Almora

For other uses, see Almora (disambiguation).
Almora
अल्मोड़ा
Hill station
Nickname(s): Cultural City
Almora

Location in Uttarakhand, India

Coordinates: 29°37′N 79°40′E / 29.62°N 79.67°E / 29.62; 79.67Coordinates: 29°37′N 79°40′E / 29.62°N 79.67°E / 29.62; 79.67
Country  India
State Uttarakhand
District Almora
Area
 • Total 20 km2 (8 sq mi)
Elevation 1,642 m (5,387 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 1,50,550
Languages
 • Official Hindi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 263601
Telephone code 91-5962
Vehicle registration UK-01
Sex ratio 1142 ♂/♀
Climate Alpine (BSh) and Humid subtropical(Bsh) (Köppen)
Avg. annual temperature −3 to 28 °C (27 to 82 °F)
Avg. summer temperature 12 to 28 °C (54 to 82 °F)
Avg. winter temperature −3 to 15 °C (27 to 59 °F)
Website almora.nic.in

Almora is a municipal board and a cantonment town in the Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Almora was founded in 1568.[1] It is the district headquarters of Almora district.[2]

It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.

The nearest railway station is Kathgodam 82 km (via Bhimtal), 86 km (via NH 87). Pantnagar Airport is the nearest at 113 km.

Administration

Municipal board Almora established in 1864.

Cantonment Board Almora established in 1815.

Census Town Khatyari, Almora.

Geography

Almora is at 29°37′N 79°40′E / 29.62°N 79.67°E / 29.62; 79.67.[3] It has an average elevation of 1,861 metres (6,100 feet). It is on a ridge at the southern edge of the Kumaon Hills of the Himalaya range. In the shape of a horse saddle shaped hillock, it is surrounded by thick forests of pine and fir trees. Flowing alongside the city are rivers of Koshi, (Kaushiki), and Suyal (Salmale). The snow-capped Himalayas can be seen in the background.

Almora got its name from "kilmora" a short plant found nearby region, which was used for washing the utensils of Katarmal Temple. The people bringing kilmora were called Kilmori and later "Almori" and the place came to be known as "Almora".

Distances

Demography

As of 2001 India census,[4] Almora had a population of 30,613. Males number 16,443 and constitute roughly 53.7% of the population and females number 14,170 or roughly 46.3%. Almora has an average literacy rate of 84.09%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 86.39% of the males and 81.43% of females literate. Nearly 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Quotes

These mountains are associated with the best memories of our race: Here, therefore, must be one of centres, 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.)

Temples

Almora has many noted temples, including Kasar Devi, Nanda Devi, Doli Daana, Shyayi Devi, Khakmara, Asht Bhairav, Jakhandevi, Katarmal (Sun Temple), Pataal Devi, Raghunath Mandir, Badreshwar, Banari Devi, Chitai, Jageshwar, Binsar Mahadev, Garhnath and Baijnath.

Kasar Devi temple was visited by Swami Vivekananda and this area has a Chabad House.[5] Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple, near Sanara Ganiya, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is beside the river Ram Ganga. A sun temple (only the second in the world) is at Katarmal, a short distance from the town. The famous temple of Manila Devi, Devi Maa, the family goddess of the Katyuri clan, lies around 85 km from Ranikhet. Udaipur a famous temple of Golu devta is 5 km. from Binta near Dwarahat.

Dunagiri has the highly revered temple of Shakti or Mother Goddess. Dunagiri is known as the birthplace of modern-day Kriya Yoga. There is a very famous and notable temple in Almora district which is in the village of Chaura near Bhaisor Gaun, Someshwar. This temple is dedicated to lord Golu who is considered as a lord of justice in Uttarakhand. This temple is about 40 km from Almora town. Another very famous temple of Almora district is Airdau which is in Someshwar. Someshwar is a small town of Almora which is very rich in agricultural way.

Pandu Kholi is another famous and ancient temple in Almora district. According to Hindu mythology Pandvas spent some time here to escape from Dhuryodhana. The distance of this temple from Almora is about 80 km. Another very ancient and holy Shiva temple in Someshwar town is known as Khakeshwar Mahadev temple. It is in the area of village Bhaisor Gaun on the bank of a river.

View of Almora, with soldiers of 3rd Gurkha Rifles, 1895.

District administration

Presently, district administration is headed by the District Magistrate, who is also the head of the Civil Service in the entire district. The District Magistrate is empowered to decide on issues relating to public law and order and general administration. Under the District Magistrate are Additional District Magistrate and Sub-divisional Magistrates. The number of sub-divisional magistrates varies from district to district. There are nine sub-divisions in Almora district. In Someshwar, Ranikhet and many other small areas exists tehsil as well.

List of district magistrates

List of taluks

Institutions

Media and communications

All India Radio has a local station in Almora which transmits programs of mass interest.

Notable people

Almora Bazaar, c1860
Kosi River valley near Almora, Uttarakhand, India

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ Almora history
  2. ↑ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 174.
  3. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Almora
  4. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  5. ↑ Kasar Devi
  6. ↑ "Shri N. Pant". Space Applications Centre, ISRO. 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.

External links

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