Almora, a beautiful district in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in India, enthralls tourists worldwide with a panoramic view of the Himalayas. Almora is a very beautiful city in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Pithoragarh and Champawat are situated in the east, Pauri in the west, Bageshwar in the north, and Nainital in the south.
Almora is not only famous for its rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts, sumptuous food, and splendid wildlife, but the beautiful Himalayan mountain ranges are an unmatched amount of natural beauty. In these hills, nature’s hospitality can be received by all human beings at any time. The enchanting beauties of the Himalayas, their expansive climate, and soothing green envelopes leave you nothing more to be desired.
Known for its cultural diversity, Almora is a beautiful hill station situated at an average altitude of 1,638 meters above sea level and spread over a 5-kilometer-long ridge on Kashyap hill. Surrounded by dwindling pines and old oaks, the city has a divine natural aura that is enough to tempt anyone and everyone.
To make the scenery even more melodious, the snow-capped Himalayas stand with utmost magnificence to delight the eyes of their adoring ones. Almora is famous for its rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts, and delicious cuisine, thus it is also known as the cultural capital of Kumaon.
It is also the best hill station for honeymoon for newly married couples. The church of Almora is also somewhere old. This church is of the British era, this church works as a charm in the beauty of this city. Bal Mithai of Almora is famous not only in the country but also abroad. Apart from Bal Mithai, other sweets here are also very tasty and good. Almora is also the main center of education.
Almora is the main center of education in Kumaon. Children from distant mountains come here to study. This tourist place is connected by road to the entire Kumaon and Uttarakhand state. Because of this people can easily reach here. The largest campus of Kumaun University is located in Almora city itself.
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Almora Tourist Places
Golu Devta Temple
There is a temple of Golu Devta at a distance of 8 km from Almora city. This temple is also known by the name Chitai Temple, which is also called the God of Justice. In this temple, people wish to fulfill their wishes by writing a letter/letter to the Lord, there is a tradition of offering a bell on the fulfillment of the wish. Apart from this, there is a temple somewhere like Jageshwar Dham Garat Gwal Devta’s temple. Talking about Almora city, this tourist town is surrounded by temples, the beauty of these temples is worth seeing.
Jageshwar Temple
Jageshwar Dham Temple is one of the main religious places in Uttarakhand. This is the largest group of temples in Uttarakhand. It is situated in the middle of the deodar forests at a distance of about 40 km from Almora. It is also called the fifth Dham after Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. Jageshwar temple has a group of about 150 temples. In which five temples are main. According to mythological belief, Jageshwar is considered to be the penance place of Lord Shiva. A fair is organized here every year in the month of Shravan. Devotees come from all over the country to visit here.
Bright end corner
Bright End Corner is a delightful tourist spot located about 2 km from the city of Almora. There is a wonderful view of Bright and Corner Sunrise and Sunset. This beautiful place is Named after Brighton. The Mall Road of Almora starts from this place. If you come to visit Almora, then definitely go to the bright-end corner.
Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Museum
This museum was established in 1980 in honor of the special efforts made by Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant in the development of Uttarakhand. This is the only museum located on the Mall Road of Almora Uttarakhand. Which is the center of great attraction for the tourists.
Kasar Devi Temple
Situated in the Devi village of Almora, this temple is situated on the Kashyap mountain, about 8 kilometers from Almora. This village is famous all over the country and the state due to the Kasar Devi temple. This temple is believed to be around the second century. The local people of Uttarakhand have immense faith in Maa Kasar Devi and they also have unwavering faith in the powers of Maa Kasar Devi.
This temple is built on the Almora to Bageshwar road in a cave-like place at the very top of Kashyap hill in a village named Kasar. It is believed that Maa Durga had appeared in this temple. Katyayani is worshiped in the form of Maa Durga in the temple. Which is one of the 8 forms of Durga. If you have unwavering faith in religious faith, then you must definitely visit Maa Kasar Devi Temple when you come to Almora.
