Sunday, April 5, 2026

Chhatgulla Village to Vimandeshwar Trek (1800m elevation)

Chhatgulla Village to Vimandeshwar Temple Trek (C2V Trek) — Easy Local Trail


I recently completed a ~4 km trek from Chhatgulla Village to Vimandeshwar Temple in Dwarahat Tehsil, Almora District and it stands out as a simple, non-commercial local trail with low technical complexity and a clearly defined footpath; even at a relaxed pace, the entire route can comfortably be completed within approximately one hour. Within the first ~1 km, you encounter a small stream section that occasionally serves as a watering point for wildlife, so maintaining basic situational awareness is recommended, although the probability of encounters remains low. The trail is dominated by Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii) vegetation, where needle litter on the forest floor may slightly reduce traction but does not significantly impact mobility under normal conditions. Around 1–1.5 km into the trek, the route passes through Talli Kahali Village, followed by a brief paved stretch, after which the trail re-enters forest cover near the Santoshi Mata temple; despite increased canopy density, the trail alignment remains easy to follow. Some segments feature an exposed valley edge, but the risk factor is minimal and manageable for anyone with basic endurance and balance, making this a Grade 1 (easy) trek suitable for all age groups.

At the endpoint, Vimandeshwar Temple is not just a destination but a culturally significant and ancient religious site that connects and serves approximately 25–30 surrounding villages; every year on 13th April, the  SalDeh ka Mela (सालदे का मेला) celebrated here, attracting regional pilgrims.
The site also holds strong ritual importance, as people frequently visit for asthi visarjan (immersion of ashes), reinforcing its spiritual value. Near the temple lies the sacred Kapila Ghat, associated with Kapila cows (कपिला गाय), and a small नदी धारा locally referred to as Basundhara Ganga, which is often simply called “Ganga” by locals; due to these धार्मिक मान्यताएँ, many people even regard this place as the “local Haridwar,” reflecting its deep-rooted cultural and spiritual significance in the region.
     Just Left the Chhatgulla Village 
   Beautiful Temple at Malli Kahli Village 
     Wheat Farming at 1800m elevation 

Beauty Of Dwarahat

Beauty Of Dwarahat, Almora District, Uttarakhand

BKIT (Kumaon Engineering College), Dwarahat

Dwarahat is a beautiful small town in Almora District of Uttarakhand, this town is completelty surrounded by lush green mountains of Himalayas and situated in the foothills of Dunagiri Hills.

About Uttarakhand :- Uttarakhand's natural beauty, cultural heritage, and religious significance make it a unique and captivating destination for travelers and a culturally rich state in India.Uttarakhand's natural beauty, cultural heritage, and religious significance make it a unique and captivating destination for travelers and a culturally rich state in India.

In this blog I want to share some beautiful pictures and videos of Dwarahat Tehsil of Uttarakhand, Dunagiri mountain is the highest point of this region.

About Dunagiri :-

Dunagiri Hills is a picturesque and serene region located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, in the Kumaon division. Dwarahat is a town situated within the Dunagiri Hills area. Here's some information about both:

  1. Dunagiri Hills: These hills are a part of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand, known for their lush greenery, dense forests, and beautiful landscapes. The Dunagiri Hills are famous for their natural beauty and tranquility, making them a great destination for nature enthusiasts, trekkers, and those seeking a peaceful retreat.

    One of the notable features of Dunagiri Hills is the presence of the Dunagiri Temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is perched on a hilltop. It is an important pilgrimage site for locals and visitors alike. The region around Dunagiri is also known for its rich biodiversity, making it a great place for birdwatching and wildlife enthusiasts.


  2. Dwarahat: Dwarahat is a small town situated in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, within the Dunagiri Hills region. It is known for its historical and architectural significance. The town is famous for its cluster of ancient temples, most of which were built during the Katyuri dynasty's rule in the region.

    The temples in Dwarahat are known for their intricate stone carvings and artistic designs. These temples are not only places of worship but also architectural marvels that provide insight into the region's history and culture.

    Dwarahat is also known for its serene surroundings, making it a peaceful place for meditation and introspection. It is a popular destination for those interested in exploring the rich heritage and architecture of Uttarakhand.

Both Dunagiri Hills and Dwarahat offer a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and provide an opportunity to immerse oneself in the natural beauty and historical significance of the region.



