Gangolihat the village derives its name from Gangoli, the name of the pargana and Hat, a name by which the place is locally called. It is a small Himalayan hill town in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. It is tehsil and sub divisional headquarter of the district. Gangolihat is famous for its Shakti Peethas of Hat Kalika of goddess Kali. Nearby at , underground caves are major tourist attraction. Also nearby are the tiny hill stations of Chaukori and Berinag.From Gangolihat Panchchuli peaks and Nanda Devi are clearly visible. Gangolihat is 75 kms away from Pithoragarh.



Gangolihat historical town in the lap of the majestic Himalayas. A holy city, well regarded temples and verdant landscaper. A toure in Gangolihat provides one with the unforgettable charisma of impeccable sceneries that would stay with one for a long. It is quite sure that the gushing streams deep ravines,lustrous valleys and most of all the lofty contoured mountain ranges of this hilly resort would unwittingly hold ones breath. Gangolihat looks amazingly vibrant and throbbing.



Gangolihat which is known for its rich culture of folk and ancient myths. Gangolihat, has Mahakali temple Haat Kalika Mandir where Shankaracharya established the Shakti Peeth.. This place is dedicated to lord Shiva. During, the Navaratri festival, a fair is held where pujas and sacrifices are offered.

Geography of Gangolihat

Gangolihat is located at 29.48° N 80.05° E. It has an average elevation of 1,760 metres (5,773 feet). It is 75 km from Pithoragarh. Gangolihat is native of Pant Brahmins.

Climate - Weather Gangolihat

Gangolihat town, being in the valley, is relatively warm during summer and cool during winters. During the coldest months of December - January, the tropical and temperate mountain ridges and high locations receive snowfall and has an average monthly temperature ranging between 5.5 °C and 8 °C. Gangolihat district have extreme variation in temperature due to much altitude gradient. The temperature starts rising from mid March until mid June. The areas situated above 3,500 m remain in a permanent snow cover. Regions lying between 3,000 to 3,500 m become snow bound for four to six months. There are extreme points present at the different places like the river gorges at Dharchula, Jhulaghat, Ghat and Sera, where sometimes temperatures rise up to 40 °C. The annual average rainfall is 36.7 cm. After June the district receives Monsoon showers. Winter set for transhumance - seasonal migration among the Bhotiya tribe with their herds of livestocks to lower warmer areas.



Seasons of Gangolihat

Winter or Cold weather (December - March)

Summer or hot weather (March - June)

Season of general rains (North - West monsoon-Mid June to mid September)

Season of retreating monsoon (September to November)

Tourist places Gangolihat | Places of Interest near Gangolihat | Places Around Gangolihat | Gangolihat Sightseeing | Visiting Places In Gangolihat | Gangolihat Tourist Places |

Gangolihaat is famous for its ancient temples and underground caves. 'Haat Kalika', 'Ambika Dewaal', 'Chamunda Mandir', 'Vaishnavi Mandir' are some of the famous temples here. 'Vaishnavi Mandir' is a special one because from here one can clearly view the Himalayas. This temple is situated on a mountain that is called 'Shail Parvat', which is notable in Hindu holy books.

There are many beautiful underground caves in Gangolihaat. 'Patal Bhuvneshwar', 'Shailashwer Gufa' and 'Mukteshwar Gufa' are most notable ones. A new underground cave has been also found recently and that is called 'Bholeshwar Gufa'.

'Haat Kalika Mandir' was chosen by Sankaracharya for installation of Mahakali Shaktipeeth. It is believed that the Original Goddes Kalika Mata, which supposed to be in West Bangal, shifted her place form Bangal to Gangolihat. This Temple is very famous all over the India, specially among Indian Army Forces. Posthumous Param Veer Chakra award winner Capt. Bikram Batra was a great devotee of Goddess and had created an Army Rest House near the Temple for Army Personnel, who come Gangoihat to get the blessing of Goddess, when they are at borders and fighting against the enemy .

Patal Bhuvaneshwar

It is a place 14 km from Gangolihat, famous for an ancient Temple of Goddess Kali-Mother Deity of Indian Army's Kumaon Regiment. Hatkalika Temple was established by Sankaracharya as a Mahakali Shakti Peeth at Gangolihat. At a distance of 8 km from Gangolihat, there is a village located in Tehsil Didihat, named Bhuvneshwar, where beautiful underground cave of Patal Bhuvaneshwar, the subterranean shrine of Lord Shiva is situated with sprawling interiors exist. Limestone rock formations have created various spectacular stalactite and stalagmite figures. This cave has narrow tunnel like opening which leads to a number of caves. The cave is fully electrically illuminated.

Chaukori

Probably the perfect tourist destination to have full panaromic view of snow capped Himalayan peaks in Gangolihat. It is situated 42 km from Gangolihat and has an altitude of 2010 m. This place is also famous for tea gardens and orchards.

Munsiyari

Munsiyari is situated in the northern part of the Gangolihat district, distance is 124 km. This small town is located at the foot of the main Himalayan peaks, which are covered with snow throughout the year. Munsiyari is in base for the track routes to Milam Glacier, Ralam Glacier, and Namik Glacier, at the base of majestic Himalayan peak Trishuli (7,074 m). This place is also famous for Munshiyari Bugyal, an alpine meadow. Alpine lakes of Maheshwari Kund and Thamri Kund are around Munsiyari. The valley from Munsiyari to Milam is known as Johar Valley.

Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary

Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary is a 599.93 km² wild life sanctuary located around Askot near Didihat, in Pithoagarh district of the Himalaya of Kumaon in Uttarakhand, India.

Dharchula

Dharchula is a nagar panchayat in Gangolihat district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Dharchula is a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. An ancient trading town for the trans-Himalayan trade routes, it is covered by high mountains and is situated on the banks of the river Kali. Dharchula is about 90 km far away from Gangolihat and it lies on the route to the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage tour. The town is virtually split between India and Nepal near the border with Tibet. The Indian side of the town is known as Dharchula whereas its Nepalese counterpart is known as Darchula.

Didihat

Didihat, 54 km from Gangolihat, is a beautiful place with lush natural beauty. Clear view of Himalaya is observed from this place, especially Panchchuli range. Famous for ancient Shira-kot Temple of Lord Malay Nath, built by Reka Kings. Nearby, ten km away from here Narayan Swamy Ashram at Narayan Nager is situated.

Jauljibi

This is a significant trading centre bordering Nepal and 68 km from Gangolihat. Situated at the confluence of rivers Gori and Kali, it turns into a lively fairground annually. In the fair Bhotiya tribes use to sell their woolen articles. A hanging rope bridge across Kali links this place to Nepal. From Jauljibi tribal country of the district actually begins.

Madkot

Madkot, 22 km from Munsiyari, has hot water springs which are supposed to cure rheumatism, arthritis and skin ailments.

Adi-Kailash (Chhota Kailash)

At an altitude of 6,191 M on Indo Tibet border in High Himalayas in Bhotiya country, Adi-Kailash (Chhota Kailash) or Baba Kailash is situated. Trekking from Tawaghat to Jollingkong one can reach here. On the way at Navidhang sacred Hindu peak named Om Parvat, elevation 6,191 M, is visible.

Kailash Mansarover Yatra

The famous Hindu pilgrimage tour to Kailash-Mansarover passes through the district. From Mangti pilgrims have to move on foot.

Jhulaghat

This small town on the banks of river Kali at Indo-Nepal border is named after a hanging rope bridge across the Kali river. Previously it was called 'Juaghat'. Cross-border trade with Nepal takes place through this bridge.

Chhipla Kedar

Chipla Kedar is 34 km from Tawaghat situated 4626 meters (15,177 ft) above sea level. Very scenic and beautiful. An excellent place for trekkers.

Berinag

A small town Berinag is famous for its natural beauty and sprawling tea gardens at an altitude of 2010 m. Berinag is place from where Himalayan snow-clad peaks can be viewed. The area has a number of Nag (snake) temples of Dhaurinag, Feninag, Kalinag, Bashukinag, Pinglenag, and Harinag. Other tourist spots are Tripura Devi Temple, Cave Temple of Koteshwar, Garaun waterfalls, and Musk Deer Farm at Kotmanya. The Berinag is named after the Nagveni King Benimadhava.

Jhaltola

A small village between Chaukori and Patal Bhuvanshwar, it was an erstwhile tea estate and is at an altitude of 2100 meters to 2600 meters asl. There is an old Shive temple at the top of the mountain known as Lamkeshwar mahadev, it is an upcoming offbeat destination for tourists interested in nature, himalayan views and birding. The village is surrounded on three sides by fabulous mixed forests and has the widest range of Himalayan views in Kumaon and a vibrant flora and fauna.


Distance between Gangolihat

Gangolihat is 60 km distance from its District Main City Pithoragarh . And 227 km distance from its State Main City Dehradun.

Near By towns are Gangolihat (0 k.m.), Patal Bhuvaneshwar 10 kms, Berinag (43.7 k.m.), Pithoragarh (60.4 k.m.), Didihat (35.8 k.m.) Chaukori (30 kms)

Gangolihat Pin Code is 262522

How To Reach Gangolihat

The nearest major railway station to Gangolihat is Kathgodam (KGM) which is at a distance of 181 kilometres. The nearest airport is at New Delhi which is at a distance of 312 kilometres.

Air: Nearest airport is Naini Saini (Pithoragarh)

Rail:Nearest railhead is Tanakpur

Road: Gangolihat is well connected with the region by regular bus service.

By Road

Tanakpur-Gangolihat and Haldwani-Gangolihat mettled roads with buses, jeep and other light vehicles regularly in service everyday.

By Railway

Nearest railway terminals are : Tanakpur in Champawat district connected with Gangolihat by 151 Km long motor route via Champawat and Lohaghat.

Kathgodam in Nainital district connected with Gangolihat by 212 Kilometers long motor route via Bhowali, Almora, Daniya and Rameshwar.

By Air

The closest airport is Naini Saini at Pithoragarh, but is yet not operational. Another option is to take flight from Delhi to Pantnagar & further drive to Patal Bhuvaneshwar (Kingfisher Airlines operates during season time). Pant Nagar in Udham Singh Nagar district.