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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Almora district
| other_name =
| settlement_type = [[List of districts of Uttarakhand|District of Uttarakhand]]
| image_skyline = Snow Fall in Ranikhet.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Ranikhet]], Almora district
| nickname =
| image_map = Almora district.svg
| map_caption = Location in Uttarakhand, India
| coordinates = {{coord|29.59718|N|79.6570|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = Division
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|..Uttarakhand Flag(INDIA).png}} [[Uttarakhand]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| seat_type = Headquarters
| seat = [[Almora]]
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 3082
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1646
| population_total = 622,506
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = 205
| sex ratio = 1139
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 263601
| area_code = 91-5962
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate =[[List of RTO districts in India#UK.E2.80.94Uttarakhand|UK]]-01
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank1_info_sec1 =
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Climate of India|Climate]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[Climatic regions of India|Alpine (BSh) and Humid subtropical(Bsh)]] <small>([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]])</small>
| website = {{URL|almora.nic.in}}
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 =
| blank2_name_sec2 = Annual temperature
| blank2_info_sec2 = 28 to -2 °C
| blank3_name_sec2 = Summer temperature
| blank3_info_sec2 = 28 - 12 °C
| blank4_name_sec2 = Winter temperature
| blank4_info_sec2 = 15 to -2 °C
}}
'''Almora''' is a [[District (India)|district]] in the [[Kumaon Division]] of [[Uttarakhand]] state, India. The headquarters is at [[Almora]]. It is 1,638 meters above sea level. The neighbouring regions are [[Pithoragarh district]] to the east, [[Chamoli district]] to the west, [[Bageshwar district]] to the north and [[Nainital district]] to the south.

==History==
[[File:Almora district history.png|thumb|650px|left|Administrative History of Almora District]]
The ancient town of Almora was capital of the [[Kumaon Kingdom]], before its establishment, it was under the possession of [[Katyuri Kings|Katyuri king]] Baichaldeo. Later on when the Chand dynasty was founded in Champawat, the town of Almora was founded at this centrally located place in 1568<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kmvn.org/aboutkumaontouristsspots.aspx#almora |title=Almora history |access-date=21 December 2007 |archive-date=14 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014123309/http://www.kmvn.org/aboutkumaontouristsspots.aspx#almora |url-status=dead }}</ref> by Kalyan Chand. Later Chand kings shifted the capital of the Kumaon Kingdom from [[Champawat]] to Almora.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Atkinson, Edwin Thomas|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/833450501|title=The Himalayan gazetteer|date=1981|publisher=Cosmo Publications|oclc=833450501}}</ref>

Almora town was the administrative headquarter of the Kumaun district; that was formed in 1815 following the defeat of Gorkha army in the [[Anglo-Gorkha war]] and the 1816 [[Treaty of Sugauli]]. The Kumaun district then consisted of the complete [[Kumaon Division]] excluding the [[Udham Singh Nagar district|Terai district]] with its headquarters at [[Kashipur, Uttarakhand|Kashipur]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Martin|first1=Robert Montgomery|title=History of the Possessions of the Honourable East India Company, Volume 1|page=107}}</ref> In 1837, [[Pauri Garhwal district|Garhwal]] was made a separate district with its headquarters at [[Pauri]]. The [[Nainital district]] was carved out of the Kumaun District in 1891, and the Kumaon District was then renamed Almora District after its headquarter.

In the 1960s [[Bageshwar district]], [[Pithoragarh district]] and [[Champawat district]] had not yet been formed and were part of Almora district.<ref>''Times World Atlas'', 1967 Edition, Plate 30.</ref> [[Pithoragarh district]] was carved out of Almora on 24 February 1960 and Bageshwar district on 15 September 1997. In 2011, [[Ranikhet District]] was proposed to be carved out of the Almora District and has yet to come in existence.

