If you look out for the call of the wild, you would likely have yearned to get away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi and rejuvenate in the wilderness of Jim Corbett jungles in Ram Nagar, Uttarakhand. Given that Jim Corbett is just about 5 hours travel from Delhi, it is like our backyard forest, somewhere we can hide almost anytime we want.

“The book of nature has no beginning, as it has no end.”
– Jim Corbett

Offbeat Jim Corbett

During our many trips to Jim Corbett, the jungle safari has been a constant. Over time, we have also discovered some offbeat attractions of Jim Corbett that we want to share. It might add a twist to your next Jim Corbett expedition as well.

Jungle Safari at Dhikala

Jim Corbett jungle safari was somewhat different this time. Dhikala is the largest zone in Jim Corbett and this was our first time in this part of the forest. Our safari was to start at 6.30 am and we were picked up by the official canter at about 6 ish from Ramnagar. The road through the forest was crippling cold and we later checked that the temperature was 5 degrees Celsius. If you are doing an early winter morning safari, please make sure you are adequately layered, and don’t forget a thick cap and mittens.

Once inside the forest, we were redeemed. Dhikala is the most beautiful zone in the forest. The Ramganga River flows through Dhikala, parallel to the safari track. Given that monsoon was just over, the huge sal trees, the many bushes, and all foliage were in full form. We saw wild boars, rare wood owls, jackals, spotted and barking deer, elephants, and also crocodiles, albeit from a distance.

The best was saved for the last. When we reached the point from where our canters were to turn back, about 21 km inside the forest, there was a rest house and the visitors were allowed some time to freshen up, have tea and thaw themselves. On one side was a viewing zone overlooking a vast waterbody. This pool was covered with layers of mist giving the area a surreal feel. The early morning sun trickled through the mist. It looked like an AI-generated scenery or a dream. At that point, our waking up at 4 am, starting in the dark and the piercing dawn breeze – it was all worthwhile.

Corbett Interpretation Centre

If you are in Jim Corbett, you must visit the Corbett Interpretation Centre at the Dhikala Reserve entry gate of Jim Corbett Reserve Forest, Uttarakhand. This museum orients visitors about the forests and the region’s residents.

A bust-head of Jim Corbett greets you near the ticket counter. Once inside, you see perhaps the best multi-media presentations about the flora and fauna of Jim Corbett forests. They have models, stuffed animals and preserved remains, movie shows, and much more to captivate the young and old. You would love the recordings of the sounds of the various animals in the forest.

One exhibit is a curated experience of nightlife inside the forest. They try to recreate how the tiger makes a kill. The tiger and elephant taxidermy models are also goosebumps. The museum further outlines the life of Jim Corbett, the hunter turned naturalist. Spread out and well-illuminated, this museum is a hidden gem of Jim Corbett.

Suspension Bridge

Did you know, there is a colonial-era hanging bridge in Jim Corbett? Connecting the two banks of the Kosi River, there is a suspension bridge hanging from two stately fort-like structures. The lazy river flows below and people can have a picnic on the dry river bank during winter.

While one side of the bridge connects with Ramnagar via concrete road, the other side leads to the forest. It was a bright sunny day and we took a walk through the forest to reach the Garjiya Temple via a shortcut. We saw tiger pugmarks in the forest and the locals told us about their experiences with random tiger sightings as well as man-eaters in this area. Given that tigers ordinarily rest in the day, were told that we were safe. Yet, that did not stop the chills down our spine.

Although it was a great winter sun to be out, we were the only visitors on the bridge. We have visited Jim Corbett many times. Yet, the Suspension Bridge, locally called “Jhulapul“, had evaded us and was a discovery this trip. It is one of the grandest structures we have seen in the Ramnagar zone of Uttarakhand.

