Almora
City Information
Almora, a picturesque district in
the Kumaun region, East of Uttaranchal 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.
"In these hills, nature's hospitality
eclipses all men can ever do. The enchanting
beauties of the Himalayas, their bracing climate
and the soothing green that envelopes you
leaves nothing more to be desired. I wonder
whether the scenery of these hills and the
climate are to be surpassed, if equalled,
by any of the beauty spots of the world. After
having been nearly three weeks in Almora Hills,
I am more than ever amazed why our people
need go in Europe in search of health."
- Mahatama M.K. Gandhi
"These mountains are associated
with the best memories of our race: Here,
therefore, must be one of centers, not merely
of activity, but more of calmness of meditation,
and of peace and I hope some one to realize
it." - Swami Vivekananda
Main
Sightseeing of Almora
The Township of Almora is the district
headquarter and has all the facilities for
a tourist of twenty first century. This
ancient hill station is reputed for it's
health giving climate and is perched on
a five Km. long horse saddle shape ridge
in between the river Kosi and Suyal and
has been a cultural and political region
of Kumaun for almost four hundred years,
settled by Chand Rajas and nurtured by the
British.
One can have a panoramic view of the snowy
peaks of Himalayas on any clear day and
in addition a glimpse of the township with
it's tiled roofed houses and paved streets
would take you to the sixteenth century
in some thoughtful moment.
Nearby places of tourist interest where
an excursion can be made within a day are
Bright End Corner's unforgettable sunset,
Chitai temple with it's unique collection
of brass bells of all sizes, gifted to the
temple by devotees since centuries, Kasar
Devi which houses many Europeans who fell
in love with the place so much that they
settle down, Nanda Devi Temple the cultural
and religious center of Almora for now hundreds
of years and Lala Bazar a unique market
of more than two hundred years with paved
streets of stone.
Go to Top
Excursions
from Almora
Ranikhet : Around fifty Kms
from Almora the quiet and beautiful cantonment
township of Ranikhet, is famous for it's salubrious
climate, balmy breeze captivating and panoramic
Himalayan View and soothing and pollution
free greenery of pines and oaks. It is also
famous as the regimental center of the Kumaun
Regiment of Indian Army- one of the most prestigious
and the most decorated of all. The Kumaun
Regimental museum and amicably maintained
grassy and green golf course are memorable
experiences even for the most experienced
tourists.
From Ranikhet four Kms sojourn takes you
to the Chaubatiya gardens famous for it's
sprawling orchards of delicious apples, plums,
peaches and apricots. It is result of the
pioneering efforts of a British settler 150
years ago. In and around Ranikhet there are
some famous temples of the Hindus for religious
minded like Jhoola Devi Mandir, Ram Mandir,
Herakhan Mandir, Kalika Temple and Binsar
Mahadeva.
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.
Binsar : 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.'
Bageshwer : Situated around
90 KMs from Almora, Bageswer is now a new
district headquarter and the centre of administration
for the entire region called Danpur. The place
is significant from both religious and tourist
point of view. Situated at the confluence
of the rivers Saryu and Gomti, Bageswer is
the seat of the famous Uttaraini fair which
is held every year in January. The famous
and ancient temple of Bagnath from which the
township gets it's name has been attracting
thousands of devout Hindus year after year
since the birth of history. It is believed
that Markandey sage has lived at the place
and that Lord Shiva, one of the most important
gods of Hindus had wandered about as a tiger.
Even for the adventurous tourist Bageshwer
is a necessary destination since in order
to reach the glaciers of Sunderdunga, Kafni
and Pindari one has to necessarily cross Bageshwer.
Shitla Khet : 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.
Jalana : Situated 35 KMs
away from Almora in picturesque surroundings
Jalna offers a wide panoramic view of Himalayas.
There are a number of orchards which produce
a number of variety of fruits such as apricots,
peaches, peers, plums and apples.
Baijnath : Lying in the
Katyuri valley, 19 KMs away from Kausani is
the small but ancient town of Baijnath. It
was once upon a time the capital of the Katyuri
dynasty of kings and the place was then called
Kartikyapura. The remnants of those glorious
days lies at the bank of the Gomti river in
the form of a group of temples. The temple
is famous for it's ancient and magnificent
stone idol of the Hindu goddess Parvati. Around
8 KMs from Baijnath on the Gwaldam road is
lies the famous Kotkimai temple. One can also
visit Pandusthal which lies nearby.
Dwarahat : Situated in a
wide valley of the river Ramganga, Dwarahat
lies around 32 KMs from Ranikhet. And is a
very important town from both historical and
archeological point of view and may also have
been the capital of some branches of Katyuri
kings. Around 10 KMs from Dwarahat lies the
famous Doonagiri temple atop a hillock which
is famous in legends for containing the herb
drug Sanjivini. The temple dedicated to the
goddess Durga is situated in the midst of
beautiful and dense forest and a tea estate.
Some distance from Dwarahat lies the temple
of Naithan Devi.
Manila : Manila literally
means enchanting. The famous temple of Manila
Devi , the family goddess of Katyuri kings
lies around 85 KMs from Ranikhet. The surrounding
forests and the Himalayan views from this
hill ridge are worth remembering.
Katarmal : Situated around
17 KMs Northwest of Almora, Katarmal is famous
for 800 years temple dedicated to the Sun
God. The only temple in India dedicated to
Sun is the Konark temple in Puri at Orissa.
Patal Bhubneshwer : Fastly
emerging on the international tourism map,
Patal Bhubneshwer is a unique wonder of the
nature. Situated about 110 kms. from Almora
towards Gangolihat, in Pithoragarh district
the underground cave of Patal Bhubneshwer
has a vertical tunnel shaped 40 meters path
for getting inside into it from the ground
.After reaching at the bottom, the main passage
opens into several small horizontal caves,
out of which the longest accessible cave is
120 meters horizontal in length. The most
important thing is to notice is the mystery
of natural carving of many animals, Gods and
Goddesses in such a fine way that all it seems
real. The cave temple of Patal Bhubneshwer
is traditionally believed to be the abode
of thirty three crore deities. These marvelous
creature of the nature can evoke weird romantic
fancies and images in the religiously inclined
person.
Jageshwer : Situated around
35 KMs from Almora, Jageshwer one of the most
important religious places of Hindus in Kumaun
and is believed to be the abode of the one
of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas'. It is even mentioned
in the great epic of 'Mahabharata'. The great
temple complex is situated in a narrow and
beautiful valley covered with Cedar trees.
Two streams Nandini and Surabhi flow down
the hills and meet near the sacred spot. Dense
grove of Cedar trees, perpetual verdure, and
sweet murmur of the riverlets give a peculiar
charm and sanctity to this place. Their are
124 temples and hundreds of magnificent statues
of exquisite craftsmanship. The oldest shrine
is of the 'Mrityunjaya' and the biggest shrine
is of the 'Dindeshwara'. During the monsoons
their is huge fair held every year at Jageshwer.
How
to reach?
Air : Nearest airport :
na
Rail : Nearest railway station
Kathgodam
Road :
Some important city distance from
Almora
Pithoragarh
