SOCIO-ECONOMIC STUDY

HISTORY:

History of Almora can be traced back to the ancient times of Mahabharata. However, the earliest historical account of the place is provided by a Chinese pilgrim of the seventh century.

The pilgrim wrote in great detail about a kingdom called ‘Brahmaputra’.

A kingdom was first established in this area by the Katyuri dynasty. The Katyuri dynasty reigned from Dwarahat in Katurya Valley. During those times, there was a small settlement in this area, not much of any political significance.

King Baichaldeo of the Katyuri dynasty, who reigned in the region where present day

Almora is located, donated a major part of this land to a Gujarati Brahmin by name Sri Chand Tiwari.

In later times, during the rule of the Chand dynasty, Almora was founded around 1560 by Kalyanchand at this place which he called ‘Alam Nagar’. It was also called ‘Rajpur’.

ORIGIN:

Ancient Almora was capital of the Kumaon Kingdom and was under Katyuri King’s rule at the beginning and later was founded by Kalyan Chand in 1568. The earliest inhabitants in Almora are believed to be Tewaris who supplied sorrelregularly to ensure cleansing of sun temple at Katarmal. Almora town was the administrative headquarters of the Kumaun district formed in 1815. In the 1960s Bageshwar district, Pithoragarh district and Champawat were part of Almora district. Pithoragarh was carved out of Almora on 24 February 1960 and Bageshwar on 15 September1997.

Culturefolk Art

• Aipan is the most famous folk art of Kumaon. In recent times its popularity has grown.

• Aipan is not only an important folk art of the Kumaoni community but other ethnic groups of Kumaon, like Shaukas and Rungs, as well.

• Hence it also acts as a cultural link between different ethnic communities of Kumaon, therefore has significant importance

Culturefolk Dance And Music

• Many classical dance forms and folk art are practised in the Kumaon. Some well-known dances include Hurkiya Baul, Jhora-Chanchri and Chholiya.

Food

• The food is prepared over a fire of wood or charcoal which is believed to add additional nutritional benefits along with the healing water tendencies of the valley.

• Pahadi food which caters to their body needs to fight the harsh climatic conditions is loved by natives as well as the tourists. Some famous dishes include Bhaang ki Chutney, Bhat ke Dubke, Gehet ki Daal, Pinalu/ Gaderi, etc.

• A special Pahadi Thali is offered at restaurants for the tourists

Flora And Fauna

• Walks through pine forests accompanied by the music of tiny rivulets of clear water, spotting a few rare flora and fauna and camping amidst thick deodars to reminisce about the (literally and factually) breathtaking Himalayas.

• The region is highly rich with over 4000 species of plants, having exceptional diversity in its vegetation accounting to its climatic variation aligned with elevations of its ranges and valleys.

• The flora can be defined as sub-tropical and sub-temperate forest The site is covered with Deodar, Oak, Rhododendrons and Pines.

• The fauna is enriched with wildlife like musk deer, snow leopard, blue sheep, thar, monkeys, etc. and birds like peacock, whistling thrush, chakor, monal, cheer pheasant,kokla, etc.

Electricity

• Uttrakhand Power Corporation Ltd. is responsible for electricity supply whereas Uttrakhand Jal Sansthan overlooks at the need of water supply. Three government hospitals including one female dedicated hospital is available. Uttarakhand Transport Corporation runs Buses from Almora bus station to major north Indian cities.

• As Almora came into picture the supply of electricity is good, they use only the thermal line provided by the government, there is no

Water Supply And Drainage

• They have a thin stream of valley through the house on the mountain where the liquid waste of the houses will be let out.

• They have bathrooms, where at the hill down they have a collecting tank made of cement where it is emptied once in a while through trucks,

• but when its come to the upper part of the hill the process is not known.

• When it comes to education they have 2 schools, one is just above there hill which is 1 km ahead road from Vriddha Jageshwar and another is 2.5km away on another hill.

• There is a college at the bus stand of the jageshwar.

• The water supply is from Jataganga river stream. They made collection points to supply water through pipes and t0 collection tanks, Slope pressure is used to supply water.

Accessibility

• Direct road links with Almora (35 KMs), Haldwani (131 KMs), Pithoragarh (88 KMs) and Kathgodam are available. Kathgodam is the nearest rail head from the site situated at about 125 KMs distance. Pantnagar is the closest airport to Jageshwar at a distance of about 150 KMs. State transport, private jeeps and taxis can be hired to travel to these places. Any local travel is covered on foot and with help of horse cart in case of any luggage.

Attire

Pichhaura is a notable traditional attire of women generally worn for religious occasions, marriage, and other rituals. Local handmade designs made in Almora, Haldwani and other parts of Kumaon use silk fabric and accessories made of pearl. Other dresses include Ghagra-Choli, Odani, Sarong, Khorpi, while the traditional wear of men includes Dhoti or Pajamas and Kurta along with turban. Woolen jackets and sweaters are common for both male and females during winter.

Festivals And Fairs

The festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm gives out a small glimpse into the rich past and vibrant heritage. Phool Dei festival welcomes spring where pudding of jaggery is prepared. Summer is welcomed by Holi with fervor when goddess is carried under a silver umbrella. The cold streets of Jageshwar gets warmth from heart whelming devotion when people meditate whole night during Maha-Shivratri. Fairs are organized during March to April and July to August dedicated to Lord Shiva Many stalls and shops are arranged by localities to offer the pilgrims and tourists who visits to worship Lord Shiva