Almora

Almora District, known for its cultural heritage, handicrafts, cuisine, and wildlife, is a popular tourist destination in Uttarakhand. Its natural beauty, snow-capped Himalayan peaks, charming hill stations, and warm Kumauni people make it a popular destination year-round. At an average altitude of 1,646 meters above sea level, the horseshoe-shaped Almora district borders five other Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand districts: Champawat, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Paurigarhwal, and Nainital.

Almora District Tourism

The Almora district, which includes the most popular three hill stations (Almora Hill Station, Ranikhet Hill Station, and Kausani Hill Station), as well as other smaller hill stations, attracts thousands of trekking enthusiasts due to its alluring beauty, incomparable weather, and friendly locals. Ranges such as Almora, Jorasi, Dwarhat, Someshwar, Kosi, Smanora, North Gola, and Jageshwar all contribute to the beauty of Almora. Bandi Devi, Bhonkhal (Sult), Binsar, Chobatiya, Dotyal, Ganganagar, Ganganath, Lodhiyankhan (Tadikhet), Malikhet (Syalde), Manila, Mornola, Sher, Syahi Devi, Syalde Bhatkot, and Vridh Jageshwar are some of Almora’s major Himalayas that captivate and delight visitors. The snow-capped Himalayas and lush surroundings hypnotize visitors. 

The presence of mesmerizing rivers enhances the beauty of Almora. The names include Kosi, Suyal, Paschimi Ramganga, Gagas, Panar, char dham yatra and Sryu. Tagra Lake adds flavor to its undeniable beauty.

Almora District: The Cultural Heritage

Almora’s cultural heritage is associated with Nanda Devi, an incarnation of goddess Parvati, and the Nanda Devi temple in Almora is a popular pilgrimage site in the district. Every 12 years, the Kumauni people celebrate Nanda Devi Raj Jat, and a smaller celebration spans three days from Bhadra Shukla Sasthi to Asthami, making it the most popular ceremony. Other pilgrimages in the Almora district include Banri Devi, Binsar Mahadev, Chitai Devi, Dwarhat Temple Group, Gananath, Jageshwar, Jhankarsem, Kapileshwar, Kasar Devi, Katarmal, Patal Devi, Ram Shila Temple, Shev Bhetav Temple ShitalaKhet, Syahi Devi, and Vridh Jageshwar. Religious faith and devotion are widespread in Almora.

Almora District, Administrative Steup

Nine tehsils divide the Almora district, with the main crops being rice, wheat, maize, barley, manduva, oilseeds, tea, and lemon. Orange, apple, mango, and papaya fruits are abundant. The most commonly grown vegetables are potatoes, tomatoes, and onions. The cereals produced include masoor, pea, urd, rapeseed, soybean, and sunflower. The tourism industry in the Almora district has plenty of room to grow. We can also build mini hydropower plants and foster the growth of the wood carving and wood-based industries. Herbs and medicinal plants have the potential to be a major economic source. Tea, along with Pasmina shawls, is the most important export from the Almora district. 

Almora district has 3 district-level allopathic hospitals, 1 district-level women’s hospital, 28 primary health centers, 4 community health centers, 40 state-level allopathic hospitals, 4 joint women’s hospitals, 2 district-level maternity hospitals, 1 T.B. hospital, 1 leprosy hospital, 899 beds in government hospitals, 12 sishu kalian Kendra, 218 sishu kalian up-kendra, 51 ayurvedic hospitals, and 11 homeopathic hospitals. To ensure a quality education, Almora district has 1427 primary schools, 231 middle secondary schools, 208 secondary and senior secondary schools, 10 colleges, and 19 technical institutions.

History of Almora District

The Katyuri dynasty ruled Almora prior to its independence. Katyuri king Baichaldeo, who believed in religious charity, donated a large portion of his land to Sri Chand Tiwari, a Gujrati Brahmin. In 1568, Kalyan Chand founded the Chand Kingdom in Baramandal, establishing Almora as a town in the Kingdom’s center. During that time, Almora was known as Rajapur or Rajpur (King’s Place), and we can find some ancient copper plates with the name ‘Rajpur’ mentioned. King Kalyan Chand established a number of temples in the region, including char dham yatra tour operators the Nanda Devi Temple. King Prithvi Narayan Shah led the unification of the Nepal kingdom, merging Almora into a single kingdom, Nepal. As was the case in other parts of the country, the Nepali king’s rule was brutal, and they had to fight hard to unite the country. Later, when the British invaded India, they captured a portion of Nepal, and Almora became part of British India. The British invaded the Himalayan city, leading to the emergence of colonial bungalows and the subsequent settlement of Britishers in the beautiful land. Britishers who enjoyed the beauty and grandeur of Uttarakhand most frequently visited Kausani, Ranikhet, and Almora hill stations. After independence, Almora, like the rest of Uttarakhand, became part of India. 

