India /Uttarakhand /Almora /Almora

Almora is a beautiful hill station. Almora hill station fully developed by Indians situated pretty above 6000 feet on a crescent shaped mountain, is in the Kumaon mountains of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand State in India. It is assumed that Almora has a long history and has existed since the Vedic Age. This is a crowded hill town in North India and is highly attractive for the astounding natural beauty. Almora is a town of temples, with temple of Goddess Nanda Devi placed in the centre of the town. The mountain, the undulated terrains with greenish luxury all around, is visible from the nearby areas as well. Almora is an agricultural base and a trade centre of dynamic activity. One can buy marvelously made woolen garments from Almora town shopping complexes. Silently placed in the lap of dutiful nature, this region has small houses built on the slopes of the hill and splendor of this place adds to the colorful attire of the natives. Koshi (Kaushaki) and Suyal (Salmali) rivers flows by the side of this town and the town, bearing the evidence of Chandravansh and Katyur dynasty who ruled Almora during 15th and 16th centuries in Forts, monuments and palaces, is surrounded by dense forests of fur and pine trees. This place is culturally very rich and through out the year Almora celebrates many festivals and cultural events, main attractions of the tourists to experience the cultural heritage of the region. One can recommend this virgin hill-station with full of scenic beauty to tourists, with an assured confidence.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Hill Station

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 263601

STD Code: 5962

Info Website: almora.nic.in

Best Time to Visit:  April-June, September-November

HistoryEdit

History of Almora can be traced back to ancient times of Mahabharata. However, the earliest historical account of the place is provided by a Chinese pilgrim of seventh century. The pilgrim wrote in great detail about a kingdom called ‘Brahmaputra’. A kingdom was first established in this area by the Katyuri dynasty. The Katyuri dynasty reigned from Dwarahat in katurya Valley. During those times, there was a small settlement in this are, not much of any political significance.King Baichaldeo of the Katyuri dynasty, who reined in the region where present day Almora is located, donated major part of this land to a Gujarati Brahmin by name Sri Chand Tiwari.In later times, during rule of Chand dynasty, Almora was founded around 1560 by Kalyanchand at this place which he called ‘Alam Nagar’. It was also called ‘Rajpur’.Interestingly, the mountain on which Almora is located is described in a famous Hindu epic – Manaskhand. It reads thus:Kaushiki Shalmali Madhyey Punyah Kashaya Parwatah Tasy Paschim Bhagam Kshetra Vishnyo Pratishthtam.The name ‘Rajpur’ finds mention on numerous copper plates found in this area. An important reason for the Chand rulers to establish a settlement here was a number of natural spring water sources that this place harbors. Later, they even transferred there capital here.

Places to VisitAdd

How to ReachEdit

By Air : Almora’s nearest Domestic Airport is Pantnagar Airport, Uttaranchal, roughly 125 kms away from city. This airport is connected to Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi by regular flights. Travellers can hire taxis from the Pantnagar Airport to reach the Almora City.

By Train : The nearest railway station from Almora is at Kathgodam. It is about 81 km away from the city and can be covered in almost two hours. The service of the trains is really good and it is well connected to many other cities such as Moradabad, Delhi, Haridwar and Bareilly etc.

By BUS : Regular bus services are available from Delhi to Almora, the distance covered is about 334 km.

By Taxi : N.A.

By Other : N.A.

Top Hotels

Add

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Mohan’s Binsar Retreat ; Kasar Devi-Binsar Road P.O.Deenapan, Almora. ; Ph – 05962 251 215 ; Facilities – 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning,Laundry, Parking, 24-Hour Security, Concierge.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• V Resorts Almora ; Heili Chana, P.O. Manan, Almora. ; Ph – 099 99 497087 ; Facilities – 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Conference facilities, Laundry, Parking.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Binsar Eco Resort ; Binsar Road, Almora. ; Ph – 094 12 044281 ; Facilities – Travel Desk,24-hour front desk,24-hour room service, Laundry, Parking,24-Hour Security,Concierge Doctor on call.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• Glory Restaurant ;  Nr Shikhar Hotel, L R Shah Rd, Almora Ho, Almora – 263601. ; M –  9412314595 ; Food Serve :  Multi-Cuisine.
• Royal Foods;  Dharanaula Almora, ALMORA – 263601. ; M –  9808102303 ; Food Serve :  Fast Food.
• Bird Song Restaurant;  Club Mahindra Valley Resort, Binsar Village & Post Bhainsori, Almora Bageshwar Road, Almora Ho, ALMORA – 263601. ; M –  9756205411 ; Food Serve :  Vegetarian food.

Must Eat FoodAdd

• Bal Mithai –  Khim singh and Mohan singh Rautela’s Sweet Shop. ; Mall Road Almora Uttaranchal – 263601. ; Ph/M –  05962 230105 ; Cost –  Rs.250 Kg ; Famous for – Sweet.

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

Must ShopAdd

• Woolen clothes ; Karkhana Bazaar ;  Karkhana Bazaar, Almora. ; Ph/M:  N.A.

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

SpaAdd

FestivalAdd

Dussehra ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  October ; Details:  The very famous festivals among the Hind By gautamnguitarus, Dusshera celebrated in October is one of the major occasions of festivity in Almora. The festival chronicling the victory of good (Lord Ram) over evil (Ravana) is celebrated with an equally zealous manner all around the country. The celebration is grand on this day and is accentuated by fairs that are organised. There is generally a 9 days representation of Ramayana which is in synch with this festival. It has some unique touches in the way that it is celebrated in Almora and that is why attracts.

Jageshwer Monsoon Festival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  15th July to 15th August ; Details:  The festival which celebrates the spirit of Monsoon is organized generally from 15th July to 15th August for an entire month. This festival is centred around the temple of Lord Jagnath which was built somewhere in the 8th and the 9th century. The festival is celebrated through small fair that is organised along with live folk dance performances around the temple.

Nanda Devi festival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  September ; Details:  The best known fair of this region, held in the month of September at Almora town, is organized since the Chand kings ruled this place. It is believed that ‘Nanda’ used to be the family Goddess of Chanda dynasty. The word meaning of the word ‘Nanda’ is prosperity. The temple of ‘Nanda’ in Almora was built by Dyot Chanda in seventeenth century, the then ruler of this place. Presently this temple remains the core of the festival. The duration of the festival is five days and approximately twenty five thousand people tourist come to attend this festival.

Safety / WarningEdit

• Beware of pickpockets as Almora is a major tourist city in India.
• Beware of fake items, especially the marble souvenirs. If you buy from roadside sellers, most likely the items are fake and made of chalk instead of marble. Better to buy from reputable shops even though you have to pay more.

HelplineEdit

• Ambulance : 102
• Fire Brigade : 101
• Police : 108

ItineraryEdit

N.A.

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