Kathgodam

Kathgodam is a suburb of Haldwani city in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state of India. It used to be a part of the twin township of Haldwani-Kathgodam, and is immediately north of Haldwani. It is one of the important collection centres for forest products obtained from Kumaon Himalayas. Literally meaning timber depot, Kathgodam was a small village in 1901 with a population of 375, though its importance grew rapidly after the railway line was extended here in late 19th century, after it reached Haldwani in 1884. It was previously called 'Chauhan Patta' as it is still recorded in the land records. The advent of the residence of Dan Singh Bist nearby in Beer Bhatti, Jeolikote, and his setting up his major timber depot as the 'Timber King of India' as Chauhan Patta, led to it being called 'Kathgodam'. Similarly, Beer Bhatti is called thus as it was previously an area where the British India Corporation Limited pursued a Beer Brewery until 1924 when Dan Singh Bist purchased it from them via deed registered at Nainital. Today, the town contains a terminus station on its Indian Railways line. From this point, one must travel by automobile to the Kumaon region of the Himalayan Mountains. From Kathgodam, mountain roads lead to tourist destinations like Nainital, Bhimtal, Sattal, Mukteshwar, Ranikhet, Binsar, Kausani, Naukuchiyatal and Almora. Kathgodam is located at . It has an average elevation of 554 metres (1,483 feet). It is situated on the banks of the Gaula river. Kathgodam is one of the most picturesque locations situated in the Bhabar region, the foothills of Kumaon Himalayas. Close to Kathgodam are beautiful temples called 'Sheetla devi' and 'Kalichaud' which attract large numbers of devotees from the surrounding region during festivals. Kathgodam also leads a way to one of the beautiful ashram called as Hairakhan. There is a beautiful dam which is built on the Gola River. Schools include the Maharishi school, Nirmala Convent Sr. Sec. School, St. Theresa School, St.