\ PANDAVKHOLI

41 kms from Ranikhet on route to Badrinath is a place called Dwarahat were 12^th century old temples which are protected by the archaeological society of India lie. This place was once the capital of the chand Rajas who ruled the Kumaon in 15/16 century. We take the route to dronagiri which is 12 kms from Dwarahat  a 12 century temple of Durga Devi on top of a hill were people come from all over the country to pay there respects and tie bell on fulfilment of there wish one can have a beautiful aerial view of the Dwarahat town from Dronagiri temple which one can negotiate by climbing about 450 steps from the road to the temple. 5kms from Dronagiri is the place were the road terminates and we start our 5km trek to Pandavkholi which is 9000 ft. above the sea level  a place which is an alpine meadow called a bugyal in local language.

            After  climbing for about two hours through dense jungle , deep falls and immaculate view of  great Himalayas we suddenly find a big  open space of land with green grass which we were later told was the famous herb the “ Vajradanti” it was to our surprise when we met Mr. Harish Lal Sah of Ranikhet who is dearly called and his friends who have made an ashram in the memory of Mahant Balwantgiri Maharaj with facility of staying for about 15 persons and space for pitching tent  everywhere. To our luck they were organising a bhandara and lots of villagers had collected to pay there respects to the pandavas which they believe had stayed here during there 14 year exile. From Pandavkholi a more hardy treker can also trek to Bharatkot which is 11000 fts or even to Kausani . Mr sah told us that at the base of the hill there is a cave which finds it description in the famous book,  “Autobiography of a Yogi”.

            After a tiring walk and a nap atop the hill in the lush green meadow were once pandavas would have rested we were offered lunch during the bhandara which was a treat for us in itself. Thanks to Mr Sah  for the lovely lunch we started descending down because we were keen on watching the cave of Pandavkholi, which we found at the base of the hill of Pandavkholi  which was about10ft high 5ft wide and I tried to enter it but could only go a few yards and found it closed by a man made wall of bricks. I later on came to know that now this cave has possession of the yogda society who have closed the cave . This society also has an ashram at Dwarahat .

After a hectic days workout we returned to Ranikhet where we were staying with lovely memories of the beautiful meadow of Pandavkholi and ashram of Balwant giri Maharaj.

Meadow at Pandavkholi

Temple at Pandavkholi

Pathway Leading to Pandavkholi