Pithoragarh District

Pithoragarh is the third largest district of Kumaon division, situated at a distance of 486 km from Dehradun. Nestled in the lush green forest and surrounded by Himalayas, this place is located at an altitude of 1645 metres above sea level. A group of five mountains, often referred as Panchachuli peaks, presents a breathtaking majestic view from Pithoragarh. District shared its boundaries nationally with Almora, Champawat, Bageshwar and Chamoli and internationally with Nepal and Tibet.

Historically, it was ruled by many rulers such as Pals who are said to be the branch of Katyuri, the Bam dynasty, the Chand dynasty, and the British. As per the Census 2011, its population is somewhere around 5 lac. People of various communities can be found here with many languages, among them the most common dialect is Kumauni. Almora which is the part of Pithoragarh has been carved out in the 1960s and Champawat also carved out from the district in 1997.

Pithoragarh's significance as a religious place is immense, it houses many ancient temples, among which Gangolihat's Mahakali Temple, Mostamanu, Kamakhya Temple, Ulka Devi Temple and others are prominent. Besides its religious significance, it is also popular as a hill station, with places like London Fort, Askot Sanctuary, Munsyari, Chaukori etc. offering enthralling and picturesque landscapes to revel in. Pithoragarh enchanting and lucrative beauty has earned it the nickname ‘Mini Kashmir’.

Many religious and tourist attractions such as Adi Kailash, Om Parvat, Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Thal Kedar, Chandak, Narayan Ashram, Nakuleshwar Temple are ready to spell bound their visitors with their awe-inspiring views. So, if you are a devotee, nature lover or a wanderlust, this place has something to offer for all. Being the last Indian district connected to Tibet, Pithoragarh holds strategic importance with passes like Lipulekh, Lumpiya Dhura, and Belcho playing a crucial role in terms of security.

In addition to its religious and natural beauty, Pithoragarh is also famous among the trekkers. Major treks that attract a large number of trekkers from a far are Milam Glacier, Ralam Glacier and Namik Glacier. In contrast to all this, the importance of Pithoragarh further increases with the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, annually organised by the Indian government. From Pithoragarh, one can also visit the renowned Mount Kailash and the holy Mansarovar Lake.

Mansarovar Lake holds great importance in Hindu and Buddhist religions, attracting a number of pilgrims every year. The district is well connected by road, rail and air services. The major area of the cities are connected with the neighboring district via road, with the nearest railhead is in Tanakpur and the airport in Pantnagar. Pithoragarh district has a rich culture and heritage, often evident in their festivals, fair and lifestyle. The indigenous Aipan Art is quite famous in the region and is actively preserved by the local community. Harela, Chipla Jaat, Chaitol, Hiljatra and other festivals are celebrated with great pomp and show.

Locals often wear their traditional attire and perform folk dance. Among these celebrations, the Nanda Devi fair, celebrated on Nandashtami holds more importance, with people often seen participating in their traditional attire. These fairs not only showcase their religious, cultural, and social beliefs but also sustain the folk culture within the community. To explore the beauty and serenity of Pithoragarh, every year a multitude of devotees and travellers visit here. To accommodate such a large number of visitors, there are an ample number of hotels, resorts and homestays.