Pithoragarh district

Pithoragarh (: पिथौरागढ़) is the easternmost   in the  of ,. It is naturally landscaped with high mountains,  capped, passes,  s, s, s, s, perennial rivers,  s and. The and  of this area has rich   diversity. The geographical area of the district is 7169 km². As per the 2001, the total of the district is 4,62,149. The total is 76.48 percent. Pithoragarh town, which is located in Sour or (Hindi-सोर), is also its headquarter. The district is the part of (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 flourising reign of. There is plateau situated to the north  of the district. lies on the eastern borders. The  originates from, forms its continuous eastern boundary with Nepal. It is an Indian border district with China. The Hindu pilgrimage route for - passes through this district via Lipu-Lekh pass in the greater Himalayas. The district is administratively divided into five s, namely, , , , and Pithoragarh. Naini Saini is the nearest civil airport. The mineral deposits present in the district are ore, , limestones and slate stone.

Origin of the Name
derives it's name from tradition of, to name the places they settled in, after the places they arrived from. was the capital of, also known as. settlers surviving muslim invaders named Pithoragarh, the present district in

Under the Pals
After its conquest by the Rajwar of Ukko Bhartpal in the year 1364, Pithoragarh was for the whole of the remaining 14th century by the three generation of Pals and the kingdom extended from Pithoragarh to Askot.

Chand Dynasty
According to a tamrapatra dating back to 1420 the Pal dynasty was uprooted by the Brahm dynasty of Nepal but subsequently following the death of Gyan Chand in a conflict with Kshetra Pal, the Pal supremacy was restored. It is believed that Bhartichand, an ancestor of Gyan Chand, had replaced Bums, the ruler of Pithoragarh, after defeating them in 1445. In 16th century the Chand dynasty again took control over Pithoragarh town and in 1790 built a new fort on the hill where the present Girls Inter College is situated.

Under British
Subsequently under British domination, Pithoragarh remained a tehsil under Almora district until 1960 when it was elevated to a district. Under the British there was an army cantonment, Church, Mission school. Christianity was developed in this region.

Modern Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh district was previously the part of district of. was created as a separate district in 1960. In 1997 a new district of was carved out by reorganizing its boundaries.

Language
The widely spoken language is with its numerous variations. Kumaoni is a dialect written in Devanagari script. Bhotiya tribe speak Tibetan mix dialect called 'Beyansi' or 'Bhotia' or 'Hunia', which is the language of family. Van Rawat tribe speak their own Kumaoni variant.

Climate
Pithoragarh town, being in the valley, is relatively warm during and cool during s. During the coldest months of December - January, the  and  mountain ridges and high locations receive snowfall and has an average monthly  ranging between 5.5°C and 8°C. Pithoragarh district have extreme variation in temperature due to much altitude gradient. The temperature starts rising from mid March until mid June. The areas situated above 3,500 m remain in a permanent snow cover. Regions lying between 3,000 to 3,500 m become snow bound for four to six months. There are extreme points present at the different places like river gorges at Dharchula, Jhulaghat, Ghat and Sera, where sometimes temperature rises up to 40°C. The annual average is 36.7 cm. After June the district receives  showers. Winter set for - seasonal migration among the  tribe with their herds of livestocks to lower warmer areas.

Seasons

 * Winter or Cold weather (December - March)
 * Summer or hot weather (March - June)
 * Season of general rains (North - West monsoon-Mid June to mid September)
 * Season of retreating monsoon (September to November)

Native tribes
Tribes inhabiting in the district are and. Both the tribes are nomadic; Van Rawats are s too. Bhotiyas are basically sheep and goat reare and traders of Tibet. Bhotiya tribe celebrates and organize country clubs called ''.

Glaciers of Pithoragarh
Locally s are known as Gal. Some important glaciers of the districts are as follows:, , , , , , , , ,  , , , , ,  , , , , , , , , , ,.

