Almora
Encyclopedia
Almora is a municipal board, a cantonment
town in the Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand
, India
. Almora was founded in 1568.
It is a town bustling with activity and a rich cultural heritage and history. It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon
region of Uttarakhand.
, Almora had a population of 30,613. Males number 16,443 and constitute roughly 53.7% of the population and females number 14,170 or roughly 46.3%. Almora has an average literacy rate of 84.09%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 86.39% of the males and 81.43% of females literate. Nearly 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
In India census 2001, Almora Cantonment Board was considered a separate entity. It had a population of 1,744. Males number 1,126 and constitute roughly 64.6% of the population and females number 618 or roughly 35.4%. Almora Cantonment Board has an average literacy rate of 79.59%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 86.59% of the males and 66.83% of females literate. Nearly 13.5% of the population is under 6 years of age.
- Swami Vivekananda
(replying to the address given to him by the people of Almora.)
"In these hills, Nature’s hospitality eclipses all that man can ever do. The enchanting beauty of the Himalayas, their bracing climate and the soothing green that envelops you, leave nothing more to be desired. I wonder whether the scenery of these hills and the climate are to be surpassed, if equalled, by any of the beauty spots of the world. After having been for nearly three weeks in the Almora hills, I am more than ever amazed why our people need to go to Europe in search of health."
- Mahatma Gandhi
Swami Vivekananda
Swamiji spent some days in Almora in course of his Himalayan sojourn.He expressed great eagerness in making an Ashrama in the bosom of Himalayas for the practice of pure Advaita Vedanta. Mr. and Mrs. Savier's sincere hard work made the Divine dream come true.
Swami Satyananda Saraswati
of Bihar School of Yoga and Rikhiapeeth was born in Almora on 25 December 1923 in Zamindari Family of Bhikiyasen and Gaja. He left home at the age of 19 years and met his guru Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Divine Life Society in 1943.
Govind Ballabh Pant
(August 30, 1887 - March 7, 1961),noted freedom fighter & first Chief minister of Uttar Pradresh, was born in Almora.
Sumitranandan Pant
, (May 20, 1900 – December 28, 1977) one of the most famous modern Hindi poets, was born at Kausani village of Bageshwar, in the hills of Kumaon.
Sir Ronald Ross, the famous Malaria
scientist and Noble laureate, was born here.
American actress Uma Thurman
spent large parts of her childhood at Crank's Ridge
, near Almora. Her parents stayed briefly here.
The lyricist Prasoon Joshi
, the artist Uday Shankar
, Mohan Upreti
, and many other artistic gems have their roots in Almora.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
, the famous Indian cricketer, has his roots here. Dhoni's father had a farm here before he settled in Ranchi
in 1964.
Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan
, (Urdu: رعنا لیاقت علی خان) (née Sheila Irene Pant) (1905 - June 13, 1990) was born in a Kumauni Brahmin family at Almora in the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh.She is a wife of Pakistan's
first prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan.
P.C. Joshi, the first chairman of the Communist Party of India (CPI), was born in Almora. S.D.Upadhyayay, Member Parliament[1952-1970] also was born in Almora district.
B.C. Joshi, General Bipin Chandra Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, ADC (Born: 1935, Died: November 19, 1994) was the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) of the Indian Army belongs to Almora district (Talladaniya).
Murli Manohar Joshi
, the Union Human Resources Development minister of India (Born:January 5, 1934)in the NDA government. Joshi is a leading member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Almora has many noted temples, including Kasar Devi, Banari Devi, Chitai
, Jageshwar
, Binsar Mahadev, Garhnath and Baijnath. Kasar Devi temple was visited by Swami Vivekananda and this area also has a Chabad House. Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple
, near Sanara Ganiya, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated beside the river Ram Ganga. A sun temple (only the second in the world) is located at Katarmal within a short distance from the town. The famous temple of Manila Devi, Devi Maa, the family goddess of the Katyuri clan
, lies around 85 km from Ranikhet. Udaipur a famous temple of Golu devta is situated 5 km. from Binta near Dwarahat. Dunagiri
has the highly revered temple of Shakti
or Mother Goddess. Dunagiri
is also known as the birthplace of modern day Kriya Yoga.
Cantonment
A cantonment is a temporary or semi-permanent military or police quarters. The word cantonment is derived from the French word canton meaning corner or district, as is the name of the Cantons of Switzerland. In South Asia, the term cantonment also describes permanent military stations...
town in the Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Almora was founded in 1568.
