The Township of Almora is the
district headquarter and has all the facilities for a tourist of twenty
first century. This ancient hill station is reputed for it's health giving
climate and is perched on a five Km. long horse saddle shape ridge in
between the river Kosi and Suyal and has been a cultural and political
region of Kumaun for almost four hundred years, settled by Chand Rajas and
nurtured by the British. One can have a panoramic view of the snowy
peaks of Himalayas on any clear day and in addition a glimpse of the
township with it's tiled roofed houses and paved streets would take you to
the sixteenth century in some thoughtful moment. Nearby
places of tourist interest where an excursion can be made within a day are
Bright End Corner's unforgettable sunset, Chitai temple with it's
unique collection of brass bells of all sizes, gifted to the temple by
devotees since centuries, Kasar Devi which houses many Europeans who fell
in love with the place so much that they settle down, Nanda Devi Temple
the cultural and religious center of Almora for now hundreds of years and
Lala Bazar a unique market of more than two hundred years with paved
streets of stone.

Ranikhet:
Around fifty Kms from Almora the quiet and
beautiful cantonment township of Ranikhet, is famous for it's salubrious
climate, balmy breeze captivating and panoramic Himalayan View and
soothing and pollution free greenery of pines and oaks. It is also famous
as the regimental center of the Kumaun Regiment of Indian Army- one of the
most prestigious and the most decorated of all. The Kumaun Regimental
museum and amicably maintained grassy and green golf course are memorable
experiences even for the most experienced tourists.
From Ranikhet four Kms sojourn takes you to the
Chaubatiya gardens famous for it's sprawling orchards of delicious apples,
plums, peaches and apricots. It is result of the pioneering efforts of a
British settler 150 years ago. In and around Ranikhet there are some
famous temples of the Hindus for religious minded like Jhoola Devi Mandir,
Ram Mandir, Herakhan Mandir, Kalika Temple and Binsar Mahadeva.
Kausani
: Kausani, situated around 52 KMs from Almora is
famous for it's breathtakingly close view of the Himalayan Peaks and it's
solitudes and greenery. The wide expanse of the famous Katyur Valley lies
in front of it as you wake up to experience the Kausani sunrise. Kausani's
beauty arrested the feet of even Mahatama Gandhi, who stayed for some time
at this place. The memory that brief stay of that great man lingers behind
in the Anasakti Ashrama. Another great man of India the famous Hindi poet
Sumitra Nandan Pant was born here. There is small museum to earmark that
sacred spot. The famous folk singer Gopidas was also inspired by the
beauty of Kausani. Pinnath (10KMs), Bura Pinnath (5KMs) and Bhakot are the
highest points near Kausani.
Binsar:
Situated only 30 KMs away from the township of
Almora lies Binsar nestled amongst thick forests of Oak and Rhodendron and
yet offering surprisingly close views of the Himalayan peaks. The entire
region is now a wildlife sanctuary and has a host of wildlife like Panther
and Barking Deer. The temple of Binsar lies nearby. One of the many
legends concerning Binsar states that 'Should anyone take away anything
belonging to the God or his worshippers and avenging spirit and compels
him conscience stricken to restore it twenty fold. Even the faithless and
the dishonest are said to be reformed by a visit to Binsar.'
Bageshwer:
Situated around 90 KMs from Almora, Bageswer is
now a new district headquarter and the centre of administration for the
entire region called Danpur. The place is significant from both religious
and tourist point of view. Situated at the confluence of the rivers Saryu
and Gomti, Bageswer is the seat of the famous Uttaraini fair which is held
every year in January. The famous and ancient temple of Bagnath from which
the township gets it's name has been attracting thousands of devout Hindus
year after year since the birth of history. It is believed that Markandey
sage has lived at the place and that Lord Shiva, one of the most important
gods of Hindus had wandered about as a tiger. Even for the adventurous
tourist Bageshwer is a necessary destination since in order to reach the
glaciers of Sunderdunga, Kafni and Pindari one has to necessarily cross
Bageshwer.