Peaks 7,000 M and over
-7434 M | -7,151 M  | -7,074 M |

Peaks 6,000 M and over
-6,992 M | -6,861 M | -6,559 M  | -6,537 M  | -6,510 M  | -6,480 M  | -6,437 M | -6,410 M | -6,374 M  | -6,393 M | -6,334 M | -6,334 M | -6,322 M | -6,315 M | -6,306 M  | -6,300 M  | -6,294 M | -6,236 M | -6,215 M | - 6,191 M | -6,123 M | -6,105 M | -6,102 M | -6,079 M | -6,059 M  | -6,041 M  | -6,000 M |

Peaks 5,000 M and over
Trigal-5,983 M  | Yungtangto-5,945 M  | Sankalp-5,929 M  | Laspa Dhura-5,913 M  | Sahdev-5,782 M | Ralam Dhura-5,630 M | Gilding Peak-5,629 M  | Shivu-5,255 M  | Tihutia-5,252 M  | Draupadi Peak-5,250 M  | Rambha Kot-5,221 M  | Panchali Chuli-5,220 M  |

International Passes to Tibet
- (5,530 m) | - (5,450 m) | - (5,562 m) | - (5,630 m) | - (5,650 m) |

Intra District Himalayan Passes
- (5,564 M) | - (5,500 M) | - (5,495 M) | - (5,630 M) | - (5,439 M) | - (5,384 M) | - (5,312 M)| - (5,312 M)| - (5,050 M)| - (4,666 M)| | | - (4,800 M)| - (3,800 M)| - (5,100 M)| - (5,910 M).

Valleys of Pithoragarh
,, , , , , , , , , ,

Waterfalls of Pithoragarh
,, ,

Flora
Flora includes many unique sub-tropical, temperate and alpine plants. The flora of the district includes many, , and. Rare varieties of are also present in the high altitude valleys of Milan, Darma, Beyans and Kuthi. Among them  esculenta (Kafal),  obvallata (Brahm Kamal),  armatum (Timur),  aristata (Kirmod),  simpsonia,  campanulatum,  rotundifolius (Hisalu)  barbatum (Burans),  cordigerum,  normale,  cristata,  puddum,  cornuta,  punctata,  incana,  leucotricophora (Banjh),  semicarpifolia,  dilatata, ' (Salla or Chir), ' (Blue Pine or Raisalla), ' (Deodar Cedar), ', ',  heterophyllum,  utilis (Himalayan or Bhoj Patra), ' (Jatmasi), Picrorhiza kurroa(Kutki).

Tourist places
is a 599.93 km² wild life located around  near Didihat, in Pithoagarh district of the Himalaya of Kumaon in, India.
 * Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary

, 54 km from Pithoragarh, is a beautiful place with lush natural beauty. Clear view of Himalaya is observed from this place, especially range. Famous for ancient Shira-kot Temple of Lord Malay Nath, built by Reka Kings. Nearby, ten km away from here Narayan Swamy Ashram at Narayan Nager is situated.
 * Didihat

It is a place 77 km from Pithoragarh at, famous for an ancient Temple of Goddess Kali-Mother Deity of Indian Army's. Hatkalika Temple was established by as a    at Gangolihat. At a distance of 14 km from Gangolihat, there is a village located in Tehsil, named Bhubneshwar, where beautiful underground of Patal Bhubaneshwar, the sub-terranean shrine of Lord  is situated with sprawling interiors exist. rock formations have created various spectacular and  figures. This cave has narrow tunnel like opening which leads to a number of caves. The cave is fully electrically illuminated.
 * Patal Bhubaneshwar

Fifteen kilometers from Pithoragarh near Totanaula, there is a mountain called Dhwaj, elevation 2134 m. It is an abode of Goddess Jayanti or Durga and Lord Shiva, atop the hill. Hindu legends tells that at this place 'Chanda and Munda' demons were killed by. Dense forest about the mountain is cosidered sacred and sacrosanct, so it is in an excellent state of conserved with a large number of  plants.
 * Dhwaj

This is a significant trading centre bordering Nepal and 68 km from Pithoragarh. Situated at the confluence of rivers Gori and Kali, it turns into a lively fairground annually. In the fair Bhotiya tribes use to sell their woolen articles. A hanging rope bridge across Kali links this place to Nepal. From Jauljibi tribal country of the district actually begins.
 * Jauljibi

