Chaukhutia: The Beautiful Valley in The Heart of Uttarakhand

12:23:00 Pawan Kiraula 2 Comments

Ranikhet is surrounded by several beautiful places and the most important place is, a beautiful place known as Chaukhutia, a lovely place located in the bank of Holy Ramganga River (a tributary of the river Ganges). Located at just 52 km from Ranikhet this place is explorer’s delight. If you are visiting Badrinath Dham then you must make this place a halt so that you can enjoy the beauty of the valley.

Lovely View of Chaukhutia Town


The Name of this place is originated from a kumaoni word “Chau-khut” and it means four feet. This is quite interesting right, in what context the four feet is connected to this place? The four feet means four ways, First way is headed towards Ramnagar (the Gateway of Hill Area People to The Planes), Second is towards Karnaprayag (gateway to Badrinath Dham), Third one is towards Ranikhet and Almora and the fourth one is towards Kheera and Tadagtal (Place Associated with Pandavas). Chaukhutia is a place which provide an easy access to the entire Kumaon and Garhwal region. Due to the connectivity of this place to these several places, the entire Kumaon and Garhwal region is easily accessible.

Mesmarizing The Gewar Ghati
Photo Courtesy: Mr. Bhaskar Joshi

Chaukhutia is having great historical past and it is a birth place of an immortal love story of Rajula-Malushahi of Uttarakhand. Also there are several evidences that prove that Pandavas (Characters of Epic Mahabharata) had their adobe in Chaukhutia and adjoining area during the period when Pandavas were in secret exile. The pleasant weather throughout the year of this place makes this place an anytime visiting place.

Gewar Ghati - The Heart of Uttarakhand


Chaukhutia is also known as Vairaat. It is said that the present Chaukhutia Was the Capital of King Virata of Hindu Epic Mahabharata. According to the Hindu epic Mahabharata Virata was a king in whose court the Pandavas spent a year in concealment during their exile. Virata was married to Queen Sudeshna and was the father of Prince Uttara and Princess Uttarā, who married Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna. Thus every time we can see that this place is related to the Great Epic Mahabharata. So if you are an explorer then this place is certainly a treasure for you. 

Monsoon View of Gewar Ghati


Chaukhutia is a beautiful small town of Gewar Ghati or Gewar Canyon (The entire region from Chaukhutia, Dwarahat, Taragtal, Kheera, Naithana, Jauraasi, Masi, Naigaar, belongs to Gewar Ghati or Gewar Canyons). Because of the lovely landscape of Gewar Ghati and greenery, people had given this place several names. Even today people call it ‘Navrangi Gewar’ or ‘Rangilo Gewar’ it is also known as Kashmir of Kumaon.

You will not find any palaces and monuments here but the legends and the beauty of the place says the entire story itself.

I would like to thank Mr. Bhaskar Joshi for his contribution for this blog.

2 comments:

  1. सुन्दर प्रयास भाई पवन किरौला जी .. आशा करता हूँ आपके ब्लॉग के माध्यम से कई अन्य जानकारी प्राप्त होंगे |
    धन्यवाद

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