Introduction
Almora district is located in the Kumaon division which is in the east of Uttarakhand in north India. It is a picturesque district and summons tourists worldwide to its alluring opulence of natural beauty.
Almora district offers a panoramic view of Himalaya Mountain and it is famous for its rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts, splendid cuisine and magnificent wildlife. With an easy accessibility Almora District promises its tourists a visit full of fun and unforgettable moments.
Location of Almora District
The district of Almora is located in the state of Uttarakhand in India. In east lies the district of Pithoragarh bordering Tibet and in its west lie the district of Garhwal and in North lies the newly created district of Bageshwar and in the South there is the district Nainital.
History of Almora District
Almora District came into existence in independent India. The ancient town of Almora was under the possession of Katyuri king Baichaldeo. He donated major part of this land to a Gujarati Brahmin, Sri Chand Tiwari and began its development by establishing the temples and the monasteries.
Geography of Almora District
Almora District is geographically located on the foothills of Himalayan mountain range along with a ridge known as Talifat and Selifat. The landscape beauty of Almora District attracts huge amount of tourists each year for its views of the Himalayas.
Demography of Almora District
According to the Population census in the year 2011, Almora District has a total population of about 621,927. The literacy rate of Almora District is about 81.06 percent.
Culture of Almora District
Almora district is rich in folk lore and the folk tales of Ajua-Bafaul, Narsingh and Ghana, Purukh Pant and the tales of chivalry of Gangnath, and the mythical tales of Haru-Sem, Golu, Bin-bhat, Ganwara, Kalsem, Churmal Airi, Pari and Jhorra Folk Dance. Many of these tales in the form of ballads are sung in diverse melodies and Nyoli, Bhagnaula, Chapeli, Jhorra, Chanchari etc belong to this group. The folk songs of this region make a poetic description of the glory of the Himalayan Region, the inherent charm of Nanda devi, Panchhchuli, Trishul and Chiplakot and the beauty of various aspects of nature including the luxuriant vegetation and the dense forest. The folk songs on nature are one of the prime cultural consciousnesses in this region.
Fairs and Festivals of Almora District
Fairs and festivals of Almora district in Uttarakhand are the representatives of the social and cultural ethos of the district. They have also played an important role in preserving the folk culture of the place and in augmenting its economic activities. Many of the celebrations are organized in remote areas and hilly terrains, where communication is quite difficult, to enhance the communication and cultural gathering at these places. These occasions cheerfully combine business, beliefs and gaiety among the people of the district.
Uttraini Festival: Uttraini festival is a significant festival of the district, held in the month of January and continues for a week in the town of Bageshwar. The fair accompanying the festival attracts huge number of Almora traders, Bhotias from the snows and other folks from the surrounding regions. Bageshwar is the place where the two rivers namely Saryu and Gomti meet. At the point of confluence, a large temple stands projecting its conical tower. It is the shrine of Bageshwar, also known as Vyagreswar, which is the epithet of Lord Shiva, `Tiger Lord`. Kumaon king known as Laxmi Chand built this temple in 1450 A.D. However the temple also hosts a Sanskrit inscription belonging to an earlier era. The festival forms an important centre for trading of diverse articles.
Jageshwar Monsoon Festival: Jageshwar monsoon festival is held from 15th July to 15th August in Jageshwar and holds religious as well as historical significance. It is organized in the temple of Lord Jagnath which is enlisted among the twelve 'Jyotirlinga' of Lord Shiva in the country and was constructed around 8th or 9th century. Apart from this, the place also houses 125 other temples of ancient times. The festival is religiously very significant for Kumaoni society.
Nanda Devi Festival: Nanda Devi festival is one the grandest festivals of the district. It is accompanied by a big fair which is organized in the month of September at the town of Almora. The inception of this fair can be traced back to the time of Chand kings who ruled over the place once. The rulers of this dynasty worshipped Nanda Devi as their family goddess. The term `Nanda` literally refers to prosperity. Dyot Chanda, a king of Chand dynasty built the Nanda Devi temple in Almora during 17th century. The festival is celebrated for five days where the temple forms the centre. The festival also attracts a vast sea of tourists.
Dussehra Festival: Dussehra festival is celebrated in Almora town with great pomp and glory in the month of October to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Unique celebrations are held in the town where effigies of devils are made by the local artists all round the town and symbolic victory of good over evil is shown in an artistic way. Social gatherings are organized in which the devil effigies are finally burnt.
