Almora is one of the three hill districts of Kumaon in the
Himalayan state of Uttaranchal. A region endowed with natural abundance,
Almora is known as the cultural capital of Kumaon. 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.
WEATHER OF ALMORA Located
at a height of 1,638 meters above sea level, Almora 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 Almora is in early
summer and autumn. The rainy season is also very pleasant here.
HISTORY
OF ALMORAAlmora 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.
The origin of
Almora has a long history associated with it. Legend has it that about 500
years ago Raja Kalyan Chand, the then ruler of Kumaon with its capital at
Champawat, once reached this horseshoe shaped spur while in pursuit of game.
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 future
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.
ALMORA
SIGHTSEEING Almora is nestled in the abode 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 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.
ALMORA - A HEAVENLY GETAWAY Though
Almora was founded in 1568, much has changed since, but the attractions of
Almora have not paled. Swami Vivekananda included it in his itinerary at the
turn of this century. His famous lectures – From Almora To Colombo –
record that he was stirred as much by the stark beauty of the mountains here
as by the ocean at Kanyakumari. The headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission,
for long, were located at Mayawati Ashram – then in Almora. Gurudev
Rabindranath Tagore spent a summer to get over the personal grief after the
loss of a beloved child and found the environs salubrious. A little later
followed the great dancer – choreographer Udaya Shankar. He fell in
love with the place and set up a cultural center here and, for a while,
sleepy Almora hummed with creative energy. Ravi Shankar, Zohra Sehgal, Simki
and the youngster Guru Dutt have all been here. Others have followed in
their footsteps. Painters like Brewster, mystics like Lama Govinda and
scientists like Boshi Sen. Pundit Nehru had served a term of imprisonment in
the Jail at Almora and has left behind an evocative account of the pleasures
of solitude and the changing moods of nature in his various letters written
from this place.
GETAWAYS FROM ALMORA Apart
from Almora, the places around this beautiful hill resort offer picturesque
getaway to travellers 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.
REACHING ALMORABy
Air :The nearest airport is a 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.
