Pithoragarh District - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Pithoragarh district is the easternmost Himalayan

Himalayas

The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...

district

District

Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...

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...

. It is naturally landscaped with high Himalayan

Himalayas

mountains, snow

Snow

Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...

capped peaks

Mountain

Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...

, passes, valley

Valley

In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...

s, alpine meadows, forest

Forest

A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...

s, waterfall

Waterfall

A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...

s, perennial rivers, glacier

Glacier

A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...

s and springs

Spring (hydrosphere)

A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...

. The flora and fauna of this area has rich ecological diversity. The geographical area of the district is 7100 km² (2,741.3 sq mi). As per the 2001 census

Census

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...

, the total population

Population

A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...

of the district is 462,289. The total literacy rate is 76.48 percent. Pithoragarh town, which is located in Soar or Soar valley

Soar Valley

The Soar Valley in Leicestershire, England is the basin of the River Soar, which rises south of Leicester and flows north through Charnwood before meeting the River Trent at Trent Lock on the Nottinghamshire border....

(Hindi-सोर), is also its headquarter. The district is the part of 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...

(Hindi-कुमाऊं) region of Uttarakhand state and which is also one of its administrative division. Pithoragarh has many temples and ruined forts reminiscent of the once flourishing reign of Chand Kings (चंद नरेश). There is Tibet

Tibet

Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...

plateau situated to the north of the district. Nepal

Nepal

Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...

lies on the eastern borders. The originates from Kalapaani, forms its continuous eastern boundary with Nepal. It is an Indian border district with China. The Hindu pilgrimage route for Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is a peak in the Gangdisê Mountains, which are part of the Himalayas in Tibet...

-Lake Manasarovar

Lake Manasarovar

Lake Manasarovar, Mapam Yumco , or Manasa Sarovar/Lake Manas , is a fresh-water lake in Tibet Autonomous Region of China approximately from Lhasa. To the west of Lake Manasa Sarovar is Lake Rakshastal and towards the north is Mount Kailash...

passes through this district via Lipu-Lekh pass in the greater Himalayas. The district is administratively divided into five tehsil

Tehsil

A Tehsil or Tahsil/Tahasil , also known as Taluk and Mandal, is an administrative division of some country/countries of South Asia....

s, namely Munsiyari

Munsiyari

Munsyari is the name of a town and a tehsil in the Pithoragarh District in the hill-state of Uttarakhand, India.It lies at the base of the great Himalayan mountain range, at an elevation of about , and is a starting point of various treks into the interior of the range.- Overview :Its name refers...

, Dharchula

Dharchula

Dharchula is a town and a nagar panchayat in Pithoragarh district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Dharchula is a remote town surrounded by mountains. An ancient trading town for the trans-Himalayan trade routes, it is covered by high mountains and is situated on the banks of the river Kali...

, Didihat

Didihat

Didihat is a town and a nagar panchayat in Pithoragarh district in the state of Uttarakhand, India.-Etymology:Didihat is named after Kumauni language word 'Dand' means a small hillock.-Demographics:...

, Gangolihat

Gangolihat

Gangolihat is a small Himalayan hill town in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. It is tehsil and sub divisional headquarter of the district. Gangolihat is famous for its Shakti Peethas of Hat Kalika of goddess Kali. Nearby at 'Patal Bhubneshwar', underground caves are major tourist...

, and Pithoragarh. Naini Saini is the nearest civil airport. The mineral deposits present in the district are magnesium

Magnesium

Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...

ore, copper

Copper

Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...

ore

Ore

An ore is a type of rock that contains minerals with important elements including metals. The ores are extracted through mining; these are then refined to extract the valuable element....

, limestones and slate stone.

Origin of the name

The origins of the name Pithoragarh are foggy and there are a number of stories on the same. While some attribute the name to the King Pithora Chand from the Chand Dynasty, stories on the city getting its name from Prithvi Raj Chauhan by the Chauhan Rajputs are also the part of folklore

Pals(Katyuri Kings)

After its conquest by the Rajwar of Uku

Uku, Nepal

Uku is a village development committee in Darchula District in the Mahakali Zone of western Nepal right bank of Kali river. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 3931. It is a Historical place being an ancient kingdom of kings of Pal dynasty.-External links:*...

(now in Nepal) Bhartpal in the year 1364, Pithoragarh was for the whole of the remaining 14th century by the three generation of Pals and the kingdom extended from Pithoragarh to Askot.