In addition to these, other fairs and festivals of Almora district include Srikrishna Janmashtami festival, Syaldey - Bikhauti Mela, Somnath Mela, Mahashivratri, Punyagiri Navratri Mela, Raksha Bandhan Mela, Mustamanu fair, Doonagiri Mela, Kapileshwar fair, Kanardevi fair, Honkara Devi fair, Dhanlekh fair, Laccher fair and many more.
Handicrafts are an inseparable part of the culture of the people of Almora district. With the available resources and constraints of nature, man learnt the art of living which resulted in the unique traditional technologies of their own, of different socio cultural regions.
Administration of Almora District
The administration of Almora District is classified into 9 tehsils like Almora, Bhikiyasain, Chaukhutiya, Dwarahat, Jainti, Ranikhet, Someshwar, and Sult. The district is administered by the District Collector and the assembly constituencies are administered by the MLA and MP. Dwarahat, Salt, Ranikhet, Someshwar (SC), Almora, and Jageshwar are the assembly constituencies of Almora District.
Flora and Fauna of Almora District
Flora and Fauna is an inseparable part of Almora district. The region of Almora district is immensely rich with four thousand species of plants and a natural sanctuary of variety of animals. This district has remarkable diversity in its natural vegetation by virtue of its being at a great range of elevation. In addition to its climatic variations, particularly in temperature and precipitation associated with the alignment and altitudes of ranges and nature of valleys, determine the altitudinal growth and variety of vegetation. The flora of this region may be classified into tropical, Himalayan sub-tropical and sub alpine and alpine vegetation. The alpine and sub alpine zones are considered as the most natural abode of the largest number of Indian medicinal plants.
Considering the various parameters, the vegetation of this region, can broadly be divided into four parts. The Sub-tropical Forest zone lies between the altitude of three hundred meters and fifteen hundred meters. The Sal Community is a deciduous type of plant community ranges from three hundred meters to thousand meters altitude. The tree species of this community are Semecarpus anacardium, Haldu (Adina cordifolia), Bauhinia vahlii, Madhuca longifolia, Cassia fistula etc. Pine Community is an evergreen plant community and is mainly found in dry hill slopes between twelve hundred meters to eighteen hundred meters. The forest floor is often clear. However, Pyrus pashia, Dalbergia sericia, Caseana elliptica, Syzygium Cumini are other species grow with pine. Vijaysar Community is a deciduous type of plant community found in shady and wet place ranging from eight hundred meters to fifteen hundred meters in altitudes.
The trees Sapium onsigne, Dalbergia sissoo, Syzygium cumini are few among other species. Ramal Community is a deciduous plant community mainly found on eroded slopes or river area. Faliyal Oak Community is evergreen community found in shady and moist place up to fifteen hundred meter altitude. The trees such as Pyrus pashia, Emblica officinalis and shrubs Callicarpa arborea, Rubus ellipticus are the other associates of this community. Chair Pine and Bany Oak Community is mainly found between the altitudes fifteen hundred meters to eighteen hundred meters. Myrica esculenta, Rhododendron arboreum, Pyrus pashia etc are the other tree species of this community.
The forest communities of Sub-temperate forest zone are generally found in between eighteen hundred meters to two thousand eight hundred meters altitude. Deodar Community of plants is found between eighteen hundred meters to two thousand and two hundred meters altitude. The shrubs which belong to this community are Rubus ellipticus and Berberis asiatica. Utis deciduous plant community is generally found between fourteen hundred to two thousand and two hundred meters altitude.
Some of the important species of this community are Rubus ellipticus and Betula alnoides. Horse Chestnut Community is a deciduous community which occurs between two thousand and two thousand five hundred meters altitude. The species of trees which belong to this community are Betula alnoides, Juglans regia and Litsea umbrosa. Kal Community is an ever green forest which resides from twenty one hundred meters to twenty eight hundred meters altitude. Banj oak is also an evergreen plant community found between eight hundred meters and two thousand and two hundred meters altitude. Rianj Oak is found from two thousand to two thousand five hundred meters in altitude. Myrica esculenta, Betula alnoides, Pyrus pasia are among the other tree species of this community. This community also attains the same attitudinal range as mentioned for banj oak forest. Tilonj oak Community occurs between two thousand and two hundred meters and two thousand seven hundred meters altitude. The co-dominant species of this forest are Rarboreum, Lyonia ovalifolia, Litsea umbrosa etc.
