Kanatal
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Camp Carnival Dhanaulti | |
|---|---|
Hamlet | |
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| Country |  India |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| District | Tehri |
| Elevation | 2,590 m (8,500 ft) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Vehicle registration | UK 07, UK 09 |
Kanatal is a city in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Kanatal is 78 km from Dehradun (capital of the State Uttarakhand), 38 km from Mussoorie and 12 km from Chamba. It is on the Chamba-Mussoorie highway and nearly 300 km from Delhi.
History
A few years ago[when?] there used to be a lake by the name of Kanatal; now it doesn’t exist. To make it memorable, the place was named Kanatal.
Surkunda Devi is a temple in Kanatal, dedicated to Sati Ji. Kanatal is where Shankar Ji brought her dead body on his trishul from Haridwar. Located at a height of 9995 feet, you get a 360-degree view from the top of the temple. This temple is 8 km on the road to Mussoorie to Kaddukhal. One has to trek 2 km on foot to the little temple. Ponies are available.
Climate
The temperature here hovers between 10-20 degrees Celsius in summers. In winters, it presents a mesmerizing sight of snow carpeted grounds and trees presenting a white wonderland& temperature lies in between 5-10 degrees.
The location experience heavy snow fall blocking roads in winters. Due to high altitude the place unpredictably faces high winds
Accommodation
Kanatal has a few hotels with a view of the snow-covered hills. There are also a few camp grounds like Camp Carnival, Little Jaguar, The Kanatal Orchids - Camps & Resort.
Geography
Kanatal has an average elevation of about 8500 feet (2590 meters). The highest point is Surkunda Devi Temple, at a height of about 9,995 feet. There is scarcity of water; temperature in winters go freezing. The roads are blocked with snow — often crystallized and hard enough to skid vehicles thousands of meters down the valley.
Accessibility
Kanatal is conveniently connected by road to Delhi and major cities. The closest railway station and airport is Dehradun. Taxis are easily available for Kanatal.
Places of interest
- Tehri Dam at New Tehri is quite famous. This dam is built on the confluence of River Bhagirathi and Bhilangna and make for an interesting visit. While at New Tehri, also visit the Pant Research Institute where fruits and plants are grown.
- Kodia Jungle is 1 km away on the road towards Chamba. It is a very nice picnic spot. A level walk of 7 to 8 km will show dense forests opening into a vast expanse of undulating hills and valleys. Tiny, gurgling natural springs are along the way. The track is jeepable. You could spot a few wild animals.
- Mussoorie is 37 km from Kanatal and is a popular tourist destination.
- Chamba is 16 km from Kanatal. Chamba is untouched and untamed by the vices of urbanisation and commercialisation.
- Dhanaulti is 12 km from Kanatal. Dhanaulti is like a cool winter breeze. Unspoilt by commercialisation, one can feel nature here. Treks, pony rides along fruit orchards and water streams appearing from nowhere can keep you busy as there is little commercialisation. Roads to Dhanaulti are not so bad and this can be a place worth visiting.
- Shivpuri is about 75 km from Kanatal and close to Rishikesh is Shivpuri, where you can enjoy rafting. Shivpuri is perhaps the most convenient and popular rafting destination close to Delhi.The best time to go is from September to October and then from March to May. It is closed in the monsoon season.