Uttarakhand ·
Bhowali
Bhowali is a picturesque hill station in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. Situated at an altitude of 1,706 meters, it lies just 11 km from Nainital on the road to Ranikhet.
Bhowali at a Glance
Why Bhowali?
The highlights, landmarks and experiences that make this destination worth visiting.
- Golu Devta Temple
- Sattal Lake
- Neem Karoli Baba Ashram
- Shyamkhet Tea Gardens
- Madhuban Ashram
- Butterfly Research Centre
Bhowali at a Glance
Essential travel information to understand Bhowali before planning your visit.
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Explore Bhowali
Places to Visit
- Golu Devta Temple: Dedicated to the "God of Justice" in Kumaon. Famous for thousands of brass bells hung by devotees.
- Sattal Lake: An interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes set amidst dense oak and pine forests. A paradise for migratory birds and nature photographers.
- Neem Karoli Baba Ashram: A world-renowned ashram established in 1964. It famously inspired Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.
- Shyamkhet Tea Gardens: A lush, serene tea estate offering a peaceful escape and locally produced organic tea.
- Madhuban Ashram: A peaceful spiritual retreat dedicated to Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
- Butterfly Research Centre: A modest museum housing one of India's largest collections of preserved moths and butterflies, offering educational courses and guided tours.
Things to Do
- Pine Forest Nature Walks: Walk the forested roads toward Shyamkhet or Gethia, known for oxygenated air and bird watching.
- Orchard Visits: Visit local orchards in season (May-Aug) to pick apples, peaches, and apricots.
- Boating and Kayaking: Sattal is perfect for quiet kayaking; Bhimtal offers larger rowboats.
- Paragliding: Tandem paragliding offering aerial views of the Kumaoni hills.
- Bhimtal Lake: Named after Bhima from the Mahabharata, this lake sits at 1,370 meters. It offers boat rides and an island at the center with an aquarium.
- Butterfly Research Centre: A modest museum housing one of India's largest collections of preserved moths and butterflies, offering educational courses and guided tours.
Sightseeing Places
- Golu Devta Temple: Dedicated to the "God of Justice" in Kumaon. Famous for thousands of brass bells hung by devotees.
- Sattal Lake: An interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes set amidst dense oak and pine forests. A paradise for migratory birds and nature photographers.
- Neem Karoli Baba Ashram: A world-renowned ashram established in 1964. It famously inspired Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.
- Shyamkhet Tea Gardens: A lush, serene tea estate offering a peaceful escape and locally produced organic tea.
- Madhuban Ashram: A peaceful spiritual retreat dedicated to Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
- Butterfly Research Centre: A modest museum housing one of India's largest collections of preserved moths and butterflies, offering educational courses and guided tours.
Temples
- Golu Devta Temple: Dedicated to the "God of Justice" in Kumaon. Famous for thousands of brass bells hung by devotees.
Places That Define Bhowali
Explore the most iconic landmarks and sacred sites.
Golu Devta Temple
Dedicated to the "God of Justice" in Kumaon. Famous for thousands of brass bells hung by devotees.
Sattal Lake
An interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes set amidst dense oak and pine forests. A paradise for migratory birds and nature photographers.
Neem Karoli Baba Ashram
A world-renowned ashram established in 1964. It famously inspired Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.
Shyamkhet Tea Gardens
A lush, serene tea estate offering a peaceful escape and locally produced organic tea.
Madhuban Ashram
A peaceful spiritual retreat dedicated to Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
Butterfly Research Centre
A modest museum housing one of India's largest collections of preserved moths and butterflies, offering educational courses and guided tours.
Sainik School Ghorakhal
One of India's most prestigious military boarding schools, situated on the historic estate of the Nawab of Rampur.
Bhowali T.B. Sanatorium
Established in 1912, this is one of India's oldest sanatoriums. Kamala Nehru was famously treated here.
Explore Destination on Map
Discover all sub-destinations, routes and detailed navigation information on an interactive map.
Explore Bhowali on Map
Open the destination map to discover attractions and routes.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Way
- When to Visit: Climate-based guidance for choosing your dates.
- Getting Around: How to reach and move around.
- Budget & Practical Tips: Costs and safety notes from local guidebook sources.
All Itineraries
- 1 Day in Bhowali: 1 days with detailed day plans
- 2 Days in Bhowali: 2 days with detailed day plans
How to Reach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport (PGH), about 39 km from Bhowali.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Kathgodam railway station, about 13 km from central Bhowali.
- By Road: Regular state-run (UTC) and private Volvo buses run overnight from ISBT Anand Vihar in New Delhi to Haldwani. From the Haldwani bus stand, you can catch a local bus or a shared mountain jeep directly to Bhowali.
Best Time to Visit
- Summer: Summer in Bhowali (Apr, May, Jun) averages 14–24°C with about 126 mm of rain per month.
- Monsoon: Monsoon in Bhowali (Jul, Aug, Sep) averages 17–24°C with about 313 mm of rain per month.
- Post-monsoon: Post-monsoon in Bhowali (Oct, Nov) averages 10–19°C with about 42 mm of rain per month.
- Winter: Winter in Bhowali (Dec, Jan, Feb) averages 4–16°C with about 20 mm of rain per month.
Weather
- Summer: Average highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C.
- Monsoon: Average highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C.
- Post-monsoon: Average highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C.
- Winter: Average highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C.
Suggested Itinerary
Choose the perfect duration for your Bhowali trip.
Spiritual & Religious
Planning Guide
- Overview: Bhowali is a picturesque hill station in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. Situated at an altitude of 1,706 meters, it lies just 11 km from Nainital on the road to Ranikhet. Because of its central location, Bhowali serves as the vital gateway and main transport junction to all major Kumaon hill stations, including Mukteshwar, Bhimtal, Ranikhet, and Almora.
- Accommodation: Listed options include Sarthak Inn and Kainchi Dham Hotels.
- Best Way To Explore: Bhowali is a compact town best explored on foot. For nearby excursions, the local taxi stand at the main crossroads is the hub for shared jeeps and private taxis that run to all surrounding lakes and hill stations.
The Sacred Heart of Bhowali
A timeless journey of faith and devotion.
Significance
Golu Devta Temple, Ghorakhal Situated 3 kilometres north of Bhowali at Ghorakhal, this shrine is dedicated to Golu Devta, the revered deity of justice in Kumaoni folk tradition, renowned for thousands of brass bells and written petitions suspended across its courtyard by devotees seeking justice.
Natural Significance
Golu Devta Temple, Ghorakhal Situated 3 kilometres north of Bhowali at Ghorakhal, this shrine is dedicated to Golu Devta, the revered deity of justice in Kumaoni folk tradition, renowned for thousands of brass bells and written petitions suspended across its courtyard by devotees seeking justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bhowali is most comfortable in January, February, April, October and November, when average daytime highs stay at or below 32°C and rainfall is low. The hottest month is June (average high 25°C) and the wettest months are March, May, June, July, August and September.
The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport (PGH), about 39 km away. The nearest railway station is Kathgodam railway station, about 13 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.
Main attractions include Golu Devta Temple, Sattal Lake, Neem Karoli Baba Ashram, Shyamkhet Tea Gardens, Madhuban Ashram and Butterfly Research Centre.
A stay of 2 days covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.
Average highs range from 14°C to 25°C over the year, with about 1571 mm of rain in total.
Tour Packages for Bhowali
Your Bhowali Journey Starts Here
Explore top attractions, local culture, and the experiences that make this destination worth visiting.