Dunagiri Temple
The Dunagiri Temple is a Siddha Shakti Peeth and has a mythological history. This Shakti Peeth Dronagiri is one of the Siddha Shakti Peeth. This is the second Shakti Peeth located in Kumaon. The first Siddha Shakti Peeth is Vaishno Devi. This place is located at a distance of about 15 km from Almora Dwarahat city. There is also an idol of Durga Mata here. Which was established by Katyuri King Sudhardev.
It is believed that the name of the place was read as Dronagiri because of the penance performed here by Dronacharya, the guru of the Pandavas. According to another belief, when Lakshmana had fainted from the power of Meghnad, Vaidya was sent by Shushen to the herb from the Himalayan Mountains. It was from here that part of the mountain was raised from the Dunagiri mountain by Hanuman, a piece of which had fallen at the place of the Dunagiri temple. The Dunagiri temple is believed to have been built at the same place later.
Deer Park Almora
Almora Deer Park is located at a distance of only 2-3 km from the city. It further attracts tourists. There are many pine trees in this park which add to its beauty. Deer, Leopard, and Himalayan Black Bear are mainly found in the park. This park is mainly famous for the fauna of endangered species.
Sun Temple of Katarmal
Katarmal Sun Temple is located in the Almora district. It is famous for the name Katarmal Sun Temple. This temple is 800 years old. This temple is located in Katarmal village, about 20 km from Almora city on the Almora to Kosi road. The height of this temple is about 2120 meters above sea level. The Katarmal Sun Temple is the tallest in Kumaon and the only Sun temple after the Sun Temple of Konark. The Sun Temple of Katarmal is the main attraction for tourists having religious faith.
zero point
Zero Point is a tower located in the center of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. It is situated near Almora, situated at an altitude of about 2300 meters above sea level. Tourists reach the zero point to see the spectacular views of the mountains of the Himalayas, Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, etc.
Dol Ashram Almora Uttarakhand
Dol Ashram has located about 40 km from Almora city. This ashram (DolAshram) situated in the middle of the mountains and amidst the lush green forests, far away from the busy life of the city, attracts you with the fresh, pure air and the green trees and birds chirping. Nestled in the lap of nature, Dol Ashram provides a different peace of mind to the people who come. By coming here, tourists call out all their problems and get lost in the ashram and the greenery here, being mesmerized. This place provides immense relaxation and peace to the mind.
What is the best time to visit Almora?
Almora can be visited in any season but the best time is from March to April as it offers a calm atmosphere. Pantnagar is the nearest airport from where Almora is 120 km away, and Kathgodam railway station is 80 km away. Almora is connected by road to Haridwar, Nainital, Dehradun, and Lucknow.
History of Almora
Chand rulers ruled in Almora for a long time. Its information is found in the inscriptions of Chand rulers ‘Trimal Chand’ and ‘Baz Bahadur Chand’. Almora district has been called the ‘Ramshila’ area in Manaskhand. The ancient name of Almora is “Alamnagar”. Its geographical feature is similar to that of a horse’s hoof.
Almora is also known as the ‘Valley of Kings’. According to mythology, Kaushika Devi killed the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh in Almora.
When man was on the path of development. Then in the 6th century BC, 16 Mahajanapadas emerged. At one time a clan would have become permanent in Almora also. Over time its size increased. And thus a district would have been formed.
The early rulers are believed to be from the Chand kingdom which was a branch of the Kunid dynasty. According to historian Dr. Katoch, initially, Almora was a part of Uttar Kururu Mahajanapada.
Till the Maurya period, Almora was not ruled by any particular emperor. But after the later period, King Kanishka of the Kushanas established control.
After the fall of the Harshavardhana period, the small powers of all the districts started raising their heads. And from the seventh century to the 11th century, the Karthikeyapur dynasty and the Katyuri dynasty ruled. In 1025 AD, Somchand, the ruler of the Chand dynasty, established the kingdom in Kumaon.
initial capital was at Champawat. Akbar’s contemporary Bal Kalyan Chand established a completely new capital at Almora in 1565. From where a different identity of Almora emerged. Bal Kalyan Chand built the fort of Lal Mandi in Almora.
