Darjeeling, Mussoorie or Manali's condition has now become much like Puri or Digha. Turn your head and you'll see familiar faces. You thought you'd escape the discomfort of heat by taking the mountain path, breathing in the fragrance of wildflowers and getting lost – there's no way for that. However, if the rustling sounds of pine and oak trees and the silence of the Himalayas are your purpose, then 'offbeat' Binsar can indeed be the best destination for you. Located just 380 km from Delhi, this hill station has still not become a 'second home' for tourists.
Why visit Binsar?
Bineshwar Mahadev Temple: There's a legend that this place got its name Binsar after this 16th-century Shiva temple. The spiritual atmosphere here will bring peace to your mind.
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Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary:
This is paradise for nature lovers. In this sanctuary surrounded by oak and rhododendron, 200 species of birds can be seen. If you're lucky, you might even spot a leopard. The magnificent view of Nandadevi and Panchachuli peaks from the Zero Point here is unforgettable.
Kasar Devi Temple:
Known as a place of meditation, it is said about this temple that it is located on Earth's 'Van Allen Belt', due to which a strange cosmic energy is felt here. Swami Vivekananda's feet had touched this place.
Crank's Ridge or Hippie Hill:
This was a favorite place for artists and writers in the 60s. Even today, sitting here and enjoying the Himalayan view is a unique experience.
Stargazing:
Far from the city's artificial lights, the experience of counting stars in Binsar's sky nestled in the mountains is completely different. When millions of stars fill the sky at night, this is one of India's best places for searching for the Milky Way or the North Star with a telescope. Many resorts here now organise special stargazing sessions for tourists.
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Best time to travel:
March to June and October to December are ideal months for visiting Binsar. It's better to avoid the monsoon season. Because cloudy skies are not at all suitable for stargazing. Besides, mountain roads become dangerous for travel.