In 1960, the Pithoragarh district separated from the larger Almora district, giving it a saddle-like appearance.

The population of Almora District

According to the 2011 national census, the Almora district has a total population of 622,506, with 331,425 females and 291,081 males. The child population aged 0-6 is 80,082, with 38,410 girls and 41,672 boys. The urban population accounts for 10.01% of the total population, totaling 62.314 people. Rural areas account for 89.99% of the population (560,192 in total).

Total Area	3,144 Sq. Km.
Particulars	Total	Female	Male	Remarks
Population	622,506	331,425	291,081	Growth rate: -1.28% change as of 2001
Sex ratio	1,139 women per 1000 men
Literate population	436,497	204,893	231,604
Literacy rate (%)	80.47	69.93	92.86
Child population (age 0-6)	80,082	38,410	41,672	12.86% of total
Child sex ratio	922 girls per 1000 boys
Urban Population	62,314	28,592	33,722	10.01% of total
Urban sex ratio	848 women per 1000 men
Urban literate population	53,408	23,632	29,785
Urban Literacy rate (%)	94.35	91.03	97.16
Urban Child population (age 0-6)	5,707	2,640	3,067	9.16% of total
Urban Child sex ratio	861 girls per 1000 boys
Rural population	560,192	302,833	257,359	88.99% of total
Rural sex ratio	1177 women per 1000 men
Rural literate population	383,089	181,270	201,819
Rural Literacy rate (%)	78.85	67.88	92.26
Rural Child population (age 0-6)	74,375	35,770	38,605	13.28% of total
Rural Child sex ratio	927 girls per 1000 boys
Proportion to Uttarakhand Population	6.17%

Almora’s literacy rate stands at 80.47%.

The best time to visit Almora District

The best months to visit Almora district are April to June and September to November. However, if you prefer adverse weather, you can enjoy cold snow in the winter and lovely rain during the monsoon season. Almora district has a unique charm due to its climatic conditions. 

How do I get to Almora District?

By Air: If you are traveling from Delhi and want to fly, the nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport in Udham Singh Nagar, which is 125 kilometers from Almora. You must take another mode of transportation from Pantnagar airport.

By Rail: The Kathgodam railway station in Nainital is 91 kilometers from Almora. Kathgodam Railway Station receives regular train service from Delhi, Lakhnow, Delhi, and Calcutta. Kathgodam to Almora requires another mode of transportation.

By Road: Almora is well connected to Delhi and the cities of Uttarakhand via regular bus services. Private tourism companies also offer regular transportation from various cities in India.

Where can I stay in Almora District?

You can stay in hotels in the areas where you intend to stop. To reserve a room at the Forest Rest House, contact the Almora Divisional Forest Officer. You can also reserve a room in the provincial division’s P.W.D. Inspection House Almora for the executive engineer. Aside from that, there are numerous private hotels, rest houses, and resorts throughout Almora where you can relax and enjoy your preferred meal. 

Places to See in Almora District

Almora Hill Station: 

Nanda Devi Temple, 1000 Years Old: Creativity in Crafts The Almora district’s Nanda Devi Temple honors the Kumauni deity and her daughter, Devi Nanda (Parvati). Tourists who visit the Nanda Devi temple during the festival can watch the local youth perform entertaining dances. The most popular celebration in the area, the Nanda Devi Raj Jat (yatra), takes place every 12 years, during which music, traditional folk songs, and dances transport Devi Nanda, dressed as a sheep, to her home Trishul Peak.

Almora Fort: Constructed in Almora Hill Station by the archaic Chanda Dynasty, the Almora Fort will captivate you with its architectural beauty. You will thank the person who directed you to Almora Fort.

Govind Ballabh Pant Public Museum: The only museum in Almora hill station, Govind Vallabh Pant Public Museum, houses an extensive collection of history, archeology, and ancient culture. The Aspen and Kumauni folk-style paintings enhance the museum’s beauty. There is a large hall that houses the valuable items of the Katyuri and Chand dynasties, who once ruled Almora.