During the British period, Lal Mandi was known as ‘Fort Myra’. Presently a military cantonment is established here. Established “Malla Mahal” during the reign of Rudra Chandra.
According to another historian Dr. Shyam Lal, Rudra Chand also established a new social system. Brahmins were given various posts like Purohita, Vaidhi, Raj, Kohli, Pahariya, Tamta, Sahu, Oli, etc. Whom we currently know by the name of Cast.
The period of decline of the Chand kingdom in Almora began with the sitting of his son Devisingh Chand after the death of Jagat Chand in 1720 AD. Which is called “Mohammed Tughlaq of Kumar”.
The last king of the Chand dynasty was “Mahendra Chandra”, after that in 1790 Almora was captured by the Gorkhas. And after ruling for 24 years, British rule was established in 1815. After which the Treaty of Sugauli was done by the British in 1816 and the district of Kumaon got the status as the administrative headquarters.
Importance of Almora
Almora is situated on the mountain peak between the ‘Kosi’ and ‘Suyal’ rivers, the front part of which is called Teliphat (hot), and the rear part is called Seliphat (cold). The Suyal River Almora flows near Lakhu Adyar. It is a tributary of Kosi.
Shipra river meets Kosi river at a place called Khairana. Someshwar valley of Almora is called the rice bowl of Kumaon, Someshwar is situated on the banks of the Kosi river. The Gagas and Bino rivers join the Ramganga river at Almora.
Impressed by the beauty of Almora, the Collector of Almora, Puri, named his daughter ‘Almora’.
Almora district is called ‘Tamranagari’ of the state. Whereas Marchula located in Almora is called ‘Brass City. This is the only district in the state where silver is found. Apart from this, copper and magnesite are produced in Jhiroli.
The Gaura River flows through Almora. The village named Simlikhet divides the Almora and Chamoli districts into two parts. The special thing about the people of this village is that people here speak both Kumaoni and Garhwali languages.
During the British rule in Almora, dance training was given to Indians and French here. Uday Shankar Nritya and Natak Akademi were established here in 2003. At present, the headquarters of the Institute of Folk Arts is located in Almora.
Almora’s DSB Campus has a special contribution to education. This college was earlier under Agra University. In the year 1873, it is run by Kumaun University. Various types of tourist places and temples have been included, which are the main attractions of Almora.
How to reach Almora?
One of the most famous hill stations of Uttarakhand, Almora is known for its beautiful and serene natural environment. I am going to tell you about all the ways to reach Almora from Delhi so that you do not face any kind of problem in reaching Almora.
How to reach Almora by Airplane?
If you want to fly on your Almora trip, then you can take a flight from the nearest airport to your city at Pantnagar or Pithoragarh Airport, which is the nearest airport to Almora. Many Uttarakhand roadways buses run from Pantnagar and Pithoragarh airport to Almora, so that you can reach Almora in the right way. The distance of Almora from Pantnagar and Pithoragarh airport is about 116 and 122 km. Is.
How to reach Almora by Train?
The nearest railway station to Almora is Kathgodam and Haldwani, from where the distance of Almora is about 82 and 89 km. Is. Ordinary buses of Uttarakhand Roadways run for Almora from both Kathgodam and Haldwani railway stations, which reach Almora in 3-4 hours from both these railway stations. If you come to these two railway stations of Uttarakhand, then from there you can reach Almora by bus or taxi (private or shared) without any hassle.
How to reach Almora by Bus?
If you want to go on the Almora trip via bus, then you can complete your entire trip journey by bus. Two Ordinary buses of Uttarakhand Roadways are run from Anand Vihar in Delhi to Almora directly, whose opening hours are 8 and 9 pm, which reach Almora in about 12 hours at 8 and 9 am. If you do belong from other cities in the country other than Delhi, then you can reach Delhi by bus, train, or flight according to your convenience and from there you can catch the bus and go to Almora.
