History of Almora District

Almora district came into existence in 1839. It was named after Kilmora grass. This grass is used to obtain barberry chloride. The biggest buyer of this acid is Japan. The scientific name of Kilmora grass is Humus aristata. Almora city was established in 1560 by Bhishma Chand, the 43rd ruler of the Chand dynasty and Bal Kalyan Chand made it the second capital of the Chand dynasty and due to Mughal influence, it was named Alamnagar for some time. When Almora was being established as the capital, it was known as Rajapur or Ramkshetra. The first capital of the Chand dynasty was Champawat. Almora is located between Kosi and Suyal rivers. Nainital has the longest border with Almora and Champawat has the shortest border.

Almora district

Mahatma Gandhi has written about Almora in Meri Kumaon Yatra and Swami Vivekanand has written about Almora in Colombo to Almora. During the freedom movement, Pandit Nehru was imprisoned for some time in Almora jail. Nehru was imprisoned twice in 1934 and 1945. Almora was made the district headquarters on 13 October 1892. The real imprint of Kumaoni culture is found in Almora only. Almora is the only historical living city of Uttarakhand. Prominent scientist Ronald Ross was born in Almora. He discovered the malaria vaccine for which he received the Nobel Prize in 1902. He was born on 13 May 1857. Rangilo Barat Apart from the Gewad region of Almora district, Uttarkashi is also called. From the mythological point of view, the ancient name of Almora is found in Manaskhand as Ramkshetra or Ramshila Kshetra. From the point of view of records, the word Almora is mentioned in the copper plate of Trimalchand dated 1628 AD and in the copper plate of Bajbahadur Chand dated 1000 AD. The collector of Almora, Kuikshak, was inspired by the name and beauty of Almora and named his daughter Almora.

Establishment- 1891 A.D.

Height above sea level- 1750 m

Area- 3139 sq.km

Population density – 198 persons per sq km

Sex ratio – 1139 (highest in the state)

Child sex ratio – 922 (highest in the state)

Almora's decadal growth rate - (-1.28) percent

Nicknames of Almora

It is called the home of Bal Mithai, the Copper City , and the Brass City .

City of Temples (Dwarahat)

Kashi or Sakshi (Vibhandeshwar) in the north

It is called a cultural city

patal nagar

Note: Steel City - Kotdwar (Pauri)

Ancient Names of Almora

Almora was anciently known as Ramkshetra , Rajapur and Khagmara Kot.

Forts of Almora

The major forts in Almora are Khagmara Fort, Lalmandi Fort (Fort Moira Fort), Malla Palace, Ashtamahal Fort , Padyar Kot, Naithara Fort and Talla Palace.

Major Attractions of Almora

Major tourist attractions in Almora include Fort Moira, Lal Bazaar and Paltan Bazaar .

Museum of Kuninda Sculptures and Coins

Nanda Devi Temple, Tamtuna Mohalla, Chitai Temple , Kasar Devi, Simtola Eco Park, Mohan Joshi Park and Bright End Corner etc. are included.

Famous Fairs of Almora

Famous fairs like Nanda Devi Fair, Shravani Fair/Jaranaath Fair (this fair is held on the banks of river Jadganga), Somnath Fair ( related to buying and selling of animals), Gannath Fair (prayers are offered at night by holding a lamp in hand for the birth of a son), Syalde Bikhauti Fair , Devsthal Fair, Binatheeshwar Fair, Kasar Devi Fair, Gir Fair (Talla Salt) , Salam Rang Fair, Mansi Fair, Nainipatal Fair etc. are held here.

