Every evening in Binsar, the universe puts on a show, sprinkling the sky with stars as far as the eye can see. The celestial dance of the planets unfolds right before you, unlike in cities, where the smog covered skies screen the experience. On this gorgeous part of land, a little away from Almora in Uttarakhand, the Kumaon region&rsquos diversity never fails to enthrall. And if you&rsquore planning on a quick weekend getaway to the forests here, here are some experiences that&rsquoll make the journey worth it
Tete-e-tet with wildlife at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
With over 200 species of birds and other exotic flora and fauna, the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, a dense forest of oak, rhododendron and pine trees is situated 30kms from Almora. With over 60 km of hiking trails, the best way to explore the sanctuary is on foot. On a good day, you can spot jays, nuthatches, doves, sibias and thrushes fluttering through the trees. At the heart of the sanctuary lies the Zero Point, originally called Jhandidhar, the highest point of Binsar, which offers postcard views of the Himalayas. You can hike to the 11th-Century Binsar Mahadev Temple here.
Kasar Devi Temple and Swami Vivekananda&rsquos Meditation Rock
Surrounded by lush green forests, the temple juts out from the top of the hill and sits adjacent to a Shiv temple that lies a few steps away. Offering a panoramic view of Almora and the Hawabagh valley, the temple is believed to date back to the second century and was carved out of a cave. Kasar Devi sits on the earth&rsquos Van Allen Belt the locals share anecdotes of how NASA experts came to the village to understand the unique geomagnetic field on which sits this quaint temple. It is its unique position, shared by UK&rsquos Stonehenge and Peru&rsquos Machu Pichu, that endows these three heritage structures with an inexplicable cosmic energy. While there is little official confirmation to confirm this belief, the locals swear by the temple&rsquos power and suggest meditating here to quiet one&rsquos mind.
It is the same energy, locals believe, that brought artists, mystics, philosophers, and spiritual seekers to Kasar. Swami Vivekananda, Bob Dylan, Rabindranath Tagore and DH Lawrence are some of the famous names that made Kasar their pitstop. A cave, called the Kasar Devi cave, is believed to have been the meditating spot for Swami Vivekananda in 1890 from where he penned his experiences. There is a tattered yoga mat where you too can sit and search for inner peace.
Soak In The Sun At Crank&rsquos Ridge
During the hippie movement, the area around the Kasar Devi temple was popular with hippies and wanderers who would come here, often looking for psychedelic experiences. This area is known as Crank&rsquos Ridge or Hippie Hill psychologist and writer Timothy Leary and writer DH Lawrence spent a considerable amount of time here. Here you can bask in the sunlight on a calm winter morning and enjoy the panoramic views of Nanda Devi and the Panchchuli ranges from the pine-covered ridge.
Pick Organic Products
From plum chutneys to apricot jam, many vendors in the Kumaon region sell incredible organic goods that make for the perfect souvenirs to take home. You can buy Buransh squash (made with rhododendrons) or get your hands on one of the many woollen jackets, mug-holders and caps sold at the local souvenir shops in Binsar, such as Kilmora. These shops also sell packaged organic spices and herbs like rosemary and pahadi til (Himalayan sesame seeds).
Explore Almora
While Almora&rsquos popularity as a quaint hill station is well-documented, not many know that the city is believed to have derived its name from Kilmora, a small plant commonly found in the region. Once the capital of the Chand dynasty rulers, Almora today is a busy town, and has a host of cultural and culinary heritage for any discerning traveller. Its metal work is incredible and you can take home stunning artifacts.
No trip to the Kumaon can be complete without sampling the iconic bal mithai, a fudge-like delicacy made with khoya and coated with sugary white balls. Colloquially called chocolate because of its deep brown colour, the delicacy competes for supremacy with singhauri, another variation of khoya that comes wrapped in oak leaves.