Nainital

REMAINS OF ANCIENT BUILDINGS LOCALLY IDENTIFIED WITH VAIRATAPATTANA, DHIKULI

Location:Lat. 29° 28' 5" N; Long. 79° 11' 30" E

NOTIFICATION NO.: UP-1669-M/1133:1920/-/27.12.1920

Remains of ancient Vairatpattana, the capital of the old kingdom of Govisana are spread in deep reserve forest of Jim Corbett National Park in Dhikuli. In the seventh century, the place was visited by Hieun Tsang. The remains of this ancient town are not easily accessible due to thick forest. But explorations in the past revealed the remains of a few platforms made of stone, and fine specimens of pillar capitals, medallions, lions and fragments of decorated pillars near the modern temple on the hill slope. Since the site is located at the entrance of the Central Himalayan hills, this place might have served as transit centre of trade in the past hence the place is called Pattan.

OLD TEMPLE SACRED TO SITA, SITABANI

Location:Lat. 29° 28' 5" N; Long. 79° 11' 30" E

NOTIFICATION NO.: UP-1669-M/1133:1920/-/27.12.1920

The site of the temple is said to be the hermitage of the Maharishi Balmiki. Number of amlaka stones, one headless dancing Ganesha sculpture, doorjamb, decorated columns carved slabs scattered near the present temple prove the antiquity of the site. However the existing temple at the site is of very late period.