Temples, Trees & Timelessness : PAURI, GARHWAL
Once you reach Pauri, the possibilities are endless — but remember, the town shuts down early (around 8 p.m.) because of frequent leopard sightings, limited commercial activity, and its low population density. Plan your days well!
Kandoliya Temple
The gentle ringing of bells along the stairs adds a mystical feel to the journey.
Right opposite is the Kandoliya Park and Restaurant — highly recommend their simple yet delicious parathas!
Kyunkaleshwar Temple
Not far from Kandoliya, a petal-strewn road surrounded by rhododendron trees (called Buransh locally) takes you to Kyunkaleshwar.
The temples here, humble and serene, capture the ancient spirit of Hindu culture — grounded, beautiful, and timeless, untouched by modern chaos.
Ransi Stadium
Although you can no longer go inside, just standing at the edge of Ransi Stadium fills you with wonder.
A symbol of energy and movement, surrounded by the deep stillness of hills — it’s a paradox you have
to feel in person.
Nagdev Temple
One of our absolute favorites.
Arrive early — we reached by 8 a.m. and had the whole serene, dense forest to ourselves. I have never experienced a temple amidst such raw, dense and serene nature. It was a sunny day outside but the temple premises (the point where you start climbing) were absolutely moist, breezy and shaded all the way in, yes the forests are that dense.
Maggie Point/ Winterline Point/ Sunset Point
Right at the turn as depicted in the map above, if you stop during Sunset, prepare for breathtaking skylines! Just behind you, is also a maggie shop and a park alongside, a beautiful tribute to General Bipin Rawat.
Photo Point
Loved the simple yet fun idea of framing the view!
Snow-clad peaks create the perfect background for quick, memorable photo sessions.
Teka Road
Step farming as far as the eye can see — it’s absolutely exclusive and mesmerizing.
We stopped at Himalayan Cafe, after visiting Nagdev Temple, and headed for Danda Nagraj, where we had breakfast with stunning 360° views.
Don’t miss their dry thukpa.
Danda Nagraj
Chainsu ki dal and Bhaat , my favourite, favourite memory from our Uttarakhand trip- We had it at a shop from where the ascend
to the temple begins. The local aunty who ran the shop was full of stories and warmth — we exchanged
numbers with promises to meet again someday.
The temple is of course beautiful, the views amazing, the ride, even better. The priest at the temple did a
little Puja with everyone who was visiting and that felt really surreal.
Mini Pit-Stop on the way back
You'll pass by many small temples along the way- quiet, tucked-away places full of charm. We stopped
by one such temple on our way back from Danda Nagraj, shown in the picture below.
What truly took us by surprise was the sheer size of the Thuja tree, known in India as “Vidya ka Ped.” Towering above everything around, it was the first time we’d seen one on such a monumental scale- commanding attention and awe with its presence.
Stay
Vasant Vasoj Homestay
A beautiful, cozy place with wonderful hosts — I absolutely loved Uncle (Shivansh’s father), whose
warmth made our stay very special.
The view from the room is truly ethereal, with snow-clad peaks in sight.
The backyard of the property is a stepped farm; I just wished there was access to it for a little stroll and
sun-bath.
Food to Relish
Kandolia Restaurant-
When visiting Kandoliya Temple, cover your meal here. It's simple and delicious. We had veg
sandwiches, Paratha and Thukpa- the first two were really refreshing and soul-satisfying. Notice the
Aipan (traditional red and white design of Uttarakhand) on the wall.
Forest Farm Café- A must-visit while in Pauri!
Perfect for slowing down — enjoy a hearty meal, sip on great coffee, read a book, sway on the swing,
or simply soak up the sun. A peaceful, happy space to just be.
While we were at the cafe, Harshit stumbled upon this book — Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t
Read Maps . I started reading it there, and later, after we got back, I ended up reading more, an interesting read.
Cafe Woodfire- Honestly, we didn't enjoy this place much. It felt very closed-in, the food was average, and
unfortunately, they were out of milk, so no coffee and alfredo pasta for us that day.
Amber Cafe- We discovered this one later through some research. While we didn’t get a chance to visit firsthand,
the Google reviews and photos looked really promising — definitely bookmarking it for next time!
Buransh-
If you happen to be in Pauri during rhododendron season, don’t miss the chance to taste a freshly
plucked flower along your walk — they’re everywhere! And before you leave, be sure to grab a bottle
of delicious Buransh squash to enjoy as a refreshing summer drink back home.
Until Next Time
Pauri isn’t just a place; it’s a feeling.
It reminds you of how beautiful simplicity can be — raw forests, humble temples, delicious local food, and warm people.
If you want to truly experience the slow mountains, beyond the crowds and commercialization,
Pauri is waiting for you.
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