Bageshwar

Bageshwar lies at the holy confluence of the Saryu and Gomti rivers in the heart of Kumaon, a town whose name and identity centre on the ancient Bagnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in his tiger (bagh) form. For centuries it has been both a pilgrimage centre and a trading crossroads between the high mountains and the lower hills.

Each January the town comes alive with the Uttarayani fair, one of Kumaon's largest and most colourful festivals, when villagers from across the region gather to bathe at the sangam, trade goods and celebrate folk music and culture in a tradition that stretches back generations.

Bageshwar is also the road gateway to some of Kumaon's grandest treks — the routes to the Pindari, Kafni and Sunderdhunga glaciers all begin from here — and to the scenic vantage points of Kausani and Chaukori nearby, making it a meeting point of faith, festival and Himalayan adventure.

March–June and September–November are most pleasant; the Uttarayani fair in January is a cultural highlight.