Berinag

Berinag, also called the Town Of Snake Temples is a small hill station in Chaukori in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. It used to be a part of Almora District, however, after the Chinese Aggression, the district was separated and was known as an individual district. Berinag was a historically significant place for worship. This hill station is named after Benimadhavahas, who was the King of Nagveni. It is also believed that around the 14th century, the Pants from Maharashtra came to Berinag to settle there and they witnessed numerous colorful snakes, due to which a snake temple was also constructed. Berinag, in Uttarakhand being one of the historical places has a mythological reference which states that Kalinag came to reside in Berinag after being defeated by Lord Krishna, who asked him to leave the Yamuna River.

Berinag Geography

Berinag is a small hill station, perched at a height of 6100 ft above sea level. Berinag is located in the Kumaon region of Chaukori in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, Berinag offers pristine natural beauty and is popular for its ancient snake temples. One can witness the Panchachuli and Nanda Devi peaks, making Berinag, a place worth visiting. Rich in history, Berinag is a visitor’s delight.

Plan My Package Recommends: Places To Visit In Berinag

Chineshwar Waterfall, Berinag

Chineshwar is a waterfall near Berinag located at a height of 160ft in Garaun Village and is surrounded by dense forests of pine and oak trees, contributing to the scenic view of the place. Behind the waterfall is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which is very difficult to reach as one has to cross the waterfall to reach the temple, which is not an easy task. It is believed that only those people who have been blessed by Lord Shiva himself can reach the temple while others cannot. This waterfall is one of the famous attractions of Berinag and the most favorable time to visit the waterfall is between the months of October to May as the weather remains pleasant. Monsoon, however, is not favorable as there may be instances of landslides, and winters, on the other hand, are very cold as the temperature drops.

Nag Devta Temple

Veni Nag Devta Temple is the Berinag temple that is responsible for making Berinag famous. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is situated 12km from Chaukori. The presence of numerous snake temples in the vicinity is one of the reasons why the place is called Berinag. Not only that, but the region is also famous for its fine tea. According to Mythology, Kaliyanag, after being defeated by Lord Krishna had to leave the Yamuna River, which he ruled initially and moved to Berinag as Lord Krishna advised him to. Veni Nag Devta Temple is an important pilgrimage site of Berinag. Every year during the time of Nagpanchmi, pilgrims from all over visit the temple and make offerings of milk in the temple.

Nag Mandir

Nag Mandir is another one of the temples of Berinag, located 10km from Chaukori. It is believed that the Pants from Maharashtra came to Berinag and found several snakes and due to which a temple was built in the 14th century and was called the Nag Mandir. The temple is dedicated to Sheshnag, who is believed to have a thousand heads and he left his family to lead a life of severe penance for attaining higher bliss. This temple was constructed in the 14th century and is often worshipped by people who worship the Hindu Gods that are not very popular among other devotees.

Places Near Berinag

Patal Bhuvaneshwar

Located 37km from Chaukori is a cave near Berinag. The myth follows that the Pandavas along with Draupadi stayed in the cave for some time before they went for their heavenly abode. It is a cave made of limestone with an elevation of 1350 m above sea level. It is said that if one visits the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave, it is equal to paying a visit to the four Dhams of Uttarakhand namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The cave has other caves inside and is more like a series of caves. Patients with chronic illness or claustrophobia are not advised to go inside. The entrance might seem a little restrictive, however, once you reach inside the cave, the effort would be worth it. The cave has a vibe like no other and has been very well preserved by the authorities. One can find water inside the cave, which is “Amrit” or holy water. The cave is highly illuminated as it is an important spot for pilgrims who come to Patal Bhuvneshwar, looking for peace.

Didihat

Located at an elevation of 1725 m above sea level, Didihat is located 53km from Berinag in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, which offers a magnificent view of the Panchachuli peaks and of the lush green valley. The word has been derived from the Kumaoni word “Dand” which literally means a small hill and a valley as one can find the Haat Valley below. The best time to visit Didihat is during the festivals such as Holi, Diwali, etc as one can find the place overflowing with the warmth and vibrancy of cultures along with music, dance, and display of traditions. Several activities such as camping and hiking can be carried out over here. Other than that, the town also has a number of tourist attractions including the Shirakot Temple and the Wildlife Sanctuary in Askot. Being an untouched beauty, the place does not have many options for accommodation, however, the place is slowly becoming popular and will soon be a well-known tourist spot in the near future.

Chaukori

Chaukori, located 12km from Berinag is a tiny hamlet located in the Himalayas region at an elevation of 2010 m above sea level. Due to its location, Chaukori offers stunning views of Nanda peaks and Panchachuli Peaks. One can find dense oak and pine forests and lush greenery. Sunsets and sunrise from this place are absolutely heart-warming and the night sky is absolutely beautiful. Hindu shrines such as Kalinag, Feninag, Dhaulinag, Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple, and so on can be found here. Chaukori near Berinag is also famous for its tea garden where one can find some fine quality tea. These tea gardens were established during the time of the Britishers. Activities such as village tourism, photography, and nature walks are carried out here.

