Almora District
ALMORA HISTORY
Almora attracts tourists each year due to its views of the Himalayas, cultural heritage, handicrafts and cuisine, and being a business hub for the Kumaon region.
Almora was developed by the kings of Chand dynasty. The ancient town of Almora, was under the possession of Katyuri king Baichal deo. He donated the major part of this land to a Gujrati Brahmin Sri Chand Tiwari. Later on when Chand kingdom was founded in Baramandal, the town of Almora was founded at this centrally located place in 1568 by Kalyan Chand. In the days of the Chand Kings it was called Rajapur.
In the 1960s Bageshwar district, Pithoragarh district and Champawat district had not yet been formed and were part of Almora district.
Details of District Almora:
TOTAL AREA 3139.00 Sq.Kms.
FOREST AREA 1309.00 Sq. Kms.
TEHSIL 12
HOW TO REACH ALMORA
By Air
The nearest airport to Almora is at Pantnagar, about 127 KMs from Almora.
By Road
Distance from Almora to other cities. are listed below.
By Train
Nearest railway station is at Kathgodam (around 90 KMs away), it is connected by rail with Delhi, Lucknow, Dehradun and Calcutta.
PLACES TO VISIT IN ALMORA DISTRICT
Gairad Golu Dev Temple
Golu Devata is the legendary mythological and historical God of the Kumaon region and is their deity.
The Nanda Devi Mandir
Every September, many flock to this temple for Nanda Devi Mela, which is an integral part of this temple for more than 400 years.
Banri Devi Temple
The octagonal temple has an ancient idol of Vishnu with the Sheshnag pose.
Katarmal Temple
It's a magnificent Surya temple also known as Bara Aditya temple. Its the only Sun temple in Kumaon.
Gana Nath Temple
It's famous for its caves and a Shiva temple.
Chitai Golu Temple
Chitai Temple is easily recognised by the amount of copper bells hung in its premises.
Binsar Mahadev
It is said to have been built in 9/10th Century. With idols of Ganesh, Har Gauri & Maheshmardini, this temple is known for its architectural finesse.
Jageshwar Dham
It is a group of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are 124 big and small temples. The temple are said to be 2500 years old.
Jhoola Devi Temple
The holy shrine is dedicated to Goddess Durga and has been named as Jhoola Devi because the presiding deity is seen seated on a cradle. According to locals this temple is 700 years old.
Kasar Devi temple
Its a Devi temple, dedicated to Kasar Devi, after whom the place is also named. The temple structure dates to the 2nd century CE.
TOURIST PLACES IN ALMORA DISTRICT
Kasar Devi
Kasar Devi near Almora, Uttarakhand is known for the Kasar Devi temple. The temple structure dates to the 2nd century CE. Swami Vivekananda visited Kasar Devi in 1890s, and many western seeker.
Its also known for Crank’s Ridge, which was popular destination during the Hippie movement of the 1960s and 1970s, and continues to attract trekkers and tourists, both domestic and foreign.
Ranikhet
The quiet and beautiful cantonment township of Ranikhet is around 50 Kms from Almora. Its famous for it’s climate, captivating and panoramic Himalayan View and soothing & pollution free greenery of pines and oaks.
It is also famous as the regimental center of the Kumaun Regiment of Indian Army. The Chaubatiya gardens famous for it’s orchards of delicious apples, plums, peaches and apricots are 4 KMs from Ranikhet.
Binsar
Binsar is nestled amongst thick forests of Oak & Rhodendron and offers close views of the Himalayan peaks.
The entire region is now a wildlife sanctuary.
Dwarahat
It is around 32 KMs from Ranikhet and is situated in a wide valley of the river Ramganga.
Around 10 KMs from Dwarahat lies famous Doonagiri temple (atop a hillock) which is famous in legends for containing the herb drug Sanjivini.
Shitla Khet
Situated between Ranikhet and Almora this picturesque place provides a wide view of the Himalayan peaks and is 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.
katarmal
Katarmal is famous for 800 years temple dedicated to the Sun God and is situated around 17 KMs Northwest of Almora.
Jageshwar
Jageshwer is one of the most important religious places of Hindus in Kumaon and is believed to be the one of the twelve ‘Jyotirlingas’.
There 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.
Jalana
It is Situated 35 KMs away from Almora in picturesque surroundings and 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.
Kausani
Kausani
Kausani is situated around 52 KMs from Almora and is famous for it’s breathtakingly view of the Himalayan Peaks.
The famous Hindi poet Sumitra Nandan Pant was born here. Pinnath (10KMs), Bura Pinnath (5KMs) and Bhakot are the highest points near Kausani.