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Chakrata — host of Magh Mela (Jaunsar)

Festival · UTTARAKHAND

Magh Mela (Jaunsar).

January (Makar Sankranti) · Chakrata

Local winter harvest fair with bonfires, folk songs, and traditional Jaunsar food celebrations in the hill villages around Chakrata.

Why it matterscultural

Going for this? Chakrata in January

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January buries Chakrata under a thick white quilt. At 2,118 metres, temperatures hover between -2°C and 8°C, and the deodar forests wear snow like armour. The road from Dehradun (85 km) stays open most days but can close after heavy snowfall. Budget ₹800-1,500/night for heated rooms — this is not Shimla, so options are limited and that is the entire point.

See the Chakrata January guide →

Getting there

Elevation
2118 m
Nearest airport
Jolly Grant, Dehradun — 98km
Nearest railway
Dehradun — 88km

Live in Chakrata

Where to stay in Chakrata

  • Forest Rest House

    ₹400-800/night
    guesthouse · Chakrata cantonment area

    Heritage-era forest rest house in deodar woods. Book through Uttarakhand Forest Dept — it's a process but the solitude is unmatched. Caretaker cooks basic meals. No wifi, no TV, pure forest.

All stays in Chakrata →

Where to eat

  • Hotel Snow View Restaurant

    Chakrata, 1km from main bazaar · ₹₹

    SignatureGarhwali thali breakfast

    Ring ahead — the kitchen is staffed for in-house guests only, so call before you turn up at lunch. Breakfast is the strongest meal; non-veg options need lead time.

  • Chandana's Special Momos

    Main Market · ₹

    Signaturevegetable momos

    Order the steamed momos with the chilli-garlic chutney and a vegetable soup — that's the combo locals come back for. Closes by 8pm, not a late-night option.

  • Tiger Fall Aquatic Camps & Restaurant

    Tiger Falls Road · ₹₹

    Signaturebuffet thali with river-side seating

    Pre-order lunch on the way down to the falls so it's ready when you climb back up — the kitchen is small and same-day walk-ins can wait 45 minutes in peak season.

  • Myngl Cafe (The Hosteller Chakrata)

    Tungra, Purori village · ₹

    Signatureself-serve veg thali

    Outside food is banned inside the property, so plan a meal here only if you're staying — day visitors should call first to confirm cafe access. Breakfast 8am-12pm, lunch 12-3pm, dinner 6pm onwards.

All eateries in Chakrata →

What else to see in Chakrata

  • Tiger Falls

    Highest waterfall in Uttarakhand at 312 ft. Hidden in dense forest, reached by a 5 km trek.

    waterfall
    3-4 hours

  • Deoban

    Dense deodar and oak forest at 9,290 ft with views of Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, and Black Peak.

    viewpoint
    2-3 hours

Other festivals in Chakrata

Other festivals in January, elsewhere

See every festival in January →

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