==Geography==
[[File:Almora, 1860s.jpg|left|thumb|Almora ridge, 1860s]]
The town of Almora is situated over a horse saddle-shaped ridge of a mountain. The eastern portion of the ridge is known as Talifat and the western one is known as Selifat. The market is at the top of the ridge where these two, Talifat and Selifat jointly terminate.

The market is {{convert|1.25|mi|km}} long and is covered with stone slabs. The place of the present cantonment was formerly known as Lalmandi. Presently where the collectorate exists, the 'Malla Mahal' (Upper Court) of Chanda kings was located. The site of present District Hospital used to be 'Talla Mahal' (Lower Court) of Chand rulers.{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}}

Simalkhet is a village situated in the border of Almora and Chamoli. People of this village can speak both Kumauni and Garhwali languages.{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}} On the top of a hill there is a temple called Bhairav Gadi.

[[Gori River]] flows through Almora District.

[[File:Almora population.png|thumb|Source: censusindia.gov.in]]

== Visitor attractions ==
* Chitai Temple, {{convert|10|km|mi}} from the main city of Almora, is dedicated to the [[Hindu]] deity [[Golu Devata]], the god of justice, popular in Kumaon region. An incarnation of the Lord [[Shiva]], he is traditionally thought to fulfill wishes if prayed to with a clear conscience.
* Nanda Devi Temple is a [[Hindu temple]] to the Goddess Nanda Devi in the center of the town, with unusual image carving on the temple walls. Nanda Devi festival is held annually in September.
* Bright End Corner, {{convert|2|km|mi}} from the main city of Almora, is a beauty spot visited at sunrise and sunset. A [[circuit house]], Swami Vivekanand Memorial and Vivekanand Library is also situated here.
* Binsar Mahadev Temple was built around the 9-10 century A.D. It is believed locally to have been built in a single day. Ladies come here on Vaikunth chaturdashi and light a lamp on their palm to fulfill the desire of child. Binsar Mahadev is {{convert|19|km|mi}} from Ranikhet, and is surrounded by thick forests at an altitude of {{convert|2480|m|ft}}. It is known for its archeological significance and its dense forest.
* Lal Bazaar is a shopping centre for local crafts, woolen garments, decorative items and metal utensils.
* Someshwar, {{convert|35|km|mi}} from Almora city is famous for its ancient Lord Shiva Temple, constructed by Raja Som Chand during the [[Chand Dynasty]].
* [[Jageshwar]] is known for its Shiva temple within a dense forest. The temple complex has 124 shrines and hundreds of statues.

==Administrative subdivisions==
District of Almora is divided into nine [[tehsil]]s: Almora, Bhikiyasain, Bhanoli, Chaukhutiya, Dwarahat, Jainti, Ranikhet, Someshwar, and [[Sult, Uttarakhand|Sult]].

Its [[Assembly constituency|Assembly constituencies]] are Dwarahat, Salt, Ranikhet, Someshwar (SC), Almora, and Jageshwar.

==Culture and literature==
Almora was also the site of the dance academy set up by Udai Shankar, danseuse, in 1938 – several well-known Indian and French dancers{{who|date=November 2016}} trained there. The Almora dance academy was housed in Pine Lodge on the outskirts of the town (Ranidhara). The site has views of the Himalayas and the city.
<blockquote>
"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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gandhiserve.org/cwmg/VOL046.PDF |title=The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 46: 12 May 1929 – 31 August 1929 }}, p. 254</ref>
- [[Mahatma Gandhi|Mahatma M.K. Gandhi]]</blockquote>

<blockquote>"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]] (replying to the address given to him by the people of Almora)
</blockquote>

==Transport==

The Nearest airports to Almora are [[Pantnagar Airport]] (127 km) in [[Nainital]] and [[Naini Saini Airport]] (125 km) in [[Pithoragarh]].

