imported>Aditya Gairola at 17:20, 9 August 2021

2021-08-09T17:20:28Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Didihat
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Didihat.jpg
| image_alt = View of Didihat from sherakot
| image_caption = View of Didihat from Sherakot
| image_flag =
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| pushpin_map = India Uttarakhand#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Didihat in India
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Didihat in India
| coordinates = {{coord|29.7994255|N|80.2362226|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Uttarakhand]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Divisions of Uttarakhand|Division]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Pithoragarh district|Pithoragarh]]
| established_title =
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| unit_pref = Metric

| area_footnotes =
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| area_total_km2 = 4
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| elevation_m = 1850
| population_as_of = 2011
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| population_total = 6522
| population_density_km2 = auto
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| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| timezone1_DST =
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| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 262551
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}}

'''Didihat''' is a town and a [[Nagar Palika]] in [[Pithoragarh District]] in the state of [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite book|title=District Nagar Panchayat, Nagar Panchayats in Uttarakhand|url=http://sbb.uk.gov.in/files/Documents/Gram%20Panchayat/NP.pdf|access-date=1 November 2016}}</ref> It is one of the eleven [[Tehsils of India|administrative subdivisions]] of [[Pithoragarh district]] and also serves as its administrative headquarter.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Indusnettechnologies|first1=Goutam Pal, Dipak K S, SWD|title=District Profile: District of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India|url=http://pithoragarh.nic.in/pages/display/2-district-profile|website=pithoragarh.nic.in|access-date=18 October 2016}}</ref> With a population of 6522, Didihat is located at a distance of {{convert|415|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the state capital [[Dehradun]].<ref name="euttaranchal.com">{{Cite web|title=Didihat Distance Chart - Road Distance to Didihat by Car Bus|url=https://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/didihat-distance-chart.php|access-date=2021-03-20|website=www.euttaranchal.com}}</ref>

Didihat is named after the [[Kumauni language|Kumauni]] word 'Dand' meaning a small hillock. Didihat falls on the pilgrimage route to [[Kailash Mansarovar]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Chamaria|first1=Pradeep|title=Kailash Manasarovar on the Rugged Road to Revelation|year=1996|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=9788170173366|page=41|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kMyL80uBsEUC|access-date=26 October 2016|language=en}}</ref> Earlier it was known as “Digtad”. Present day name Didihat is derived from Hat Tharp village which is the heart of this town.

==History==
[[File:Sherakot Temple.jpg|thumb|left|Sherakot temple]]
The area of present-day Didihat was ruled by [[Katyuri kings|Katyuri dynasty]] after the fall of katyuris. the region came under Malla kings of Sirakot. The ancient Shirakot Temple of Lord Malay Nath was built by the Raika Kings. Till the time of King [[Doti|Hari Malla]], this region was under [[Doti]] principality of the katyuri dynasty. Later on in 1581 AD at the time of [[Chand dynasty]] ruler Rudra Chand, this region came under the control of Chand rulers defeating [[Doti|Raikas]] of [[Doti]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rawat, Ajay Singh.|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/42952277|title=Forest management in Kumaon Himalaya : struggle of the marginalised people|date=1999|publisher=Indus Pub. Co|isbn=81-7387-101-9|oclc=42952277}}</ref><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> still today some remnants of ancient fort and temples are present in Didihat.

Didihat was a [[Tehsil]] in the [[Almora district]] of [[United Provinces (1937–50)|United Provinces]] in 1947 when [[India]] [[Independence of India|won its Independence from]] [[United Kingdom|Britain]].<ref>Times World Atlas, 1967 Edition, Plate 30</ref> The Didihat Tehsil, along with other north-eastern parts of [[Almora district]] were transferred to the newly created [[Pithoragarh district]] in 1960.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Aggarwal|first1=J. C.|last2=Agrawal|first2=S. P.|title=Uttarakhand: Past, Present, and Future|year=1995|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=9788170225720|page=331|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Bhat|first1=G. D.|title=Empowerment and Status of Rural Women: A Central Himalayan Perspective|year=1998|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=9788175330740|page=3|language=en}}</ref> During 2001-2011 new tehsil [[Berinag]] was created by transferring 298 villages from Didihat tehsil. The creation of a new district, Didihat was declared on 15 August 2011, by then [[Chief Minister of Uttarakhand]], [[Ramesh Pokhriyal]], however, the district is yet to be officially formed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Uttarakhand CM announces four new districts|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-cm-announces-four-new-districts_726353.html|access-date=28 October 2016|agency=PTI|publisher=Zee News|date=15 August 2011|location=Dehradun}}</ref>

==Geography==
Didihat lies at {{Coord|29.97|N|80.15|E|}} in [[Northern India]] at {{convert|1725|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level, in [[Pithoragarh district]] of [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]. It is located at a distance of {{convert|43|km|mi|abbr=on}} from District Headquarter [[Pithoragarh]]. It covers an area of {{convert|4|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The Nearest city with a population of one lakh and more is [[Haldwani]] ({{convert|235|km|mi|abbr=on}}) while the Nearest city with a population of five lakh and more is [[Bareilly]] ({{convert|285|km|mi|abbr=on}}).<ref name="euttaranchal.com"/>