Bam Dynasty

According to a tamrapatra dating back to 1420 A.D the Pal dynasty, based out of Askot, was uprooted by Chand Kings. Vijay Brahm of Brahm dynasty from Doti

Doti

Farwestern region of Nepal is also known as Doti or Doti region. The name Dotigarh has been used in the Jagar . This region is situated between River Kali boarding to the Uttarakhand in the west and Karnali river on the east...

took over the empire as a king. Subsequently following the death of Gyan Chand in a conflict with Kshetra Pal, the Pals were able to regain the throne. It is believed that Bhartichand, an ancestor of Gyan Chand, had replaced Bams,

Chand Dynasty

the ruler of Pithoragarh, after defeating them in 1445. In 16th century the Chand dynasty

Chand Kings

Chand Kings were a medieval Raghuvanshi Rajput ruling clan of Kumaon region of the Uttarakhand state of India, which ruled the region after the decline of Katyuri Kings in 11th century AD., and continued till the rise of the British in 18th century....

again took control over Pithoragarh town and in 1790 built a new fort on the hill where the present Girls Inter College is situated. this fort was destroyed by today's Indian government in year 1962 after china attacked India
The Chand rule at its zenith is seen as one of the most prominent empires in Kumaoun. Their rule also coincides with the period of a cultural resurgence. Archeological surveys point towards the develoopment of culture and art forms in this period

British Rule

Subsequently under British domination, Pithoragarh remained a Tehsil under Almora district until 1960 when it was elevated to a district. Under the British there was an army cantonment, Church, Mission school. Christianity was developed in this region. British rule come after 1815 when British stopped the annexing of further land by Nepal and Nepal has to sign a treaty called as sugoli treaty under this treaty Nepal has to give till Himanchal to India and this how Pithoragarh also fall under British India and when British left India there was no such claws that Pithoragarh should be part of India or not but still it is part of India during British time they recruited heavily the local people to army to serve their imperial requirement and hence the development of Pithoragarh was badly ruined because this was big brain drain for Pithoragarh.

Indian Rule

Subsequent government are also not very open for developing this part of India because they are not comfortable with neighbouring china and the economic might of it. hence Pithoragarh is very much neglected even though there is base for army there but there are no further development army has taken the once fertile land of the local people they are reluctant to settle in other inhospitable places and they are further taking the land of local people creating a total mess and making the local people to migrate to other places from their homeland no jobs, and at the mercy of outsiders. there is one air field which has taken a lot of land of local people but that one is not operational at all if that becomes operational then the people of Pithoragarh have another business of travel and tourism then Pithoragarh can be connected from Delhi, Kathmandu, Bombay, Jaipur, Amritsar we can get lots of tourist who can come here and can see the beautiful valley of Pithoragarh can have around 10 to 12 hotels which can give jobs to local people and so and so but still people don't have very good planners.

Modern Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh district was previously the part of Almora

Almora

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...

district of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand

. Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh

Pithoragarh, is a city with a Municipal Board in the Pithoragarh district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, was carved out of district of Almora in 1962.-Geography:...

was created as a separate district in 1960. In 1997 a new district of Champawat

Champawat

Champawat is a town and a nagar panchayat in Champawat district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Champawat district.-Mythology:...

was carved out by reorganizing its boundaries.

Language

The widely spoken language is Kumauni with its numerous variations. Kumaoni is a dialect written in Devanagari script. Bhotiya tribe speak Tibetan mix dialect called 'Beyansi' or 'Bhotia' or 'Hunia', which is a language of the Tibeto-Burman family. The Van Rawat tribe speaks their own unique Kumaoni variant.

Climate

Pithoragarh town, being in the valley, is relatively warm during summer and cool during winters. During the coldest months of December - January, the tropical and temperate

Temperate

In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...

mountain ridges and high locations receive snowfall and has an average monthly temperature

Temperature

Temperature is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses the common notions of hot and cold. Objects of low temperature are cold, while various degrees of higher temperatures are referred to as warm or hot...

ranging between 5.5°C and 8°C. Pithoragarh district have extreme variation in temperature due to much altitude gradient. The temperature starts rising from mid March until mid June. The areas situated above 3,500 m remain in a permanent snow cover. Regions lying between 3,000 to 3,500 m become snow bound for four to six months. There are extreme points present at the different places like the river gorges at Dharchula, Jhulaghat, Ghat and Sera, where sometimes temperatures rise up to 40°C. The annual average rainfall is 36.7 cm. After June the district receives Monsoon

Monsoon

Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...

showers. Winter set for transhumance

Transhumance

Transhumance is the seasonal movement of people with their livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures. In montane regions it implies movement between higher pastures in summer and to lower valleys in winter. Herders have a permanent home, typically in valleys. Only the herds travel, with...

- seasonal migration among the Bhotiya

Bhotiya

The Bhotiya are groups of ethno-linguistically Tibetan people living in the trans-Himalayan region that divides India from the People's Republic of China, and were originally a hill tribe. Their name, Bhotiya, derives from the word Bod , which is the Classical Tibetan name for Tibet...

tribe with their herds of livestocks to lower warmer areas.

Seasons

Winter or Cold weather (December - March)
Summer or hot weather (March - June)
Season of general rains (North - West monsoon-Mid June to mid September)
Season of retreating monsoon (September to November)

Demographics

According to the 2011 census

2011 census of India

The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...