The nearest railway station is at [[Kathgodam]], 90 km, from where direct trains are available for [[Delhi]], [[Lucknow]] and [[Agra]]. Some of the major trains from Kathgodam are:
*[[Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti Express|Sampark Kranti Express]] (5035/506)
*Howrah Express (3019/3020)
*[[Ranikhet Express]] (5013/5014)
*Rampur Passenger (1/2 R.K. Passenger and 3/4 R.K. Passenger)
*Naintial Express (5308/5307)
* ''Garib Rath'' (weekly)

Almora is well connected by road to important centres in the region. [[National Highway 87 (India)|NH 87]] passes through to almora is known as karnaprayag national highway. Some distances:
* [[Delhi]] (378 km)
* [[Dehradun]] (394 km)
* [[Bageshwar]] (74 km), (92 km via [[Kausani]])
* [[Nainital]] (63 km) (via [[Ranikhet]] 103 km)
* [[Kathgodam]] (86 km)
* [[Haldwani]] (91 km)
* [[Ramnagar, Nainital|Ramnagar]] (120 km), (via [[Nainital]]- 150 km)
* [[Rudrapur, Uttarakhand|Rudrapur]] (130 km)
* [[Ranikhet]] (45 km)
* [[Dwarahat]] (68 km)
* [[Pithoragarh]] (120 km)
* [[Lucknow]] (454 km)
* [[Bareilly]] (191 km)
* [[chaukhutia]] (93 km)

==Demographics==
{{historical populations|11=1901|12=2,16,960|13=1911|14=2,51,423|15=1921|16=2,53,675|17=1931|18=2,79,009|19=1941|20=3,28,748|21=1951|22=3,69,697|23=1961|24=4,20,152|25=1971|26=4,83,876|27=1981|28=5,60,381|29=1991|30=6,10,453|31=2001|32=6,32,866|33=2011|34=6,22,506|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]</ref>|align=right}}

{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Almora district (2011)<ref name="Almora District Population">{{cite web|url=https://www.censusindia2011.com/uttarakhand/almora-population.html|title=Almora District Population|work=Census India|accessdate=11 July 2021}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Hinduism]]
|value1 = 98.19
|color1 = Orange
|label2 = [[Islam]]
|value2 = 1.25
|color2 = Green
|label3 = [[Buddhism]]
|value3 = 0.03
|color3 = Gold
|label4 = [[Christianity]]
|value4 = 0.3
|color4 = Blue
|label5 = [[Sikhism]]
|value5 = 0.04
|color5 = Yellow
|label6 = [[Jainism]]
|value6 = 0.005
|color6 = Maroon
|label7 = Others
|value7 = 0.00
|color7 = Grey
|label8 = Not Stated
|value8 = 0.18
|color8 = Black
}}

According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] Almora district has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 622,506,<ref name=districtcensus>{{cite web | url = http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php | title = District Census 2011 | access-date = 2011-09-30 | year = 2011 | publisher = Census2011.co.in}}</ref> roughly equal to the nation of [[Montenegro]]<ref name="cia">{{cite web | author = US Directorate of Intelligence | title = Country Comparison:Population | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | access-date = 2011-10-01 | quote = Montenegro 661,807 July 2011 est.
}}</ref> or the US state of [[Vermont]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php
|title=2010 Resident Population Data
|publisher=U. S. Census Bureau
|access-date=2011-09-30
|quote=Vermont 625,741
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019160532/http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php
|archive-date=2013-10-19
}}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 517th in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=districtcensus/> The district has a population density of {{convert|198|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}.<ref name="districtcensus"/> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001-2011 was −1.73%.<ref name="districtcensus"/> Almora has a [[sex ratio]] of 1139 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males,<ref name="districtcensus"/> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 81.06%.<ref name="districtcensus"/>

