Hotels Near Almora
Hotels Near Almora
Hotels Near Almora
Jageshwar
The Hindu pilgrimage town of Jageshwar sits, as though frozen in time, perched at an altitude of 6135 feet. Believed to
be the abode of one of the twelve ‘Jyotirlingas’, it is one of the most important religious places for Hindus in Kumaon.
Legend has it that Lord Shiva would come down from his abode and meditate here, surrounded by the thick Deodar
forest.
A grueling six years in the making, Van Serai has truly been a
labour of love. Attention to every detail has resulted in a
unique stay option that has ensured the lodge fits into the local
surroundings seamlessly.
The architectural inspiration of Van Serai comes from the
traditional Kumaoni style of construction. All the rooms and
common areas have been designed keeping in tune with the
local architectural feel. Big verandas in the front and back have
been specially created to let the guests enjoy the greenery and
make the most of the warm sunshine bathing the lodge.
Wellness Programmes
To join a wellness programme, please see the information on
the website or write to us.
Other Details
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VanSeraiJageshwar
Asian Adventures
B-9, Sector-27, Noida - 201301. India.
Mobile: +919266519519, +919312206571, +120 4222797
E-mail: wildindiatours@vsnl.com
Web: www.vanserai.com, www.jageshwar.in & www.asianadventures.in
Terms and Conditions
All tariffs are on per night basis and are in Indian rupees.
Rates subject to change without notice.
Validity: till March 31, 2018
To & fro transportation can be arranged at an extra cost.
Group rates will be given on request
Payment Terms
An advance of 100% is required. All payments to be made in favor of M/S Van Serai (Unit of Asian
Adventures) payable at New Delhi.
Note: There is an option of renting the full lodge and avail this special deal.
The entire lodge of 4 rooms can be rented on self-cooking basis (maximum capacity will be 10 people).
The guests may get their own provisions & supplies of food.
The in-house staff will help in cooking and in housekeeping.
The kitchen is equipped with cooking and dining utensils.
The restaurant may be used by the occupants of the lodge for dining.
Should you wish to avail this option, please write to us and we will quote you the price.
How to reach
Note: We have in-house vehicles; you may ask for transport quote.
Situated in the mountains, Jageshwar can be visited anytime. Summers are cool, winters get quite cold and it may snow.
Being a sacred site, crowds throng the place during important religious festivals.
THE LODGE
We stock a limited selection of beverages at the lodge. All beverages are chargeable. Alcohol is not served at the lodge.
We discourage the use of pre-packaged food items and bottled water as it adds to pollution and is additional cost for us
to carry it all the way back to Haldwani for proper disposal. The guests may get their own food items as per their
preference and are requested to take away as much non-biodegradable material with them. We serve filtered water that is
safe to drink.
Accommodation
Each room has a double bed with fresh linen, fresh towels and warm blankets / duvets. Heaters are provided in cold
weather.
Deluxe Room From the dining area walk up 31 steps, one reaches the deluxe room. The room is equipped with a double
bed, a wooden attic with two separate floor mattresses, en suite toilet with a WC and a hot shower, a verandah
overlooking the deodar forest. Bucket and mugs are provided in the toilet for wash up if the water pressure is less in the
shower or faucet. The size of the room is about 12’x17’.
Superior Room From the dining area walk up 17 steps, one reaches the superior room. The room is equipped with twin
beds, en suite toilet with a WC and a hot shower, a verandah overlooking the deodar forest. Bucket and mugs are
provided in the toilet for wash up if the water pressure is less in the shower or faucet. The size of the room is about
11.5’x13.5’.
Massage Room
From the dining area walk up 31 steps, one reaches the massage room on the same level as deluxe rooms. The room is
equipped with a wooden massage dhroni & other steam equipment, en suite toilet with a WC and a hot shower, a verandah
overlooking the deodar forest. Bucket and mugs are provided in the toilet for wash up if the water pressure is less in the
shower or faucet. The size of the room is about 11’x16’.
Other Important Notes
It can sometimes be quite chilly outdoors at night, even in summer, so do dress warmly. We expect snow in winter.
We provide LPG heaters to keep you warm. Unlimited hot tea, coffee and soup can be made use of.
