Almora district

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Almora
type = district
latd = 29.59718 | longd = 79.6570
state_name = Uttarakhand
district = Almora
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 1646
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 30,613
population_density = 155
area_magnitude= 5385 km²
area_total =
area_telephone = 91-5962
climate = Alpine (BSh) and Humid subtropical(Bsh)
precip =
temp_annual = 28 - -2
temp_winter = 15 - -2
temp_summer = 28 - 12
postal_code = 263601
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio = 862 Fact|date=February 2007
unlocode =
vehicle_code_range = UA-01
website = almora.nic.in
footnotes =

Almora is a district of Uttarakhand state, India. The headquarters is at Almora.

Almora is a district in the Kumaun division of Uttarakhand in India. Almora is famous for its cultural heritage, handicrafts, cuisine and wildlife.Fact|date=June 2007

History

The ancient town of Almora, before its establishment was under the possession of Katyuri king Baichaldeo. He donated major part of this land to a Gujrati Brahmin Sri Chand Tiwari [ [http://almora.nic.in/kumaun.htm Kumaon] Official website of Almora district. ] Later on when Chand kingdom was founded in Baramandal, the town of Almora was founded at this centrally located place in 1568 [ [http://www.kmvn.org/aboutkumaontouristsspots.aspx#almora Almora history] ] by Kalyan Chand.Fact|date=June 2007 In the days of the Chand Kings it was called Rajapur. The name 'Rajpur' is also mentioned over a number of ancient copper plates.

In the 1960s Bageshwar district and Champawat district had not yet been formed and were part of Almora district. ["Times World Atlas", 1967 Edition, Plate 30.]

Geography

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 convert|1.25|mi|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.Fact|date=June 2007

Simalkhet is a village situated in the border of Almora and Chamoli. People of this village can speak both kumauni and garhwali languages.Fact|date=June 2007 On the top of a hill there is a temple called bhairav gadi.

Gori River flows through Almora District.

Almora was also the site of the famous dance academy set up by Udai Shankar, the famous danseuse in the 1938 - several famous Indian and French dancers trained here. The Almora dance academy was housed in Pine Lodge on the outskirts of the town (Ranidhara). The site has a fantastic views of the Himalayas and the city.

"In these hills, nature's hospitality eclipses all men can ever do. The enchanting beauties of the Himalayas, their bracing climate and the soothing green that envelopes you leaves 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 nearly three weeks in Almora Hills, I am more than ever amazed why our people need go in Europe in search of health."Fact|date=June 2007- Mahatama M.K. Gandhi

"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)

Transport

Air

Nearest Airport is Pantnagar (Nainital): 127 km.

Train

Nearest Railway Station is located at Ramnagar, 90 km, from where direct trains are available for Delhi, Lucknow and Agra. The Kathgodam station is located at about the same distance. Some of the major trains from Kathgodam are:
*Shatabdi Express
*Howrah Express (3019/3020)
*Ranikhet Express (5013/5014)
*Rampur Passenger (1/2 R.K. Passenger and 3/4 R.K. Passenger)
*Naintial Express (5308/5307)

Road

Almora is well connected by road to important centres in the region. Some distances:
*Delhi (378 km)
*Lucknow (460 km)
*Nainital (66 km) (via Ranikhet 103 km)
*Kathgodam (90 km)

References

External links

* [http://almora.nic.in/ Almora District website]