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Atariya Temple
According to a folktale when king Rudra was passing through, his chariot got stuck into marshy land, so he decided to build a temple and well at that place. The present Atariya temple is the same At a distance of 2 kms. from the bus stand and half a kilometre away from the Rudrapur-Haldwani motor route.
Paanch Mandir
Among the temples of Rudrapur the architecturally beautiful Laxmi-Narayan temple, commonly known as Panch Mandir, stands apart. The temple is the most striking monument in the town. It is called �Panch Mandir� as there are 5 temples dedicated to different deities inside this temple complex.
The Laxmi Narayan Temple is constructed in the Shikhara style i.e. atop each shrine is a beautiful Shikhara having a Kalasha at the apex. The temple enshrines all the important Hindu Gods and Goddess. It attracts thousands of devotees on the day of Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. A visit to Rudrapur is incomplete if one does not visit the Panch Mandir.
Kashipur
Kashipur was known as Govishan during the time of Harsha (606-647 AD). The ruins of a large settlement of those days are still seen near the city. Kashipur is named after Kashinath Adhikari, the founder of township and one of the officers of the Chand rulers of the Kumaon in the middle age. Girital and Drona Sagar are well known spots and are associated with the story of Pandvas. Today Kashipur is an important industrial township. The Chaiti mela is the best-known fair of Kashipur. In autumn and after monsoon one can see the snow clad peaks of Trishul and it’s surrounding.
Chaiti Devi
At a distance of 2.5 Kms from Kashipur bus stand on the Kashipur-Bazpur route, is situated the widely known temple of Chaiti Devi. Every year in the month of March during ‘Navratras’ a grand fair is held here and lakhs of pilgrims come here to worship the Goddess from various places.
Giri Sarovar
The enchanting Lake is situated at a distance of 2 Kms from Kashipur bus stand on the Kashipur-RamNagar route and is ideal picnic spot. A tourist rest house and private hotels are available for night stay.
Nanak Matta
Situated at a distance of 56 km from Rudrapur on the Rudrapur- Tanakpur motor route, Nanak Matta is a great pilgrimage centre of Sikh religion. Guru Nanak visited this place. Thousands of pilgrims come here throughout the year. A tourist Rest House and Gurudwara are available for night stay. A big dam has been constructed on river Saryu at Nanak Matta. This is in itself a beautiful picnic spot where one can enjoy boating and fishing. The dam is situated at a distance of 56 Km from Udham Singh Nagar (Rudrapur). The serene lake water reflecting the clear sky is a breathtaking sight. Facilities for boating provide added attraction.Apart from Nanak Matta dam Haripura dam in Gardarpur, Tumariya dam at Kashipur, Sharda Sagar dam in Khatima, Dhaura dam at Kichha,Baur dam in Bajpur are famous for fishing and tourism. At Haripur dam a competition of boating is there every year
Pantnagar
Pantnagar is synonymous with Gobind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology. It is the first university in India to blend technology with agriculture. In 1949, the Radhakrishnan University Education Commission was set up to impart agricultural education by establishing rural universities. In 1954, it was decided by an Indo-American team led by Dr. K.R. Damle, the Vice President of ICAR, to establish a ‘Rural University’ on the land-grant pattern of USA. Thus the task of assisting Uttar Pradesh in setting up an agricultural. university was assigned to the University of Illinois. In 1960, the first agricultural university of India came into being, which was later named after pt. Govind Ballabh Pant, the former Chief Minister of UP. It is indeed a symbol of successful partnership between India and the United States of India. The university has pioneered revolution in agricultural education, research and extension. The impressive main campus is studded with all modern amenities. It has the area responsibillty for the entire Uttaranchal representing plains, Tarai, Bhabar and hill areas. However, to provide service to the hill region its other stations are situated at Ranichauri (Tehri district), Majhera (Nainital district) and at Lohaghat-Sui (Champawat district).
Khatima
The town of Khatima is set in an area of exceptional natural beauty in the eastern part of Udham Singh Nagar district. The town successfully combines the nuances of modern town life with the idyll of living close to nature. It is situated at a distance of 75 kilometres from Rudrapur towards Tanakpur.
The region surrounding Khatima is known as the Tharwat region of Tarai. As the name suggests, this region has been home to the Tharu tribe for centuries. They have a significant population in the villages near Khatima. The name Khatima seems to have been derived from Khate Ma, the Tharu words for in the forest.
Although the surrounding villages are predominantly inhabited by the Tharus, the town has a sizeable population of Punjabis who have migrated from Pakistan after the Partition of India in 1947. Later on, people have settled here from different regions of the country, adding a unique cultural flavour to the town.
The places to be visited in Khatima are the Banbasa Barrage, the Surai Forest Range and the Nanakmatta.
Banbasa Barrage
This barrage is built on the river Sharda and commands a very beautiful view of the lake formed by it. The rails laid down at the time of construction of this barrage and the locomotive which plied on these rails can be seen here. This age-old structure is bound to enthral the visitor and transport him back in time. Also located here is a small park where people can spend tranquil afternoons. Situated near the barrage is an old Dak Bungalow constructed by the Britishers in 1923. Today it is being maintained by Department of Irrigation. This Dak Bungalow offers a very beautiful view of the barrage and the surrounding areas.
Sitarganj
Sitarganj is a town of historic and religious importance in the Tarai region of Uttarakhand. It is situated on National Highway-74 towards Khatima, 50 kilometres from Rudrapur.Sitarganj has a mixed population, with a majority of Punjabis. Most of them migrated from West Pakistan after the Partition of India in 1947. Under a rehabilitation programme, the Government of India allotted agricultural land here to the migrants. In those days, the Tarai belt was an inhospitable terrain consisting of marshlands and forests. Older generations of migrants recollect stories of wild animals roaming freely here. The diligence of the people of Sitarganj helped to convert this land into the lush green fields that greet the visitors today.
In recent times, the economy is shifting direction with a marked tilt towards industries. The Government of Uttarakhand has formed the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIDCUL) here. Many entrepreneurs have set up industries in Sitarganj resulting in an industrial boom today.Sitarganj is famous for Gurudwara Nanakmatta Sahib, a revered pilgrimage destination for the Sikh community. Guru Nanak Dev, the great saint who founded the Sikh religion, visited this place in the 16th century during one of the legendary journeys (Udasis) he undertook to spread the message of God.
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