The Sub Alpine Forest Community is found from twenty eight hundred to thirty eight hundred meters altitude. Bhoj patra, Betula utilis Kharsu oak, Qsemecarpifolia and Silver fir (Abies pindrow), are the main species of this community. The most interior community of this region lies between to thirty eight hundred and five thousand meters altitude. Low shrubs and grassy meadows are more common categories of this community. With the increase in altitude the plant shape become smaller and cushion like.
The sub-alpine zones of Almora and outskirts are a natural sanctuary for leopard, Langur, Himalayan black bear, kakar, goral etc. The high altitude zones abound in musk deer, popularly called Kastura Mrig, snow leopard, blue sheep, thar etc. The entire zone is rich in a remarkable variety of birds possessing plumage of magnificent design and colours like peacock, which include grey quail, Kala Titar, Whistling thrush, Chakor, monal pheasant cheer pheasant, koklas pheasant etc. in the Sub-tropical forests the main animals are Tiger, Chital (Axis axis), Leopard (Panthera Pardus), Fox (Vulpes vulpes montanus), and Boar. In the Tropical Rain Forest, Goral (Nemoahaedus goral), Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelana) and Peora Patridge (hill Patridge, Chir Pheasant) are found in mainly. Sub Alpine forest is a home to Blue Sheep, Alpine Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia), Monal, Black Bear, Marmot, Bharal, Snow Cock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) and Snow Patridge.
Tourism in Almora District
There are several places of tourist interest in Almora District. 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 its tiled roofed houses and paved streets. Near by places like Ranikhet, Kausani, Dwarahat, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and Bageshwar are worth visiting. This region is immensely rich with four thousand species of plants, having remarkable diversity in its natural vegetation by virtue of its being at a great range of elevation. Trekking and skiing are the chief attractions of adventure tourism in Almora district. Pilgrimage tourism is also an inseparable part of the place.
Pilgrimage Tourism: Almora district has a lot to offer when it comes to pilgrimage tourism. The Shaivite temples include the temples dedicated to female form of Lord Shiva. The temples of Tripur, Sundari, Udyot, Chandeshwer and Parbateshwer were erected in the year 1688, after the victory of Udyot Chand, the then ruler of Almora over Doti and Garhwal, and are presently located on the hill just above the Lala Bazar. The temple of Parbateshwara was again endowed by the then rulers of Almora, Dip Chand in 1760 and was renamed Dipchandeshwar. This present temple is called the Nanda Devi temple when the image of Nanda was removed from the fort by Mr. Trail, a famous British, and the then divisional commissioner of Kumaon. Again eight temples of Bhirava, a form of Shiva, were erected during the reign of Gyan Chand to allay the wrath of Bhola Nath. These temples attract tourist from all over India. There are nine temples in Almora district which are dedicated to nine forms of Goddess Durga. There are also temples of Vishwanath, Someshwar and Kshetrapal.
Among the Vaishnavite temples, the most important is the temple of Siddha Narsimha. It was endowed by Gorkhalis. Raghunath temple was endowed in 1788 by Raja Mohan Singh Chand. There are four temples dedicated to Lord Ganesh. They are Bhitla Ganesh, Gairi Ganesh, Nanda Devi Ganesh and Siddha Ganesh. The Nar Singh temple at Narsimha Bari is another Vaishnavite temple. The temples of Murli Manohar, Hanuman and Badreshwer were erected very late. One of the Ganesh temples was endowed by the then ruler Kalyan Chand in 1731 A.D.
Adventure Tourism: Adventure tourism is a big rage in Almora district. If a tourist is fired by the spirit of adventure, then he should visit Almora district, a land blessed with snowbound peaks, crystal glaciers, Rolling Meadows, jagged rock faces, scenic valleys, meandering rivers, cascading waterfalls, dense forests and hospitable people with rich culture. Trekking is the best way of getting to know this land, its people, culture and traditions. The mountain adventure season, which till recently was confined to the summer months now covers almost the full year including winter. This has been made possible by improved equipment and transportation and the availability of the year-round bookings in the areas hitherto considered inaccessible.
Leisure Tourism: There are lots of places in and around Almora district where an excursion can be made within a day and is guaranteed to be a memorable experience. Around fifty kilometers from Almora the quiet and beautiful cantonment township of Ranikhet, is famous for its 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 Kumaon Regiment of Indian Army, one of the most prestigious and the most decorated of all. The Kumaon Regimental museum and amicably maintained grassy and green golf course are memorable experiences even for the most experienced tourists. Kausani, situated around fifty two kilometers from Almora is famous for its breathtakingly close view of the Himalayan Peaks and its solitudes and greenery. Kausani`s beauty attracted Mahatma Gandhi, who stayed for some time at this place. Another great man of India the famous Hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant was born here. There is small museum to earmark that sacred spot.
