Bageshwar district Overview :

Bageshwar District is a district of Uttarakhand state in northern India. The town of Bageshwar is the district headquarters. The district of Bageshwar was established in the year 1997. Prior to this, Bageshwar was part of Almora district.

Bageshwar district is in the eastern Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, and is bounded on the west and northwest by Chamoli District, on the northeast and east by Pithoragarh District, and on the south by Almora District.

As of 2011 it is the third least populous district of Uttarakhand (out of 13), after Rudraprayag and Champawat.

 History :

The area, that now forms Bageshwar district, was historically known as Danpur, and was ruled by Katyuris during the 7th century AD. After the disintegration of the Katyuri kingdom in the 13th century, the area remained under the rule of Baijnath Katyurs, direct descendants of Katyuri kings.[3] In 1565, king Balo Kalyan Chand annexed Danpur along with Pali, Barahmandal and Mankot to Kumaun.

In 1791, Almora, the seat of the Kumaon, was invaded and annexed by the Gorkhas of Nepal. The Gorkhas ruled the region for 24 years and were later defeated by the East India Company in 1814, and were forced to cede Kumaon to the British as part of the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816.

 After its annexation by British, Bageshwar was a part of the Danpur pargana in Almora districtof United Provinces.

Bageshwar was made a separate tehsil in 1974, and in 1976 it was declared a pargana, after which, it formally came into being as a large administrative center. Since 1985, the demand for declaring it a separate district of different parties and regional people started, and finally, in September 1997, Bageshwar was made the new district of Uttar Pradesh by Chief Minister Mayawati.

Administration :

For administrative convenience, Bageshwar is divided in four Tehsils, viz., Bageshwar - comprising 415 inhabited villages; 2) Kanda (with 180 inhabited villages); 3) Kapkot having 156 villages; and Garur having 197 revenue villages. Pattis (viz., Katyur- Talla, Malla and Bichalla ; Dug; Kharahi; Danpur - Talla, Malla, Bichalla; Nakuri; Dafaut and Kamsyar - Walla and Palla) and Development  Blocks are other administrative units.

Besides regular police at different Thanas like Bageshwar, Garur, Jhiroli, Kanda and Kapkot, the Patwaris (revenue officials) are also equipped with police power.

Geography :

From geographical point of view, Bageshwar district is hilly one—amidst Shivalik ranges and high Himalayas. Drainage system is from north to south-east. Main rivers flowing across Bageshwar are  -Pindar, Saryu/Sarju, Gomati, and Pungar, the latter two being tributary of Sarju. Many other riverines, locally known as GADHERA meet these at different places. These three river valleys have made alluvial landforms locally known as Seras where majority of population is concentrated. Other villages are settled on hillocks having mild slopes/ or some flat landforms.

Demographics :                                                                 

According to the 2011 census Bageshwar district has a population of 259,840,roughly equal to the nation of Vanuatu. This gives it a ranking of 578th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 116 inhabitants per square kilometre (300/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 5.13%. Bageshwar has a sex ratio of 1093 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 80.69%.

As of 2001 Indian census, the Bagheswar district had a population of 249,462. Hindus 247,402, Muslims 1,280 (.51%), Christians 361.

Places of Attraction :

Baijnath :

Situated around 26 km from Bageshwar, Baijnath is a small temple town which was once the capital of Katyuri dynasty. The Baijnath Temple was constructed during the 12th century and as per the legend Lord Shiva and Parvati were married here at the confluence of River Garur Ganga and River Gomti.

Bagnath Temple :

The Bagnath Temple in the middle of the town of Bageshwar derives its name from the incident of the celebrated sage Markandeya being visited Lord Shiva in the form of a tiger.

Kanda :

Situated at the confluence of three rivers, namely, Saryu, Gomti and latent Bhagirathi, lies the holy township of Bageshwar, which is also revered to as the pious land associated with Lord Sadashiva, said to be the redeemer of all sins. 

Gauri Udiyar :

About 8 more km from the town, one can pay homage to one of the few holy shrines in the city, that are located inside a natural cave, at the Gauri Udiyar.

Sunderghunga Trek :

Also known as Valley of Beautiful Stones (literal translation), is located in the Pindar region and the trek to this place starts from Song. The length of this picturesque trek is around 54 km.

To reach Song, one has to travel around 36 km from Bageshwar, which could be reached by a bus or a taxi. The route after that is Song to Loharkhet (3 km), Loharkhet to Dhakuri (11 km), Dhakuri to Kathi (8 km) and then Kathi to Sunderghunga Glacier (30 km). Both the treks (Pindari Glacier and Sunderghunga Glacier) has a common route till Kathi after which it diverges.

Chanderika Temple :

At about 2 km away from the town, is the Chandika Temple, known to attract hoards of followers and inquisitive souls from around the world during the nine day long festival of the Hindu female deity, Goddess Durga.