Pithoragarh district has a population

Demographics of India

The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...

of 485,993, roughly equal to the nation of Suriname

Suriname

Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...

. This gives it a ranking of 546th in India (out of a total of 640

Districts of India

A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...

). The district has a population density of 69 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate

Family planning in India

Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. In the 1965-2009 period, contraceptive usage has more than tripled and the fertility rate has more than halved , but the national fertility rate is still high enough to cause long-term population growth...

over the decade 2001-2011 was 5.13 %. Pithoragarh has a sex ratio

Sex ratio

Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....

of 1021 females

Women in India

The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful...

for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate

Literacy in India

Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from 12% at the end of British rule in 1947. Although this was a greater than sixfold improvement, the level is well below the world average literacy rate of 84%, and India currently has the...

of 82.93 %.

Indian census, the Pithoragarh district had a population of 462,289. Hindus 456,277, Muslims 4,031 (.87%), Christians 1,215

Native tribes inhabiting in the district are Van Rawats

Van Rawats

The Van Rawats , represent a native endangered ethnic minority group, originating and living in Uttarakhand, India. They are distributed in the districts of Pithoragarh, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar and in a small area confined to Western Nepal. They are the smallest Himalayan tribal group...

and Bhotiya

Bhotiya

. Both the tribes are nomadic; Van Rawats are hunter-gatherer

Hunter-gatherer

A hunter-gatherer or forage society is one in which most or all food is obtained from wild plants and animals, in contrast to agricultural societies which rely mainly on domesticated species. Hunting and gathering was the ancestral subsistence mode of Homo, and all modern humans were...

s. Bhotiyas are basically sheep and goat herders and do some trading in Tibet. Bhotiya tribe celebrates Kandali Festival

Kandali Festival

Kangdali Festival is a festival held by the [rung] tribe of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. This festival coincides with the blooming of the Kandali plant, which flowers once every twelve years. It is held in the Chaundas Valley between August and October. It celebrates the...

and organize country clubs called 'Rang Bhang'.

Glaciers of Pithoragarh

Locally glacier

Glacier

s are known as Gal. Some important glaciers of the districts are as follows: Milam Glacier

Milam Glacier

Milam Glacier is a major glacier of the Kumaon Himalaya. It is located in the tehsil of Munsiyari, part of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India, about northeast of Nanda Devi. It ranges in elevation from about to about at its snout. It covers around and is long.Milam Glacier is...

, Namik Glacier

Namik Glacier

Namik Glacier is situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. The glacier is situated on the Kumaon Himalayas at an altitude of . This glacier is the source of the Ram Ganga River. The glacier is surrounded by the following peaks: Nanda Devi , Nanda Kot , and Trishuli . The...

, Ralam Glacier

Ralam Glacier

Ralam Glacier is one of the main Himalayan glaciers situated on the hills of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. Munsiyari is the base for the trek. This glacier is situated near Ralam Dhura at Ralam Khal. It lies at the base of the Great Himalayan Wall. It is situated at an altitude of ...

, Meola Glacier

Meola Glacier

Meola Glacier or Athasi-Balati Glacier is the Himalayan glacier situated in the eastern part of Uttarakhand in the Pithoragarh district of India. Meola Glacier is located at the base of the five peaks of Panchchuli in the Lassar Yankti valley....

, Sona Glacier

Sona Glacier

Sona Glacier is the Himalayan glacier situated in the eastern part of Uttarakhand in the Pithoragarh district of India.Sona Glacier is located at the base of five peaks of Panchchuli in the Lassar Yankti - Darma valley.With Meola glacier it forms the famous Panchchuli glacier as mixed glacial system...

, Panchchuli Glacier

Panchchuli Glacier

Panchchuli Glacier is a Himalayan glacier, situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. It is located in the easternmost part of Kumaun. It is in the west and east of five peaks of Panchchuli on the Johar Valley and Darma valley...

, Balati Glacier, Shipu Glacier, Rula Glacier, Kalabaland Glacier

Kalabaland Glacier

Kalabaland Glacier of Himalaya is situated in the eastern Kumaun of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state of India. Kalabaland is situated to the north of the Milam Valley and to the west of the Darma valley. This glacier is aligned at northwest to southeast direction and lies above the...

, Lawan Glacier, Bamlas Glacier, Baldimga Glacier, Terahar Glacier, Poting Glacier, Talkot Glacier, Sankalpa Glacier, Lassar Glacier, Dhauli Glacier, Baling Golfu Glacier, Dhauli Glacier, Sobla Tejam Glacier, Kali Glacier, Kuti Glacier, Yangti Basin Glacier.

Peaks 7,000 M and over

Nanda Devi East-7434 M |
Hardeol

Hardeol

Hardeol or 'Temple of God' is one of the major peaks of the Kumaon Himalaya. It is the highest peak on the northern side of the ring of peaks guarding the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, and lies at the northeast corner of this ring. It is situated at the northern end of the Milam valley, in the Pithoragarh...