Tehsils, Development Blocks and Assembly Constituencies of Almora

Tehsils (12) Blocks (11) Assembly Constituencies(6)

syalde syalde bywarahat

Chaukhutia Chaukhutia Salt

Bhikiyasain Bhikiyasain Ranikhet

Salt Salt Almora

Dwarahat Dwarahat Jageshwar

Almora Tadi Kheti Someshwar (Reserved for SC)

Ranikhet Lamgara

Bhanauli Dhauladevi

Jaiti Hawalbag

Dhaulachhina Takula

Lamgada Bhaisiyachana

Someshwar

Currencies of Almora

In 1979, coins of Kuninda kings Shivdatta, Shivpalit, Haridatta and Shivrakshit, Ashok and Gomitra were found from Almora. All these were copper coins. Their weight is 119-327 grains. These coins have pictures of women, deer, Swastika, Chakra, snake, 6 mountains with umbrellas, Nandi, tree, urn etc. Currently, most of these coins are kept in the British Museum, London.

Geographical Classification of Almora

Almora is divided into two parts on geographical basis.

Teliphat - Direct sunlight area of East Almora

Seliphat - less sunlit area in western Almora

Pargana's of Almora

There were the following parganas in Almora. These include Pali pargana, Baramandal pargana and Chaugarkha pargana.

1. Pali Pargana

This Pali is famous by the name Pachhaun.

This was the Katyuri state of Lakhanpur Barayat.

It was settled by Ansantidev, the Katyuri ruler of Lakhanpur Barayat.

The famous Naula here was built by Biramdev.

2. Baramandal Pargana

Baramandal with twelve belts is considered the heart of Kumaon.

3. Chaugarhkha Pargana

Jageshwar and Binsar area with four belts comes under this.

Historical Background of Almora

Before 1960, Pithoragarh was a tehsil of Almora district. Until 14 November 1997, Bageshwar was also a part of this district. Almora district was established in 1891. Until 1891, it was known as Kumaon district. On 27 April 1815, due to the British taking control of Almora, the whole of Kumaon came under their control. On 3 May 1815, by the order of the Governor General, E Gardner was made the first commissioner of Kumaon. After this, G.W. Trail was the Kumaon commissioner from 1815 to 1835. The first Indian District Magistrate of independent India, K.L. Mehta was made the District Magistrate of Almora. K.L. Mehta took charge on 17 January 1948. History books published during the British period reveal that the city of Almora was founded by Bhishmachand in 1560. After Bhishma Chand, Balo Kalyan Chand III shifted the capital from Champawat to Almora. Bhishma Chand made Khagmara Kot the capital but Ganapati Gajuathinga of Ramgarh attacked the Kot and killed Bhishma Chand. The word Rajapur has been used for Almora in copper plates.

During the time of Raja Rudra Chand, the fort and Malla Mahal were established in Almora. Raja Rudra Chand wrote two books in Sanskrit, Shyan Shastra and Traivanik Dharma-Nirnaya. The place where the cantonment is located at present was earlier called Lalmandi Fort. A municipality was formed here in 1864. Its first president was Revered Oakley and second president was Rai Bahadur Dharmanand Joshi. Pandit Motilal Nehru came to Almora in 1920. Pandit Bhagirath Pandey and Devkinandan Pandey established Prem Vidyalaya in Tadi Khet in 1921. The Brahma mountain mentioned in Manaskhand is on the Dwarahat peak. The commission formed to investigate the Gorkha atrocities in Kumaon was headed by Revant Kazi. In 1942, Desh Sevak Organisation was established under the leadership of Malti Devi. Kumaon Commissionerate was formed in 1816 under the Board of Farrukhabad. The ban on the sale of children in Kumaon was imposed by Commissioner Gardner in June 1815. The real founder of British rule in Kumaon was Commissioner Trail. Kumaon Water Rules were passed in 1917. Which were amended in 1930. The debating club in Almora was established in 1870 under the chairmanship of the deposed Chand ruler Bhim Singh.

Almora's Glorious Past

In the Manas Khand of Skanda Purana, there is Kashaya mountain between Kaushiki or Kosi and Shalmali or Suyal river. The Vishnu area situated in the western part of the mountain is known as Almora.

