Ramnagar (Kumaoni:Rāmnagar) is atown andmunicipal board in theNainital district ofKumaon in the state ofUttarakhand,India.^[1] It is located approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) fromNainital, the headquarters of the district.

Ramnagar
Town
Kosi river Garjiya Devi Temple Hanuman dham, Chhoi ABengal Tiger in theJim Corbett National Park
Nickname:  Corbett City
Ramnagar Show map of Uttarakhand Ramnagar Show map of India
Coordinates:29°23′42″N79°07′35″E / 29.39500°N 79.12639°E /29.39500; 79.12639
Country	India
State	Uttarakhand
Division	Kumaon
District	Nainital
Named after	Sir Henry Ramsay
Elevation	345 m (1,132 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	97,916
Languages
• Official	Hindi,Kumaoni
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	244715
Telephone code	915947
Vehicle registration	UK-19

Ramnagar is a gateway to theCorbett National Park,^[2][3] the oldestnational park and a famoustourist destination. TheGarjiya Devi Temple^[4][5] and Sitabani temple,Sitabani Wildlife Reserve^[6] 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 thefoothills of theHimalayas on the bank of riverKosi. The town is visited by many tourists due to its geographical location nearCorbett National Park.^[7] Its proximity to Nainital which is a famous hill station of Northern India makes it even more popular. There is aBarrage on Kosi River in Ramnagar where many migratory birds such asRuddy Shelduck arrive in winter.

According to the2011 Indian Census, the town consists of 54,787 people. The state ofUttarakhand has literacy rate of 87.6 percent, which is higher thanNation's average of 74.04 percent.

The town is named afterBritish commissionerSir Henry Ramsay who established it in 1850 during the British rule in India^[9] 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 forCorbett National Park named after the hunter turned conservationistJim Corbett^[10] 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 ofDhikuli, 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 withVairāt-pātan, the capital of an ancient kingdom, which was subordinate toIndraprastha.^[11] References inThe Indian Historical Quarterly (1936) andThe Indian Antiquary (1920) describe the area as having remnants of tanks and scattered buildings, hinting at a once-flourishing ancient settlement.^[12][13]

Moreover, the 7th-century Chinese travelerHiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) mentions visitingGovisana, 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 theKatyuri period (8th–12th centuries), further attesting to its antiquity.^[11]

During the medieval period, the region came under the influence of various ruling dynasties. TheKatyuri dynasty controlled large portions ofKumaon andGarhwal, 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, theChand dynasty rose to power in the 13th century, establishingAlmora as their capital. The Chand rulers extended their influence over theBhabar 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 theAnglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816), the BritishEast India Company annexed Kumaon under theTreaty 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 ofKumaon, formally established the town of Ramnagar by relocating a nearby settlement from Chilikya to the current site on the banks of theKosi River.^[14] 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.^[14] 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.^[15]

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.^[16] 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 ofUttar 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 ofUttarakhand, 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 toJim 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 inIndia. It is India's first sanctuary to come underProject Tiger.^[17] The park was named after the hunter-naturalist turned author and photographer,Jim Corbett^[18] 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 duringRamanavami. It is located at a distance of 20 km from Ramnagar.

The Tumaria Dam is located about 17 km from Ramnagar inMaldhan 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,^[19] Jholi-Bhat, Gaahat ke Dubke, Channe ke Dubke, Ras-Bhat, Manduwe ki Roti,^[20] Paalak ka Kaapa,^[21] Bhang ki Chutni, singhodi, Aloo Ke Gutke,^[22] Thechwani, Bal Mithai, Singal, Bichoo Saag.^[23]

Ramnagar is also popular for having so many resorts for the tourists to accommodate. More than 100 resorts are located here.

The nearest airport isPantnagar Airport,^[24] 81.6 km away via UT SH 41 and 77.3 km away via NH 87 in the town ofPantnagar inUdham Singh Nagar district. HoweverIndira Gandhi International Airport atDelhi is the nearest international airport which is 255  km away.

Another major airport from Ramnagar isBareilly Airport which is located around 145 km and connected to cities like Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru.

In 1907, during theBritish Raj the railway line in Uttarakhand was extended from Moradabad to Ramnagar.^[25] Ramnagar railway station is under the administrative control of the Izzatnagar division of theNorth Eastern Railway zone of theIndian Railways. The station is located about 65 km fromNainital. It has direct rail links toKashipur,Moradabad,Delhi,Bareilly,Lucknow,Haridwar,Chandigarh,Gurgaon,Mumbai,Agra,Jaisalmer andVaranasi. Code of Ramnagar railway station isRMR.

Ramnagar bus station is located near to the Railway station. There are regular buses from Ramnagar toNainital,Ranikhet,Haldwani,Tanakpur,Haridwar,Dehradun,Kashipur,Moradabad,Meerut andDelhi. Bus services are also available toJaipur.National Highway 121 which starts fromKashipur and ends at Bubakhal,Uttarakhand passes through Ramnagar.

• Official website of Nainital district
• Jim Corbett National Park official website for online booking and more
• https://www.bing.com/search?q=census+2011&cvid=b74c855d7a5f419ca9a6a79458dc69c5&FORM=ANAB01&PC=U531