Shitla Khet:
Situated between Ranikhet and Almora this
picturesque place not only affords a wide view of the Himalayan peaks but
is also full of fruit orchards. Scouting camps are frequently held here
and there is a beautiful temple of Syahi Devi around 3 KMs away on a
lovely mountainous trail. The birth place of the first chief minister of
the province of Uttar Pradesh, Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant is a place
called Khunt situated nearby. Some years back a centenary memorial has
been built at this place to commemorate the memory of this great son of
the soil.
Jalana:
Situated 35 KMs away from Almora in picturesque
surroundings Jalna offers a wide panoramic view of Himalayas. There are a
number of orchards which produce a number of variety of fruits such as
apricots, peaches, peers, plums and apples.
Baijnath:
Lying in the Katyuri valley, 19 KMs away from
Kausani is the small but ancient town of Baijnath. It was once upon a time
the capital of the Katyuri dynasty of kings and the place was then called
Kartikyapura. The remnants of those glorious days lies at the bank of the
Gomti river in the form of a group of temples. The temple is famous for
it's ancient and magnificent stone idol of the Hindu goddess Parvati.
Around 8 KMs from Baijnath on the Gwaldam road is lies the famous Kotkimai
temple. One can also visit Pandusthal which lies nearby.
Dwarahat
: Situated in a wide valley of the river
Ramganga, Dwarahat lies around 32 KMs from Ranikhet. And is a very
important town from both historical and archeological point of view and
may also have been the capital of some branches of Katyuri kings. Around
10 KMs from Dwarahat lies the famous Doonagiri temple atop a hillock which
is famous in legends for containing the herb drug Sanjivini. The temple
dedicated to the goddess Durga is situated in the midst of beautiful and
dense forest and a tea estate. Some distance from Dwarahat lies the temple
of Naithan Devi.
Manila:
Manila literally means enchanting. The famous
temple of Manila Devi , the family goddess of Katyuri kings lies around 85
KMs from Ranikhet. The surrounding forests and the Himalayan views from
this hill ridge are worth remembering.
Katarmal:
Situated around 17 KMs Northwest of Almora,
Katarmal is famous for 800 years temple dedicated to the Sun God. The only
temple in India dedicated to Sun is the Konark temple in Puri at Orissa.
Patal Bhubneshwer:
Fastly emerging on the international tourism
map, Patal Bhubneshwer is a unique wonder of the nature. Situated about
110 kms. from Almora towards Gangolihat, in Pithoragarh district the
underground cave of Patal Bhubneshwer has a vertical tunnel shaped 40
meters path for getting inside into it from the ground .After reaching at
the bottom, the main passage opens into several small horizontal caves,
out of which the longest accessible cave is 120 meters horizontal in
length. The most important thing is to notice is the mystery of natural
carving of many animals, Gods and Goddesses in such a fine way that all it
seems real. The cave temple of Patal Bhubneshwer is traditionally believed
to be the abode of thirty three crore deities. These marvelous creature of
the nature can evoke weird romantic fancies and images in the religiously
inclined person.
Jageshwer:Situated around 35 KMs from
Almora, Jageshwer
one of the most important religious places of Hindus in Kumaun and is
believed to be the abode of the one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas'. It is
even mentioned in the great epic of 'Mahabharata'. The great temple
complex is situated in a narrow and beautiful valley covered with Cedar
trees. Two streams Nandini and Surabhi flow down the hills and meet near
the sacred spot. Dense grove of Cedar trees, perpetual verdure, and sweet
murmur of the riverlets give a peculiar charm and sanctity to this place.
Their are 124 temples and hundreds of magnificent statues of exquisite
craftsmanship. The oldest shrine is of the 'Mrityunjaya' and the biggest
shrine is of the 'Dindeshwara'. During the monsoons their is huge fair
held every year at Jageshwer.

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