Situated only 30 km 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. Situated around ninety kilometres from Almora, Bageshwar is now a new district head quarter 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 Saryu River and Gomti River, Bageshwar 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. 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 three kilometers away on a lovely mountainous trail.
Tourist Places Around Almora District
Around 50 km from Almora district, is the quiet and beautiful cantonment township of Ranikhet. It is famous for its healthy 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 Kumaon Regiment of Indian Army- one of the most prestigious and the most decorated of all. The Kumaon Regimental museum and amicably maintained grassy and green golf course are memorable experiences even for the most experienced tourists. Four kilometers from Ranikhet there is the Chaubatiya gardens famous for its sprawling orchards of delicious apples, plums, peaches and apricots. 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.
Situated between Ranikhet and Almora the picturesque place of Shitla Khet 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 three kilometres away on a lovely mountainous trail.
Situated 30 km away from Almora is the picturesque surroundings of Jalna which offers a wide panoramic view of Himalayas. There are a number of orchards which produce a variety of fruits such as apricots, peaches, peers, plums and apples. Lying in the Katyuri valley, nineteen kilometres 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. Situated in a wide valley of the river Ramganga, Dwarahat lies around 32 km from Ranikhet. It is a very important town from both historical and archaeological point of view and may also have been the capital of some branches of Katyuri kings. Manila literally means enchanting. The surrounding forests and the Himalayan views from this hill ridge are worth remembering. Situated around 17 km Northwest of Almora, Katarmal is famous for eight hundred years old temple dedicated to the Sun God.
Trekking in Almora District
Trekking in Almora district is a lifetime experience for adventure and nature lovers. The sky kissing mountains covered with snow, crystal glaciers, picturesque valleys, cascading waterfalls, gracefully meandering rivers, spectacular meadows and lush greenery makes these places an ultimate destination to savour the splendid beauty of nature. It also forms an ideal way to explore diverse lands, culture and traditions. The pioneer of trekking routes in this region of the country was Adi Shankaracharya who in 8th century A.D. trekked in the Himalayas. Advancement in transportation, communication and availability has enabled the trekking activities in this region throughout the year.
Pithoragarh - Parvati Lake: It is one of the most cherished trekking regions of Almora district which comprises a vast portion of Kailash including Kali, Kuti and Dhauli regions. Walks along the Mansarovar route of Kailash offers an opportunity to witness the social and cultural life of the people belonging to Darma, Byans and Chaudans valleys. Pithoragarh is often termed as miniature Kashmir which takes the trekker to Chhota Kailash and Parvati Tal, which is an enchanting lake. Sinla Pass remains covered with snow and Chhota Kailash peak can be seen from here. In this route, the foreigners are allowed only up to Budhi and are then diverted to the route from New Sobla to Chhota Kailash through Sinla Pass.
Milam Glacier: Milam glacier, situated in Pithoragarh district, is a famous glacier of Kumaon region. The subsidiary glaciers from peaks like Mangraon, Deo Damla and Sakram flow into it. At the projection of this glacier, the Goriganga River rises that is the Upper Kumaon Himalayas`s arterial waterway. It is another adventurous trekking route of the district.
Namik Glacier: Along this trekking route, the snout of Namik glacier can be seen along with the stream that comes down from Anargal. It passes through Jogi Udiyar which is the ascent of Penthang and Bhindawali and then meets the main stream.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is another intriguing trekking route in Kailash Mansarovar. A government undertaking known as the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam conducts annual trips to Kailash Mansarovar via Lipulekh. The trek however requires prior permission from the Government of India and approval is given on the basis of medical fitness.
Lipulekh Trek: This trek route starts from Pithoragarh and leads to Lipulekh Pass which is a major pass of the Kumaon region, located in the Kali Valley. Similar to Pithoragarh - Parvati Lake trek route, foreigners are allowed only up to Budhi.
Roopkund Trek: This region is located at an altitude of 5029 metres on the Trishul massif. A lake is situated in this region which is also referred as the `mystery lake` since remains of horses and human skeletons belonging to Palaeolithic age have been found here. Snow capped peaks and rock-strewn glaciers border this lake. Debal forms the starting point of this trekking route and passes through conifer forests and vibrant green grasslands. The route then proceeds towards Pinder River and reaches to Homekund through Shail Samudra glacier. Finally the trekkers in this route moves to Ghat or Nandaprayag. The route offers a wondrous experience to nature lovers.
