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... MAHATMA GANDHI Almora extends along a 5 km-long horse saddle-shaped ridge, 68 kms north of Nainital. Surrounded by dense forests of pine and fir, the town's sylvan surroundings have attracted people for centuries. Its illustrious visitors include Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. Jawaharlal Nehru spent an involuntary period in when he was incarcerated here in 1942, during the Quit India movement. Over the years, many cultural centres have come up here, including the Vivekananda Library and Memorial, Uday Shankar India Cultural Centre and Tagore Bhawan where the Nobel Laureate supposedly penned Gitanjali, earning Almora the title of the 'cultural capital of Kumaon'. Almora is one of the few hill stations in north India which was not founded by the British. It became the capital of the Chand rulers of Kumaon in 1560 and remained with them till the British took over in 1815. Almora's chequered past is reflected in its architecture: one can see indigenous hill cottages with bungalow trimmings, and semi-Indianised British bungalows with stone slab roofs. Like other hill stations, here too the Mall Road is the epicentre of all activity. Uttarakhand holiday packages organised by Swan Tours includes the sightseeing of The fiudden Memorial Church, in Almora Bazaar, is a significant British landmark, as is the Post Office, built in 1905, while the Clock Tower facing the tourist office is a mix of different architecture styles. The Collectorate, was once the Almora Fort and gives stunning views of the surrounding hills. A walk through the Khajanchi Mohalla (literally treasurer's area), gives one many delightful examples of old style Kumaoni architecture. GB Pant Museum houses archaeological and ethnographic exhibits, including articles belonging to rulers of the Chand dynasty and letters written by freedom fighters. Open Mon-Saturday; time. 10.30 am-4.30 pm. A visit to the colourful Lala and Chowk Bazaars is also worthwhile for their woollens - shawls, woven tweeds - and tatitha (hand-beaten copperware) and silverware. Carrying on its Gandhian legacy, Almora has a significant production of khadi or home-spun cotton. Gandhi Ashram is a good place to buy the fabric. Food lovers must sample Almora's famous sweets, bal mithai, and singauri. One of the more popular shops is Khim Singh and Mohan Singh Rautela's sweet shop in the main market. The town and its surrounding hills are dotted with temples. The ancient Nanda Devi Temple is built in the typical Kumaoni style of stone temple architecture, and shows intricate carvings on its walls. Swami Vivekananda is believed to have meditated at Kasar Devi Temple (6 kms from Almora). The temple stands on Crank's Ridge, formerly a haunt of artists and writers. D. H. Lawrence, the English novelist, is known to have spent two summers here. The locally popular Chitai Temple (8 kms) is dedicated to Golu Devta, who supposedly grants every wish made with a clear conscience. Further on is the 800-year old Katarmal Temple (17 kms from Almora). Lakhudiyar (20 kms), meaning one lakh entrances, has a cluster of ancient cave shelters. For more information on Hill holidays in India, contact Swan Tours, a leading best travel agent in India promoting tourism since 1995.
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AuthorSwan Tours one of the leading travel agnets in India Archives
January 2018
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