Upat Kalika Temple, Ranikhet

What is Upat Kalika Temple and Where is it Located?

Upat Kalika Temple is a small hill shrine in Almora district, Uttarakhand, located about 5 km from Ranikhet town, right beside the Ranikhet Golf Course. The temple stands within a stretch of dense deodar and oak forest, and the short walk to it through the trees is as calming as the shrine itself.

The forest clearing around the temple is locally known as Upat — a meadow that opens onto unobstructed views of the Himalayan ranges, including Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. Because it sits right next to the golf course, most visitors combine the two in a single short stop, usually as part of a half-day Ranikhet sightseeing outing that also covers Jhula Devi Temple and Chaubatia Garden.

Ranikhet sits at an altitude of ~1,829 m (6,000 ft) in the Kumaon Himalayas, and Upat is at a similar elevation — high enough for sharp, open Himalayan views on clear days. The adjacent Ranikhet Golf Course, one of India's highest-altitude golf courses, was established in 1914 by the Kumaon Regiment and is maintained by the Indian Army to this day.

About this guide: Tour Venture India runs Ranikhet sightseeing trips that include Upat Kalika Temple. Road distances and travel times below are approximate and can vary with traffic and weather.

Who is Goddess Kalika and What Makes This Temple Special?

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kalika, a form of Goddess Kali, and is regarded by local devotees as a Shakti shrine. Like most hill temples in this part of Kumaon, it is a small, simple structure built in the traditional Kumaoni style — a place for a quiet darshan rather than a long temple tour.

What sets Upat Kalika Temple apart is its setting: the shrine and the meadow around it sit slightly above the golf course, so the short approach through the forest opens out into wide views of the snow peaks. Many visitors time their visit for early morning, when the temple is peaceful and the mountains are at their clearest.

Kumaon is home to several important Shakti shrines — the Kalika at Upat, the Kalika Devi Temple at Majkhali, and the Haat Kalika near Gangolihat are among the most visited, each with its own distinct local tradition and setting. These are separate temples and should not be confused with one another.

What Can You See at the Upat Meadow Viewpoint?

Himalayan viewpoint

Step out of the tree line at Upat and the ridge opens onto a wide stretch of the Himalaya — Nanda Devi (7,816 m, India's highest peak entirely within the country), Trishul (7,120 m) and Nanda Ghunti line the horizon on a clear day, best seen in the early morning between October and March.

Sunrise and sunset

The meadow is a favourite spot for local photographers at first and last light, when the peaks catch the sun and the forest below falls into shadow.

Forest walk

The approach to the temple runs through quiet deodar and oak forest — a short, easy walk that makes a pleasant break from driving between Ranikhet's other sightseeing stops.

Golf Course next door

Since the temple sits right beside the Ranikhet Golf Course, a walk along the course boundary after darshan is an easy way to round off the stop.

Upat Kalika Temple at a Glance

What is the Best Time to Visit Upat Kalika Temple?

The temple is open year-round, but the Himalayan view from the Upat meadow depends on clear skies. At 1,829 m altitude, Ranikhet sees winter snowfall occasionally (December–January) and heavy monsoon rain between July and September. For the clearest views of Nanda Devi and Trishul, October–November is the best window — visibility can exceed 150 km on a crisp post-monsoon day. For a longer Kumaon circuit, combine with Majkhali or Kausani.

How to Reach Upat Kalika Temple from Ranikhet, Kathgodam & Delhi?

What Should You Know Before Visiting Upat Kalika Temple?

• Temple etiquette: Remove footwear before entering the shrine and dress modestly. Photography of the inner sanctum may not be allowed.
• Go early: The Upat meadow view is clearest in the early morning before clouds build up over the peaks.
• Wear comfortable footwear: The path through the forest is short but uneven in places — walking shoes are enough, no special trekking gear needed.
• Limited facilities: There are no shops at the temple itself; carry water. Small shops and dhabas are available near the Golf Course and in Ranikhet town.
• Combine your visit: Since the temple is right next to the Golf Course, plan both in a single stop rather than two separate trips.
• Check the sky: On hazy or cloudy days the peaks may not be visible from the meadow at all.
• Respect the forest: Do not litter along the approach path, and keep noise down out of respect for other devotees.
• Recommended circuit: Most visitors cover Upat Kalika Temple and the Golf Course first, then continue to Jhula Devi Temple and Chaubatia Garden — all four can be done comfortably in a half-day from Ranikhet town.

What Do Travellers Most Often Ask About Upat Kalika Temple?

What Places Can You Visit Near Upat Kalika Temple?