We do not have an in-house laundry. We send it out to a nearby facility in the village hence we are unable take
responsibility for them. If you would like your clothes laundered, please place the items in the bag and they will be
laundered within 24 hours. Please note that laundry charges are extra.
The power supply is 220V. The plug size is Standard English. The power supply in Jageshwar can be very erratic. The
government has a load-shedding system and shuts down supply sometimes. Unfortunately the timings of load-
shedding are not fixed, power supply may disappear in the mornings on some days, and in the afternoon on others.
We have inverter battery back-up so you will not have the discomfort of the darkness.
As our focus is on developing a nature-centric experience at the lodge, we do not have electricity generators which
cause sound and atmospheric pollution. We usually use emergency lights when there is no electricity and all pathways
are lit by them at night. A staff member can escort you to your cottage.
We would urge our guests to refrain from smoking in and around the lodge, inside the room and in the dining area.
The smaller mammals, wild animals & birds occasionally do enter and pass through the lodge. Guests are requested
not to walk alone at night, Members of our staff will be happy to accompany guest back to their rooms. Please do
not walk barefoot anywhere, not even inside your rooms. If there are unwanted guests in your rooms (spiders,
insects, geckos, etc.) please alert our staff who will remove them. Macaques and Langurs visit the lodge too. Please
ensure that you keep eatables away from them.
We advise you to be careful with your valuables. If there is something you would like to keep safe, our manager will
be happy to assist you.
Jageshwar does not have a bank to change foreign currency. The nearest ATM is in Panuanaula, 5 km from
Jageshwar. Please contact our manager for any assistance.
Almora is the closet town that has a hospital. If you have any medical conditions that we need to be aware of, please
inform our manager. We do not have doctors on call.
If you’d like to leave a tip for our staff at the end of your stay, please do not tip any of our staff individually. There
are many unseen hands who work hard to make your stay comfortable, and we strive to divide tips between the
entire staff. Please leave tips in the Tip Box.
We do not have the facility to charge credit cards at the lodge. We recommend that you carry enough spare cash to
pay for hotel taxes and any extra expenses that you may incur.
Day Activities at Van Serai - Hikes & Excursions
Chittai
Chittai is a famous temple of Golu Devta (god of justice and peculiar to Kumaon). The temple is hung with bells of all
shapes and sizes, brought by grateful devotees.
Lakhudiar
Discover the famous Kali temples, 34 temples in the complex. Another 300m further Vishnu temple dated 9th. to 12th.
C. Enjoy a packed lunch at the banks of the river. From there follow irrigation channels and then upwards through old
Kaphal tree forests towards Lakhudiar. (Prehistoric rock paintings). Drive back to resort. Approx. 30 minutes.
Patal Bhuvneshwar
According to belief King Rituparna of the Sun dynasty (Surya Vansha) discovered the cave in ‘Treta yug’. It has been
described in the ‘MANAS KHAND’ of ‘SKAND PURAN’. It is said that during his visit, he had encountered several
demons and "Sheshnaag" himself acted as his guide.One can see the gateway of the great ages in Patal Bhuvaneshwar.
There are four entrances inside the cave named as ‘Randwar’ ‘Paapdwar’, ‘Dharamdwar’ and ‘Mokshadwar’. The
Paapdwar was closed soon after the death of Ravana and the Randwar, literally, the road to war, was closed down after
the great Mahabharata war. At present only two gateways are opened. Adi Shankaracharya visited this cave in 1191 AD.
That was the beginning of the modern pilgrimage history, at Patal Bhuvaneshwar. The journey inside the cave has to be
carried in feeble lights, holding protective iron chains. The Stone formations of Sheshnag can be seen, holding earth,
heaven the world beneath. ‘Havan’ (fire sacrifice) is performed in a dimly lit, solemn atmosphere, under the spell of holy
chants. The cave, it is believed, is connected by an underground route to Mount Kailash. It is believed that Pandavas, the
‘Mahabharat’ heroes proceeded towards their last journey in the Himalayas after meditating here, in front of Lord Shiva.
This hidden pilgrimage situated at 1,350mts above sea level is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva. Almost every god that you
would have heard of resides in this mystifying cave. It is also believed that you can worship at Patal Bhuvaneshwar is
equivalent to worshipping at Char Dham of Uttarakhand.
