Almora district Overview 

Almora district 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 town of Almora is surrounded by Pithoragarh district to the east, Garhwal region to the west, Bageshwar districtto the north and Nainital district to the south.

The hill station of Almora is situated on a horseshoe-shaped ridge of a mountain, the eastern portion of which is called Talifat and the western one is known as Selifat. The landscape of Almora attracts tourists each year for its views of the Himalayas, cultural heritage, handicrafts and cuisine, and is a business hub for the Kumaon region. Developed by the kings of Chand dynasty, it was later maintained and further developed by the British regime.

History :

The ancient town of Almora, before its establishment, was under the possession of Katyuri king Baichaldeo. He donated the major part of this land to a Gujrati Brahmin Sri Chand Tiwari.Later on when Chand kingdom was founded in Baramandal, the town of Almora was founded at this centrally located place in 1568 by Kalyan Chand. In the days of the Chand Kings it was called Rajapur. The name 'Rajpur' is also mentioned on a number of ancient copper plates.

Almora town was the administrative headquarter of the Kumaun district; that 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 Divisionexcluding the Terai district with its headquarters at Kashipur. 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. 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 yet to come in existence.

Demographics :

Religions in Almora District               Religion Percent
Hindus                                               98.19%
Muslims                                             1.25%

According to the 2011 census Almora district has a population of 621,927, roughly equal to the nation of Montenegro or the US state of Vermont. This gives it a ranking of 517th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 198 inhabitants per square kilometre (510/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was −1.73%. Almora has a sex ratio of 1139 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 81.06%.

Hindus 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. In 2012 Almora city census 1,00,000 and area of city is 20.2 km2

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 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 in 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.

Gori River flows through Almora District.

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 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 is 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. Ladies come here on Vaikunth 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.

Culture and literature :

Almora was also the site of the dance academy set up by Udai Shankar, danseuse, 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.