Jhaltola The Misty Mountains

JHALTOLA – UTTARAKHAND

Jhaltola is a small village situated between Chaukori and Patal Bhuvanshwar in the highlands of Uttarakhand state in northern India. It is one of several small villages in the area, with the advantage of being located near Highway 309A. Jhaltola is surrounded on three sides by mixed forests and has a wide range of Himalayan views and a vibrant flora and fauna. Jhaltola is an offbit location in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. The route to Jhaltola is through the dense greenery of wilderness. Jhaltola is home of about nearly 150 species of different Himalayan birds and numerous floras those inhabit the place. It has a thick forest cover teeming with oaks, rhododendrons and kaafal. Jhaltola is full of healthy forest with wild boars, barking deer, pine martins, porcupines, wild cats and monitor lizards. It boasts of a truly rich flora, fauna and avid fauna, spectacular Himalayan views. Jhaltola is situated at an elevation of about 2060 meters (6759 feet). In the winter the total area gets covered with snow. From Jhaltola many Himalayan peaks are clearly visible those may include Hathi Parwat, Gauri Parwat, Nanda Ghunti, Trishul, Mrigthugni, Maiktoli, Panwali Dwar, Nanda Devi east and west, Nanda Khat, Nanda Kot, Nanda Bhanar, Lapsa Dhura, Changuch, Rajrambha, Panchachuli, Api and Nampha ranges in Nepal are also visible. Not only confined to Himalayan peaks but from Jhaltola others sights those are clearly visible are many small are big streams and rivers, undulating valleys, along with several villages along with famous tourist spot of Kumaon region Chakouri. Species of trees which are frequently visible at Jhaltola are Peach, Palm, Aprikot, Apple, Deodar, Alder, Kanchal. At Jhaltola there is a temple of Lambakeshwar Shiv Temple, which is a little uphill trek route. The temple was constructed some 200 years back, the temple premises offers a clear view of Kumaon region, Gharwal region and some parts of Nepal. At Jhaltola within a walking distance of 1.5 km there is a sunset point which is worth visiting, the way to the sunset point is through the dense green wilderness. In the month of April – May Jhaltola blossom up with numerous rhododendrons all over the valleys. There is a big boulder of 15 feet high, which is believed to be the resting place for the leopards. Once the region of Jhaltola was spread with long stretches of tea gardens, and there is an almost ruined bungalow which is worth watching. The bungalow was owned by the manager of those tea estates. The sunset point is within a very short distance from the bungalow. The premise of the sunset point is like a helipad ground. On a clear day from this sunset point one will get to see long stretches of Himalayan peaks. Munsiyari is at a distance of about 125 km from Jhaltola. From Munsiyari while coming to Jhaltola one can visit Kalamuni top situated at an elevation of about 9700 feet, there is a temple of Kali goddess along with other idols of Hanumaji, which is worth visiting. From Kalamuni top while coming down by the downward route one will reach at village named Birthi. At Birthi there is a falls known as Birthi falls that falls from a height of about 400 feet. From Birthi village on the way to Jhaltola one will come across many other villages like Dor, Tejam, Nachni and Gochar. After that comes a town named Thol. By one side of this town flows a river named Ramganga. From Thol one will reach at Udiyari Bend junction which is a distance of about 45 minutes. From Udiyari bend one route to the right hand side has intersected at Chakouri and a straight route has met up at Gangolihat via Berinag. One can to avail this route to reach Patal Bhubaneshwar. From Berinag on the way to Jhaltola one will come across several tea estates. From Berinag within a distance of about 6 kilometers is Raiyagarh. From Raiyagarh after 2 kilometres a route has bypassed to the right side and met up at Sweety bend again from there at a distance of 6 kilometres on will reach at Rammandir Village. From Rammandir village Jhaltola can be reached by car.

How to reach: From Howrah railway station direct trains are available those reaches upto Katgodam 13019 Bagh Exp. Weekly Lalkua Exp. (Friday only) 12353 that reaches upto Lalkua. Or from Howrah or Sealdah several trains are available those reaches up to Delhi, from there either by train or by super fast bus upto Katgodam via Lalkua or Haldowani. From Lalkua at a distance of about 20 kilometres is Haldoani and from Haldoani within 6 kilometres is Katgodam. From Katgodam travel almost 190 kms from Kathgodam (100 kms from almora via Barecheena or 100 kms from Binsar via gairad bend). Or from Chakouri or Munsiyari one can visit Jhaltola.