This cave provides an excellent example of queer limestone deposits and situated near Pithoragarh.
 * Rai Gufa

is situated in the northern part of the Pithoragarh district, distance is 124 km. This small town is located at the foot of the main Himalayan peaks, which are covered with snow throughout the year. Munsiyari is in base for the track routes to, , and , at the base of majestic Himalayan peak (7,074 m). This place is also famous for Munshiyari, an alpine meadow. Alpine lakes of Maheshwari Kund and Thamri Kund are around Munsiyari. The valley from Munsiyari to Milam is known as Johar valley.
 * Munsiyari

Madkot, 22 km from Munsiyari, has hot water springs which suppose to cure rheumatism, arthritis and skin ailments.
 * Madkot

At an altitude of 6,191 M on Indo Tibet border in High Himalayas in Bhotiya country, Adi-Kailash (Chhota Kailash) or Baba Kailash is situated. Trekking from Tawaghat to Jollingkong one can reach here. On the way at Navidhang sacred Hindu peak named, elevation 6,191 M, is visible.
 * Adi-Kailash (Chhota Kailash)

A beautiful established by  at Sausa near Pangu in 1936, on a way to Lipu Lekh, is full of wild flowers and rare varieties of fruits and number of waterfalls. The Ashram was primarily made to help Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims. The ashram have been engaged in socio-spiritual works.
 * Narayan Ashram

The famous Hindu pilgrimage tour to Kailash-Mansarover passes through the district. From Mangti pilgrims have to move on foot.
 * Kailash Mansarover Yatra

It is set atop a hill on the outskirts of the town. The fort was built by the in 1789. The fort is currently used as a girls school.
 * Pithoragarh Fort

The cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva affords fine view of the Soar valley and lofty Himalayan peaks. This temple is three kilometers from Pithoragarh.
 * Kapileshwar Mahadev

This ancient Shiva Temple is also known for its scenic splendour. During the annual fair of large number of devotees and pilgrims flock here. Situated at 16 km from Pithoragarh.
 * Thal Kedar

It is believed that Nakuleshwara Temple was built by and. The place is located near Pithoragarh town.
 * Nakuleshwar

This small town on the banks of river Kali at Indo-Nepal border is named after a hanging across the Kali river. Previously it was called 'Juaghat'. Cross-border trade with Nepal takes place through this bridge.
 * Jhulaghat

A beautiful place, 7 km from Pithoragarh, at an altitude of 6,000 feet (1,830 meters), one can see panoramic and breath-taking view of the Pithoragarh Soar or Swar valley, from here. According to legends it is a place where demon 'Chandghat' was killed by Goddess.
 * Chandak

Chipla Kedar is 34 km from Tawaghat situated 4626 meters (15,177 ft) above sea level. Very scenic and beautiful. An excellent place for trekkers.
 * Chhipla Kedar

A small town located 102 km from Pithoragarh, is famous for its natural beauty and sprawling tea gardens at an altitude of 2010 m.  Berinag is place from where Himalayan snow-clad peaks can be viewed. The area has a number of Nag (snake) temples of Dhaurinag, Feninag, Kalinag, Bashukinag, Pinglenag, and Harinag. Other tourist spots are Tripura Devi Temple, Cave Temple of Koteshwar, Garaun waterfalls, and Musk Deer Farm at Kotmanya. The Berinag is named after the Nagveni King Benimadhava.

Probably the perfect tourist destination to have full panaromic view of snow capped Himalayan peaks in Pithoragarh. It is situated 10 km from and has an altitude of 2010 m. This place is also famous for tea gardens and orchards.

Belkot is a small village in Pithoragarh District, around 10 km from. Located on the foothills of the Kumaon Himalayas, it is known for its salubrious climate and is home to the famed Bhagwati Temple.
 * Belkot

Skiing ranges
High altitude meadow with gentle slope, located 7 km from Munsiyari.
 * Khalia Top

It is one of the best ski range of Pithoragarh. It is a high altitude alpine meadow with ideal slopes and is situated at a distance of 5 km from.
 * Betuli Dhar

Situated at an altitude of 3090 m near Baram on Jauljibi-Munsiyari road. This place provides an ideal skiing settings.
 * Chhiplakot