Almora

Almora is a scenic hill station in the northern state of Uttarakhand. Located on a five km long ridge which is shaped like a horse shoe, Almora is a quaint town in Kumaon Hills in the Himalayan range. It is at an average height of 1,651 meters above sea level, and is surrounded by greenery all around with beautiful thick forests of fir and pine trees covering the hills.

Almora offers amazing views of the snow capped mountain peaks of the Himalayas and is popular among visiting tourists for its natural splendour. The Kosi and Suyal rivers run alongside the town adding to the beauty of the place. It is surrounded by the hill ranges of Kasar Devi, Banari Devi, Shayahi Devi and Katarnal, all of which are adorned by temples at the peaks.

There are many beautiful temples in Almora. The 1000 years old Temple of Goddess Nanda Devi is located right in the middle of the town. The Chitai Temple is the temple of Lord Golu, worshipped by the people of the Kumau region of Uttaranchal. There are quite a few temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, few dedicated to Goddess Durga, and another few Vaishnavite temples scattered all around the town.

Almora is known for its indigenous handicrafts, local cuisine and its rich culture and tradition. The beauty of the place lies in its uniqueness. The paved roads and the tile roofed houses in the town add to the charm of the place and give it its individual charm and identity. This is best experienced in the Lala Bazar which is more than 200 years old and looks quite unlike a regular market with its paved streets of stone. 

Owing to its natural beauty and for the many places of religious importance, Almora is a prominent tourism destination in the country. In recent years, quite a few health resorts have opened up in Almora. The most famous destination, which nature lovers can access from Almora is the Corbett National Park, which is located on the bank of Ramganga river at the foothills of the Himalayas.

Almora, from several decades, has been an important location for shooting Bollywood movies because of its exquisite landscape. Its panoramic hills and the valley offer a perfect getaway, especially during the summer season because of its pleasant weather. The best time to visit Almora is during the summer and during the autumn months of September to November.