According to the [[Bureau of Indian Standards]], the town falls under [[Earthquake hazard zoning of India|seismic zone 5]], in a scale of 2 to 5 (in order of increasing vulnerability to earthquakes).<ref>{{cite book|title=Hazard profiles of Indian districts|publisher=National Capacity Building Project in Disaster Management, UNDP|url=http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/hazardprofile.pdf|access-date=17 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519100611/http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/hazardprofile.pdf|archive-date=19 May 2006|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Complete sdmap, Uttarakhand|url=http://dmmc.uk.gov.in/files/pdf/complete_sdmap.pdf|access-date=26 October 2016}}</ref> Didihat has been struck by Flash Flood two times; on 20 July 2003 and 13 August 2007.<ref name="nidm">{{cite web|title=NIDM, Uttarakhand - National Disaster Risk Reduction Portal|url=http://nidm.gov.in/PDF/DP/UTTARA.PDF|access-date=26 October 2016}}</ref>{{rp|15}}<ref name="seoc">SEOC Data, 2011. State Emergency Operation Centre, Disaster Management and Mitigation Centre, Govt. of Uttarakhand</ref> 4 People lost their life in both these disasters.<ref name="nidm" />{{rp|15}}<ref name="seoc" /> [[Flash flood]]s are very common [[Hydrometeorological|hydro-meteorological]] [[hazards]] due to excessive [[rainfall]] or [[snowmelt]], bursting of dams, [[cloudburst]], etc.<ref name="nidm" />{{rp|13}} Such floods are common due to the high velocity of water with much energetic capacity to carry away everything in its way.<ref name="nidm" />{{rp|13}}

==Demographics==
{{IndiaCensusPop|state=[[Uttarakhand]]|align=left
|title= Population Growth of Didihat
|1981= 2044
|1991= 3514
|2001= 4806
|2011= 6522
|estimate=
|estyear=
|estref=
|footnote= source:<ref name="dchba">{{cite book|title=District Census Handbook Pithoragarh Part-A|publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Uttarakhand|location=Dehradun|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0507_PART_A_DCHB_PITHORAGARH.pdf|access-date=17 October 2016}}</ref>{{rp|681}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pradesh|first1=India Director of Census Operations, Uttar|last2=Sinha|first2=Dharmendra Mohan|title=District Census Handbook: Series 21, Uttar Pradesh|year=1971|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mx5AAAAAMAAJ|language=en}}</ref>
}}

{{bar box
|title=Religions in Didihat<ref name="dchbb">{{cite book|title=District Census Handbook Pithoragarh Part-b|publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Uttarakhand|location=Dehradun|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0507_PART_B_DCHB_PITHORAGARH.pdf|access-date=17 October 2016}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|#FF6600|96.15}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|#009000|3.11}}
{{bar percent|Others|#808080|0.70}}
}}

According to the [[2011 Census of India]], the population of Didihat Nagar Panchayat was 6,522. Didihat has a [[literacy rate]] of 91.03%; 95.20% of the men and 86.44% of the women are literate. Didihat's [[Human sex ratio|sex ratio]] in 2011 was 889 women per 1000 men. Almost all of the residents of Didihat are native [[Kumauni people|Kumaonis]]. About 20.55% of the population belongs to the [[Scheduled Castes]], numbering over 1,340 in the 2011 census. In addition, the city is home to some 649 people, who belong to the [[Scheduled Tribes]]. Didihat is the native place of 'Rajis', a Scheduled Tribe.<ref name="verma">{{cite book|last1=Verma|first1=Mahendra Mohan|title=Tribal Development in India: Programmes and Perspectives|date=January 1996|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=9788170996606|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qavVlANV5KMC|access-date=26 October 2016|language=en}}</ref>{{rp|424}} Approximately 1,400 people live in slums within the city. Didihat had a population of 4805 according to the [[2001 Census of India|2001 Census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> and 3514 according to the [[1991 Census of India]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Didihat (Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India) - Population Statistics and Location in Maps and Charts|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/php/india-uttarakhand.php?cityid=0540703000|website=www.citypopulation.de|access-date=24 October 2016}}</ref>

==Economy==
Didihat had traditionally been a place where merchants from adjoining areas brought their goods for sale on a prescribed day of the week.<ref name="sharma" /> [[Wool]] and [[salt]] from [[tibet]] was exchanged for [[grain]] here.<ref name="sharma">{{cite book|last1=Sharma|first1=Veena|title=Kailash Manasarovar: A Sacred Journey|date=31 December 2004|publisher=Roli Books Private Limited|isbn=9789351940210|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=59qmBAAAQBAJ&q=didihat+kailash+mansarovar+route&pg=PT42|access-date=26 October 2016|language=en}}</ref> The "Kumaon Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation" established a "Carpet Center", a "Blanket Production Center" and a "Wool Production and Sales Center" at Didihat for the all-around economic-development of the Scheduled Tribes living here.<ref name="verma" />{{rp|93–94}}

==Culture==
Didihat observes a wide range of festivals. Popular celebrations and observances include [[Kumauni Holi]], which is celebrated in different forms such as the Baithki Holi, the Khari Holi and the Mahila Holi. The festival of lights, [[Deepavali]], is celebrated with the lighting of lamps in every house, decorating the floors with rangoli, and sharing of sweets with relatives and Friends. [[Kumaoni language|Kumaoni]] is the mother tongue of majority in Didihat; however people speak [[Hindi]] as well. The dialect of [[Kumaoni language|Kumaoni]] spoken in Didihat is called 'Sirali'.