Best Time To Visit Berinag

Berinag Weather

Berinag In Summers

Summers in Berinag begin from the month of March and last till the month of June. The summers here are not very hot, so people prefer visiting Berinag during the summer season. The weather in Berinag remains pleasant mostly with the maximum temperature rising to 27℃ and the minimum temperature dropping to 7℃.

Berinag In Monsoon

July marks the onset of the Monsoon which leads to a slight drop in temperatures. The weather remains pleasant, however, outdoor activities are restricted. Monsoon in Berinag lasts till September with maximum temperatures rising to 23℃ and the minimum temperature dropping to 14℃.

Berinag In Winters

In the months between October to February, Berinag experiences winters that are quite cold, and in January one can also witness snowfall. Winters in Berinag last till February with the maximum temperature rising to 22℃ and the minimum temperature dropping to 0℃.

Thus the best time to visit Berinag is during the winter season. Know More

How To Reach Berinag

Berinag By Air

Pantnagar Airport, which is located in the Nainital district at a distance of 195km from Berinag, is the nearest airport to Berinag. There are four flights in a week for Pantnagar. Another airport is Naini Saini located in Pithoragarh but there are no frequent flights so Pantnagar Airport is the best option for you. You can opt for taxi and cab services that are available outside the airport.

Berinag By Rail

The nearest railway station to Berinag is Kathgodam and Tanakpur, located 169km and 160km from Berinag respectively. Both these railway stations have well-connected rail networks with major cities of the country. Several buses and taxis are available outside the railway station that will take you to Berinag.

Berinag By Road

Berinag has a motorable road, a well-connected road network with major cities of the state of Uttarakhand. Buses for destinations such as Almora, Champawat, Haldwani, and Tanakpur are available from Delhi ISBT Anand Vihar. Upon reaching any of these destinations you can easily hire a cab/taxi that will take you to Berinag.

Places To Stay In Berinag

Berinag Hotels

Hardik Resort

Ideally located in Chaukori, Hardik Resort provides accommodation to tourists. The resort has 6 village huts and 5 luxury tents providing you with a comfortable stay. You will get laundry and housekeeping facilities, free wifi, a garden to relax and enjoy the evenings. The location of the resort is what attracts tourists and compels them to come back. The Himalayas appear to be a lot closer, making you feel like you can touch them. The resort not only provides excellent views but also an excellent service by the staff.

Check-In: 11:30 am

Check-Out: 10:30 am

Hotel Himalaya Darshan

Hotel Himalaya Darshan is a budget hotel in Berinag located on DC Road, Chaukori. The hotel provides a comfortable stay in Berinag without burning a hole in your pocket. The rooms available are deluxe, super deluxe, and super deluxe king. The facilities provided by the hotel include housekeeping services, an elevator, an in-house restaurant, and wake-up services. Apart from stunning views, this budget hotel also provides a comfortable stay making sure that all your needs are fulfilled.

Check-In: 1:00 pm

Check Out: 12:00 pm

Hotel Kaushalya Residency

Hotel Kaushalya Residency is considered one of the best hotels in Berinag. If one wants to escape the daily chaotic routine, then Kaushalya Residency in Berinag is the best choice for you as the place provides peace and tranquility with stunning views of the enchanting surroundings. Well equipped with basic amenities, the hotel provides rooms including 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom, and 4 bedroom. This hotel is another one of the budget hotels in Berinag.

Check-In: 12:00 pm

Check Out: 11:00 am

Hotel Himshikhar

Located just 0.5km from Chaukori Bus station, Hotel Himshikhar is another accommodation where you can plan on staying while you are in Berinag. The hotel provides 25-well equipped rooms, an in-house restaurant to make your tummy happy, a conference hall, and a spa to relax and rejuvenate. With 24-hours power backup, top-notch services, and can also arrange for forest walks and bonfire parties.

Check-In: 12:00pm

Check Out: 10:00 am

ADB Rooms Hill View

ADB Rooms Hill View in Berinag is a hotel providing accommodation with 24-hour desk service and well-equipped sound-proof rooms, free wifi, extra-long beds, smoking areas, and so on. The rooms include a double bed, triple bed, and a family room, all of them providing a mountain view. The staff is well-trained and very polite, ensuring the fulfillment of all your needs. The hotel also provides free wifi and free parking for the guest. It is basically a home away from home.

Check-In: 10:30 am

Check Out: 12:00 pm

Places To Eat In Berinag

Berinag is not as popular as other tourist hotspots are and that is one of the reasons it does not have any fancy or proper restaurants where one can dine, however, this is a blessing in disguise as one gets to try the local roadside shops and Dhabas offering the local food of the area both North Indian and Chinese. One also gets to try dishes likes Gahat Dal, Kappa, Chainsoo, and so on.