-7,151 M |
Trishuli

Trishuli

Tirsuli is a Himalayan mountain peak in the Pithoragarh district of Kumaon Uttarakhand, India. It is part of the complex of mountains, including Tirsuli West, Hardeol, Dunagiri, Changabang, and Kalanka, which make up the northeast wall of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, in the Garhwal Himalaya. It rises...

-7,099 M |

Peaks 6,000 M and over

Rishi Pahar

Rishi Pahar is a Himalayan mountain peak, located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. It lies at the northeast corner of the ring of peaks surrounding the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, and on the eastern rim of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, just south of Trishuli and Hardeol. The...

-6,992 M |
Panchchuli II

Panchchuli

The Panchchuli peaks are a group of five snow-capped Himalayan peaks lying at the end of the eastern Kumaon region, near Munsiyari, in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand state, India. The peaks have altitudes ranging from to . They form the watershed between the Gori and the Darmaganga valleys....

-6,904 M |
Nanda Kot

Nanda Kot

Nanda Kot is a mountain peak of the Himalaya range located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. It lies in the Kumaon Himalaya, just outside of the ring of peaks enclosing the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, southeast of Nanda Devi itself...

-6,861 M |
Chiring We

Chiring We

Stefan Platteau is the Himalayan peak situated in eastern Kumaun of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. The altitude of the peak is 6,559 m. Chiring We is the highest peak above the Kalabaland Glacier...

-6,559 M |
Rajrambha

Rajrambha

Rajrambha is the name of a Himalayan mountain peak, situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state of India. It means 'celestial nymph' in Hindi. This peak is situated south of the Kalabaland Glacier in eastern Kumaun in the Ralam valley. The summit of the peak is 6,537 m...

-6,537 M |
Chaudhara

Chaudhara

Chaudhara is a Himalayan mountain peak, situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. The altitude of the peak is 6,510 m. The peak lies to the south of Ralam pass and north west of Panchchuli. The peak is so named due to the peak having four corners. The peak was climbed...

-6,510 M |
Sangthang

Sangthang

Sangthang is the Himalayan peak in Kumaon Himalayas in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state of India. It is situated in the easternmost part of Kumaun, lining Byans valley. The peak is situated on Indo-Tibet border. The altitude of the peak is 6,480 m. This peak is near to Jolingkong lake...

-6,480 M |
Panchchuli V

Panchchuli

-6,437 M |
Nagalaphu

Nagalaphu

Nagalaphu is a Himalayan mountain peak located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. It is the part of Himalayan mountain massif that divides Lassar-Darma valley and Ralam-Gori Ganga valley. Its summit reaches an altitude of 6,410 metres above sea level.South of the peak are...

-6,410 M |
Suitilla

Suitilla

Suitilla or Suj Tilla West is a Himalayan peak located on the eastern side of Uttarakhand state in Pithoragarh District of India. The peak is located above the junction of Kalabaland, Sankalp and Yankchar glaciers...

(Suj Tilla West)-6,374 M |
Suj Tilla East

Suj Tilla East

Suj Tilla Eest is a Himalayan mountain peak in the eastern part of Uttarakhand state in Pithoragarh district of India. The peak is located above the junction of Kalabaland, Sankalp and Yankchar glaciers. Ralam Dhura pass is situated to the south of this peak, which connects Ralam valley to Darma...

-6,393 M |
Panchchuli I

Panchchuli

-6,355 M |
Bamba Dhura

Bamba Dhura

Bamba Dhura is a Himalayan mountain peak situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. With a summit altitude of , Bamba Dhura is situated on the north west ridge over the end of the Kalabaland Glacier in the eastern part of the district, left to the Milam Glacier...

-6,334 M |
Burphu Dhura

Burphu Dhura

Burphu Dhura is a Himalayan mountain peak situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. The altitude of the summit is 6,334 m. It is situated at the end ridge over the Kalabaland Glacier in the eastern part of the district, left to the Milam Glacier. Kalabaland Dhura is situated...

-6,334 M |
Panchchuli IV

Panchchuli

-6,334 M |
Changuch

Changuch

Changuch is a Himalayan mountain peak situated at the boundary of Pithoragarh and Bageshwar district of the Uttarakhand state of India. This peak is situated above the Pindari Glacier. This peak offers a ridge leading to Nanda Kot. On its massif Traill's pass is situated, which connects Pindari...

-6,322 M |
Nanda Gond

Nanda Gond

Nanda Gond is the Himalayan mountain peak situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state of India. It is located in the Milam valley on the east of Milam Glacier. The altitude of the summit is 6,315 m. Ikualari , Nanda Pal , Nital Thaur , are its neighbouring peaks. Unta Dhura Pass...

