Pithoragarh district General information
Pithoragarh is the easternmost Himalayan district in the state of Uttarakhand , India. It is naturally landscaped with high Himalayan mountains, snow capped peaks, passes, valleys, alpine meadows, forests, waterfalls, perennial rivers, glaciers and springs. The flora and fauna of this area has rich ecologocal diversity. The geographical area of the district is 7,100 km² (2,741.3 sq mi). As per the 2001 census, the total population of the district is 4,62,289. The total literacy rate is 76.48 percent. Pithoragarh town, which is located in Soar or Soar valley (Hindi-सोर), is also its headquarter. The district is the part of Kumaon [disambiguation needed] (Hindi-कुमाऊं) region of Uttarakhand state and which is also one of its administrative division. Pithoragarh has many temples and ruined forts reminiscent of the once flourishing reign of Chand Kings (चंद नरेश). There is Tibet plateau situated to the north of the district. Nepal lies on the eastern borders. The River Kali [disambiguation needed] originates from Kalapaani, forms its continuous eastern boundary with Nepal. It is an Indian border district with China. The Hindu pilgrimage route for Mount Kailash-Lake Manasarovar passes through this district via Lipu-Lekh pass in the greater Himalayas. The district is administratively divided into five tehsils, namely Munsiyari, Dharchula, Didihat, Gangolihat, and Pithoragarh. Naini Saini is the nearest civil airport. The mineral deposits present in the district are magnesium ore, copper ore, limestones and slate stone.
Flora and Fauna
Although one does not find an abundance of flora and fauna in Pithoragarh but these are remarkable for their sheer variety. The biological diversity
is very important in many aspects.
Bugyal : Passing along the route of Chhota Kailash, a lover of adventure moves into the enchanting world surrounded by the lush stretches of
velvetty grass bugyals (alpine meadows) such as Chhiplakot and Vyans Valley.
Climate
During the coldest month of January, tropical ridges and high location along the lesser Himalaya record an average monthly temperature
between 5.5°C and 8°C. By the March the temperature begins to rise progressively till early June which is the hottest month every where. Dharchula and
Jhulaghat record an average temperature between 30 - 45°C.
Rivers
The district abounds in rivers some of which originate within the fold of the district and,assuming a peripheral course along the borderline, enter the
Garhwal region and eventually merges into the Ganga and have thus been geographically grouped under the rivers of the Ganga system. These are:
Girthi : This river has a short course in the extreme NW of Pithoragarh and, moving along Kungribingri range in a west and south west course,
finally enters in the Garhwal region.
Keogad : To the north of Girthi and alike having a short course in Pithoragarh the Keogad river moving along the inner enclosures of the district
enters the Garhwal region.
Then again, there are rivers so gigantic and dominating that they have, infact, become a way of life. They thunder through the district, determine
geographical borders with the neighbouring country, nourish cultures along their course and cause economic boom or recession according as they
are kind or playful.
Kali : The river Kali originating from trans Himalayan zone forms the continuous border with Nepal all through its course from Kalapani to Tanakpur
where terminating its serpentine hilly course it finally enters plains and is then called Sharda. Along its vast catchment in the entire northern and
eastern parts of Pithoragarh, the Kali is almost a human presence,masterful yet benign.The Kali river possesses an immense potential for irrigation
and hydro electric generation and a project for the construction of a massive dam at Pancheswar is pending under political negotiations with Nepal.
Gori : Originating from a dual source in a glacier near south of Untadhura ridge feeding the eastern branch, and another glacier near Milam feeding
the western branch, the Gori river joins the Kali at Jauljibi.
Snow bridge on the river Gori
Dhauli : Dhauli is, infact, a combination of two head waters namely Dharamganga and Lassar with the glacier close to Darma pass as their source
and, taking a south eastern course, finally joins Kali and serves as its important tributary.
Kutiyangti : This river originates from a small glacier along the southern base of Lumpiyadhura Pass and is a tributary of Kali.
Sarju : Originating from the extreme south of adjacent Almora district, the river Sarju makes the south west boundary between
Pithoragarh and Almora and, finally, at a point at Pancheswar, it joins Kali along with Panar river.
Ram Ganga : Forming the boundary between Almora and Pithoragarh districts the Ram Ganga originates from the Namik glacier. The river is
fed by numerous small and big rivers and finally joins Sarju at Rameshwar.There are scriptual evidences which bearout that the great sage Vasistha also performed penance here and that the river Sarju originating from the feet of Lord Vishnu has journeyed to the ashram of Vasistha.The
river is held in great reverence and is traditionally associated by the Hindu population of the district with the belief that it is gifted with the power
of condoning their sins and hence is a preferred spot for cremation.
Education
Before independence, during the middle of nineteenth century when Pithoragarh was part of district Almora, when there were four "Tehsils" and eleven "Parganas" in the district, there were only four middle schools in the district out of which two were in Pithoragarh. The first vernacular middle school was in Khetikhan and the second one was in Bajeti. In both of these middle schools, students came from remote areas for study. The living arrange- ment for poor students was done by local people.In distt. Pithoragarh, the first High School was opened in the year 1930 at Simalgair which was later
named as 'King George VI Coronation High School'. Later the school building was constructed by L.R. Sah firm, Almora at near 'Ghursaal'.The first Principal of this High School was Shri Chanchala Ballabh Pant. For wide expansion of education the christean missioneries with the help of Miss A. Baran opened the first girls school at Bhatkot in 1871. In the year 1934 the school was upgraded as an anglo-vernacular school. At present there are 68 Intermediate colleges in the district out of which 7are for girls. Also there are 50 High Schools in the district out of which 5 are for girls. For primary education there are around 1031 government schools in the district. There are 4 degree colleges in the district.
