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Almora Travel Guide
Nature's Munificence
Of
the three districts of Kumaon, Almora occupies a central location. Being further
away from the plains than Nainital, this district provides tranquil spots where
one can enjoy the mountain air without jostling against milling holiday-makers.
The town of Almora (1646 m), lies along a saddle-ridge amidst a lush amphitheatre
of terraced slopes. Overlooking the arterial Mall, where the bus terminus, shops
selling bal mithai (a famous milk confection of Kumaon), and private lodges
and restaurants are located, is flattish bowl-the virtual picture of fertility
with its canals, hamlets and the foaming Kosi river. Beyond and behind the ridge
lie tiers of hills and dales, edged ultimately by a Himalayan panorama.
Unlike Shimla, Nainital and Ranikhet - north Indian hill stations discovered
and patronized by the British. Almora is truly Indian hill resort. It was founded
by Raja Kalyan Chand in 1560 (he shifted his capital here from Champawati).
There is Mohan Joshi Park, a favorite picnic ground close to the Mall. Bright
End Corner, 2 km away, commands a grand view of the Himalayas - particularly
spectacular at dawn and dusk. Deer Park and Simtola (both 3km away) offer lush
environs. Kalimath (5km) is famed for its scenic grandeur and a panoramic view
of Almora town. A kilometre from here is Kasar Devi temple, worth a visit for
its superb surroundings.
Excursions
BAGESHWAR:
77 km This pilgrim town, once a trade terminus, lies at the sangam or confluence
of Gomti and Saryu rivers. This is also the base for treks to Pindari, Kafni
and Sunderdhunga glaciers (all in Almora district).
Baijnath:
71 km (19 km fro Kausani) Lying on the bank of Gomti river in a flat valley,
the temple complex of Baijnath or Vaidyanath was constructed by the Katuri kings.
Binsar:
30 km Chosen summer retreat of the Chand rulers, it derives its name from the
temple to Bineshwar (an aspect of Shiva) built by Raja Kalyan Chand. The main
attraction is the stunning and uncluttered panoramic stretch of the Greater
Himalayan range.
Chitai:
8 km The Gaur Bhairav temple here enshrines Gollu Devta, the much loved deity
of the Kumaonis. He was a valourous general of the Chand rulers and embodies
the martial tradition of the hillmen. The hundreds of brass bells strung on
chains in the temple compund are donations from devotees whose wishes were fulfilled.
Gananath:
47 km . It boasts of Shiva temple, caves and marvellous scenery
Gwalkot:
26 km A bend in the Kosi river mid-way between Kausani and Almora has so fashioned
a land mass that it ears an uncanny resemblance to peninsular India.
Jageshwar:
34 km A complex of over 150 shrines set gem-like in a narrow riverine valley
enclosed by towery, ancient deodars. Counted amoung the 12 Jyotirlingas, it
is an important Shaivite pilgrim centre. The shrine to Vriddh Jageshwar, 8 km
(motor road; 3 km trek) from here, offers a scenic view of the Himalayas.
Katarmal:
17 km This is renowned for an 800 years old sun temple. A little beyond are
the woods of Bikut.
Kausani:
53 km This hill station is justly famous for spectacular sun shows as the 300
km - Himalayan snowscape of Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot appears incredibly
close. Kausani also has the distinction of having provided eminent Indians with
inspiration . There are many ashrams here.
Lakhu- Udyar:
16 km Literally meaning 'one lakh caves', this is noted for pre-historic wall
paintings. A hood-likle rocky shelter is the chief specimen.
Ranikhet:
1829
M 49 km a cantonment town of immense charm, it was once the pet excursion ground
(Kshetra) of Padmini, queen of the Katyuri kind Sudhardev (1180AD). There is
much to see in and around Ranikhet starting with Kalika temple (5km) known for
its forest nursery and the shrine to goddess Kali. The plateau of Upat (6km)
has a 9-hole golf course ringed by tall pines. Tourists visit Chillianaula (5km)
for its Shiva temple.
