Sightseeing Highlights:
Chaiti Temple dedicated to Golu Devta, is 3 km from the cantonment. The temple is flanked by hanging bronze bells and letters everywhere. Devotees believe that Golu Devta is the God of Justice and hang written complaints for justice here. Once their wishes get fulfilled, they hang a bronze bell in gratitude.
The temple of Nanda Devi and Shiva is one of the most sacred temples of Kumaon and is located just above the Mall. It depicts the typical Kumaoni style of stone temple architecture. The shrine of Kasara Devi (Goddess Durga) is another much visited temple.
As is characteristic of any hill station in India, Almora also boasts of a Mall, the main market and a stone cobbled area with traditional carved wooden facades and shops. Besides this, other attractions of the town include Govind Vallabh Pant Public Museum, Bright End Corner famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunset views, and the Deer Park, 3 km away where you can enjoy a quiet evening stroll.
The popular markets in Almora are Lala Bazar, Karkhana Bazar, Khajanchi Mohalla and Thana Bazar. Almost all the restaurants in Almora serve north Indian food. Though Kumaoni food is limited within the homes, some of the restaurants specially make it on request.
Some interesting getaways from Almora include Binsar, Ranikhet, Nainital, Bageshwar and Kausani.
Tourism Info:
Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam
Golu Deva Holiday Home
Opposite GPO
Almora
Tel: 05962 22180
Almora lies at an altitude of 1,638 meters (5,500 feet) on a horse saddle shaped ridge at the southern edge of the Kumaon hills. It is
a cantonment town and the bustling headquarters of the district by the
same name. Almora is the gateway to many tourism destinations in the
Kumaon region, and is a tourist destination in itself. The snow clad peaks of Nanda Devi and Trishul are visible on most clear winter and spring days.
The
cultural heritage of Almora can be traced back to centuries owing to
the presence of ancient temples in the region. However, Almora town was
created in 1560, by Kalyan Chand of the Chand dynasty. In the days of
the Chand Kings, it was called Rajapur. Almora has also been closely
linked with many great leaders of India
- Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was jailed here during the independence
movement, while Swami Vivekananda spent the last few days of his life
in the natural environs here.
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