🧭 At a Glance (Quick Facts)
- Destination: Bareilly (Nath Nagri)
- State/Region: Uttar Pradesh, India
- Coordinates: 28.36° N, 78.43° E
- Highlight: Famed for Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat, the ancient Alakhnath Temple, traditional cottage industries of Surma (kohl) and cane furniture, and the decorative Jhumka Chauraha.
The Hand-Ground Kohl & the Woven Cane
Situated in the fertile Rohilkhand plains of Uttar Pradesh, Bareilly is a city of historic trade. Famed in folklore and Bollywood songs, the town is anchored by seven ancient Shiva temples, earning it the title of 'Nath Nagri'. Beyond its temples, Bareilly maintains a unique heritage of cottage industries, particularly the production of hand-ground Surma (kohl) and the intricate craft of cane furniture weaving.
The visual identity of Bareilly is cane golden-yellow and kohl black. The city is a major spiritual hub, hosting the historic Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat, which draws millions of Islamic scholars and pilgrims annually. In the narrow bazaar lanes of Kutubkhana and station road, families continue to grind fine minerals into traditional eye kohl using mortars and pestles. It is a city where cottage industries thrive in family courtyards.
"In Bareilly, weavers bend golden cane into fine furniture and families grind black minerals into traditional kohl. It is a town where heritage is crafted by hand."
The Chronology of the Rohilkhand Hub
From ancient Panchala kingdom roots and Rohilla Pathan rule to the British cantonment period and modern industrial development, Bareilly's history is one of trade and resilience. The timeline below tracks this development.
The Art of the Surma Kohl & the Looming Cane
Explore the unique cottage industries of Bareilly. From the grinding of mineral stones into therapeutic kohl to the shaping of raw cane into furniture, these crafts are passed down through generations. Click through the tabs below.
Surma: The Traditional Kohl Grind
Bareilly's Surma is a traditional kohl prepared by grinding Kohl stones (Koh-i-Toor minerals) and herbs into a fine powder used for eye care.
Artisans grind the mineral paste in stone mortars for several days to achieve a smooth texture, adding pearls and neem extracts.
- Grinding process takes up to 48 hours of manual labor.
- Believed to keep the eyes cool and protect from strain.
- Horticultural extracts are blended for specialized varieties.
Cane Furniture: Bending and Weaving
Raw cane and bamboo sourced from northeastern forests are shaped into chairs, swings, and baskets by local craftsmen.
Artisans heat the cane shafts over gas flames to bend them into frame shapes, wrapping them with fine split cane peel.
- Frame joints are bound with split cane rather than metal nails.
- Finished with protective varnish for a golden-yellow shine.
- Primary workshops are located along Kutubkhana Road.
Zardozi: The Metallic Gold Thread
Bareilly is a major center for Zardozi, a traditional style of metal embroidery using gold and silver threads on fabrics.
Artisans stretch velvet or silk sheets over wooden frames ('karkhanas') to sew detailed floral designs using needles.
- Draws thousands of artisans across family workshops.
- Utilizes metallic coils, beads, and gold threads.
- Exported to bridal fashion centers across India.
The Jhumka: A Song-Inspired Identity
In 1966, the Bollywood song "Jhumka Gira Re" linked the dangling earring with Bareilly's busy market streets.
In 2020, a decorative Jhumka was installed at a major crossroads on National Highway 24 to honor this cultural connection.
- The Jhumka installation weighs over 200 kilograms.
- Adorned with gold-finish brass and dangling beads.
- Serves as a popular photo stop for highway travelers.
The Shrines and the Looming Crosses
Explore the primary landmarks of Bareilly. From the historic Ala Hazrat Dargah to the ancient Nath Shiva temples, these destinations show the city's heritage. Click or hover on the cards below.
Alakhnath Temple
Tap to Flip →Alakhnath Temple
The oldest Shiva shrine in the city, serving as the headquarters of the Anand Akhara of Naga sannyasis. It features dynamic courtyards, holy water pools, and shrines to various deities.
Dargah Ala Hazrat
Tap to Flip →Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat
The tomb of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan, a 19th-century Islamic scholar who founded the Barelvi movement. The shrine features detailed dome architecture and hosts the annual Urs festival.
Jhumka Chauraha
Tap to Flip →Jhumka Chauraha
A massive decorative earring installation on NH 24, celebrating the city's connection to Bollywood folklore. It features a gold-painted frame and decorative brass detailing.
Trivati Nath
Tap to Flip →Trivati Nath Temple
One of the seven ancient Shiva temples in the Nath Nagri circuit. Legend says a Shiva Lingam emerged under three banyan trees here, now marked by a marble temple structure.
Kutubkhana
Tap to Flip →Kutubkhana Bazaar
The oldest marketplace in the city center. It is the primary market for buying traditional Surma kohl, zardozi clothing, and hand-woven cane furniture directly from artisans.
The Culinary Staples & the Seekh Kebabs
Bareilly's food features spiced Mughlai dishes, cooked over coal grills in the bazaar streets, served alongside local sweets.
Seekh Kebabs
Skewered minced meat blended with coriander, mint, and local spices, grilled over wood charcoal ovens, served with lime juice and green chutney.
Tasted at: Food stalls in old KutubkhanaPetha Sweet
Soft, translucent ash gourd candies prepared by boiling vegetable cubes in flavored sugar syrups, popular for gifting.
Purchased at: Sweet houses near the stationSheermal
A saffron-flavored traditional flatbread prepared with milk, sugar, and baking yeast, baked in clay tandoor ovens.
Sipped at: Bakeries near the Ala Hazrat DargahPlan Your Journey
How to Reach Bareilly
🌡️ Best Time to Visit
Cool and dry temperatures (9°C to 23°C). Ideal for walking through the old bazaar lanes, visiting outdoor temples, and highway travel.
Monsoon rains cool down the plains, though high humidity and water logging can slow travel in old quarters.
Temperatures can reach 43°C, accompanied by hot 'Loo' winds. Outdoor exploration in the afternoon is uncomfortable.
The Unhurried 2-Day Route
Bareilly is best experienced at a slow pace. Temple visits, bazaar walks, and sampling local street food require time to settle. This curated route ensures you capture the heritage of the Rohilkhand hub.
Day 1: Shrines & Old Bazaars
09:30 AM: Start your day at the Alakhnath Temple. Spend the morning viewing the shrines and water pools.
01:30 PM: Visit the Kutubkhana Bazaar to shop for traditional Surma kohl and zardozi embroidery.
04:30 PM: Visit the Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat shrine, exploring the architecture and old quarters.
Day 2: Cane Crafts & Bollywood Landmarks
08:30 AM: Walk through the cane-weaving workshops along Kutubkhana Road to watch artisans shape raw cane.
02:00 PM: Travel to the Jhumka Chauraha on NH 24 to view the massive dangling earring installation.
04:30 PM: Visit the Trivati Nath Temple to view the sunset Aarti under the banyan trees.