River Systems of Almora District

Suyal river flows near Lakhu Udyar of Almora, which is a tributary of Kosi. Kshipra river meets Kosi river at a place called Khairna. Someshwar is situated on the banks of Kosi river. Someshwar valley is called the rice bowl of Kumaon. Gagas and Bino are tributaries of western Ramganga. Gagas river meets Ramganga at Bhikiyasain of Almora. Panar river forms the border of Almora, Champawat and Pithoragarh. Tadagtal is located in Almora, from which five tunnels have been built for irrigation.

Mountains of Almora

Hariya Top – Jageshwar

Queen Mountain – Almora

Bhatkot Mountain Ranges – Almora

Waterfalls of Almora

Rudradhari Falls - Located on Kausani, Almora Road.

Dhokane Water Falls - Located between Almora and Nainital.

Valleys and Caves of Almora District

Coromandel Valley – Almora

Someshwar Valley - formed by Kosi River.

Simalkhet Valley - Almora

Panar and Manan Valley – Almora

Pandukholi / Trimbak Cave –Dwarahat

Mineral Wealth in Almora District

Almora is the only district in the state where silver is found. Apart from this, soap-stone and base metals are also found. Jhiroli area of Almora is a producer of copper and magnetite. Rai and Chainapani areas of Almora are famous for lead production. Dinapani and Chaukhutia areas of Almora have lime reserves.

Sports and Transport of Almora District

Hill Motor Transport Company was founded in 1920 by Lalita Prasad Tamta.

The eight-storey parking is located in Almora.

Mohan Joshi Park is located in Almora.

H.N.B. Stadium is located in Almora.

Almora has a nine-cornered golf course, which is situated on the banks of the Gagas River. It was established in 1920.

Pandit Udayashankar Academy of Dance and Drama

Uday Shankar came to Almora in 1937 and established a training institute named Uday Shankar India Culture Centre at a place called Ranidhar.

He had a deep attachment to the folk life and Ramlila here.

Kumaoni Ramlila, based on the singing method, was started in Almora in 1860 in the courtyard of the Badreshwar temple under the inspiration of Devidutt Joshi.

Ballet dance is the gift of Uday Shankar.

In the year 2003, the foundation stone of Pandit Uday Shankar Dance Academy was laid by Abdul Kalam in the village of Phalasima near Almora.

(Swami Vivekananda's visit to Uttarakhand)

Vivekananda visited Almora thrice.

The first voyage was made in 1890, the second voyage in 1897, and the third voyage in 1898.

Sadananda was the first person to come in contact with Vivekananda.

Vivekananda came to Rishikesh in 1880 to visit the Himalayas.

In 1890, Vivekananda performed meditation at Kakdighat.

In 1807, he also stayed for some time in Thomson House of Almora.

In Almora, Swami Suryanand established an ashram in 1909 which is famous by the name of Ramakrishna Kutir.

Advaita Ashram was established in March 1899 which is now located in Champawat district.

Major Attractions of Almora

Shri Ram Shila Temple (Malla Palace)

Chand King Rudrachandra built the Ram Shila Temple in the Ashtamahal Fort in 1588.

After conquering the Junagarh fort of Garhwal in 1671, Chand King Baz Bahadur Chand brought the idol of Nanda Devi to Almora and installed it in the Ram Shila temple at this very place.

Between 1816 and 1835, Kumaon Commissioner G.W. Trail shifted this idol of Nanda Devi to the present Nanda Temple.

Ram Shila temple has Ashtamahal (eight palaces).

Note: Ram Shila is in Champawat where the Pandavas gambled.

In the Chand period, Ram Shila temple was known as Malla Mahal.

There is Rampaduka in its sanctum sanctorum.

Nanda Devi Temple

Nanda is the family deity of the Chand kings.

Nanda Devi in Almora was founded by Bazbahadur Chand (1638–1678).

The goddess was first installed in the Malla Mahal by Bazbahadur Chand and was later reinstalled in the present Udyotchandraeshwar temple by Trail.

