Ramnagar, Nainital

Ramnagar (Kumaoni: Rāmnagar) is a town and municipal board in the Nainital district of Kumaon in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is located approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) from Nainital, the headquarters of the district.
Ramnagar is a gateway to the Corbett National Park, the oldest national park and a famous tourist destination. The Garjiya Devi Temple and Sitabani temple, Sitabani Wildlife Reserve located nearby also attract many visitors.
Uttarakhand Board of School Education is headquartered in Ramnagar. The board was set up in 2001, and is responsible for administering courses of instructions, textbooks, and to conduct examinations for secondary school students of the state.
Ramnagar is located at 29.40°N 79.12°E.
It has an average elevation of roughly 345 metres (1,132 feet). Ramnagar is located at the foothills of the Himalayas on the bank of river Kosi. The town is visited by many tourists due to its geographical location near Corbett National Park. Its proximity to Nainital which is a famous hill station of Northern India makes it even more popular. There is a Barrage on Kosi River in Ramnagar where many migratory birds such as Ruddy Shelduck arrive in winter.
According to the 2011 Indian Census, the town consists of 54,787 people. The state of Uttarakhand has literacy rate of 87.6 percent, which is higher than Nation's average of 74.04 percent.
The town is named after British commissioner Sir Henry Ramsay who established it in 1850 during the British rule in India During the British rule tea gardens were developed in Ramnagar and nearby villages in Uttarakhand. But these tea gardens have been closed for a long time. Ramnagar is most visited for Corbett National Park named after the hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett who played a key role in its establishment. It is the oldest national park in India which was established in 1936. And ancient temples like Garjia Devi Temple and Sita Bani Temple both carry a lot of myths and legends behind them, which attracts a huge number of visitors every year.
Historical and archaeological evidence suggests that Ramnagar and its surroundings have been inhabited since ancient times. The village of Dhikuli, located near Ramnagar, has been identified with significant ancient settlements.
According to Edwin T. Atkinson’s Himalayan Gazetteer (1882), Dhikuli contains ruins that suggest the presence of an early civilization. The village is believed to have been built from materials derived from the ruins of an earlier city. Scholars have identified this site with Vairāt-pātan, the capital of an ancient kingdom, which was subordinate to Indraprastha. References in The Indian Historical Quarterly (1936) and The Indian Antiquary (1920) describe the area as having remnants of tanks and scattered buildings, hinting at a once-flourishing ancient settlement.
Moreover, the 7th-century Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) mentions visiting Govisana, an ancient capital of the region. Some scholars, including Fuhrer (MAI, p. 49), have identified Dhikuli with Govisana, indicating its historical significance. The area contains ancient temple ruins, stone structures, and tanks, possibly dating back to the Katyuri period (8th–12th centuries), further attesting to its antiquity.
During the medieval period, the region came under the influence of various ruling dynasties. The Katyuri dynasty controlled large portions of Kumaon and Garhwal, including Ramnagar and its surrounding areas. The Katyuris were known for their temple architecture, some of which are still found in the region.
After the decline of the Katyuris, the Chand dynasty rose to power in the 13th century, establishing Almora as their capital. The Chand rulers extended their influence over the Bhabar belt, including Ramnagar, and promoted trade and agricultural development. The strategic location of Ramnagar along trade routes made it an important center for commerce, facilitating the movement of forest produce, grains, and local goods to the plains.
The arrival of the British in the early 19th century marked a turning point for the region. Following the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816), the British East India Company annexed Kumaon under the Treaty of Sugauli (1816), bringing the Bhabar belt, including the future site of Ramnagar, under their control.
The British administration recognized the region’s potential for agriculture and timber trade. In 1850, George Ramsay, the British Commissioner of Kumaon, formally established the town of Ramnagar by relocating a nearby settlement from Chilikya to the current site on the banks of the Kosi River. The choice of location was strategic, offering fertile lands, access to water, and connectivity to existing trade routes.
The British promoted the expansion of agriculture and forestry around Ramnagar. A canal from the Kosi River was constructed, irrigating approximately 5–7 miles of farmland and boosting agricultural productivity. The region became a hub for sugarcane, grain, and cotton cultivation, which were traded in nearby markets.
Ramnagar also emerged as a key transport link. The Ramnagar-Ranikhet cart road, constructed by the British, became the primary artery for transporting timber and agricultural goods. This road, covering approximately 10 miles, facilitated the movement of goods between the plains and the Kumaon hills. According to the Nainital District Gazetteer (1904), this road was one of the most critical routes for commercial traffic, linking Garhwal and Almora with the plains.