-6,315 M |
Panchchuli III

Panchchuli

-6,312 M |
Nanda Pal

Nanda Pal

Nanda Pal is the Himalayan mountain peak situated in the eastern part of Uttarakhand state in Pithoragarh district , India. The altitude of the summit is 6,306 m. Nanda Pal is situated on the eastern flank of Milam Glacier on north south massif. Other nearby peaks on the ridge are Ikualari...

-6,306 M |
Suli Top

Suli Top

Suli Top is a Himalayan mountain peak in the Pithoragarh district of the Uttarakhand state of India. It is situated over the eastern flank of Kalabaland Glacier, east of Johar Valley. The other peaks on the massif are Chiring We , Trigal , and Bamba Dhura , etc. This ridge is a geographical...

Peaks 5,000 M and over

International Passes to Tibet

Intra District Himalayan Passes

Kungri Bhingri La- (5,564 M) |
Nama pass

Nama pass

Nama Pass is a Himalayan mountain pass located in eastern Kumaun region of the Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand, India.It links Kuthi and Darma Valley as crosses Nama and Kuthi villages. This was once the busy trade route to Tibet, but is now rarely traversed....

Valleys of Pithoragarh

Daramaganga or Darma valley, Goriganga valley, Kali valley, Kuthi valley

Kuthi Valley

Kuthi Valley is the Himalayan valley situated in the Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand state of India. This valley is located in the eastern part of Uttarakhand.The valley is situated NW to SE direction. Kuthi valley is the last valley before Tibet.This is a river valley is formed by river...

, Lassar Yangti valley, Ralam valley, Kuthi Yangti valley, Johar Valley

Johar Valley

Johar Valley is a valley located in Uttarakhand, India, along the Gori Ganga river. The valley used to be a major trade route with Tibet. The best known villages in the valley are Munsiyari and Milam....

, Kalabaland valley, Byans valley, Chaudans valley, Saur valley

Saur valley

Saur valley is a small valley, 8 km long and 5 km wide, which resembles Kashmir valley, located in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state of India. Pithoragarh town is situated in this valley. The valley is surrounded by beautiful mountains...

Waterfalls of Pithoragarh

Lim Bagudiyar Fall, Birthi Fall, Pilsitti Fall, Garaun Fall

Flora

Flora includes many unique sub-tropical, temperate and alpine plants. The flora of the district includes many Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. Rare varieties of Orchids are also present in the high altitude valleys of Milan, Darma, Beyans and Kuthi. Among them Myrica
Myrica
Myrica is a genus of about 35–50 species of small trees and shrubs in the family Myricaceae, order Fagales. The genus has a wide distribution, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America, and missing only from Australasia...

esculenta (Kafal), Saussurea
Saussurea
Saussurea is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to cool temperate and arctic regions of Asia, Europe, and North America, with the highest diversity in alpine habitats in the Himalaya and central Asia...

obvallata (Brahm Kamal), Zanthoxylum
Zanthoxylum
Zanthoxylum is a genus of about 250 species of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs in the citrus or rue family, Rutaceae, native to warm temperate and subtropical areas worldwide. Common names include Prickly-ash and Hercules' Club.The fruit of several species are used to make the spice...

armatum (Timur), Berberis
Berberis
Berberis , the barberries or pepperidge bushes, is a genus of about 450-500 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1-5 m tall with thorny shoots, native to the temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. They are closely related to the genus...

aristata (Kirmod), Saussurea
Saussurea
Saussurea is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to cool temperate and arctic regions of Asia, Europe, and North America, with the highest diversity in alpine habitats in the Himalaya and central Asia...

simpsonia, Rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...

campanulatum, Rubus
Rubus
Rubus is a large genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, subfamily Rosoideae. Raspberries, blackberries, and dewberries are common, widely distributed members of the genus. Most of these plants have woody stems with prickles like roses; spines, bristles, and gland-tipped hairs are...

rotundifolius (Hisalu) Rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...

barbatum (Burans), Cypripedium
Cypripedium
Cypripedium is a genus of 47 species of lady's-slipper orchids native to temperate and colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere.Some grow in the tundra in Alaska and Siberia, which is an unusually cold habitat for orchids. They can withstand extreme cold, growing under the snow and blooming when...

cordigerum, Dendrobium
Dendrobium
Dendrobium is a huge genus of orchids. It was established by Olof Swartz in 1799 and today contains about 1,200 species. The genus occurs in diverse habitats throughout much of south, east and southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Borneo, Australia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands and New Zealand...

normale, Vanda cristata, Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of trees and shrubs, which includes the plums, cherries, peaches, apricots and almonds. There are around 430 species spread throughout the northern temperate regions of the globe. Many members of the genus are widely cultivated for fruit and ornament.-Botany:Members of the genus...

puddum, Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of trees and shrubs, which includes the plums, cherries, peaches, apricots and almonds. There are around 430 species spread throughout the northern temperate regions of the globe. Many members of the genus are widely cultivated for fruit and ornament.-Botany:Members of the genus...

cornuta, Pedicularis punctata, Quercus incana, Quercus leucotricophora (Banjh), Quercus semicarpifolia, Quercus dilatata, Pinus roxburghii (Salla or Chir), Pinus wallichiana (Blue Pine or Raisalla), Cedrus deodara (Deodar Cedar), Taxus wallichiana
Taxus wallichiana
Taxus wallichiana is a species of yew, native to the Himalaya from Afghanistan east to western Yunnan in southwestern China, at altitudes from 2,000–3,500 m.-Growth:...