In addition to this there are 5 I.T.I.s and 1Teachers Training Institute in the district. With the growing impact of I.T. (Information Technology in day- to-day life almost a dozen of Computer Centre or I.T. Centres have been opened in the town privately owned by different people. A few of IT centres which are located in the Pithoragarh town are NIIT, Hiltron, Aptech, Manipal University, UpHill Computers, Info.Park, Sri Calculation, Care Computer.
Culture
Paintings, the art of 'aipan' and other art forms
The Aipan (Alpana) is a popular art form of Kumaun, and walls, papers and pieces of cloth are decorated by the drawing of various geometric and other figures belonging to gods, goddesses and objects of nature Pichhauras or dupattas are also decorated in this manner. At the time of Harela
Tourist Place
Chandak : Situated 7 Kms away by bus through an uphill climb Chandak constitutes the northern of Soar Valley.The famous temple of Mostamanu is 2 Km. from Chandak. Chandak offers a fascinating view of the Himalayan ranges and the sprawling Soar Valley. It is a potential hang gliding resort and the magnesite mining factory is located too here.
Thal Kedar : Known for its famous temple of Mahadev. 16 Km from Pithoragarh. Jayanti Temple of Dhwaj 21 Km via Totanaula. Cave temple of Kapileshwar. Cave temple at Rai , Ulka Devi Temple, Kailash Ashram Wadda , Hanuman Temple etc.
Gangolihat : An important religious place and rich in folk culture and ancient myths , is situated 77 Km from Pithoragarh . It is particularly well known for the famous Mahakali temple where the Shakti Peeth was installed by Shankaracharya himself. During Navratries a fair is held on the occasion of which devotees offer pujas-along with sacrifices. 2 Km from Gangolihat near the Mankeshwar temple are the ruins of the fort which once belonged to the Mankotis -an obscure dynasty of Kumaon region. 2 Km away is Uprara, the native village of poet 'Gumani', the first Kumaoni poet, who also wrote in Hindi, Sanskrit and Nepali with great dexterity and command. 4 Km east from Uprara, near the village of Tamanauli is the Bharbhyo cave. An old temple near Gangolihat An old temple at Gangolihat Accommodation : P.W.D. Rest House, Gopal Tourist Lodge, Shah Tourist Lodge.
Places of Tourist Attraction : Mahakali Temple , Chamunda Temple , Mankeshwar Temple , Cave Temple of Patal Bhuvneshwar.
Berinag : A small township facing the glorious snow clad pieces of Himalayas. Berinag is situated at a distance of 102 Km from Pithoragarh at an elevation of 1720 meters.
Places of Tourist Attraction : Snake Temples, Tripura Devi Temple, Cave Temple of Koteshwar, Tea Gardens of Chaukori,
Chaukori : Eleven Km away from Berinag, Garaun water falls four Kms to the east of
the Berinag, Musk Deer Farm at Kotmanya,
Him Darshan Kutir at Dharamghar.
Thal : An important transit station for Mun-
syari and Chaukori (Berinag). Thal is 62 Km away from Pithoragarh and is situated
on the banks of Ram Ganga.
Places of Tourist Attraction : Ek Hatiya
Temple, a monolithic shrine in Amiya
village is 2 Km away from the motor road.
Himalayas from Chaukori A View of Himalayas from Chaukori
Kot Gari Devi : Situated about 9 Kms from Thal the temple of Kotgari is held to be the final divine court of appeal for the deprived and the victim
of cruelty and injustice.
Didihat : 55 Kms from Pithoragarh, Didihat is situated at an elevation of 1725 meters.
Accommodation : P.W.D. Rest House, Tourist Rest House.
Hotels : Anand Hotel, Kumaun Hotel, National Hotel, Sharma Hotel.
Places of Tourist Interest : Seerakot fort cum Temple : 3 Km from Didihat Govt. Sericulture Garden is situated near G.I.C.
Munsyari : Munsyari, the center as well as the gateway of Johar region is situated 154 Km from Pithoragarh at an elevation of 2298 meters
and is snuggled in the folds of snow clad mountains.
Places of Tourist Interest : Munsyari is the base station for traks to Millam, Ralam and Namik Glaciers.
Dharchula : Situated at the banks of Kali river at the border of Pithoragarh district, Dharchula is 94 Km from Pithoragarh and is an important camp
along the Kailash Mansarovar, Chotta Kailash and Narayan Ashram route.
Places of Tourist Attraction
Narayan Ashram : Established by Narayan Swami in 1936 , Narayan Ashram is situated at a distance of 17 Kms from Tawaghat. The Ashram is a spiritual cum socio-educational centre.
Jauljibi : A point of confluence of the river Gori and Kali and of three different cultures, is situated at a distance of 77 Km from Pithoragarh.
During the autumn season Jauljibi pulsates with an important trade fair which is an indication of the cultural and commercial prosperity of the region. Along the Kailash Mansarovar route, from Gunji (3500 m), one can move along the quieter Kali to walk to 10 Km to reach Kalapani (3600 m). There are pine, bhojpatra and juniper forests in this region. Although the river has been coming all the way from Lipulekh pass, the small pool formed under a huge rock is considered to be the source of the Kali. There are snow -clad mountains all around and Vyas's cave is to be found on the mountain in front of Rishi Vyas that the region is known as Byans. There is also a hot water spring at Kalapani.