Almora

Almora is a historic hill town in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. The town was founded in 1568 by King Kalyan Chand of the Chand dynasty, which ruled Kumaon for several centuries. Almora served as the capital of the Chand rulers and quickly developed into an important political, administrative, and cultural center of the region.

Due to its strategic location on a ridge of the lower Himalayas, Almora became a key center for trade between Tibet, Nepal, and the plains of India. Over time, it also emerged as a hub of art, temple architecture, and traditional Kumaoni culture. Famous temples such as Nanda Devi Temple, Chitai Golu Devta Temple, and Kasar Devi Temple reflect its deep spiritual roots.

In 1791, Almora was captured by the Gorkhas, but after the Anglo-Gorkha War (1814–1816), the region came under British rule. During the British period, Almora became an important administrative town and a center of education and social reform.

After India’s independence, Almora became part of Uttar Pradesh and later of Uttarakhand in 2000. Today, Almora is admired for its history, culture, handicrafts, and breathtaking Himalayan views.