Sunset
Sun Rays through Clouds, Chhatgulla Village, Dwarahat

Chhatgulla 

Uttarakhand Tourism Board, Chhatgulla Village

Mritunjay Mahadev Mandir, Dwarahat


Dusk Nautical Twlight, Chhatgulla



House with DD Channel Anteena




Chhatgulla Post Office, 2000m elevation


Lets Learn new something about Uttarakhand Culture, NAULA, 

NAULA – The Traditional Water Harvesting System of Uttarakhand

There are plenty of preservation methods for water. Western Himalayas have also shown a great example of the same, which is known as ‘Naula’, mostly present in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. A Naula is a naturally-occurring water aquifer. It is a stone-lined tank which catches dripping water from springs and streams. Naula have been considered as sacred in Uttarakhand’s tradition and culture. Naulas would have surrounding walls joined with a tomb like structure on top, resembling a temple with a small entrance. This small entry to the Naula would restrict animals to go in and ensured a single person entering the Naula at a time. 
Elders in the mountains told that trees indicate water, helping in choosing the location of Naulas. These trees include Banj, Fauniyat, Kilonj, Kharsu, Bains, Kanyel, Manja, Utees, all these trees hold water. Trees like pine tree absorb a lot of water and make soil dry due to which Naulas can’t be built near them.
The last Naulas built were just 75 years ago, after which people stopped building due to lack of technique and sense of ownership


Inside of the Naula





Bichhu Ghas of Uttarakhand :- In English its called Nettle Grass, Nettle grass found in the mountains of Uttarakhand attracts people with its name and medicinal properties. It is being used in everything from Saga tea to flats and jackets. More than 250 species of this hot-natured plant are found across the world.

If this grass is accidentally touched, a tingling sensation starts at that place. Its thorny hairs cause pain like that of a scorpion in the body. This happens due to an element called histamine. It is found in abundance in shady places in the moist terrain of 4000 feet to 9000 feet in the mountains. Its plants are four to six feet tall. These flowers bloom in July-August. Its nature is hot. For this reason it is used in food and other food items. Filled with minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, sodium, calcium, iron and vitamins, Bichhu Ghas has great importance in the medical field. When there is swelling in the body, applying it on the swollen area helps in reducing the swelling. Apart from this, it is also effective in treating pitta dosha and body stiffness.



Song of Nature :- This video song will describe all the beauty of Chhatgulla village of Dwarahat, sung by Rabbi and Papon. Lets see 👇👇👇👇↓↓↓↓↓



                                            Village Grandma cutting Gan Papad for Cooking


Hisalu


Hisalu is a top ten wild edible medicinal plant. It has many biological properties, including:
Nephroprotective, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Anti-pyretic, Anti-proliferative, Cytotoxicity, Anti-cancer, Wound healing, Anti-fertility, Anti-plasmodial, Anti-microbial, Antioxidant.
Hisalu is also used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.

Hisalu (Rubus ellipticus) is a small, yellow fruit that grows on small bushes in the mountains. It's also known as the golden Himalayan raspberry or Himachal raspberry. Hisalu is native to China, Nepal, the Indian subcontinent, Indochina, and the Philippines. It's grown in the months of May and June.

This wild fruit play a major role as they serve as the free energy packets for the people travelling mountains as they can be find anywhere.

Chir Plants

Pinus roxburghii, commonly known as chir pine or longleaf Indian pine,[2] is a species of pine tree native to the Himalayas. It was named after William Roxburgh. It is a large tree reaching 30–50 metres (98–164 feet) with a trunk diameter of up to 2 m (6
+12 ft), exceptionally 3 m (10 ft). The leaves are needle-like. 

It is also tapped commercially for resin. On distillation, the resin yields an essential oil, commonly known as turpentine, and non-volatile rosinThe turpentine is chiefly used as a solvent in pharmaceutical preparations, perfume industry, in manufacture of synthetic pine oil, disinfectants, insecticides and denaturants. Chir pine rosin is principally used in paper, soap, cosmetics, paint, varnish, rubber and polish industries.

Chir pine trees are resistant to fire because of their thick bark. However, their dry needles are highly flammable and their open resin ducts can cause fires in pine forests. In the Uttarakhand region of India, fires in chir pine forests are estimated to occur every 3 to 5 years. These fires are frequent but low in severity, so most mature trees survive.
 
                                                Uttarakhand Forest Fire ( Chir Pine Trees )

Chhatgulla Village to Vimandeshwar Trek (1800m elevation)

Chhatgulla Village to Vimandeshwar Temple Trek (C2V Trek) — Easy Local Trail I recently completed a ~4 km trek from Chhatgulla V...