Udyotchand succeeded Baj Bahadur Chand. In 1690-91, Udyot Chand built four temples, Udyot Chandreshwar, Parvatishwar, Tripura Devi and Vishnu Temple.

Golu Devata

According to local beliefs, it was constructed in the Chand period by people of Pant caste.

Golu deity is known by the names of Goria, Bala Goria, Gaur Bhairava, Gwel, Gwaul, Goril, Bhanarya, Chauthani Goria, Dudhdhari Gori, etc.

The folk tale of Golu is related to the Katyuri reign. In which Golu is said to be the grandson of King Jhalrai of Theli-Dhumakot and son of Halrai.

His mother's name is said to be Kalinka.

Golu deity was called Goriya because it was obtained from Gori river.

Bhaana Dhivar named Golu Gorilla and raised him.

In the idol, Golu Devta is shown wearing a turban on his head and sitting on a white horse.

This place is also called the Supreme Court.

Badrinath Temple

This temple is situated near Paltan Bazaar of Almora.

Patal Devi Temple

This Patal Devi has been established in Shailgram at a distance of 4 km from Almora.

This temple was built by Sumer Adhikari during the time of Deepchand.

Shaiva Bhairava Temple

Ashtabhairavas have been established in Almora. Out of which Shaiv or Shah Bhairav is the main one.

Udyot Chandreshwar Temple - Established in 1690-91 by King Udyot Chand.

Vishwanath Temple

This temple is situated in Paldigram of Almora.

This temple is situated at the confluence of Paldigad and Suyal rivers.

This temple was built by Sumer Adhikari during the tenure of Deep Chand.

Mashan Temple and Sati Naula are situated nearby.

Kasar Devi

It is situated on the Kashyap peak, a high peak on the Almora Kapfadkhan road.

It is said in ancient literature that this is Kashaya mountain.

Kasar Devi Temple was renovated in 2005 by Lakshmi Niwas Birla.

Kashayeshwar Mahadev Temple is situated here.

The rock paintings found here are painted in pink and red colours. At some height, there is a group of 14 dancers which are painted in pink colour.

Hippie Hill

There was a hippie movement in the Kasar Devi area in the 1960s-70s.

This area is called Hippie Hill because hippies (foreigners) settle in this area.

It was a cultural movement that started in 1960.

Hippie was used as a derogatory term.

It was used by Hutu social rebels.

Crank Ridge

This is a magnetic field. Which is also called forest alien belt.

In this area, the crazy psychologist Timothy Leary was seen suddenly running on the hill. Due to which this area was named Cake Ridge.

Crank means freak.

Sarada Math

Swami Vivekananda visited the Kasar Devi premises in 1898.

This monastery is established for female nuns.

Banadi Devi or Vrinda Devi Temple

This temple is situated on Vrinda mountain.

Kapileshwar Temple

It is situated in Simalti village of Almora.

It is built in Phosana style.

It is situated on the banks of Kumiya and Shakuni rivers.

Narayan period temple

This temple is situated at the confluence of Kakdi and Bamroli ghat.

Lakhuudyar on the Almora- Pithoragarh motorway

Radha Soami Ashram - Digoli

Mundeshwar Mahadev- Pithauni and Pithuli.

hand-pulled horse

It is situated at a distance of 7 km from Kapfadkhan on Dhaulachhina road.

Local people know it as Bhimsen's plate, bowl etc.

There is an archaeological heritage in Almora

Twenty-four silver alloy coins of Pratihara period have been found from a place called Dinapani which are currently preserved in the State Museum, Almora. Important inscriptions engraved in Gupta period and Shankhlipi have been discovered in Naula. Huge stone statues of Yakshas have been found in Dasaun, Podhar and Dwarahat near Almora city. The sixth century inscription of Kasardevi is noteworthy. This inscription mentions the construction of Rudreshwar temple by Vettila's son.

Badraditya Sun Temple / Katarmal Sun Temple

This temple is built in chariot style.

This monument has been declared a place of national importance.