(Himalayan yew

Taxus wallichiana

Taxus wallichiana is a species of yew, native to the Himalaya from Afghanistan east to western Yunnan in southwestern China, at altitudes from 2,000–3,500 m.-Growth:...

), Abies pindrow, Aconitum
Aconitum
Aconitum , known as aconite, monkshood, wolfsbane, leopard's bane, women's bane, Devil's helmet or blue rocket, is a genus of over 250 species of flowering plants belonging to the buttercup family .-Overview:These herbaceous perennial plants are chiefly natives of the mountainous parts of the...

heterophyllum, Betula utilis
Betula utilis
Betula utilis is a Birch tree native to the Himalayas, growing at elevations up to . The specific epithet, utilis, refers to the many uses of the different parts of the tree. The white, paper-like bark of the tree was used in ancient times for writing Sanskrit scriptures and texts...

(Himalayan birch

Birch

Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...

or Bhoj Patra), Nardostachys grandiflora (Jatmasi), Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki).
aadu, himalyan pears, green apples, red apples. yellow plums, peaches, figs. around 10 to 15 kinds of cactus, mulberry, oranges, simal, different type of pulses like red lentil green lentil as it is very near to china so there is lot of cultivation of soy beans there, rye seeds are also grown a lot here which is staple diet of pahadi people.

Tourist places

Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary
Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary

Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary

Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary is located 54 km from Pithoragarh near Askot in Uttarakhand state of India. This sanctuary has been set up primarily with the object of conserving the musk deer and its habitat. Intensive efforts have been initiated to conserve this rare species...

is a 599.93 km² wild life sanctuary

Sanctuary

A sanctuary is any place of safety. They may be categorized into human and non-human .- Religious sanctuary :A religious sanctuary can be a sacred place , or a consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.- Sanctuary as a sacred place :#Sanctuary as a sacred place:#:In...

located around Askot

Askot

Askot or Askote is a small Himalayan town in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand in India. It is the part of Kanalichhina development Block and Didihat Tehsil....

near Didihat, in Pithoagarh district of the Himalaya of Kumaon in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand

, India.

Dharchula
Dharchula

Dharchula

is a nagar panchayat in Pithoragarh district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Dharchula is a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. An ancient trading town for the trans-Himalayan trade routes, it is covered by high mountains and is situated on the banks of the river Kali. Dharchula is about 90 km far away from Pithoragarh and it lies on the route to the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage tour. The town is virtually split between India and Nepal near the border with Tibet. The Indian side of the town is known as Dharchula whereas its Nepalese counterpart is known as Darchula.

Didihat
Didihat

Didihat

, 54 km from Pithoragarh, is a beautiful place with lush natural beauty. Clear view of Himalaya is observed from this place, especially Panchchuli

Panchchuli

range. Famous for ancient Shira-kot Temple of Lord Malay Nath, built by Reka Kings. Nearby, ten km away from here Narayan Swamy Ashram at Narayan Nager is situated.

Patal Bhubaneshwar
It is a place 77 km from Pithoragarh at Gangolihat

Gangolihat

, famous for an ancient Temple of Goddess Kali-Mother Deity of Indian Army's Kumaon Regiment

Kumaon Regiment

The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army and the Indian Army, including the two world wars...

. Hatkalika Temple was established by Sankaracharya as a Mahakali

Mahakali

Mahakali , literally translated as Great Kali, is a Hindu Goddess, considered to be the consort of Shiva the God of consciousness, and as the basis of Reality and existence...

Shakti Peeth at Gangolihat. At a distance of 14 km from Gangolihat, there is a village located in Tehsil Didihat

Didihat

, named Bhubneshwar, where beautiful underground cave

Cave

A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...

of Patal Bhubaneshwar, the subterranean shrine of Lord Shiva

Shiva

Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...

is situated with sprawling interiors exist. Limestone

Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....

rock formations have created various spectacular stalactite

Stalactite

A stalactite , "to drip", and meaning "that which drips") is a type of speleothem that hangs from the ceiling of limestone caves. It is a type of dripstone...

and stalagmite

Stalagmite

A stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. This stalagmite formation occurs only under certain pH conditions within the underground cavern. The corresponding formation on...

figures. This cave has narrow tunnel like opening which leads to a number of caves. The cave is fully electrically illuminated.

