Almora, Nainital, Uttranchal

Almora, a small town which is built on Kashaya Hill, as mentioned in the Hindu scripture, the "skanda Purana". Unlike most hill stations, Almora wasn't empty hillside "discovered" by the british. It was already an established town with a long history. It is perched on a 5 km long horshoe shaped ridge, at an elevation of 1,646 m above sea level. The town looks out over a fertile terraced valley and four ranges of hills - Banari Devi, Kasan Devi, Shyahi Devi and Katarmal. Beyond them is Trishul and Nanda Devi in the Great Himalayas.

It is believed that great god Vishnu dwelt here. Presently the city is headquarters of District Almora in the state of Uttar Pradesh with population size of 27,000, it is also an important market town and administrative centre with an agriculture research station.

How to reach there:

Almora is 103 km from Nainital via Ranikhet, 378 km from Delhi, 460 km from Lucknow and 90 km from Kathgodam.

Air: Nearest airport is Pantnagar (Nainital), which is 127 km away.

Rail: Nearest railway station is at Kathgodam, 90 km, from where direct trains are available for Delhi, Lucknow and Agra.

Road: Almora is well connected by road to important centres in the region. There are direct buses to Delhi, Nainital, Kausani, Ranikhet, Pithoragarh, Song for the Pindari Glacier trek, and Banbassa on the border with Nepal.

Places of Interest:

Kasar Devi Temple: Situated at a distance of 6 km from Almora town is this temple on Kalmatiya Hill, where Swami Vivekanand came to mediate.

Udyotchandesvar Temple: It houses Kumaon's presiding deity, Nanda Devi, whose festival is celebrated in August/September.

Government Museum: It is situated near bus stand. It is open all days from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, except Monday. It contains archaeological pieces from the 11th century Katyuri and Chand area.

Mohan Joshi park: Is a favourite picnic ground close to the Mall.

Bright End Corner: The place commands a grand view of the Himalayas -particularly spectacular at dawn and dusk. It is 2 km away from the town.

Deer Park and Simtola: Both are 3 km away from Almora. They offers lush environs.

Kalimath: 5 km away and is famed for it's scenic grandeur and a panoramic view of Almora town.

Walks-Brighton End Corner, named after England's popular seaside resort, is two kms from the bus station on the Mall and is the most popular point for sunset and sunrise views of the Himalayas. Walking further on one can climb up to the Durga and Khagmara temples, on paths leading off the Mall.

Shopping:

A kilometre long main bazaar lies on the ridge parallel to the bus route. Bazaar is attractive with local flavour, and is lined with fine old buildings with carved wooden windows. Almora's Tamta artisans still use traditional methods to work with copper. The handbeaten copper pots are silver plated in traditional way. Locally knitted jumpers and the traditional Panchmarhi shawls in soft wool are popular. Gold and Silver jewellery and bowls carved out of Sal wood from Pithoragarh are particularly fine. Main shopping areas are Lala Bazar and Chowk Bazar.

Around City:

Sithalkhet: Is ideal for a quiet holiday. The nearby forest abounds in orchards and herbal plants used in medicines. Just 4 km from Sitalkhet is the famous temple of Syahi Devi, which is worshipped by local people. Nearby is the natural spring from where the first water scheme for Almora town was initiated some 70 years ago. Just 2 km below Sitalkhet is the village Khoont which is the ancestral village of late freedom fighter Pt. G.B Pant. Sitalkhet is 30 km from Almora.

Simtola: 3 kms from Almora, on the opposite side of the horseshoe ridge, is a pine-covered picnic spot. Close by are Hiradungi, once a diamond mining centre and the scenic Greynite Hill.

Bageshwar: Is 71 km from Almora. This pilgrim town, once a trade terminus, lies at the confluence of Gomti and Saryu rivers. A temple dedicated to Bagnath, built by Raja Laxmi Chand is the venue for the annual fair. This is also a district headquarters. Bageshwar is the base for the popular trekking routes to Sunderdhunga, Pindari and Kafni glaciers.

Baijnath: 71 km from Almora, is situated at an elevation of 1,125 m. It is an ancient religious centre in the Garur Valley, 20 kms from Kausani. It is best known for its Parvati temple which enshrines a beautifully sculpted, human-sized image of the goddess and is said to date from the 12th or 13th century.

Chitai: Is 6 km from Almora. The Gaur Bahirav temple here enshrines Gollu Devta, the much loved deity of the Kumaonis. Hundreds of brass bells strung on chains in the temple compound are donations from devotees whose wishes were fulfilled.

Gananath: Is 47 km from Almora and is famous for it's cave and the Shiva temple. A fair is held here on every Kartik Purnima. It's elevation is 2,116 m.

Gwalakot: 26 km from Almora. A bend in the Kosi river mid-way between Kausani and Almora has so fashioned a land mass that it bears an uncanny resemblance to peninsular India.

Jageshwar: Counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country, Jageshwar lies in a beautiful narrow valley hedged by monarch sized, ancient deodars. Of the over 100 small and large shrines of this complex, the three outstanding ones, in terms of sculpture, are dedicated to Jageshwar, Mrityunjaya and Pushtidevi. Jageshwar temple has sculpted dwarpals or doorkeepers standing guard at it's entrance. Although presiding deity at Jageshwar is Shiva, a strong Buddhist influence is visible in the carvings. Jageshwar is 34 km from Almora and 100 km from Nainital.

Katarmal: It is 17 km from Almora town. This is renowned for an 800-year-old sun temple. A little beyond are the woods of Bikut.

Lakhu-Udyar: Is 16 km from Almora town. It literally means `one lakh caves'. It is noted for pre-historic wall paintings. A hood-like rocky shelter is the chief specimen.

Dwarahat: At a distance of 38 km from Almora, it is believed to have been the seat of Katyuri Rajas who ruled these mountains long ago. The town has a cluster of old temples divided into 8 distinct groups.

Dhunagiri: Is 52 km from Almora. It is famous for the Durga temple which carries an inscription dating back to 1181 AD.

Chaubatia: It is 10 km from Almora. Chaubatia is so called because it is the common meeting point of four paths. Chaubatia has beautiful gardens and orchards with a commanding view of the Himalayas. The Government Garden and the Fruit Research Centre are place of attraction.