The motorable road ends half a kilometer away from the cave entrance. You have to descend nearly 100 steps into this
narrow cave, to reach the sanctum sanctorum, which gives an overwhelming feeling that you’re entering the centre of
the earth. Each stone, each stalagmite within each cave or doorway, in magnificent erection reveals the story of Hindu
pantheon in the shapes of Gods, Goddesses, saints and known mythological characters.
Festivals
Though crowded with devotees, it is an experience in itself to see Jageshwar transform from a sleepy hamlet to a
bustling venue full of religious fervour. Some key festivals celebrated here are:
The Jageshwar Monsoon Festival is held between 15 July to 15 August
Annual Maha Shivratri Mela takes place during March or April
The famous Pooram Festival (April/May) is celebrated at the Vaddakkunnath Temple with nightlong fireworks
and a magnificent elephant procession.
Onam, the harvest festival falls during August or September.
Experiences at Jageshwar
Van Serai is perfect for a peaceful holiday. It is ideally located for those wanting to introspect, meditate or take a break
from their stressful lives. However, for those who like a little action, there is plenty to do in and around Jageshwar.
Temple Visit
A visit to the famous temples is almost mandatory. Reminding you of the stone balanced structures straight out of a
Flintstones comic or Stonehenge, these temples have been here since centuries and are a wonder in themselves. The little
legends and tales around the temples are part of the folklore and intrigues which our local guides would be happy to
share with you.
Treks
At Van Serai, along with usual treks, we have a unique Village trekking experience in store for you. Our concept of the
Village Trek provides an insight into the lives and daily routine of the Kumaoni villager.
On the trek, we take you through thick deodar forests and quaint Kumaoni villages. The highlight is being able to stay at
one of these village houses.
Along with seeing some unforgettable views of the magnificient snow-capped mountain ranges, sighting endemic birds
and local fauna, you get the opportunity to admire and reside in the traditional old Kumaoni houses with carved wooden
doors and windows.
We start the trek at Binsar from where we leave early morning making our way to Jageshwar. Overnight stay in the
village houses gives you a chance to experience their warm and genuine hospitality. The accommodation is rustic but
clean and has all the basic amenities. The village houses have been partially renovated and toilets and bathrooms added
without compromising on the ambience. Traditional food is cooked by the villagers ensuring good hygiene standards.
Mineral water is also provided.
This trek can be done as a full day trek (7-8 hours) or split into 2 days with the option of staying in a village house and
one night in a tent, based on availability.
Since its mostly downhill, it is a relatively easy trek suitable for everyone.
The other short treks are to Vriddha Jageshwar (3 km one way) and Jhakharsain (3 km one way).
Picnics
Nothing like a packed lunch under the Deodar trees while sitting on a large rock by the rivulet. From having grown up
in the area, our staff knows the undiscovered spots with the best rocks. Make paper boats or simply watch the small fish
swim around. For the more adventurous, wash your feet in the chilled water.
Village Visit
You can take a walk around the local villages, admiring the traditional old houses with carved wooden doors and
windows. Watch how time has stood still in some places and modernity has engulfed some others.
A visit to Jageshwar is incomplete without an interaction with a local family accompanied with a local Kumaoni meal. Sit
around the bonfire hearing the local folklore and haunting Kumaoni music and songs. Feel the warm hearted welcome
and make a friend for life. Let our staff know if you‘re interested and we will help put it together for you.
Exploring Caves
The cave structures in and around Jageshwar are absolutely enticing. From small holes in the walls to large caves which
were probably used for Tantric congregations.
The entire countryside around the area is dotted with caves, each one with its own story. The most famous amongst
these are the Airavat Cave and the Pataal Bhuvaneshwar caves, in case you are feeling adventurous enough to explore
them.
Jageshwar Museum
Most of the sculptures and idols found in the Jageshwar temple complex have been housed in the Archaeological
museum just outside the main temple complex. In all, it houses around 174 sculptures, each of them beautiful beyond
words. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the museum, and photographs of the sculptures are not
available either.
Around Jageshwar
Abbott Mount, Binsar, Pangot, Sat Tal, Nainital, Kausani, Ranikhet, Chakori, Munsyari, Mukteshwar & Corbett National
Park are other beautiful destinations nearby which can be combined with your trip to Jageshwar.