Haldwani
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Haldwani (Hindi: हल्द्वानी ) is one of the most populous towns in the Indian state of Uttaranchal. It is known as the "Gateway of Kumaon". In Kumaoni (the local dialect), the place is called "Halduvani", after the tree named "Haldu" which was found in abundance prior to deforestation for agriculture and settlement. Kathgodam is a satellite town of Haldwani.
Contents |
[edit] Profile
Geologically, Haldwani is settled on a piedmont grade (called Bhabhar) where the mountain rivers go underground to re-emerge in the Indo-Gangetic plain. It has historically been a trading post and then a hub between the hilly regions of Kumaon and the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Eight kilometers north of Haldwani at Ranibagh is Chitrashila Ghat, the venerable Hindu cremation ground. A fair called Uttarayani (also called Ghughutiya in Kumaoni) is held here on Makar Sankranti (on 13-14 of January) every year. To the south of Haldwani lies Pantnagar famous for its Pantnagar University. The Gaula river runs to the east, and to the west is the fertile agricultural region of Lamachaur and Kaladhungi merging into the world-renowned Corbett National Park. Long in the shadow of its famous hill cousins, the Haldwani area has a lot to offer by the way of quaint villages, rolling deciduous forests and open spaces outside the urban sprawl.
[edit] Lifestyle
Haldwani houses people of nearly all the religions and regions. The majarity of them belong to the ethnic Kumaoni group. One can find variety in all aspects from dishes to clothings and from dialect to architecture. Haldwani was a small town till about 2 decades ago. Rapid urbanization due to a number of factors has contributed to its rise as a regional hub trading in modern amenities and a better infrastructure (roads, shopping centres and hospitals).
[edit] Places to visit
For the average tourist, Naya Gaoun and Do Gaoun offer good views of both Haldwani and the surroundings. One of the oldest landmarks in Haldwani is the Kalu Sayyad Temple, established when the area was still under dense forest cover.
[edit] Halduani to Haldwani
In 1815, after the British defeated Gorkhas, Gardner was appointed as the Commissioner of Kumaon. Later on Gerorge William Trail took over as Commissioner. In 1834 Trail renamed Halduvani as Haldwani.
[edit] Later Additions
"Gora Padao", 4 km south of Haldwani is named after a British camp/post at that location in the mid 1800s. In 1856, Henry Ramsay took over as the Commissior of Kumaon. He connected Nainital with Kathgodam by road in 1882. In 1883-84, the railway track between Bareilly and Kathgodam was laid. The first train arrived at Haldwani from Lucknow on April 24, 1884. Later, the railway line was extended to Kathgodam. The Arya Samaj Bhavan was built in 1901 and Sanatan Dharm Sabha in 1902. The Tehsil office was opened in 1899. In 1907 Haldwani got the status of town area. Haldwani-Kathgodam Municipal Council was established on September 21, 1942. Currently it is the second largest Municipal Council in the state of Uttaranchal after Haridwar.
[edit] Education
Haldwani is also home to the schools which provide an exceptionally high standard of pre-college education, without the elitism and expenses associated with the residential hill schools of Uttaranchal. Few of the good local schools are Nirmala Convent Sr. Sec. School, St. Paul's Sr. Sec. School, Beersheba Sr. Secondary School, D.A.V. Centenary Public School. It has a premier university of agriculture and technology nearby namely Pantnagar University, and a medical college Sushila Tiwari Memorial Medical College.
[edit] Trade & Commerce
Well connected with the Indo-Gangetic plain by road (to New Delhi, Dehradun and Lucknow) and rail (New Delhi, Lucknow and Agra), Haldwani is an important commercial hub. It is home to one of the largest vegetable, fruit and foodgrain markets in Northern India. The Gaula river is exploited for a large quantity of boulders, sand and gravels every year. It forms an important revenue source for both the government and local business.
[edit] Future Plans
There are various developmental plans for the city owing to its importance in the state of Uttaranchal. These include building of additional infrastrucure like stadium, flyover, bus terminus and industrial complex. All this has come at a cost - the last 20 years have seen an explosion in the demographics leading to a creaking infrastructure. The city is struggling to live up to its sobriquet of "Green City".
