Almora
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This article is about the municipality in Uttarakhand, India. For its namesake district, see Almora district. For the Turkish symphonic metal band, see Almora (band).
| Almora अल्मोड़ा | |
|---|---|
| Hill station | |
 
Almora
| |
| Coordinates: 29.62°N 79.67°ECoordinates: 29.62°N 79.67°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| District | Almora |
| Elevation | 1,800 m (5,900 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 62,192 |
| • Density | 198/km2 (510/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 263601 |
| Telephone code | 91-5962 |
| Vehicle registration | UA-01 |
| Sex ratio | 1142 ♂/♀ |
| Climate | Alpine (BSh) and Humid subtropical(Bsh) (Köppen) |
| Avg. annual temperature | −3 to 28 °C (27 to 82 °F) |
| Avg. summer temperature | 12 to 28 °C (54 to 82 °F) |
| Avg. winter temperature | −3 to 15 °C (27 to 59 °F) |
| Website | almora.nic.in |
Almora is a municipal board, a cantonment town in the Almora district in the state ofUttarakhand, India. Almora was founded in 1568.[1]
It is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
Contents
[hide]Geography[edit]
Almora is located at 29.62°N 79.67°E.[2] It has an average elevation of 1,651 metres (5,417 feet). It is located on a ridge at the southern edge of the Kumaon Hills of the Himalaya range. In the shape of a horse saddle shaped hillock, it is surrounded by thick forests of pine and fir trees. Flowing alongside the city are rivers of Koshi, (Kaushiki), and Suyal (Salmale). The snow capped Himalayas can be seen in the background. Almora got its name from "Kilmora" a short plant found nearby region., which was used for washing the utensils of Katarmal Temple. The people bringing Kilmora were called Kilmori and later "Almori"and the place came to be known as "Almora".[citation needed]
Demography[edit]
As of 2001 India census,[3] Almora had a population of 30,613. Males number 16,443 and constitute roughly 53.7% of the population and females number 14,170 or roughly 46.3%. Almora has an average literacy rate of 84.09%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 86.39% of the males and 81.43% of females literate. Nearly 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
In India census 2001,[3] Almora Cantonment Board was considered a separate entity. It had a population of 1,744. Males number 1,126 and constitute roughly 64.6% of the population and females number 618 or roughly 35.4%. Almora Cantonment Board has an average literacy rate of 79.59%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 86.59% of the males and 66.83% of females literate. Nearly 13.5% of the population is under 6 years of age.
As per the 2011 census, It comes second just to Mahe district the list in Highest Sex Ratio among all the Districts in India.i.e. 1142 females per 1000 males, whereas that of Mahe being 1147.[4][5] Its population as per 2011 census is 621,927.
Quotes[edit]
"These mountains are associated with the best memories of our race: Here, therefore, must be one of centres, 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.)
"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."[6] - Mahatma Gandhi
Notable people[edit]
- Swami Vivekananda Swamiji spent some days in Almora in course of his Himalayan sojourn. He expressed great eagerness in making an Ashrama in the bosom of Himalayas for the practice of pure Advaita Vedanta.
- Swami Satyananda Saraswati of Bihar School of Yoga and Rikhiapeeth was born in Almora on 25 December 1923 in Zamindari Family of Bhikiyasen and Gaja.
- Govind Ballabh Pant (10 September 1887 – 7 March 1961), noted freedom fighter & first Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, was born in Almora.
- Sumitranandan Pant, (May 20, 1900 – December 28, 1977) one of the most famous modern Hindi poets, was born at Kausani village of Bageshwar, in the hills of Kumaon.
- Sir Ronald Ross, winner of Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his path breaking discovery in Malaria parasite, was born here.
- American actress Uma Thurman spent large parts of her childhood at Crank's Ridge, near Almora. Her parents stayed briefly here.
- The lyricist Prasoon Joshi, the artist Uday Shankar, Mohan Upreti, and many other artistic gems have their roots in Almora.
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Indian cricketer, has his roots here. Dhoni's father had a farm here before he settled in Ranchi in 1964.
- Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan, (née Sheila Irene Pant) (1905 - June 13, 1990) was born in a Kumauni Hindu-turned-Christian family at Almora. She was the wife of Pakistan's first prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan.
- P.C. Joshi, the first chairman of the Communist Party of India (CPI), was born in Almora
- B.C. Joshi, General Bhuwan Chandra Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, ADC (Born: 1935, Died: November 19, 1994) was the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) of the Indian Army belongs to Almora district (Talladaniya).
- Murli Manohar Joshi, the Union Human Resources Development minister of India (Born:January 5, 1934)in the NDA government
- Ananda Shankar, musician
- Prasoon Joshi, Writer Poet-Lyrcist Adguru
- Devendra Kumar Joshi,is the current chief of Navy Staff,Admiral D. K. Joshi,PVSM,AVSM,ADC,YSM (Born: July 4, 1954)in Almora
- Ekta Bisht,is an Indian cricket player. She is left handed Batswoman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. She is the first International woman cricketer from Uttarakhand.
Temples[edit]
Almora has many noted temples, including Kasar Devi,Nanda Devi,Doli Daana, Shyayi Devi,Khakmara, Asht Bhairav, Jakhandevi, Katarmal (Sun Temple), Pataal Devi, Raghunath Mandir, Badreshwar, Banari Devi, Chitai, Jageshwar, Binsar Mahadev, Garhnath andBaijnath. Kasar Devi temple was visited by Swami Vivekananda and this area also has a Chabad House.[7] Rudreshwar Mahadev Temple, near Sanara Ganiya, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated beside the river Ram Ganga. A sun temple (only the second in the world) is located at Katarmal within a short distance from the town. The famous temple of Manila Devi, Devi Maa, the family goddess of the Katyuri clan, lies around 85 km from Ranikhet. Udaipur a famous temple of Golu devta is situated 5 km. from Binta near Dwarahat. Dunagiri has the highly revered temple of Shakti or Mother Goddess. Dunagiri is also known as the birthplace of modern day Kriya Yoga.
District administration[edit]
Presently, district administration is headed by the District Magistrate, who is also the head of the Civil Service in the entire district. The District Magistrate is empowered to decide on issues relating to public law and order and general administration. Under the District Magistrate are Additional District Magistrate and Sub-divisional Magistrates. The number of sub-divisional magistrates varies from district to district. Presently, there are nine sub-divisions in Almora district.
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