It is a town bustling with activity and a rich cultural heritage and history. It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon
Kumaon Division
For Kumaoni/Kumauni People see Kumauni PeopleKumaon or Kumaun is one of the two regions and administrative divisions of Uttarakhand, a mountainous state of northern India, the other being Garhwal. It includes the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar...
region of Uttarakhand.
Geography
Almora is located at 29.62°N 79.67°E. It has an average elevation of 1,651 metres (5,417 feet). It is located on a ridge at the southern edge of the Kumaon Hills of the Himalaya range. In the shape of a horse saddle shaped hillock, it is surrounded by thick forests of pine and fir trees. Flowing alongside the city are rivers of Koshi, (Kaushiki), and Suyal (Salmale). The snow capped Himalayas can be seen in the background.Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Almora had a population of 30,613. Males number 16,443 and constitute roughly 53.7% of the population and females number 14,170 or roughly 46.3%. Almora has an average literacy rate of 84.09%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 86.39% of the males and 81.43% of females literate. Nearly 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
In India census 2001, Almora Cantonment Board was considered a separate entity. It had a population of 1,744. Males number 1,126 and constitute roughly 64.6% of the population and females number 618 or roughly 35.4%. Almora Cantonment Board has an average literacy rate of 79.59%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 86.59% of the males and 66.83% of females literate. Nearly 13.5% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Quotes
"These mountains are associated with the best memories of our race: Here, therefore, must be one of centers, not merely of activity, but more of calmness of meditation, and of peace and I hope some one to realize it."- Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...
(replying to the address given to him by the people of Almora.)
- Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
Almora personalities
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...
Swamiji spent some days in Almora in course of his Himalayan sojourn.He expressed great eagerness in making an Ashrama in the bosom of Himalayas for the practice of pure Advaita Vedanta. Mr. and Mrs. Savier's sincere hard work made the Divine dream come true.
Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Swami Satyananda Saraswati , was a sannyasin, yoga teacher and guru in both his native India and the West. He founded the International Yoga Fellowship in 1956 and the Bihar School of Yoga in 1963...
of Bihar School of Yoga and Rikhiapeeth was born in Almora on 25 December 1923 in Zamindari Family of Bhikiyasen and Gaja. He left home at the age of 19 years and met his guru Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Divine Life Society in 1943.
Govind Ballabh Pant
Govind Ballabh Pant
Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant was a statesman of India, an Indian independence activist, and one of the foremost political leaders from Uttarakhand and of the movement to establish Hindi as the official language of India.-Early life:Govind Ballabh Pant was born on September 10, 1887 in...
(August 30, 1887 - March 7, 1961),noted freedom fighter & first Chief minister of Uttar Pradresh, was born in Almora.
Sumitranandan Pant
Sumitranandan Pant
Sumitranandan Pant was one of the most famous modern Hindi poets. He is considered one of the major poets of the Chhayavaadi school of Hindi literature. Pant mostly wrote in Sanskritized Hindi. Pant authored twenty eight published works including poetry, verse plays and essays.Pant was born at...
, (May 20, 1900 – December 28, 1977) one of the most famous modern Hindi poets, was born at Kausani village of Bageshwar, in the hills of Kumaon.
Sir Ronald Ross, the famous Malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
scientist and Noble laureate, was born here.
American actress Uma Thurman
Uma Thurman
Uma Karuna Thurman is an American actress and model. She has performed in leading roles in a variety of films, ranging from romantic comedies and dramas to science fiction and action movies. Among her best-known roles are those in the Quentin Tarantino films Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill...
spent large parts of her childhood at Crank's Ridge
Crank's Ridge
Just outside the village of Kasar Devi is Crank’s Ridge, sometimes called Hippie Hill by children. It is a pine-covered ridge area located on the way to Kasar Devi temple, above the town of Almora, Uttarakhand, India, the ancient capital of Kumaon....
, near Almora. Her parents stayed briefly here.
The lyricist Prasoon Joshi
Prasoon Joshi
Prasoon Joshi is an Indian lyricist, screenwriter and advertising copywriter. A prolific Writer-Poet whose first book of 3 books "Main aur Woh" was published when he was 17 years of age, an internationally acclaimed Indian advertising professional, Bollywood film songwriter, as well as a...
, the artist Uday Shankar
Uday Shankar
Uday Shankar , the pioneer of modern dance in India, and a world renowned Indian dancer and choreographer, was most known for adapting Western theatrical techniques to traditional Indian classical dance, imbued with elements of Indian classical, folk, and tribal dance, thus laying the roots of...