Dhwaj
Fifteen kilometres from Pithoragarh near Totanaula, there is a mountain called Dhwaj, elevation 2134 m. It is an abode of Goddess Jayanti or Durga and Lord Shiva, atop the hill. Hindu legends tells that at this place 'Chanda and Munda' demons were killed by Devi

Devi

Devī is the Sanskrit word for Goddess, used mostly in Hinduism, its related masculine term is deva. Devi is synonymous with Shakti, the female aspect of the divine, as conceptualized by the Shakta tradition of Hinduism. She is the female counterpart without whom the male aspect, which represents...

. Dense forest about the mountain is considered sacred and sacrosanct, so it is in an excellent state of conserved biome

Biome

Biomes are climatically and geographically defined as similar climatic conditions on the Earth, such as communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms, and are often referred to as ecosystems. Some parts of the earth have more or less the same kind of abiotic and biotic factors spread over a...

with a large number of endemic

Endemic (ecology)

Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...

plants.

Jauljibi
This is a significant trading centre bordering Nepal and 68 km from Pithoragarh. Situated at the confluence of rivers Gori and Kali, it turns into a lively fairground annually. In the fair Bhotiya tribes use to sell their woolen articles. A hanging rope bridge across Kali links this place to Nepal. From Jauljibi tribal country of the district actually begins.

Rai Gufa
This cave provides an excellent example of queer limestone deposits and situated near Pithoragarh.

Munsiyari
Munsiyari

Munsiyari

is situated in the northern part of the Pithoragarh district, distance is 124 km. This small town is located at the foot of the main Himalayan peaks, which are covered with snow throughout the year. Munsiyari is in base for the track routes to Milam Glacier

Milam Glacier

, Ralam Glacier

Ralam Glacier

, and Namik Glacier

Namik Glacier

, at the base of majestic Himalayan peak Trishuli

Trishuli

(7,074 m). This place is also famous for Munshiyari Bugyal

Bugyal

A Bugyal is a high altitude alpine grass lands, or meadows, in Uttarakhand, India. They are locally referred to as 'nature’s own gardens'. They can be flat or sloped, and are carpeted with green grass and seasonal flowers. These provide an excellent grazing ground and pastures for tribal herdsmen...

, an alpine meadow. Alpine lakes of Maheshwari Kund and Thamri Kund are around Munsiyari. The valley from Munsiyari to Milam is known as Johar Valley

Johar Valley

.

Madkot
Madkot, 22 km from Munsiyari, has hot water springs which are supposed to cure rheumatism, arthritis and skin ailments.

Adi-Kailash (Chhota Kailash)
At an altitude of 6,191 M on Indo Tibet border in High Himalayas in Bhotiya country, Adi-Kailash (Chhota Kailash) or Baba Kailash is situated. Trekking from Tawaghat to Jollingkong one can reach here. On the way at Navidhang sacred Hindu peak named Om Parvat

Om Parvat

Om Parvat is a mountain in the Himalayan mountain range, lying in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India, near Sinla pass. It is considered sacred by Hindus and its snow deposition pattern is said to resemble the Hindu sacred syllable 'AUM'...

, elevation 6,191 M, is visible.

Narayan Ashram
A beautiful Ashram

Ashram

Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....

established by Narayan Swamy

Narayan Swamy

Narayan Swamy an Indian hermit and social worker. In 1936 he established 'Narayan Ashram' situated at an 2734 meters above sea level in between the village of Sosa and Sirdang in the Pithoragarh District in the Indian state of Uttranchal. Late Khushal Singh Hyanki, resident of Viilage Sosa, donated...

at Sausa near Pangu in 1936, on a way to Lipu Lekh, is full of wild flowers and rare varieties of fruits and number of waterfalls. The Ashram was primarily made to help Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims. The ashram have been engaged in socio-spiritual works.

Kailash Mansarover Yatra
The famous Hindu pilgrimage tour to Kailash-Mansarover passes through the district. From Mangti pilgrims have to move on foot.

Pithoragarh Fort
It is set atop a hill on the outskirts of the town. The fort was built by the Gorkhas in 1789. The fort is currently used as a girls school.

Kapileshwar Mahadev
The cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva affords fine view of the Soar valley and lofty Himalayan peaks. This temple is three kilometres from Pithoragarh.

Thal Kedar
This ancient Shiva Temple is also known for its scenic splendour. During the annual fair of Maha Shivratri large number of devotees and pilgrims flock here. Situated at 16 km from Pithoragarh.

Nakuleshwar
It is believed that Nakuleshwara Temple was built by Nakula

Nakula

Nakula, also spelt "Nakul" was one of the five Pandava brothers according to the epic Mahābhārata. Nakula and Sahadeva were fraternal twins born to Madri, who had invoked the Ashvins using a mantra for a son, the mantra shared by Kunti...

and Sahadeva

Sahadeva

Sahadeva was one of the five Pandava brothers according to the epic Mahābhārata. He was one of the twin sons of Madri, who invoked Ashvins using a mantra shared by Kunti for a son. His twin brother was named Nakula...

(Pandavas). The place is located near Pithoragarh town.

