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A weathered carved stone lion-like figure on a temple wall at the Badrinath group of temples in Dwarahat
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Photo: Ms Sarah Welch · CC0
Day plancultureTemples & heritagebalanced

A day to Dwarahat — the Katyuri temples and Majkhali on the way back

A day trip from Ranikhet to the Katyuri-era temples of Dwarahat, 74 minutes north, with the Ratan Deo group and a stop at Majkhali on the way back.
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A day out of Ranikhet to the temples of Dwarahat, about 74 minutes north by road, where the Katyuri kings left their pyramidal stone temples. The return stops at Majkhali, a village on the Almora road. For a shorter day nearer town, see the one-day plan.

Photos: Ms Sarah Welch (CC0) · Ms Sarah Welch (CC0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

Who this is for

Visitors with a taste for old stonework and quiet villages, who do not mind a long drive on hill roads, between March and November.

Day by day

Day 1

Katyuri temples and a picnic village

3 stops · 1 h 10 min on the road

A long drive north for the ancient temples, then back via Majkhali.

  1. 10:30
    Badrinath Group of Temples, Dwarahat
    temple · 1 h 14 min from Ranikhet · about 45 min there
    The best-preserved of Dwarahat's temple groups, in the pyramidal Katyuri style, about 74 minutes from Ranikhet.
  2. ↓ a short walk
    12:30
    Ratan Deo Group of Temples, Dwarahat
    temple · 1 h 14 min from Ranikhet · about 30 min there
    The seven small shrines of the Ratnadewal group, in the same town.
  3. ↓ 1 h 9 min by road · 32 km
    16:00
    Majkhali
    village · 22 min from Ranikhet · about 45 min there
    The picnic village on the Ranikhet–Almora road, about 22 minutes from Ranikhet, with a view of the snow peaks.

Getting there

Ranikhet is about 354 km from Delhi, and Dwarahat about 34 km and 74 minutes beyond it on our routing. See how to reach Ranikhet for the arrival table, and when to visit.

Where to stay

Stay in Ranikhet and drive out for the day. We have no verified lodging, prices or booking rules.

Know before you go

  • Start early; the drive each way is over an hour on hill roads.
  • The temples are small and weathered; take water and a hat.
  • We have no verified opening hours for the temples or Majkhali.

Places on this route

The Dwarahat temples — the Badrinath group and other Katyuri-era shrines north of Ranikhet
The Dwarahat temples — the Badrinath group and other Katyuri-era shrines north of Ranikhet
temple · 1 h 14 min from Ranikhet

Going together

No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.

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Other ways to do it

All Ranikhet itineraries →
One day in Ranikhet — the view point, two temples and Tarikhet
One day in Ranikhet — the view point, two temples and Tarikhet
Day plan · First visit · Temples & heritage
A one-day Ranikhet plan: the town view point, the Haidakhan Babaji and Jhula Devi temples, and Tarikhet village, with road times from town. Free to copy.
Best Mar–May · Sep–Oct
See the plan →

More places nearby

All of Ranikhet →
Jhula Devi Temple — the bell-hung Durga shrine above Ranikhet
Jhula Devi Temple — the bell-hung Durga shrine above Ranikhet
temple · 9.7 km away
Haidakhan Babaji Temple — the Shiva temple at Chilianaula
Haidakhan Babaji Temple — the Shiva temple at Chilianaula
temple · 10 km away
Katarmal Sun (Surya) Temple, Almora — Bara Aditya and its 44 shrines
Katarmal Sun (Surya) Temple, Almora — Bara Aditya and its 44 shrines
temple · 11 km away
Kainchi Dham, Nainital
Kainchi Dham, Nainital
temple · 28 km away

Nearby destinations

All destinations →
The town of Almora spread across a terraced ridge under a blue sky with clouds
Almora
22 km away · 2 itineraries · 4 places
Rows of boats with red cushioned seats moored on Nainital Lake, with forested hills across the water
Nainital
28 km away · 2 itineraries · 5 places
A grassy mountain meadow among rocky outcrops and forest at Chopta, with snow peaks hazy in the distance
Chopta
97 km away · 3 itineraries · 4 places
Joshimath's houses spread down a steep mountain slope above a deep valley, with high ridges and blue sky beyond
Joshimath
102 km away · 2 itineraries · 4 places
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Questions people ask

How far is Dwarahat from Ranikhet?

About 34 km and 74 minutes by road on our routing; Wikivoyage gives 38 km. Dwarahat stands at about 1,510 m on the road that links Almora, Ranikhet, Garhwal and Someshwar. Allow a full day for the drive and the temples, and leave early so you are back in Ranikhet before dark.

What is there to see at Dwarahat?

Ancient stone temples of the Katyuri kings, mostly dated to the 11th century: the Badrinath group, the Ratnadewal shrines, the abandoned Mritunjaya temple and the court temples. Wikipedia says the town once had about 30 temples, and many were damaged. Carved friezes survive near the Syalde tank.

Can Dunagiri be added to this day?

Dunagiri, at about 2,400 m above Dwarahat, has a famous temple of the goddess Dunagiri Devi. We have no verified road time from Ranikhet, so we have not added it. If you plan to go, ask locally about the road and allow a second day or a very early start.