Ramnagar is a small town and municipal board in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India. It is located approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) from Nainital, the headquarters of the district.
Ramnagar is the gateway to the Jim Corbett National Park, the oldest national park and a famous tourist destination of India. Garjiya Devi Temple and Seeta Bani Temple located nearby also attract many visitors.
History
The ancient name of the place was Ahichhatra the capital of Northern Panchala of Mahabharata times. The town was re-established and settled by Commissioner H. Ramsay in 1856–1884. During the British Rule tea gardens were developed in Ramnagar and nearby villages in Uttarakhand. But these tea gardens have been closed since a long time. The nearby Jim Corbett National Park is named after the hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett who played a key role in its establishment. It is the oldest national park in India and attracts lots of tourists from India and other countries.
Ramnagar Excursions
Jim Corbett National Park is 51 km north of Ramnagar. Established in 1936 as the Hailey National Park, Corbett National Park is the oldest and one of the most sought after national parks in India. It is India's first sanctuary to come underProject Tiger. The park was named after the hunter-naturalist turned author and photographer, Jim Corbett who lived in the region and contributed in setting up this park. Visitors can move about in vehicles inside the park area after making entries at the respective gates. Tourists can drive their own cars inside Corbett or can hire vehicles from Ramnagar. Permits are necessary for entering Corbett Tiger Reserve. For day visits, permits are obtained at the respective Entry Gates. However, permits for night halts are issued at the CTR Reception Office at Ramnagar. Other places worth visiting in the region are the Crocodile Pool, Dhikala Machaan, Getheryo Library (Dhikala), Corbett Museum(Dhangadi gate), Corbett falls. There is a booking counter where bookings can be made for the guest house and Safari jeep.
Garjiya Devi Temple is located in the Garjiya village near Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, India. It is a sacred Shakti shrine where Garjiya Devi is the presiding deity. The temple is situated over a large rock in the Kosi River and is one of the most famous temples of the Nainital district visited by thousands of devotees during Kartik Poornima, a Hindu holy day celebrated on the fifteenth lunar day of Kartik (November – December). It is also known as the festival of lights of the gods.The Kartik Purnima festival also coincides with the Sikh festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Sita Vani Temple is dedicated to Devi Sita, consort of Lord Rama. It is believed that she entered into the lap of Mother Earth here. Every year, a fair is held here during Ramanavami. It is located at a distance of 20 km from Ramnagar.
How to Reach
Air
The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, 50 km away in the town of Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar district. However Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi is the nearest international airport.
Rail
In 1907, during the British Raj the railway line in Uttarakhand was extended from Moradabad to Ramnagar.Ramnagar railway station is under the administrative control of the Izzatnagar division of the North Eastern Railway zone of theIndian Railways. The station is located about 65 km from Nainital. It has direct rail links to Kashipur, Moradabad, Delhi, Rae Bareli, Bareilly, Lucknow and Varanasi.Code of Ramnagar railway station is RMR .
Road
Ramnagar bus station is located near to the Railway station. There are regular buses from Ramnagar to Nainital and Kashipur. National Highway 121 which starts from Kashipur and ends at Bubakhal, Uttarakhand passes through Ramnagar.
