Population
30, 613 STD Code 05962 Rainfall 82 cm (37") average Area 11 sq. km (city Area)
Best Season April to June and mid- September
to October
LOCATION
Tour
to Almora Almora is one of the three hill districts
of Kumaon. The other two being Nainital and Pithoragarh.
It is the cultural capital of Kumaon. Almora is
also referred to as the unspoilt child of nature.
It is situated on a three-mile long horse saddle-shaped
ridge and is surrounded by four hill ranges -
Banari Devi, Kasar Devi, Shayahi Devi and Katarnal.
The three peaks have temples of Goddesses while
Katarnal has an ancient Sun temple worth visiting
.
BEST
TIME TO VISIT
Almora
stands at a height of 1,638 meters. It has a moderate
and salubrious climate. The best season is April-June
and September-November. For those interested in
snow views the best time to visit is in early
summer and autumn. The rainy season is also very
pleasant here.
HISTORY
Almora
was the capital of the Chand dynasty, which ruled
Kumaon for more than one thousand years. One remarkable
fact about Almora is that while almost all hill
stations were discovered and developed by British,
Raja Kalyan Chand founded Almora in the year 1568
when he transferred his capital from Champawat
to Almora.
Legend
has it that about 500 years ago Raja Kalyan Chand,
then the ruler of Kumaon with its capital at Champawat,
was riding hard in pursuit of prey on this horseshoe
shaped spur. The hunted quarry saved itself by
taking refuge in a thicket of Kilmora - a wild
bush - and revealed to the royal hunter the site
of his would-be capital. The origins of settlement
in Almora may have been different but the story
continues to hold sway in the minds of many of
the locals. Bounded by the Kosi and Suyal rivers,
the local of the new capital was well suited strategically.
Till the Gurkha onslaught, in the last decade
of the 19th century, Almora remained well protected
naturally.
TOURISTS
ATTRACTIONS
Tour
to Almora Almora is situated in the midst of the
Himalayas, the king of mountains and abode of
the gods. From time immemorial people have visited
this region for peace, solitude and liberation
of the soul.
Almora
is a good place to conveniently enjoy the spectacular
snowscape of the central Himalayas. On a clear
day - and most days in Almora are flawless - you
can see forever and almost every peak. Almora
allows you to enjoy the mighty Himalayas together
with ridge after ridge of hills painted in different
hues of blue and green. The terraced fields, the
stone slatted barrack-like village houses have
so far put up a valiant fight against the encroachments
of urban expansion and destructive development.
Almora
also has some beautiful health resorts. The chief
among them is Ranikhet (1,829 meters). Ranikhet
literally means queen's field. It is said that
a Rani camped here once and gave this name to
the city. During the days of the Raj, Ranikhet
was a British cantonment.
There
are a number of places of tourist interest around
Ranikhet. Chaubatia is famous for its orchards;
Tarikhet, eight kilometers away, was once the
nerve center of the Freedom Movement. Mahatma
Gandhi also lived here for a while; Majkhali presents
a fascinating view of snowy peaks and Upat, about
six kilometers from Ranikhet, has an exquisite
golf course. Kausani, 32 miles from Almora, is
situated at a height of 1,890 meters. An enterprising
Englishman, Mr. Norman Troop, developed it as
a tea garden. Binsar, about 32 kilometers from
Almora is situated at height of 2,412 meters.
The Chand Rajas used to camp here during summer.
It offers a wonderful view of the Himalayas.
Bajinath,
Almora Bajinath situated on the banks of the Gomti
(a local river) in Garur Valley, is an idyllic
place. It is famous for its 13th century temples.
Jageshwar has a group of Shiva temples and is
on the Almora-Pithoragarh road and is situated
in a densely wooded beautiful narrow valley. The
temples were constructed in the 13th century.
They are a marvel to see for their artistic beauty
and craftsmanship. Jageshwar is among the 12-jyotir
lingas in the country.
Bageshwar
and Sitalakhet are other places of interest. Bageshwar
is one of the main camping sites for the journey
to Pindari Glacier, which is situated at a height
of 3,820 meters. Kafni Glacier is also close by
(3,860 meters) and Sitalakhet is the new tourist
resort on the Syahi Devi hill.
Almora
has a museum that is a storehouse of information
about the cultural heritage of Kumaon. There is
a deer park on the outskirts of the city. The
Nanda Devi temple in the heart of the city is
a must for visitors.
PLACES
AROUND ALMORA
One
can visit the picturesque places around Almora,
for sightseeing. Binsar, which has now been designated
a sanctuary, is an hour's motor drive from Almora.
Binsar hill, locally known as Jhandi Dhar, rises
to a height of 2,412 meters and offers a panoramic
view of Almora town, the Kumaon hills and the
Greater Himalayas. The region around abounds in
alpine flora, ferns, hanging moss and innumerable
species of wild flowers. The brow is reached by
an unpaved ridge lined by prosperous private estate.
A walk through the woods comprising mostly oak
and rhododendron forest, leads to a vantage point
at the summit, which offers an uncluttered view
of the Himalayan ranges and the surrounding valley.
Binsar was the favorite summer resort of the eminent
Hindi poet Ajneya.
Way
back in 1929, Mahatma Gandhi spent three fruitful
weeks at this charming spot called Kausani (51
kilometers from Almora) in the Kumaon hills and
described it is India's Switzerland. Today, despite
deforestation in the area, Kausani can still lay
claim to the title bestowed on it. Quaint villages,
orchards laden with fruit and hill slopes covered
with pine trees escort one into Kausani. In the
distance, snow mantled peaks glitter in the sun
and the breeze carries with it much of the cool
freshness of the snows.
All
through the day the mountains around Kausani seem
to change in shape and color. Each change provides
an entrancing spectacle and induces a deeper communion
with nature. The Anakshakti Ashram atop a hill
where the Mahatma stayed commands one of the most
magnificent views of the mountain ranges around
Kausani. The vast sweep of the mountain view (simply
called "The View" locally), which encompasses
a remarkable 350 kilometers at Kausani, is the
central point of attraction in this little hill
station.
All
round are gentle walks where a profusion of wild
flowers keep one company. There are shady paths
carpeted with pine needles and in the air is the
wonderful, inimitable fragrance of pine. Terraced
fields add a distinctive touch to the pastoral
picture around.
HOW TO REACH
BY
AIR - The nearest airport is Pant Nagar (Nainital).
Regular flights operate during the summer.
BY
RAIL - The nearest railhead for Almora is
Kathgodam.
BY
ROAD - Almora is well connected with all-important
cities by road.