This temple is mentioned in the Manas Khand of Skanda Purana by the name of Badraditya. Local people also know it by the name of Badraditya.

This temple was built by the Katyuri ruler Katarmall.

Three small inscriptions have been found from this temple. In one of them Malladeva is mentioned.

This Sun temple is facing east.

There are three statues of Surya here.

Most of the statues here are in a fragmented state. It is believed that these statues were destroyed by Ruhel in 1743-44.

These statues were made during the period of Shakas.

The number of main statues here is 21.

There are 45 small and big temples in different groups here.

In the book History of Kumaon, Badridatta Pandey has shown Katarmalldev as the 33rd king in the genealogy of Katyuris and as the 22nd king in the genealogy of Doti.

In the main sanctum of the Sun Temple, there is a statue of Sun wearing boot and dressed in Parsi attire.

The doors of this temple are famous for their woodwork which is kept in the Delhi Museum.

This is a temple of Uttarakhand style.

There is also Govind Ballabh Pant Himalayan Environmental Institute near this temple.

The Ranchandi temple of Kumaon region is also here.

In 1815, Colonel Nicholas made it his main centre to attack the Gurkhas.

After the Konark Temple of Orissa, this temple holds the position of the second Sun Temple of the country.

Main Sun Temple of the state

Katarmal Sun Temple – Almora

Galli or Syura Sun Temple – Almora

Sun Temple of Madh – Pithoragarh

Sun Temple of Khetikhaan – Lohaghat, Champawat

Sun Temple of Palethi – Devprayag, Tehri

Sun Temple of Kulsari – Chamoli

Sun Temple of Bhatwadi – Uttarkashi

Sun Temple of Kyrk–Paudhi

Sun Temple of Kandara – Rudraprayag

Sun Temples of Ramakaditya, Sui, Chowpata, Dugai-Agar - Pithoragarh

Narasimhi Devi Temple

This temple is located in Gallivasura.

This temple was built by Devichand.

After Nepal, the temple of Narasimhi Devi is situated only in Uttarakhand.

Devsthal Mahadev Temple– Mahata Village, Almora.

Kamleshwar Mahadev – Syunrakot Patti, Almora

This temple was established by the prominent saint Mahadev Giri Baba in 1954.

Maharudreshwar Temple Group – Village Balsa, Khunt

Haidakhan Ashram – Shitalakhet, Almora

Sahya Devi Temple - Shitalakhet

Sheetalakhet is famous for the open fields of Kumaon.

Scouting camps are also organised in Sheetalakhet.

Khoot Village- Almora.

This is the birthplace of Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant.

It is situated near Shitalakhet.

Someshwar Group of Temples

This group of temples was constructed by Somchand.

The worship done at this place is considered equal to the worship done at Kashi Vishwanath.

Someshwar is situated on the banks of the Kosi river.

A copper plate of Bajbahadur Chand has been found from Someshwar temple.

A milk trough is also located here.

Someshwar is also known as Bauraro Valley.

South Kailash / Bindeshwar Mahadev / Aidichi Dham

It is situated between Majkhali and Manal Someshwar.

The ancient temple of Aadi Dev is situated here.

Like Sam and Goria, Aadi is a much-worshipped folk deity in both divisions of Uttarakhand.

Aadi is considered to be the god of the pastoral class.

Kshetrapal Temple – Almora

Dundeshwar Temple – Almora

North Vrindavan

This is a Shiva temple. It was founded by Gyanndra Nath Chakraborty and Yashoda Mai.

Jhankar Sam

The temple of Jhankar Sam is situated at a distance of 4 km from Jageshwar.

Jhakar is the son of Sam Kalinara and younger brother of Haru.

The name of Golu Devta's maternal grandmother was Kalinara.

Haru and Sam's phaags are sung among the Baisis.

The Jagar which lasts for 22 days is called Baisi.

Note- The Jagar which lasts for four days is called Chauras.

This is the symbol of the Naga dynasty rulers.

