citypithoragarh Kala Pani is a beautiful area located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The name Kala Pani has been mentioned in many historical events. In history, Kala Pani was a severe punishment. Even in the world of cinema, the name Kala Pani remained quite popular as it was depicted in Anand Sahab’s 1958 film ‘Kala Pani’. Generally, upon hearing the name Kala Pani, people associate it with the agony of films and cruel punishments.
However, the Kala Pani we are talking about today is different from this. This Kala Pani is situated amidst vast valleys and mountains. It is a beautiful example of the Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand. Let’s understand in detail about this Kala Pani. Where is it located? What is its history? Let’s delve into the answers to all these questions.
Kala Pani
Kala Pani is a beautiful pilgrimage site symbolizing faith for Indians. It is located in the eastern corner of the picturesque state of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district. It is 110 kilometers away from Pithoragarh. One can see the abundance of rituals and traditions here. The people of the ‘Rang’ community perform bone immersion here.
The most interesting thing is that this area is situated at an altitude of 11,788 feet. Several beliefs associated with Kala Pani, which are still believed today, consider this area as the origin of the Kali River in India. Here, the ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) has also constructed a temple of the thousand-armed goddess Kali. The construction and maintenance of this temple are entirely handled by the ITBP.
Main Attraction
The symbol of faith, the Kali Temple in Kala Pani, has the origin of the Kali River from its sanctum sanctorum. Emerging from the sanctum sanctorum, this Kali River marks the border between India and Nepal from Kala Pani. With its swift flow, Kali River proceeds further and becomes the Sharda River in Tanakpur.
The most prideful thing is that security agencies are always vigilant here. This area holds great significance in terms of border security. For border security, both the ITBP and the SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) are always stationed here. The bunkers built during the 1962 India-China war are still visible here.
The most intriguing information is that even in this modern era, there is no communication facility available in the entire area. The security agencies here must have wireless or satellite phones. Along with the faith of Kala Pani, the beauty of the mountains is exceptionally captivating. It should be noted that the distance from Kala Pani to China is only 12 kilometers.
Near this area is the China Navdang, which is a significant tourist attraction. It captures the hearts of tourists who come to see the beauty of the mountains and symbols of faith in the temples here. It’s crucial to know that the famous Om Parvat is also present here. From the perspective of security forces, this place contributes significantly.