Trikhet (8km) is known for its Gandhi Ashram, and the highly venerated temple
to Gollu Devta. Both Majkhali (13km) and Chaubatia (10km) offer a view of the
Himalayas. Picnickers flock to the lake at Bhaludam (13km) while anglers coverage
on Kherna (24km)
Idyllic Sitalakhet (34 km) is ideal for a quiet holiday. If ruins can recall
grandeur then the cluster of 55 temples at Dwarahat (38km) recreates the glory
of the Katyuri kingdom through its architecture. Dating back to the 12th century,
the Durga temple at Dunagiri (52 km) attracts pilgrims round the year. Not being
widely known, the resort of Manila (77km) can be enjoyed in solitude.
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Himalayas - - -› People
& Tribes of Himalayas
People & Tribes of Himalayas
The
population, settlement, and economic patterns within the Himalayas have been
greatly influenced by the variations in topography and climate, which impose
harsh living conditions and tend to restrict movement and communication. People
living in remote, isolated valleys have generally preserved their cultural identities.
However, improvements in transportation and communication, particularly satellite
television programs from Europe and the United States, are bringing access from
the outside world to remote valleys. These outside influences are affecting
traditional social and cultural structure.
Nearly 40 million people inhabit the Himalayas. Generally, Hindus of Indian
heritage are dominant in the Sub-Himalayas and the Middle Himalayan valleys
from eastern Kashmir to Nepal. To the north Tibetan Buddhists inhabit the Great
Himalayas from Ladakh to northeast India.
In central Nepal, in an area between about 1830 and 2440 m (between about 6000
and 8000 ft), the Indian and Tibetan cultures have intermingled, producing a
combination of Indian and Tibetan traits. The eastern Himalayas in India and
nearby areas of eastern Bhutan are inhabited by animistic people whose culture
is similar to those living in northern Myanmar and Yunnan province in China.
People of western Kashmir are Muslims and have a culture similar to the inhabitants
of Afghanistan and Iran.
The economy of the Himalayas as a whole is poor with low per capita income.
Much of the Himalayas area is characterized by a very low economic growth rate
combined with a high rate of population growth, which contributes to stagnation
in the already low level of per capita gross national product. Most of the population
is dependent on agriculture, primarily subsistence agriculture; modern industries
are lacking.
Mineral resources are limited. The Himalayas has major hydroelectric potential,
but the development of hydroelectric resources requires outside capital investment.
The skilled labor needed to organize and manage development of natural resources
is also limited due to low literacy rates. Most of the Himalayan communities
face malnutrition, a shortage of safe drinking water, and poor health services
and education systems.
Agricultural land is concentrated in the Tarai plain and in the valleys of the
Middle Himalayas. Patches of agricultural land have also been carved out in
the mountainous forested areas. Rice is the principal crop in eastern Tarai
and the well-watered valleys. Corn is also an important rain-fed crop on the
hillsides.
Other cereal crops are wheat, millet, barley, and buckwheat. Sugarcane, tea,
oilseeds, and potatoes are other major crops. Food production in the Himalayas
has not kept up with the population growth.
The
major industries include processing food grains, making vegetable oil, refining
sugar, and brewing beer. Fruit processing is also important. A wide variety
of fruits are grown in each of the major zones of the Himalayas, and making
fruit juices is a major industry in Nepal, Bhutan, and in the Indian Himalayas.
Since 1950 tourism has emerged as a major growth industry in the Himalayas.
Nearly 1 million visitors come to the Himalayas each year for mountain trekking,
wildlife viewing, and pilgrimages to major Hindu and Buddhist sacred places.
The number of foreign visitors has increased in recent years, as organized treks
to the icy summits of the Great Himalayas have become popular. While tourism
is important to the local economy, it has had an adverse impact on regions where
tourist numbers exceed the capacity of recreational areas.
Historically, all transport in the Himalayas has been by porters and pack animals.
Porters and pack animals are still important, but the construction of major
roads and the development of air routes have changed the traditional transportation
pattern.
Major urban centers such as Kathmandu, Simla, and Srinagar, as well as important
tourist destinations, are served by airlines. Railways link Simla and Darjiling,
but in most of the Himalayas there are no railroads. The bulk of goods from
the Himalayas, as well as goods destined for places within the Himalayas, generally
come to Indian railheads, located in the Tarai, by road. The pack animals and
porters transport goods from road heads to the interior and back.
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