It is considered the protector of cedar forests.

Manila Devi

An ancient Bhagwati temple from the Katyuri period is situated here.

This temple is situated in Salt area of Almora.

This temple was established by Brahmadev (Barmdev) in 1488.

Taleswar Mahadev Temple

Two copper plates have been found from a village named Taleeshwar.

These donation letters are of Dyutivarman and Vishnuvarman.

The names of five Paurava kings are found in these donation letters.

Nileshwar Mahadev Temple

This temple is situated at Bhikiyasain at the confluence of Western Ramganga and Gagas river.

Bhikiyasain is also situated at the confluence of Western Ramganga and Gagas.

Gujdu ka Danda and Gujdugarhi are located in Almora.

Old Kedarnath Shiva Temple

Vriddha Kedar is situated at the confluence of Western Ramganga and Binou.

Bhumiya Temple - Maasi (Almora)

Bhumiya Temple is situated in Gewad Valley on the banks of the Western Ramganga.

Somnath fair is held here.

Naithanagarhi and Naithana Mai Temple – Masi, Almora

It was built during the Gorkha period and the Gorkha army used to reside here.

There is also the Nathda Fort here.

Vairatnagar

Vairatnagar is located in Chaukhutia.

The temple of Agneri Devi is situated in front of Vairatnagar.

Vairatnagar is known for the love story of Malushahi, son of Dhamdev and Rajula.

Vairatnagar houses the Vairathesvara Temple, which is associated with the period of Rajula Malushahi.

The tomb of the famous folk singer of Uttarakhand, Gopal Babu Goswami is situated in Vairatheshvar Temple.

Agniri Devi

This temple is situated on the Chaukhutia- Jauraasi road.

Dwarahat

Dwarahat is called Dwarka of the North, city of temples, Dwarka of the Himalayas, city of sweet radishes.

It was called Daura in medieval times.

Dr. Tarachand Tripathi identifies this town as the ancient Haat Vamanpuri or Brahmapur.

It is called Khujaraho of Kumaon.

The Pali Pachhaun branch of Katyuri kings ruled in Dwarahat.

The Katyuri kings had built 30 temples and 365 stepwells here in the 11th century.

Groups of temples can be seen in Dwarahat. Prominent among them are Mahamrityunjay Temple Group, Badrinath Temple Group, Maniyal Temple Group, Ratandev Temple Group, Kachhari Temple Group and Gurjardev Temple Group. All are built in Nagar style.

The Maniyal Group of Temples is a group of 7 temples containing idols of Jain Tirthankaras.

Kachhari Temple Group is a group of 12 temples.

Dhwaj Mandir (Gujar Dev Mandir) is excellent from the viewpoint of architecture of Katyuri period. It is the most famous and the biggest temple here.

Gujardev Temple is built in Panchayatan style.

The Mrityunjay Temple of Dwarahat is built in Nagar style.

It is said about the Badrinath temple here that it was built by Katyuri Mandalik King Sudhangdev in 123.

Shitla Devi Temple

This temple is located in Syalde, Dwarahat.

In local language it is called Syalde Pokhar.

On the second day of Vaisakhi Sankranti a fair known as Syalde Bikhauti is held here.

Kotakangada Devi - Dwarahat

She is famous as the clan deity of Choudharys.

Wells located in Almora

The Naula of Syunrakot in Almora district is very important from the point of view of craft.

The Naula of Syunrakot has been declared a heritage of national importance in July, 2022.

This Naula is in Pandhyauda.

Dhara Naula - Almora

Chilia Naula – Almora

Udai Naula – Almora

Sati Naula - Almora

Gaira Naula – Almora

Katku Naula – Pithoragarh

Jahanvi Naula- Gangoli Haat, Pithoragarh

Rani Ka Naula – Champawat

Ek Hathiya Naula – Champawat

Brief History of Almora

Complete history of Almora district: establishment, nicknames, forts, fairs, tehsils, assembly constituencies, mountains and famous philosophical sites