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Kausani, Kapkot, Bageshwar, Gwaldam. More destinations: Nainital, Rudraprayag, Udham Singh Nagar, Yusufeli.

Back to the main travel overview: Uttarakhand.