Tourists pause to admire the carved wooden doors and windows of the shops in the picturesque mall, which runs parallel to the market area of Almora hill station. 

Lakhuudiyar: The Chand Dynasty, which valued architectural skill, historically ruled Almora. One of them is Lakhuudiyar in Almora, where history and creativity come together to satisfy tourists’ souls. The prehistoric rock paintings of humans, animals, lizards, and groups of dancers are just a few of the many that visitors can’t stop admiring. 

Tourists can stop at Bright End Corner (2 km) on their way to Almora from Nainital for a morning and evening walk, as well as views of the sunrise, sunset, and moonrise. Don’t miss out on visiting the Vivekananda Library and Memorial near Sunset Point. On their way back, visitors can take a break at a circuit house.

Banari Devi Temple (2 km): An octagonal temple with a broken stone statue of Lord Vishnu lying on Sheshnaag, located 1,900 meters above sea level in Almora district. Residents of Kumauni hold the belief that the Banari Devi temple grants their wishes. They often bring offerings to the temple. 

A visit to the popular Deer Park (3 kilometers) allows visitors to walk through narrow passages of pine trees while observing wildlife. Deer Park protects endangered wild species such as deer, leopards, and Himalayan black bears. 

Kalimath (5 km) is a beautiful picnic spot in Almora, with commanding views of the Himalayan peaks and a picturesque view of Almora town. The area is named after its black soil, Kali (black), and Math (soil). You can trek for one kilometer to reach the Kashar Devi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali.

Kashar Devi Temple (6 km): Located near Kalimath, tourists can reach the second-century-built Kashar Devi Temple with a 5-kilometer drive and a 1-kilometer trek. Visitors chose to spend the majority of their trip visiting all of the tourist attractions in Almora, Dev Bhoomi, Uttarakhand. The Kashar Devi Temple honors Kali, the Bhairavi (dangerous) manifestation of Goddess Parvati.

Binsar Temple: The Kumauni people believe that Binsar, also known as Binsar Dev (Deo), is Lord Shiva’s abode. You can combine a visit to the Binsar Temple in Almora district with a visit to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to a magnificent collection of flora and fauna.

Dronagiri Temple: The Dronagiri Temple, also known as Dunagiri Hill, is a Durga (Shakti) Temple in Almora district with a history that includes the Ramayana and the Sanjivni booti (life-saving herb). The Kumaon region regards Dronagiri as the most ancient Sidh (that fulfills your desire) Shaktipeeth.

Chitai Temple (8 km): The Kumauni people worship the temple of Golu devta, the god of justice. The Chitai or Golu-devta temple in Almora district is believed to grant devotees’ wishes. People hang bells in the temple grounds when their wishes come true. Visitors can enjoy the majestic view of the magnificent Himalaya from the Chitai temple grounds. Another hour’s walk allows tourists to dance with nature in the dense pine forest.

The Patal Devi Temple, located in the village of Shail in the Almora district, is 200 years old and dedicated to the saintess Maa Anandmayi. Visitors greatly appreciate the beautifully carved temple.

The Surya (Sun) Temple at Katarmal, built in the ninth century by Katarmalla, a Katyuri king, offers a spectacular view of Almora. Forty-four small, exquisitely carved temples surround the temple. Anyone who visits the Surya temple is impressed by the magnificently carved pillars and wooden doors, the spectacular architecture, and the artistic stone and metallic sculptures.

The statue of Swoyambhu Shiva, one of the twelve jyotirlinga, is the center of faith and attraction at the Jageshwar Temple, which also houses many small temples dedicated to other deities. Jageshwar temple is approximately 33 kilometers away from Almora hill station. The sacred rivers Shurbhi and Nandini meet at Jageshwar, finely carved between the 8th and 18th centuries.

Ranikhet Hill Station: 

Kumaun Regimental Centre Museum and Memorial: Built in Ranikhet in 1974, the Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum and Memorial in Almora district represents the bravery and sacrifice of the area’s soldiers. A parade commemorates the sacrifice of soldiers every year. Built in 1978, the Kumaon Regimental Center Museum preserves Kumauni legacy and customs.

Siyahi Devi Temple (36 kilometers): Dedicated to the goddess Siyahi, Siyahi Devi Temple is a popular temple in the Kumaon region. Visitors to the Siyahi Devi temple in Almora often visit nearby tourist destinations such as Khoont, Simtola, and Ranikhet.