The ancient town of Almora was the capital of the Kumaon Kingdom, before its establishment, it was under the possession of Katyuri king Baichaldeo. Later on when the Chand dynasty was founded in Champawat, the town of Almora was founded at this centrally located place in 1568[2] by Kalyan Chand. Later Chand kings shifted the capital of the Kumaon Kingdom from Champawat to Almora.[3]
Almora town was the administrative headquarters of the Kumaun district; which was formed in 1815 following the defeat of Gorkha army in the Anglo-Gorkha war and the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli. The Kumaun district then consisted of the complete Kumaon Division excluding the Terai district with its headquarters at Kashipur.[4] In 1837, Garhwal was made a separate district with its headquarters at Pauri. The Nainital district was carved out of the Kumaun District in 1891, and the Kumaon District was then renamed Almora District after its headquarter. In 1921 the population of the district was recorded as 530,338.[5]
In the 1960s Bageshwar district, Pithoragarh district and Champawat district had not yet been formed and were part of Almora district.[6]Pithoragarh district was carved out of Almora on 24 February 1960 and Bageshwar district on 15 September 1997. In 2011, Ranikhet District was proposed to be carved out of the Almora District and has yet to come into existence.
Geography
Almora ridge, 1860s
The town of Almora is situated over a horse saddle-shaped ridge of a mountain. The eastern portion of the ridge is known as Talifat and the western one is known as Selifat. The market is at the top of the ridge where these two, Talifat and Selifat jointly terminate.
The market is 1.25 miles (2.01 km) long and is covered with stone slabs. The place of the present cantonment was formerly known as Lalmandi. Presently where the collectorate exists, the 'Malla Mahal' (Upper Court) of Chanda kings was located. The site of present District Hospital used to be 'Talla Mahal' (Lower Court) of Chand rulers.[citation needed]
Simalkhet is a village situated on the border of Almora and Chamoli. People of this village can speak both Kumauni and Garhwali languages.[citation needed] On the top of a hill there is a temple called Bhairav Gadi.
There is also a village known as Shitlakhet that sits in the south quadrant. This village is a hill station.[7]
Chitai Temple, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the main city of Almora, is dedicated to the Hindu deity Golu Devata, the god of justice, popular in Kumaon region. An incarnation of the Lord Shiva, he is traditionally thought to fulfill wishes if prayed to with a clear conscience.
Nanda Devi Temple is a Hindu temple to the Goddess Nanda Devi in the center of the town, with unusual image carving on the temple walls. Nanda Devi festival is held annually in September.
Bright End Corner, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the main city of Almora, is a beauty spot visited at sunrise and sunset. A circuit house, Swami Vivekanand Memorial and Vivekanand Library are also situated here.
Binsar Mahadev Temple was built around the 9-10 century A.D. It is believed locally to have been built in a single day. Women come here on Vaikuntha Chaturdashi and light a lamp on their palm to fulfill the desire of child. Binsar Mahadev is 19 kilometres (12 mi) from Ranikhet, and is surrounded by thick forests at an altitude of 2,480 metres (8,140 ft). It is known for its archeological significance and its dense forest.
Lal Bazaar is a shopping centre for local crafts, woolen garments, decorative items and metal utensils.
Someshwar, 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Almora city is famous for its ancient Lord Shiva Temple, constructed by Raja Som Chand during the Chand Dynasty.
Jageshwar is known for its Shiva temple within a dense forest. The temple complex has 124 shrines and hundreds of statues.
Administrative subdivisions
District of Almora is divided into nine tehsils: Almora, Bhikiyasain, Bhanoli, Chaukhutiya, Dwarahat, Jainti, Ranikhet, Someshwar, Syalde and Sult.
Its Assembly constituencies are Dwarahat, Salt, Ranikhet, Someshwar (SC), Almora, and Jageshwar.
Upon the creation of Kumaon district in May 1815, seven tehsils were set up in the district at Almora, Kali Kumaun, Pali Pachaon, Kota, Shor, Phaldakot and Ramnagar.[8]: 4 taking the total number of tehsils to nine.
Parganas of Kumaon district after re-organisation in 1823[8]: 19
Kumaun region
Garhwal region
Pali
Baramandal
Chaugarkha
PhaldaKot
Dhaniakot
Danpur
Gangoli
Kota Chakata
Katoli Marori
Johar Bhote
Darma
Kali Kumaun
Dhyanirow
Shor
Sera Askot
Baraseo
Dewalgarh
Choundkot
Nagpur
Ganga Salon
Chandpur
Pain Khande
Badhan
Talla Salan
Malla Salan
Dassoli
Culture and literature
Almora was also the site of the dance academy set up by dancer Udai Shankar in 1938 – several well-known Indian and French dancers[who?] trained there. The Almora dance academy was housed in Pine Lodge on the outskirts of the town (Ranidhara). The site has views of the Himalayas and the city.
"In these hills, Nature’s hospitality eclipses all that man can ever do. The enchanting beauty of the Himalayas, their bracing climate and the soothing green that envelops you, leave nothing more to be desired. I wonder whether the scenery of these hills and the climate are to be surpassed, if equalled, by any of the beauty spots of the world. After having been for nearly three weeks in the Almora hills, I am more than ever amazed why our people need to go to Europe in search of health."[9]
"These mountains are associated with the best memories of our race: Here, therefore, must be one of centers, not merely of activity, but more of calmness of meditation, and of peace and I hope some one to realize it."
- Swami Vivekananda (replying to the address given to him by the people of Almora)
The nearest railway station is at Kathgodam, 90 km, from where direct trains are available for Delhi, Lucknow and Agra. Some of the major trains from Kathgodam are:
Rampur Passenger (1/2 R.K. Passenger and 3/4 R.K. Passenger)
Naintial Express (5308/5307)
Garib Rath (weekly)
Almora is well connected by road to important centres in the region. NH 87 passes through to almora is known as karnaprayag national highway. Some distances:
According to the 2011 census Almora district has a population of 622,506,[11] roughly equal to the nation of Montenegro[12] or the US state of Vermont.[13] This gives it a ranking of 517th in India (out of a total of 640).[11] The district has a population density of 198 inhabitants per square kilometre (510/sq mi).[11] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was −1.73%.[11] Almora has a sex ratio of 1139 females for every 1000 males,[11] and a literacy rate of 81.06%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 22.68% and 0.21% of the population respectively.[11]
In 2001, Hindus were 621,203, Muslims 7,283 (1.15%), Christians 959. Most of the population lives near the main market of Almora that forms nearly 45% of the population.[15]
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