, Mohan Upreti
Mohan Upreti
Mohan Upreti was an Indian theatre director, playwright and a music composer, considered one of the pioneers in Indian theatre music....
, and many other artistic gems have their roots in Almora.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is an Indian cricketer and the current captain of the Indian national cricket team. He made his One Day International debut in December 2004 against Bangladesh, and a year later played his first Test, this time against Sri Lanka.Under his captaincy, India won the 2007 ICC...
, the famous Indian cricketer, has his roots here. Dhoni's father had a farm here before he settled in Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
in 1964.
Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan
Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan
Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan , DPhil, NI, was one of the leading woman figure in Pakistan Movement, along with her husband Liaquat Ali Khan, and career economist, and prominent stateswoman from the start of the cold war till the fall and the end of the cold war...
, (Urdu: رعنا لیاقت علی خان) (née Sheila Irene Pant) (1905 - June 13, 1990) was born in a Kumauni Brahmin family at Almora in the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh.She is a wife of Pakistan's
first prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan.
P.C. Joshi, the first chairman of the Communist Party of India (CPI), was born in Almora. S.D.Upadhyayay, Member Parliament[1952-1970] also was born in Almora district.
B.C. Joshi, General Bipin Chandra Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, ADC (Born: 1935, Died: November 19, 1994) was the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) of the Indian Army belongs to Almora district (Talladaniya).
Murli Manohar Joshi
Murli Manohar Joshi
Murli Manohar Joshi was the Union Human Resources Development minister of India in the NDA government. Joshi is a leading member of the Bharatiya Janata Party...
, the Union Human Resources Development minister of India (Born:January 5, 1934)in the NDA government. Joshi is a leading member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Almora has many noted temples, including Kasar Devi, Banari Devi, Chitai
Chitai
Chitai is a place on the Almora-Pithoragarh highway, six km from Almora towns in the Uttarakhand state of India. This place is famous for the temple of Golu Devata or Lord Golu....
, Jageshwar
Jageshwar
Jageshwar is a Hindu pilgrimage town in Almora district, Uttarakhand, dedicated to Lord Shiva, located 36 km northeast of Almora, in Kumaun region...
, Binsar Mahadev, Garhnath and Baijnath. Kasar Devi temple was visited by Swami Vivekananda and this area also has a Chabad House. Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple
Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple
Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple is one of the ancient temples in Uttarakhand. Situated near the bank of the river Ram Ganga, Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple is only 10 km from Masi and Bhikyasen....
, near Sanara Ganiya, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated beside the river Ram Ganga. A sun temple (only the second in the world) is located at Katarmal within a short distance from the town. The famous temple of Manila Devi, Devi Maa, the family goddess of the Katyuri clan
Katyuri Kings
The Katyuri Kings were a medieval ruling clan of Uttarakhand believed to have descended from Shalivahan ruler from Ayodhya. This links them with Suryavansha...
, lies around 85 km from Ranikhet. Udaipur a famous temple of Golu devta is situated 5 km. from Binta near Dwarahat. Dunagiri
Dunagiri
Dunagiri is a historic area in Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand in India at . Approximately from Delhi, a cluster of six small villages forms the place that is variously known as Dunagiri, Drongiri and Doonagiri. 116 such villages combine to form the Development Block of Dwarahat, which...
has the highly revered temple of Shakti
Shakti
Shakti from Sanskrit shak - "to be able," meaning sacred force or empowerment, is the primordial cosmic energy and represents the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the entire universe in Hinduism. Shakti is the concept, or personification, of divine feminine creative power, sometimes...
or Mother Goddess. Dunagiri
Dunagiri
Dunagiri is a historic area in Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand in India at . Approximately from Delhi, a cluster of six small villages forms the place that is variously known as Dunagiri, Drongiri and Doonagiri. 116 such villages combine to form the Development Block of Dwarahat, which...
is also known as the birthplace of modern day Kriya Yoga.
District administration
Presently District administration is headed by the District Magistrate, who is also the head of the Civil Service in the entire district. The District Magistrate is empowered to decide on issues relating to public law and order and general administration. Under the District Magistrate are Additional District Magistrate and Sub-divisional Magistrates. The number of sub-divisional magistrates varies from district to district. Presently there are nine sub-divisions in Almora district.List of District Magistrates
- Shri Chanar Ram
- Shri Rajeev Chandra
- Smt. Nidhi Mani Tripathi
- Shri Suvardhan
- ds garbyal