Plan your trip · Ranikhet
What's on in Ranikhet
Ranikhet's calendar is small and local, tied to the Kumaoni year and the town's temples. Most dates follow the lunar calendar, so check them each year.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Ranikhet right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Ranikhet
Ranikhet's calendar runs through most of the year, with the busiest weeks in the clear, comfortable months and a quieter stretch in the heaviest rain. Broadly, Oct – Mar and Apr – Jun is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Nanda Devi Mela
The goddess Nanda Devi is honoured across Kumaon, and Ranikhet holds its own Nanda Devi fair. Almora's larger fair, which dates back to the Chand kings, usually falls around late August or September. Expect processions, folk music, stalls and crowds of families from nearby villages. The dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year.
Janmashtami and the autumn festival
The Almora district administration lists Janmashtami, the birth of Krishna, and an autumn festival among Ranikhet's regular events. Janmashtami usually falls in August or September. Ask locally what is planned for the year, as smaller events are not always announced far ahead.
Navratri at Jhula Devi
Navratri, the nine nights of the goddess, falls twice a year, in spring and in autumn. As a goddess temple, Jhula Devi is at its busiest during these weeks, with more devotees and more bells. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Mahashivratri at Binsar Mahadev
Binsar Mahadev, about 19 km from Ranikhet, draws large crowds on Mahashivratri, usually in February or March. Traffic on the narrow forest road can be slow, so leave early.
Syalde Bikhauti at Dwarahat
The old temple town of Dwarahat, not far from Ranikhet, holds the Syalde Bikhauti fair in the month of Vaisakh, usually in April. It is known for folk dances such as the jhora and chanchari and for a ritual in which groups strike a stone to recall an ancient clan victory. It is a good chance to see Kumaoni village culture.
Army occasions
As a regimental town, Ranikhet also sees army events, parades and ceremonies. Some roads or grounds in the cantonment may close for these. Follow any instructions from army staff and do not photograph parades unless it is clearly allowed.
Holidays and crowds
Diwali, Christmas and New Year, and the May–June school holidays bring the most visitors, and rooms fill early. See the best time to visit for the seasons.
Questions
Ranikhet — FAQ
When is the Nanda Devi Mela in Ranikhet?
It usually falls in late summer, around August or September, following the lunar calendar. Confirm the dates locally each year.
How far is Dwarahat from Ranikhet?
It is a short drive into the hills beyond Ranikhet. Allow about an hour, and more on fair days.
Is Jhula Devi busy during Navratri?
Yes, it is the temple's busiest time. Visit early in the morning for a calmer darshan.