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Almora - City of heritage

How to reach Uttarakhand

Almora - View of Himalayas

Almora, a picturesque district in the Kumaun region, East of Uttarakhand in India, with a breathtaking panoramic view of Himalayas, summons tourists worldwide to its alluring grandeur of natural beauty.

Famous for its rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts, sumptuous cuisine and magnificent wildlife, coupled with an easy accessibility, Almora promises its tourists a visit full of fun and unforgettable moments.

The town of Almora is situated over a horse saddle shaped ridge of a mountain. The eastern portion of the ridge is known as Talifat and the western one is known as Selifat. The market is at the top of the ridge where these two, Talifat and Selifat jointly terminate.

The market is 1.25 miles (2.01 km) long and is covered with stone slabs. The place of the present cantonment was formerly known as Lalmandi. Presently where the collectorate exists, the 'Malla Mahal' (Upper Court) of Chanda kings was located. The site of present District Hospital used to be 'Talla Mahal' (Lower Court) of Chand rulers.

History

View of Almora, with soldiers of 3rd Gurkha, 1895

Almora can trace back its history to several centuries. If one goes by religious books, the region finds its mention in the times of Mahabharata. The earliest historical account of the region is given by a Chinese pilgrim of seventh century who wrote in great detail about a kingdom called ‘Brahmaputra’.

Situated in the hills and surrounded by snow clad mountains, it was inhabited by a tough and uncivilized race initially.

A kingdom was established here for the first time by the Katyuris who ruled from Dwarahat in Katurya valley. At that time, Almora was a small village with not much political significance.

It was the Chand ruler (who ruled from Champawat in Kali Kumaon), Raja Kalyanchand who first laid the foundation of a town in 1563 giving it the name 'Alam Nagar'. This town at the time was also given the name 'Rajapur'. Needless to say, it was the earlier name Almora that persisted and is used till date.

Almora, which has over a hundred natural spring water sources, was an obvious choice for the Chands to establish a settlement. So much so that eventually, the new rulers transferred their capital to Almora.

In 1744 Ali Muhammad Khan Rohilla, invaded Kumaon. The resistance put up by the Chands was inadequate and Almora was taken over.

In 1790, the Gurkhas conquered Almora and ruled it for 24 years.

On 26th of April 1815, Almora was captured by Colonel Nicholls of the East India Company and the whole region slipped into the hands of the British Empire. In 1884, the Britishers transferred their center of control of the Kumaoni hill region from Almora to Nainital. This diminished the importance of the town from a political point of view suddenly.

However, since independence, this town has grown by leaps and bounds and today, it is a primary center of all kinds of activities, be it political, cultural, social, eduational, etcetera in the Kumaoni hill region.

Since, ancient times Almora has been home to many great thinkers and social activists. Bharat Ratna Gobind Ballabh Pant was born and brought up in this town.

Places to visit

Himalayan View

Kausani

Kausani, situated around 52 KMs from Almora is famous for it's breathtakingly close view of the Himalayan Peaks and it's solitudes and greenery. The wide expanse of the famous Katyur Valley lies in front of it as you wake up to experience the Kausani sunrise. Kausani's beauty arrested the feet of even Mahatama Gandhi, who stayed for some time at this place. The memory that brief stay of that great man lingers behind in the Anasakti Ashrama. Another great man of India the famous Hindi poet Sumitra Nandan Pant was born here. There is small museum to earmark that sacred spot. The famous folk singer Gopidas was also inspired by the beauty of Kausani. Pinnath (10KMs), Bura Pinnath (5KMs) and Bhakot are the highest points near Kausani.

From Kausani you can see the snowy peaks of the Kumaoun Himalayas and you can also spot important Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Panchchuli and Nanda Kot. You feel you can almost touch the snowy Himalayas as it appears so close to your eyes. The sunset and sunrise are important events. You can watch how the rays of the setting sun paint the snowy peaks of the mighty Himalayas, and forget about the material pleasures of your life.

Wake up with the chirping of birds, smell the wild flowers and watch the crimson rays of the sun paint this little hamlet of Uttaranchal with its own hues. If rustic charm and tranquil isolation is what you are looking for, then plan a tour to Kausani this season.

Binsar

NainiTal, Hanuman Garhi

Situated only 30 KMs away from the township of Almora lies Binsar nestled amongst thick forests of Oak and Rhodendron and yet offering surprisingly close views of the Himalayan peaks. The entire region is now a wildlife sanctuary and has a host of wildlife like Panther and Barking Deer. The temple of Binsar lies nearby. One of the many legends concerning Binsar states that 'Should anyone take away anything belonging to the God or his worshippers and avenging spirit and compels him conscience stricken to restore it twenty fold. Even the faithless and the dishonest are said to be reformed by a visit to Binsar.

Shitla Khet

Almora, Shitlakhet

Situated between Ranikhet and Almora this picturesque place not only affords a wide view of the Himalayan peaks but is also full of fruit orchards. Scouting camps are frequently held here and there is a beautiful temple of Syahi Devi around 3 KMs away on a lovely mountainous trail. The birth place of the first chief minister of the province of Uttar Pradesh, Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant is a place called Khunt situated nearby. Some years back a centenary memorial has been built at this place to commemorate the memory of this great son of the soil.

This place is also the ancestral village of noted freedom fighter and former Home Minister of India, Bharat Ratna Pandit Shri Govind Vallabh Pant.

Chitai Temple

Almora, Chitai

This temple of Golu Devta, the most popular deity of the Kumaonis, famous for dispensing justice, is situated at a distance of 8 kilometers from Almora city on way to Pithoragarh. Lord Golu was a general in the army of the Chand Kings. He followed the martial tradition of a hill man and died like a true warrior in the battlefield. This temple was erected to commemorate his intrepidity and to remind the hill men of their martial traditions. The thousands of brass bells and letters of appeal that adorn the structure of this temple bear testimony to the great faith of the people to Lord Golu.

An unique way of fulfillment of wishes is followed here. Wishes are written on a piece of paper and tied with the bells in the temple and on the fullfllment of wishes the papers are taken out. Devotees also tie bells in the temple here.