Birthi Falls is a beautiful place surrounded by nature and snow clad mountains all around. The fall is at a height of around 400 feet and is located in Munsiyari in the Pithoragarh district. It is approximately 14 km from Tejarm, located on Thal-Munsiyari route. There is dense forest all around, and tourist who wishes to go there must take the help from a guide. There are many famous places around Birthi falls such as Milam Glacier, Kalamuni Top, Khalia Top, Maheshwari Kund, Thamari Kund, Madkot and Ralam Glacier.

History

Birthi Fall is located at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters above sea level and is surrounded by snow capped Kumaon Himalayas. Munsiyari is one of the latest entries in the list of beautiful hill stations in India. Until recently there were lot of restrictions to visit this place as it is close to Nepal and China border.

This place was, however, one of the main stoppage points for people who are moving towards Kailash Parbat. Writing on various tribes that inhabited this place can be found in Skand Purana and Rig Veda. These people are believed to the first people to come and settle down at this place. Birthi Falls is located in Pithoragarh. The name Pithoragarh is believed to have been given by the great Rajput ruler Prithviraj Chauhan.

This place was ruled by many dynasties later on. After Prithviraj Chauhan came the Pala Dynasty. In the last major development, this place was taken over by the British rulers, who mixed it with Almora district so they can govern it in an easy way. Many of the architecture built by British rulers such as Missionary school, church, army cantonment etc. are still present.

Climate

Since it is a mountainous area and surrounded by forest all around, so the weather is cold during most part of the day and around the year. The weather of this area is affected considerably by giant ice laden peaks which have encircled this area. The average altitude of this place is fifteen hundred meters. Usually, mercury reaches a height of fourteen degrees, but during winters it can fall down well below zero degrees. The average annual rainfall is around 35 cm.

March to June is the best time of the year to visit this place. During day time, sun may be hard, but the air is still cool. The weather here changes within the blink of an eye. It can become cloudy and cold and start raining within an hour, even if bright sun is shining at the moment.

Attractions

Birthi Falls is close to Munsiyari and there are many places in around this place to keep tourists occupied throughout their trip. To begin with, here is the list:

Masterji Museum

Dr. S. S. Pangthi is famously known as Masterji, who is a retired school teacher. Now, he spends most of his time travelling, trekking, and writing. He is a well known person in the area and is an authority here. He has collected some interesting things and has kept them in his own private museum at his residence in Nanasen Village. Tourist can take a look at the original documents, which facilitated business between Tibet and Johar valley and the traders’ personal effects.

Dar Kot

Six kilometres from Munsiyari is a small village known as Dar Kot, which comes on the way to Mad Kot. Here, there is a house made of wood which is believed to be more than 100 years old and it has traditional carved windows and doors. Lovers of pure and original paschmina shawls will find lot of good things to buy here. Pashmina available here is in it pure form. There is a famous trick to check whether a shawl is of pure Pashmina or not.

How to Reach

To come to Birthi Falls, one has to reach Munsiyari first and from there on, they have to trek for another 14 km. Munsiyari is connected to all the major destinations through rail and road, such as Kathgodam which is 126 km, Nainital – 288 km and Delhi – 612 km. Major railway station nearest to this place is at Kathgodam and nearest airport is Naini Saini at Pithoragarh, however, this airport is not in regular service.

Tourist who are coming by road have to take NH 24 to Rampur and from there, take on to NH 87 at Almora, this national highway will take them to a national highway which will take them to Bageshwar and then finally to Munsiyari.