The Imperial Gazetteer of India documented Ramnagar’s increasing importance, describing it as a vital trade post exporting timber, resin, and forest products to the plains. The expansion of roads and trade networks transformed Ramnagar into a prominent administrative and commercial center.
Following India’s independence in 1947, Ramnagar remained part of Uttar Pradesh. During this period, the town witnessed gradual infrastructural growth, including the improvement of road networks, further enhancing its connectivity. In 2000, with the creation of the state of Uttarakhand, Ramnagar became part of the new state. This administrative change brought increased development focus, with improvements in transport, education, and civic infrastructure.
Ramnagar’s proximity to Jim Corbett National Park (established in 1936) further boosted its significance. The park’s growing popularity drew tourists, turning Ramnagar into a gateway town for wildlife tourism. The influx of visitors contributed to the expansion of hotels, guesthouses, and local businesses, but the town’s historical identity remained tied to its colonial foundations and strategic location.
Corbett National Park is 10 km from Ramnagar. It is spread across 86 km north of Ramnagar. Established in 1936 as the Hailey National Park, Corbett National Park is the oldest and one of the most sought after national parks in India. It is India's first sanctuary to come under Project Tiger. The park was named after the hunter-naturalist turned author and photographer, Jim Corbett who lived in the region and contributed in setting up this park. Visitors can move about in vehicles (only local gypsies with the permit) inside the park area after making entries at the respective gates. Tourists now cannot drive their own cars inside Corbett. They have to hire gypsies with permits from Ramnagar. Permits are necessary for entering Corbett Tiger Reserve. Permits are issued at the CTR Reception Office in Ramnagar. Other places worth visiting in the region are the Crocodile Pool, Dhikala Machaan, Getheryo Library (Dhikala), Corbett Museum (Dhangadi gate), Corbett falls.
Garjiya Devi Temple is located in the Garjiya village near Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, India. It is a sacred Shakti shrine where Garjiya Devi is the presiding deity. The temple is situated over a large rock in the Kosi River and is one of the most famous temples of the Nainital district visited by thousands of devotees during Kartik Poornima, a Hindu holy day celebrated on the fifteenth lunar day of Kartik (November – December). It is also known as the festival of lights of the gods.[1] The Kartik Purnima festival also coincides with the Sikh festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Sita Bani Temple is dedicated to Devi Sita, consort of Lord Rama. It is believed that she entered into the lap of Mother Earth here. Every year, a fair is held here during Ramanavami. It is located at a distance of 20 km from Ramnagar.
The Tumaria Dam is located about 17 km from Ramnagar in Maldhan village on Kosi river bank and is a major tourist attraction.
Hinduism is the majority religion in Ramnagar with 55.91% followers [3]. Islam is second most popular religion in city with 42.92% following it. In Ramnagar, Christianity is followed by 0.35% and Sikhism by 0.73%.
The local Kumaoni food includes Bhatt ki Churkani, Jholi-Bhat, Gaahat ke Dubke, Channe ke Dubke, Ras-Bhat, Manduwe ki Roti, Paalak ka Kaapa, Bhang ki Chutni, singhodi, Aloo Ke Gutke, Thechwani, Bal Mithai, Singal, Bichoo Saag.
Ramnagar is also popular for having so many resorts for the tourists to accommodate. More than 100 resorts are located here.
The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, 81.6 km away via UT SH 41 and 77.3 km away via NH 87 in the town of Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar district. However Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi is the nearest international airport which is 255 km away.
Another major airport from Ramnagar is Bareilly Airport which is located around 145 km and connected to cities like Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru.
In 1907, during the British Raj the railway line in Uttarakhand was extended from Moradabad to Ramnagar. Ramnagar railway station is under the administrative control of the Izzatnagar division of the North Eastern Railway zone of the Indian Railways. The station is located about 65 km from Nainital. It has direct rail links to Kashipur, Moradabad, Delhi, Bareilly, Lucknow, Haridwar, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Agra, Jaisalmer and Varanasi. Code of Ramnagar railway station is RMR.
Ramnagar bus station is located near to the Railway station. There are regular buses from Ramnagar to Nainital, Ranikhet, Haldwani, Tanakpur, Haridwar, Dehradun, Kashipur, Moradabad, Meerut and Delhi. Bus services are also available to Jaipur. National Highway 121 which starts from Kashipur and ends at Bubakhal, Uttarakhand passes through Ramnagar.