Berinag is an area with a number of temples dedicated to the ‘Nag Devta’ (Snake God) like Dhaulinag, Kalinag, Feninag, Bashukinag, Pinglenag & Harinag.  The most famous snake temple which is in Berinag (called as ‘Veninag’ locally) itself, is dedicated to one of the several manifestations of Lord Vishnu.  The Legends have it that the place came to known as Berinag in commemoration of Nagveni Dyanasty King Benimadhava,who ruled the region.  It is also believed  that when  the ‘Pant’ Gotra people migrated to the region from Maharashtra, in order to settle here, they saw numerous snakes of various hues & shapes, lying coiled all around the place in very large numbers and as a mark of reverence to them, they built a snake temple here in the fourteenth century A.D. It is a  also a popular  belief here that Lord Krishna after having conquered the mighty snake king ‘Kaliyanag’, who ruled the Yamuna river, commemorated as the ‘Kaliya daman’  in the scriptures, advised him to leave  the river Yamuna and settle somewhere  amidst  the snowy peaks,  Kalinagfollowed  by  many of his disciples,  came over  to stay around here and have stayed here eversince.  To visit Berinag one has to travel about 6 kms. from main Chaukori-Thal road on to a side road, from a place called Udiyari Bend.

Earlier part of Almora district, Pithoragarh was carved out as a separate district in wake of the Chinese aggression in 1960. Berinag offers a panoramic view of the Greater Himalayas, from Garhwal Himalayas to the Nepal ranges. The region is famous for its tea estates developed during the British rule. The climate is pleasant with December too February being the colder months with some snow, and July to October hosting the rains.

Berinag was a major worship centre under the Chand rulers, and consequently abounds in religious folklore and culture, with numerous temples dotting the landscape. An ideal place for trekking and mountain excursions. Enjoy a panoramic view of the towering peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nandakot and Panchachulli. Explore beautiful tea gardens at Chaukori and a natural cavern with rock formations of striking resemblance to Gods and Goddesses, right beside the ancient cave temple, Patal Bhuvaneshwar and ancient temple of “Haat-Kalika” at Gangolihaat,it offers a breathtaking view of Himalayan peaks such as the famed Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nandakot and Panchachulli – Sentinels of the Central Himalayas. The Tea Gardens at Chaukori too offer a wonderful view of the snow-capped peaks, especially at sunset

SIGHTSEEING

PATAL BHUBANESHWAR

And about 43 km away, lays the ancient cave temple of Patal Bhuvaneshwar, a deep cavern whose natural rock formations bear a striking resemblance to the Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu pantheon.

CHAUKORI (2010M)

12 kms from Berinag is famous for its tea gardens established by British. Here in the Mystique of the Mountains mists and the flutter of birds in the swirling clouds that shroud the emerald valley. One can view the snow clad peaks of Chukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Panchachulli in their towering glory. In close proximity to Chaukori is Berinag, also famous for tea gardens. The legendary Jim Corbett Owned a tea garden here. There are many Nag (Snake) temples like Dhaulinag, Kalinag, Feninag, Bashukinag, Pingalnag and Harinag etc. near Chaukori and Berinag.  

DIDIHAT

30 km from Berinag. It commands an unsurpassable view of Panchachulli peak.

GANGOLIHAT

28 KM FROM Berinag is an important religious centre, and boasts of the Famous Haat Kalika Temple. 9 km beyond Gangolihat is the Patal Bhuvaneshwar temple complex with a natural cave. The lime rocks inside the cave here taken various fascinating shapes due to the effect of water. The cave is believed to be the abode of the deities of Hindu Pantheon.

HOW TO REACH BERINAG

By Road: Berinag is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand and northern India. Buses from ISBT Anand Vihar are available to Champawat, Almora, Tanakpur, Haldwani and many other destinations from where you can easily hire a local cab to reach Berinag. Taxis and buses are easily available to Berinag from major destinations of Kumaon region.

By Rail: The nearest railheads to Berinag are Kathgodam and Tanakpur. The distance from Tanakpur Railway station to Berinag is 169kms, and Kathgodam Railway station is situated at a distance of 160kms from Berinag. Taxis and buses are easily available from Tanakpur and Kathgodam to Almora, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Berinag. Tanakpur and Kathgodam are well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India.

By Air: : The nearest airport to Berinag is Pantnagar Airport. Pantnagar airport is situated 195kms from Berinag in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. Taxis are available from Pantnagar Airport to Pithoragarh, Almora, Bageshwar and Berinag. Pantnagar is connected to Delhi with daily flights. Pant Nagar Airport is well connected by motorable roads with Berinag. Naini Saini Airport is situated in Pithoragarh but flights to Naini Saini are not very frequent.

Distance from Delhi by Road: 478 Kms,
Distance from Pithoragarh-76 Kms
Nearest Airport: Pantnagar 221 Kms
Nearest Railhead: Kathgodam 184 Kms
Temperature: Summer- Max. 24°C. Min 12°C
                       Winter- Max. 12°C. Min -5°C