Garjiya Temple

Uttarakhand is called “Devabhumi” – the Land of Gods. Therefore how can Jim Corbett in Uttarakhand be deprived of of divinity? During our recent trip, we discovered Jim Corbett beyond just forests. Garjiya Devi shrine in Ramnagar, near Dhikuli zone of Jim Corbett forest, was a big reveal. Perched atop a hill beside the picturesque Kosi River, this temple was dedicated to Goddess Girija, a form of Goddess Durga. Although there was a motorable way, we approached the temple walking through the nearby forest and crossing a narrow trickle of Kosi on foot. Thereafter, it was a climb up to the shrine albeit on well-constructed steps.

The small sanctum sanctorum was sparkling clean with a prominent marble statue of the eight-armed deity at the centre. Given the assembly of local devotees, it was evident that the temple was revered in this area. At the foothill was a small shrine dedicated to Bhairav Nath. It was said that the visit to the Garjiya Temple would be completed after visiting the Bhairav Nath shrine. The small black stone Bhairav statue inside a cave was intriguing. The Garjiya Temple is a must-visit for divinity as well as the bird’s eye view of the surrounding forest.

Sitabani Temple

While the country is dancing about the new Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a lone temple dedicated to his consort Sita sits hidden inside the Sitabani zone of Jim Corbett forests. It has a simple structure, and true to the Ramayan legend, you find monkeys dancing around.

This place is called Sitabani given the legend that Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush here. The popular version of Ram Durbar has Ram at the centre flanked by Sita and Lakshman on both sides and Hanuman kneeling in the front. At the Sitawani temple, Devi Sita is at the centre of affairs and is flanked by Ram and Lakshman on both sides. This is a rare form of Ram Durbar where Sita is in focus.

Sita did not have it easy and this temple perhaps gives her due. We found some ancient statues here but there was no reference to time or era. Nonetheless, the beauty of the statues and the serenity of the place blew our minds.

Kachri – Uttarakhand Streetfood

Are you one who runs away from fruits? During our yearend trip to Jim Corbett, we might have discovered the perfect solution for you – Bablu Kachri Live.

True to its name, Bablu Kachri Live isn’t just a food stall; it’s a front-row seat to the culinary theatre of Ram Nagar. “Bablu Kachri Live” is a famous cart in Ram Nagar Market. Its claim to fame is its unique dish made of the humble Singhara (water chestnut). Bablu Ji sits on his cart and cooks the dish live on a chulha (clay oven) setup on the cart. All the masalas, butter, and fresh ingredients like coriander leaves and ginger, with a generous squeeze of Galgal (a variety of lemon), lend flavour and tanginess to an otherwise bland, boiled singhara dough. The final pasty dish is served on makeshift plates made of Malu leaves.

The taste is smooth with a sudden kick from the spices and the coriander leaves. It is like a riot of sensations on the taste buds. If you haven’t tried it – we highly recommend Kachri. Like it or lump it, it would surely be a memorable culinary experience that might just compete with the Jim Corbett tiger story.

How to reach Jim Corbett

Delhi to Jim Corbett is about 5 to 6 hours commute whichever mode you travel. We took the Uttar Sampark Kranti Express from Old Delhi Railway station at 4 pm and reached Ramnagar, the nearest railway station in a neat 5 hours. Our resort was a convenient drive of 15 minutes from Ramnagar Railway Station.

Where did we stay

We stayed at the Anantum Gateway Resort, a 15-minute drive from Ramnagar Railway Station. Sprawling and impeccably clean, with cosy rooms, great food, fitness, and entertainment activities for young and old, it was a somewhat grounded luxury. Thank you Anantum for taking care of our requests and arranging the safari and the other activities for us!

Given the proximity of cool spots in Uttarakhand from Delhi, we are there many times every year. Yet, there are so many offbeat attractions in Uttarakhand that we are still taken by surprise. While jungle safari is still the primary activity in Jim Corbett, trust us, the offbeat attractions would give you an immersive experience of Jim Corbett and its residents both in and out of the forest.