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Billed as a slice of Switzerland in India, the horseshoe-shaped town of Almora is a cauldron of majestic mountains, lush wooded forests, winding rivers, lovely lakes, historical sites, and religious heritage. Perched on a steep ridge reaching 5,900 feet into the skies, Almora, at the same time, bustles with the noise, crowds, and activity inherent with being the capital of India's Kumaon Region. It is best, then, to avoid the main streets and head directly to the attractions dotting the city's landscape.
Established in 1560 by Raja Kalyan of the Chand Dynasty, a highlight attraction in Almora is the Almora Fort, which serves as an important architectural heritage handed down by the former ruling royalty. Not to mention that it bore witness to the signing of the so-called Treaty of Sagauli, which officially passed control of the region over to the British. Tourists who do head there are rewarded with a 360-degree bird's eye view of the entire city and its surrounding nature. The fort, too, is located nearby another worthy place of interest, the Almora Bazaar. The market has a string of shops brandishing traditionally-carved and painted wooden facades, vendors hawking goods, and people milling about.
Temple-lovers can't go wrong trekking to the Shiva Temple dedicated to the Hindu god of destruction. A sprawling complex enclosed by fir trees, the temple has smaller temples within it, such as the Nanda Devi Temple, a monument to the Chand Dynasty's patron goddess. It is also the site for the annual Nanda Devi Festival, a celebration characterized by traditional dancing and singing.
Tourists might find it a good idea to visit Lakhuudiyar, considered as the foremost prehistoric heritage of the city. It is embellished with a collection of ancient Bronze Age rock paintings that depict wildlife and human activities. The village of Tamta Mohalla, on the other hand, boasts of some of the best coppersmiths in the world. And as the sun sets or rises in Almora, the place to be is the Bright End Corner, a spot famous for its spectacular panorama of the Himalayan Mountains known simply as "The View."
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