Baijnath (Almora)

Half a dayBest: Sep–AprPilgrimage#ancient temple#river#history

Katyuri-era Shiva temple by the Gomti river

Why this weekend?

Baijnath temple complexGomti riverChitai temple

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The day-by-day plan

Half day · The Katyuri temples
- Temple group morning
- Gomti bank and village lane
- Kanda ridge walk
- Lunch at a valley kitchen
- Bageshwar or Kausani continue

Geography & terrain

Baijnath (Almora) is the temple hamlet of Bageshwar district, Uttarakhand, on the old Pindari road beside the Gomti river — a green, terraced river-meadow setting below the Kanda range, 12 km from Bageshwar town and 75 km from Almora.

History & culture

The town's 12th–13th century temple group of the Katyuri dynasty — a cluster of shrines to Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha and Lakulisha — is among the finest stone-carving ensembles of the Kumaon Himalaya. The Katyuris ruled these valleys from their capital near Baijnath (formerly Kartikeyapur), and the temple's phamsana towers still echo their builders.

Where to stay

Budget

₹800–2,000/night

Mid-range

₹2,000–4,000/night

Comfort

₹4,000+/night

Things to do

Katyuri temple group
Carved shrines of the dynasty
Gomti river
Village lanes
Kanda ridge views

Eat & drink

Kafuli (spinach curry)
Bhatt ki dal (black soybean)
Aloo ke gutke
Bal mithai (Almora sweet)

Getting there

Fly: Dehradun (DED)
Train: Haridwar, Kathgodam, Dehradun stations
Road from Delhi: 250–450 km depending on valley
Getting around: Shared taxis and buses on hill roads

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹4,000–9,500 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹800–4,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹500–900
Per day · Activities: ₹400–800

Month by month

Jan · Snow: −5–8°C · Snow rain
Feb · Snow: −3–10°C · Snow rain
Mar · Good: 2–14°C · Light rain
Apr · Best: 7–20°C · None rain
May · Best: 12–25°C · None rain
Jun · Good: 16–30°C · Moderate rain
Jul · Monsoon: 18–28°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 17–27°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Best: 14–26°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Best: 8–20°C · None rain
Nov · Cold: 2–14°C · None rain
Dec · Snow: −2–9°C · Snow rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Sep–Apr
Connectivity: Patchy in high valleys — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The temple floors are cold stone — warm socks help
Ask the local caretaker for the shrine timings
Pair with Bageshwar for a full confluence-and-temples day

Frequently asked questions

Who built the Baijnath temples?

The Katyuri kings of Kumaon in the 12th–13th centuries, whose capital stood near this spot.

Which season is best?

March–June and September–November for clear days and open roads.

How do I reach it?

By road from Bageshwar (12 km) or Almora (75 km); jeeps run from both towns.