Jhulaghat
This small town on the banks of river Kali at Indo-Nepal border is named after a hanging rope bridge

Rope bridge

A rope bridge is a bridge constructed chiefly of rope. In its simplest form, it can be one or two ropes that bridge a river, enabling the traveller to be supported in their crossing and not be swept away. One rope above another, for feet and hands, may be referred to as a commando bridge.More...

across the Kali river. Previously it was called 'Juaghat'. Cross-border trade with Nepal takes place through this bridge.

Chandak
A beautiful place, 7 km from Pithoragarh, at an altitude of 6,000 feet (1,830 m), one can see panoramic and breath-taking view of the Pithoragarh Soar or Swar valley, from here. According to legends it is a place where demon 'Chandghat' was killed by Goddess Durga

Durga

For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...

.

Chhipla Kedar
Chipla Kedar is 34 km from Tawaghat situated 4626 meters (15,177 ft) above sea level. Very scenic and beautiful. An excellent place for trekkers.

Berinag

Berinag

Berinag, a tiny hill station, is located 10 km from Chaukori in the Pithoragarh district, the most eastern Himalayan district in the state of Uttarakhand , India. It is accessible by road. Closest prominent villages include Dhanoli, Bana, Bhattigaon, Banoli,quarali,tripuradevi and Sangarh...

A small town located 102 km from Pithoragarh, Berinag

Berinag

is famous for its natural beauty and sprawling tea gardens at an altitude of 2010 m. Berinag is place from where Himalayan snow-clad peaks can be viewed. The area has a number of Nag (snake) temples of Dhaurinag, Feninag, Kalinag, Bashukinag, Pinglenag, and Harinag. Other tourist spots are Tripura Devi Temple, Cave Temple of Koteshwar, Garaun waterfalls, and Musk Deer Farm at Kotmanya. The Berinag is named after the Nagveni King Benimadhava.

Chaukori

Chaukori

Chaukori is a tiny hill station in the Pithoragarh district set among the lofty peaks, of the western Himalayan Range in the Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand, India. To the north is Tibet and to the south is Terai...

Probably the perfect tourist destination to have full panaromic view of snow capped Himalayan peaks in Pithoragarh. It is situated 10 km from Berinag

Berinag

and has an altitude of 2010 m. This place is also famous for tea gardens and orchards.

Belkot

Belkot

Belkot is a village development committee in Nuwakot District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 6776 people living in 1247 individual households.-External links:*...

Belkot is a small village in Pithoragarh District, around 10 km from Berinag

Berinag

. Located on the foothills of the Kumaon Himalayas, it is known for its salubrious climate and is home to the famed Bhagwati Temple.

Thal

Surrounded by Kalinag, Sundarinag and Dhaulinag, Thal is situated on the bank of the Ramganga river. Thal Valley has its own history main attractions are ancient temple of Lard Shiva and Ek Hathia Devalaya (temple carved by one stone and by one person in a single night). Gaucher is a nice place which is 2 miles (3.2 km) away from Thal market in route of Munsiyari and Kailash Manas Sarovar. Hajeti is the perfect place to capture the beauty of Thal valley on foothills of mighty Himalayas.

Skiing ranges

Khalia Top
High altitude meadow with gentle slope, located 7 km from Munsiyari.

Betuli Dhar
It is one of the best ski range of Pithoragarh. It is a high altitude alpine meadow with ideal slopes and is situated at a distance of 5 km from Munsiyari

Munsiyari

.

Chhiplakot

Chhiplakot

Chhiplakot is the High Himalayan Mountain in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India at an altitude of 3290 meters. Full of alpine flora and vegetation, Chhiplakot is famous for its lush green alpine meadow called Bugyal. The slopes provide a skii range, and a local cave plays host to a...

Situated at an altitude of 3090 m near Baram on Jauljibi-Munsiyari road. This place provides an ideal skiing settings.

Lakes of Pithoragarh

Parvati Sarovar; Anchari Tal; Jolingkong Lake; Chhiplakot Lake; Maheshwari Kund; Thamri Kund

Folk lore and dances

Malushahi; Phag; Ramola; Jagar; Ghaneli; Chhapeli; Jhora; Chholiya Dance; Anthoo.

External links

More about Pithoragarh District at aboutUttarakhand.com

pithoragarh( facebook) business group creator manoj kumar bam

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.

Origin of the name

Pals(Katyuri Kings)

Bam Dynasty

Chand Dynasty

British Rule

Indian Rule

Modern Pithoragarh

Language

Climate

Seasons

Demographics

Glaciers of Pithoragarh

Peaks 7,000 M and over

Peaks 6,000 M and over

Peaks 5,000 M and over

International Passes to Tibet

Intra District Himalayan Passes

Valleys of Pithoragarh

Waterfalls of Pithoragarh

Flora

Tourist places

Skiing ranges

Lakes of Pithoragarh

Folk lore and dances

See also

External links