Almora, a charming and picturesque resort town in Uttarakhand, India, is renowned for its stunning landscapes. It draws visitors with its beautiful resorts, scenic views, verdant forests, and diverse flora and fauna. The lush green valleys, snow-capped peaks, and rich natural beauty make Almora a captivating destination.
The ideal time to visit Almora for a vacation is from mid-June to mid-October, when the summer weather is pleasant. Despite this, the climate remains quite cool throughout the year.
# Katarmal Sun TempleThe Katarmal Sun Temple is an ancient Hindu shrine situated in the village of Katarmal in Almora. Dedicated to Lord Burhadita, it stands as one of the prominent historical landmarks in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon Hills, perched at an elevation of 2116 meters above sea level. The temple complex comprises the main temple and 45 smaller temples, all adorned with intricate carvings. It houses idols of Shiva-Parvati (Narayana) and Lakshmi. The temple faces east, allowing the first rays of the sun to touch the Shiva Lingam. Noteworthy features include its stone walls, detailed figures, and beautifully carved pillars, as well as ornate wooden doors. Visitors must walk 2 km from the Kosi River to reach the temple, as no transport is available beyond this point. The temple is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
# Binsar Wildlife SanctuaryLocated 26 kilometers from Almora, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is a premier wildlife destination in India. Situated at an altitude of 2270 meters, the sanctuary spans 47.04 square kilometers. It served as Kumaon’s summer capital during the Chand dynasty’s rule from the 11th to 18th centuries. The sanctuary includes five villages and is surrounded by 30 more. It boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna, housing over 200 species, such as Blackbirds, Laughing Thrushes, Nuthatches, and Parakeets, along with Barking Deer, Himalayan Bears, Musk Deer, Langurs, Porcupines, and more. Perched on the Jhandi Dhar hills, Binsar offers a peaceful retreat with opportunities for nature walks, biking, hiking, and bird watching.
# Govind Ballabh Pant Government MuseumThe Govind Ballabh Pant Government Museum, situated at the central lodge 700 meters from Almora Bus Stand, is a prominent attraction in Almora. Established in 1980 to honor Pandit Govind Pant’s contributions as a freedom fighter and his role in Uttarakhand’s development, the museum features a vast collection of antiques from ancient times, including artifacts from the Katyuri dynasties. Its exhibits encompass folk arts, textiles, Boshi Sen’s collection, miniature paintings, woodworks, sculptures, terracotta, coins, bronzes, musical instruments, ivory copper plates, manuscripts, and beads. The museum also houses Kumauni paintings in the ancient Aspen style, which provide valuable insights into Uttarakhand’s culture and history. The museum is open daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, except Mondays.
# Jageshwar DhamJageshwar, a Hindu pilgrimage village in Almora district, is situated 37 kilometers from Almora at an elevation of 1870 meters, along the banks of the Jataganga River. Once a center for Lakulish Shaivism, Jageshwar is home to 124 temples, including Chandi, Jageshwar, Kuber, Mritunjaya, Nanda Devi, Nava Durga, and Nava-Grah temples. The Surya Temple is the most significant, while the Mrityunjaya Temple is the oldest. The temples date from the 8th to the 18th century and were reconstructed during the reign of Katyuri King Shalivahandev, with further contributions from the Chand Kings and Gurjara Pratihara period. Inscriptions from various periods adorn the temple walls and pillars. The Archaeological Museum, managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, features around 174 sculptures from the 9th to 13th centuries, including Surya, Uma-Maheshwar, and Navagraha. The Jageshwar monsoon festival runs from July 15 to August 15, and visiting hours are from 4 am to 6:30 pm.
# Bright End CornerBright End Corner, located at the summit of Almora Ridge 3 kilometers from Almora Bus Stand, offers breathtaking views of sunrise and sunset over the Himalayas. This spot marks the beginning of Almora’s Mall Road and is named after Mr. Brighton. It is renowned for its meditation centers, such as Sri Ramakrishna Kutir Ashram and the Swami Vivekananda Library. The area attracts tourists, particularly from April to June and September to October, who come for meditation classes. The Vivekananda Memorial, where Swami Vivekananda spent time during his Himalayan visit, is also nearby.
# Chitai Golu Devta TempleLocated 10 kilometers from Almora, the Chitai Golu Devta Temple is a revered shrine dedicated to Golu Devta, a mythological and historical deity of the Kumaon region. Perched on a hilltop, the temple was constructed in the 12th century by a Chand dynasty general. Golu Devta is known as the God of Justice, and local legend tells of his connection to a king and a saint. The temple is set in a dense Chir pine forest and features numerous bells hanging on its grounds, with court stamp papers on the walls representing petitions from devotees seeking justice. The temple is associated with the deity Kalva Devta and is honored by devotees who typically wear white attire for worship.
# Deer ParkDeer Park, located in Narayan Tiwari Dewai of Almora Town, is 6 kilometers from Almora Bus Stand. This popular attraction is known for its tall pine trees and natural beauty. The park is home to various wildlife, including wild leopards, Himalayan bears, and deer, and is a great spot for evening walks.