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| Awesome road to Bigul |
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| View from Bigul |
Mr. Ganesh Negi took out a Vodka quarter from his back pocket and just gulped a shot! I looked at him keenly- an old man with salt n pepper hair with piercing eyes. The rickety meter gauge train rocked and Mr. Negi's grip on vodka bottle tightened as if it was his most precious possession. We both were traveling to Lalkuan, Uttarakhand, me proceeding to on my 2nd visit to Chaukori and Mr. Negi to Nanital, by Nanital Express in a 1st class coupe from Aishbaug, Lucknow."On that day in 1798, as usual, Sargent James Scott climbed the hill top with few soldiers, my great grandfather being one of them", continued Mr. Negi wiping his lips with his hand. "The Sargent took his bigul ( a sound blowing instrument) out and blew it, may be several times. Then he waited. The soldiers started looking around. Slowly they saw figures climbing up through mist. The villagers had arrived. Soon the soldiers were busy collecting clothes, grains, money as Lagaan (Tax), a monthly routine, practiced by British in India. That's how the village was named as BIGUL." Mr. Negi took a pause and started staring at me.
"what?" I asked him.
"Just go to Bigul. It's a paradise", said Mr. Negi and walked out of coupe.I got down at Lalkuan on a misty morning. Took a pre arranged taxi waiting for me. By then I had changed my plan and instead of going directly to Chaukori, I had made up my mind to visit BIGUL, which I believed was 15 kms before Chaukori. It was a long journey, hence had to break at Ranikhet and then Kausani finally reaching BIGUL by the evening.
The journey was beautiful and BIGUL?....My goodness... AWESOME!!!
Bigul is a beautiful tiny hamlet, an untapped destination, a heaven for nature lovers. A place to ensure peace and harmony amidst the thick forest & great Himalayan range in Kumaon Uttarakhand. The place ideally suitable for people who want to be in the midst of nature and looking for fresh ambiance, unpolluted environment and relaxing holiday and introspection.
What I saw in 2 days was most breathtaking views of Himalayas & verdant Kumaon Valley, surrounded by virgin, untapped, lush green valley & thick forest, where you find yourself entirely in harmony with nature. Untouched and unexplored. I stayed at Hari Darshan Resort, Bigul, which now, I believe is named as "Holistic Himalayas". Please check. You can also stay at beautiful KMVN rest House, Chaukori whch is only 15 kms from BigulGreat Excursions from or before Bigul:
- Patal Bhuvaneshwar - 52 Kms
- Kanda - 8 Kms
- Bhadrakali Cave - 25Kms by road or 2 hrs trek
- Bisnar - 88 Kms
- Kausani - 70 Kms
- Gwaldom - 82 Kms
- Chaukori - 15 Kms
- Berinag - 27 Kms
Routes:
There are three different routes to reach Bigul from Almora. By train from Delhi or by train from Lucknow to LalKuan or Kathgodam
Kathgodam-Almora - Binsar - Bageshwar - Bigul (Shortest approx 110 Kms)
Kathgodam-Almora - Kausani- Bageshwar - Bigul
Kathgodam-Almora - Dholchhina - Berinag- Udiyari Band- Chaukori- BigulStay at Bigul:
Holistic Himalayas( Hari Darshan Resort)
(Kumaon Hideaway Retreat)
95 Kms from Kasaardvei
Bigul, Near Vijaypur, Kanda Road, Distt. Bageshwar, Uttarakhand.www.holistichimalayas.com+91 94123 75580 | 94129 07897
Email : holistichimalayas@gmail.com