The major first language of the district is [[Kumaoni language|Kumaoni]], spoken by over 90% of the population.<ref name="census2011-C16"/>
{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|- valign=top
! colspan=4| Almora district: mother-tongue of population, according to the [[2011 Indian Census]].<ref name="census2011-C16">{{cite report |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Uttarakhand |url = http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-0500.XLSX |publisher = Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=14 July 2020}}</ref>
|- valign=top
! Mother tongue code
! Mother tongue
! People
! Percentage
|- valign=top
|| 002007 || [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
| align=right | 555
| align=right | 0.1%
|- valign=top
|| 004001 || [[Dogri language|Dogri]]
| align=right | 737
| align=right | 0.1%
|- valign=top
|| 006102 || [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]]
| align=right | 885
| align=right | 0.1%
|- valign=top
|| 006195 || [[Garhwali language|Garhwali]]
| align=right | 17,939
| align=right | 2.9%
|- valign=top
|| 006240 || [[Hindi]]
| align=right | 33,198
| align=right | 5.3%
|- valign=top
|| 006340 || [[Kumauni language|Kumauni]]
| align=right | 561,642
| align=right | 90.2%
|- valign=top
|| 014011 || [[Nepali language|Nepali]]
| align=right | 2,604
| align=right | 0.4%
|- valign=top
|| 016038 || [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
| align=right | 536
| align=right | 0.1%
|- valign=top
|| 022015 || [[Urdu language|Urdu]]
| align=right | 1,408
| align=right | 0.2%
|- valign=top
| align=center | –
|| [[Languages of India|Others]]
| align=right | 3,002
| align=right | 0.5%
|- valign=top class=sortbottom
| colspan=2 | Total
| align=right | 622,506
| align=right | 100.0%
|-
|}

Hindus 621,203, Muslims 7,283 (1.15%), Christians 959. Most of the population lives near the main market of almora that forms nearly 45% of the population.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://india.gov.in/knowindia/districts/andhra1.php?stateid=UA | title = Uttarakhand - Districts of India: Know India | publisher = National Portal of India | access-date = 2009-04-04| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090219225233/http://india.gov.in/knowindia/districts/andhra1.php?stateid=UA| archive-date= 19 February 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Manohar Shyam Joshi]] (1933–2006), writer; born in [[Almora]].<ref name="foundationsaarcwriters1">[http://foundationsaarcwriters.com/indiawriter58.htm WRITERS AND THEIR WORKS] Foundation of SAARC Writers. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402074130/http://foundationsaarcwriters.com/indiawriter58.htm |date=2 April 2010 }}</ref>
* [[Sumitra Nandan Pant]], writer; born in [[Almora]].<ref name="foundationsaarcwriters1"/>
* [[Bhairab Dutt Pande]] Former Cabinet Secretary of India and Governor of West Bengal, Punjab is a resident of Almora
* [[Prasoon Joshi]], writer, lyricist`
* [[Murli Manohar Joshi]] (Former Human Resource Development Minister of India)
* [[Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant]] ( First chief minister of U.P)
* [[Ekta Bisht]]: Indian national cricket team member
* [[Naima Khan Upreti]] (Hindi: नईमा खान उप्रेती) (1938–2018) was an Indian theatre actor, singer and a producer at Doordarshan. '''Balwant Manral (बलवंत मनराल)''' (10 Aug, 1940 - 23 June, 2007) Famous Writer, Editor & Journalist.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite book|title=The Imperial Gazetteer of India, Vol. 5|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V05_251.gif |year=1909|publisher=Oxford at Clarendon Press|pages=243–252|chapter=Almora district|ref=Imp}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://almora.nic.in/}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Almora district
|North = [[Chamoli district]]
|Northeast = [[Bageshwar district]]
|East = [[Pithoragarh district]]
|Southeast = [[Champawat district]]
|South = [[Nainital district]]
|Southwest =
|West = [[Pauri Garhwal district]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{Almora district}}
{{Districts of Uttarakhand}}
{{Kumaon}}

{{Hindu temples in Uttarakhand}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Almora District}}
[[Category:Almora district| ]]
[[Category:Districts of Uttarakhand]]

Almora District - Revision history

Hoci Mini at 04:48, 25 August 2021