How to reach Almora by bike or car?
The government of Uttarakhand pays very good attention to whether the condition of the roads in the state of Uttarakhand has become very bad because the government of the state of Uttarakhand understands very well that Uttarakhand is one such state of India. , whose name is included in the top 5 states with the most tourist and religious places in India, where rivers, mountains, waterfalls, temples, hill stations, and many other tourist places and honeymoon destinations exist.
This is the reason that a very good road has been made to go to all the places of Uttarakhand and those roads are also repaired from time to time so that tourists do not face any problem in going from one place to another.
If you are planning to go on an Almora trip by your bike or car from any corner of the country, then you can feel free to complete this trip with your vehicle i.e. bike or car. Due to the good road condition of Uttarakhand, you can take your bike or car not only to Almora but also to all the places of Uttarakhand.
FAQs about Almora Hill Station
Q: Where is Almora located?
A: Almora is a hill station located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is situated in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas.
Q: How can I reach Almora?
A: The nearest airport to Almora is Pantnagar Airport, which is approximately 115 kilometers away. The closest railway station is Kathgodam, located around 90 kilometers from Almora. From there, one can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Almora.
Q: What is the best time to visit Almora?
A: The best time to visit Almora is during the months of March to June and September to November. These months offer pleasant weather with moderate temperatures, making it ideal for exploring the town and enjoying outdoor activities.
Q: What are the popular tourist attractions in Almora?
A: Almora offers several attractions, including ancient temples like Nanda Devi Temple, Kasar Devi Temple, and Chitai Golu Devta Temple. Other notable places to visit include Bright End Corner, Jageshwar Temples, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Katarmal Sun Temple.
Q: Are there trekking opportunities near Almora?
A: Yes, Almora serves as a gateway to several scenic trekking routes in the Kumaon region. Popular treks include the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary trek, Jageshwar trek, and the Kausani trek, which offer stunning views of the Himalayas and a chance to explore the region's natural beauty.
Q: Are there accommodations available in Almora?
A: Yes, Almora offers a range of accommodations to suit different budgets and preferences. There are luxury resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and homestays available in and around the town.
Q: What are the local cuisines to try in Almora?
A: Almora offers a variety of local cuisines that are worth trying. Some popular dishes include Bhatt ki Churkani (a traditional Kumaoni dish), Madwe Ki Roti (local bread), Baadi (a type of local pancake), and Singauri (a sweet delicacy made with khoya and coconut).
Q: Is Almora a family-friendly destination?
A: Yes, Almora is a family-friendly destination with its serene atmosphere and several attractions suitable for all age groups. Families can enjoy exploring the town, visiting temples, indulging in nature walks, and taking in the scenic beauty of the Himalayas.
Q: Can I buy local handicrafts and souvenirs in Almora?
A: Yes, Almora is known for its vibrant handicrafts. Visitors can find a wide range of locally made products such as woolens, shawls, wooden artifacts, copper utensils, and traditional Kumaoni jewelry in the local markets.
Q: Is Almora safe for tourists?
A: Almora is generally considered a safe destination for tourists. However, it is always advisable to take standard precautions like being aware of your surroundings, keeping your belongings secure, and following any local guidelines or advice provided by authorities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Almora stands as an enchanting hill station nestled in the beautiful Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. With its serene atmosphere, ancient temples, picturesque landscapes, and opportunities for trekking, Almora offers a delightful retreat for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil escape. Whether it’s exploring the vibrant local markets, admiring the panoramic views of the Himalayas, or indulging in the flavors of Kumaoni cuisine, Almora captivates visitors with its cultural richness and natural beauty. The town’s family-friendly environment and range of accommodations make it an ideal destination for all travelers. With its unique charm and serene ambiance, Almora beckons those seeking solace in the lap of the Himalayas to create unforgettable memories amidst its captivating surroundings.