Almora (Uttaranchal)
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Hotels & Resorts in Almora |
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The nearest airport to Almora is at Pantnagar, the seat of a famous agricultural university, about 127 KMs from Almora. The nearest railway station is at Kathgodam situated around 90 KMs away. Kathgodam is connected by rail directly with Delhi, the capital of India, Lucknow, the
capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh and Calcutta. From Kathgodam local transport, private taxies as well as buses run by private operators, and buses run by the state government corporation - UPSRTC are available at all hours. By road Almora is connected conveniently and is merely 380 KMs away from Delhi and 466 KMs from
Lucknow.
Almora, a picturesque district in the Kumaun
region, East of Uttaranchal in India, with a breathtaking panoramic view of
Himalayas, summons tourists worldwide to its alluring grandeur of natural
beauty.
Famous for its rich cultural heritage, unique
handicrafts, sumptuous cuisine and magnificent wildlife, coupled with an easy
accessibility, Almora promises its tourists a visit full of fun and
unforgettable moments.
The ancient town of Almora, before it's
establishment was under the possession of Katyuri king Baichaldeo. He donated
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 1560 by Kalyan Chand. The mountain on which the
Almora is located is described in the famous Hindu epic Manaskhand as follows :-
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Kaushiki Shalmali Madhyey Punyah Kashaya
Parwatah'
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'Tasy Paschim Bhagam Kshetra Vishnyo
Pratishthtam'
In the days of the Chand Kings it was called
Rajapur. The name 'Rajpur' is also mentioned over a number of ancient copper
plates. 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 main Mohalla (wards) of Almora are as follow
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Selifat: Joshikhola, Shelakhola, Dyodhipokhar,
Thapalia, Kholta, Champanaula, Gururanikhola, Chaunsar, Galli, Karadiyakhola,
Kapina, Paniudiyar, Ranidhara, Chaudharikhola, Pokharkhal, Jhijad and Kasoon.
Talifat: Chinakhan, Makedi, Dharanaula,
Chandani Chowk, Vishtakuda, Tyunara, danya, Bansbida, Upretikhola, Khasiya-khola,
Badekhola, Dubkiya, Nayalkhola, Tiruvakhola, Dugalkhola and Tamtyuda etc.
Mostly the wards have been named after the
communities that inhabited them.
Market: Lala Bazar, Karkhana Bazar, Khajanchi
Mohalla, Jauhari Mohalla, Malli Bazar and Thana Bazar.
The market is 1.25 miles 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. |