Almora district
District of Uttarakhand
Clockwise from top-left: Jageshwar, Almora town, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nanda Devi from Ranikhet, Surya temple Katarmal
Location in Uttarakhand
Location in Uttarakhand
Coordinates: 29°35′50″N 79°39′25″E / 29.59718°N 79.6570°E / 29.59718; 79.6570
Country India
StateUttarakhand
DivisionKumaon
HeadquartersAlmora
Government
 • District collectorVineet Tomar IAS[1]
Area
 • Total3,082 km2 (1,190 sq mi)
Elevation
1,646 m (5,400 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total622,506
 • Density200/km2 (500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
263601
Telephone code91-5962
Vehicle registrationUK-01
ClimateAlpine (BSh) and Humid subtropical(Bsh) (Köppen)
Annual temperature28 to -2 °C
Summer temperature28 - 12 °C
Winter temperature15 to -2 °C
Websitealmora.nic.in

Almora is a district in the Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand state, India. The headquarters is at Almora. It is 1,638 meters above sea level. The neighbouring regions are Pithoragarh district to the east, Chamoli district to the west, Bageshwar district to the north and Nainital district to the south.

History

Administrative History of Almora District

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 the 1960s Bageshwar district, Pithoragarh district and Champawat district had not yet been formed and were part of Almora district.[5] 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.

Simalkhet is a village situated on the border of Almora and Chamoli. People of this village can speak both Kumauni and Garhwali languages. 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.[6]

Gori River flows through Almora District.

Source: censusindia.gov.in

Visitor attractions

  • 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.

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 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."[7]

- Mahatma 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

The Nearest airports to Almora are Pantnagar Airport (127 km) in Nainital and Naini Saini Airport (125 km) in Pithoragarh.

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:

  • Sampark Kranti Express (5035/506)
  • 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)
  • 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:

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901216,960—    
1911251,423+1.49%
1921253,675+0.09%
1931279,009+0.96%
1941328,748+1.65%
1951369,697+1.18%
1961420,152+1.29%
1971483,876+1.42%
1981560,381+1.48%
1991610,453+0.86%
2001632,866+0.36%
2011622,506−0.16%
source:[8]

According to the 2011 census Almora district has a population of 622,506,[9] roughly equal to the nation of Montenegro[10] or the US state of Vermont.[11] This gives it a ranking of 517th in India (out of a total of 640).[9] The district has a population density of 198 inhabitants per square kilometre (510/sq mi).[9] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was −1.73%.[9] Almora has a sex ratio of 1139 females for every 1000 males,[9] and a literacy rate of 81.06%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 22.68% and 0.21% of the population respectively.[9]

Religions in Almora district (2011)[12]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 98.19%
Islam
 
 1.25%
Other or not stated
 
 0.56%
Distribution of religions

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.[13]

Languages of Almora district (2011)[14]

  Kumaoni (90.22%)
  Hindi (5.33%)
  Garhwali (2.88%)
  Others (1.57%)

The major first language of the district is Kumaoni, spoken by over 90% of the population.[14]

Almora district: mother-tongue of population, according to the 2011 Indian Census.[14]
Mother tongue code Mother tongue People Percentage
002007Bengali 555 0.1%
004001Dogri 737 0.1%
006102Bhojpuri 885 0.1%
006195Garhwali 17,939 2.9%
006240Hindi 33,198 5.3%
006340Kumauni 561,642 90.2%
014011Nepali 2,604 0.4%
016038Punjabi 536 0.1%
022015Urdu 1,408 0.2%
– Others 3,002 0.5%
Total 622,506 100.0%

Notable people

Villages

References

  1. ↑ "DM Profile | District Almora, Government of Uttarakhand | India". Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  2. ↑ "Almora history". Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
  3. ↑ Atkinson, Edwin Thomas (1981). The Himalayan gazetteer. Cosmo Publications. OCLC 833450501.
  4. ↑ Martin, Robert Montgomery. History of the Possessions of the Honourable East India Company, Volume 1. p. 107.
  5. ↑ Times World Atlas, 1967 Edition, Plate 30.
  6. ↑ Mazumdar, Ankita (29 December 2023). "Immerse In Kumaoni Culture At This Luxurious Stay In Uttarakhand's Shitlakhet With Lofty Peak Views". Curly Tales. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  7. ↑ "The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 46: 12 May 1929 – 31 August 1929" (PDF)., p. 254
  8. ↑ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  10. ↑ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Montenegro 661,807 July 2011 est.
  11. ↑ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2011. Vermont 625,741
  12. ↑ "Table C-01 Population by Religion: Uttarakhand". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  13. ↑ "Uttarakhand - Districts of India: Know India". National Portal of India. Archived from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2009.
  14. 1 2 3 "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Uttarakhand". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  15. 1 2 WRITERS AND THEIR WORKS Foundation of SAARC Writers. Archived 2 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ↑ "Daulaghat, Almora". RotarMaps.com. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
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