Village Hat Tharp is famous for its Hiran Chital Festival during rainy season. This village also conducts one of the oldest Ramlila’s of the Didihat area.

People of village Hat Tharp invented a unique idea about conserving their forest by dedicating the whole forest to Maa Bhagwati of Pankhu for 10 years. No one is allowed to take their axe and cut forest only dry wood collection is allowed.

==Tourism==
Didihat is a [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] tourist destination situated 43 km from [[Pithoragarh]]. Didihat is situated on the hilltop plain of 'Digtarh' with the river Charamgad (Bhadigad) flowing below. Below the town there is a fertile 'Haat valley'. Within Didihat is the temple (mandir) known as Sirakot (Malaynath Mandir) of Lord Shiva (Bholenath). Another mandir is situated in the top hill of the nanpaupu village is known as dechula.

Views of Himalayan snow-capped peaks can be observed from Didihat, especially [[Panchachuli]] and [[Trisul|Trishul]]. Didihat is known for the ancient Shirakot Temple of Lord Malay Nath, built by Raika Kings. Approximately 8 km from here, is Narayan Swamy Ashram at Narayan Nagar. The regional Headquarters of [[ITBP]] is situated at Merthi at 6 km from Didihat. [[Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary]] is administratively situated in Didihat [[Tehsil]].

There’s a large stone bigger than a house in the middle of a field in Village Hat Tharp known as Bheem Ka Patthar, every year people of village worship there. It is believed Bheem brought that stone and left there.

About 53 km from Didihat, the small hilly town [[Berinag]] is known for its natural environment. Berinag is also known for its nag mandirs. One small tea garden is also there.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} One of the most well-known gufa is known as "[[Patal Bhuvaneshwar]]", this is related to "[[Pandavas]]" [[Dvapara Yuga]].{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

==Administration==
Didihat is a Class-V town and a [[nagar palika]] in [[Pithoragarh district]] in the state of [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]].<ref name="dchba" />{{rp|681}} The Didihat city is divided into 4 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. Didihat Nagar Panchayat has a committee consisting of a chairman with ward members. Membership consists of a minimum of ten elected ward members and three nominated members. The Notified Area Committee members of the Nagar Panchayat are elected from the several wards of the Nagar Panchayat on the basis of adult franchise for a term of five years. Two Non-Notified Slums exist in Didihat; Nai Basti having 150 households and G.I.C. Ward with 180 households.<ref name="dchba" />{{rp|686}}

Administratively it is also a [[tehsil]] and a subdivision of the [[Pithoragarh district]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Budhwar|first1=Prem K.|title=The Call of the Mountains: Uttrakhand Explored|year=2010|publisher=Har-Anand Publications|isbn=9788124115299|page=101|language=en}}</ref> [[Tehsil]] Didihat is divided into three developmental blocks—Didihat, [[Kanalichhina]], and [[Berinag]]. Didihat tehsil is the second most populous tehsil in [[Pithoragarh district|Pithoragarh]] and has the highest number of villages. There are about 367 villages in Didihat Tehsil.<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Villages in Didihat Tehsil {{!}} villageinfo.in|url=https://villageinfo.in/uttarakhand/pithoragarh/didihat.html|website=villageinfo.in|access-date=28 October 2016}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Pithoragarh(Didihat).jpg|thumb|A Road in Didihat]]
Buses form the main form of Transport that connect the town to national capital Delhi and other cities. Buses are either run by state controlled [[Uttarakhand Transport Corporation]] or private K.M.O.U. Nearest Railway station is [[Tanakpur railway station|Tanakpur]] ({{convert|210|km|mi|abbr=on}})

==Education==
Didihat had a literacy rate of 79% in 2001 which rose to 91.03 percent in 2011. As of 2011, literacy rate among male and female were 95.20 and 86.44 percent respectively.<ref name="dchbb" />{{rp|23}} Schools in Didihat are run either by the municipal corporation, or privately by entities, trusts and corporations. The majority of schools are affiliated with the [[Uttarakhand Board of School Education]], although some are affiliated with the [[Central Board for Secondary Education]], [[Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations]] and [[National Institute of Open Schooling]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.didihat.com/holiday/destination/didihat Didihat, Official website]

{{Pithoragarh district}}

[[Category:Hill stations in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Pithoragarh district]]

Didihat - Revision history

imported>Aditya Gairola at 17:20, 9 August 2021