:Pithoragarh

"The district is named after its headquarters town, Pithoragarh. Tradition has it that during the reign of the Chand Rajas of Kumaon, one Piru, also called Prithvi Gosain, built a fort here and named it Prithvigarh which, in the course of time, got changed to Pithoragarh."

Pithoragarh city and its surrounding areas were part of the Manaskhand region, which extended from the Kailash Mountain in the north to Bhabar & Terai in the south, as mentioned in the Skanda Purana.{{cite book |title=Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Pithoragarh |date=1979 |publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EAJDAAAAYAAJ |access-date=21 February 2020 |language=en}}{{rp|12}} The Asuras and Nagas appear to be the earliest inhabitants of the region, who were later superseded by the Kiratas, Khasas and the Kunindas.{{rp|13}} The Kuninda Kings of the region may have become the feudatories of The Kushana Kings, who held their sway over the region in the last quarter of the 1st century AD.{{rp|16}}

File:विष्णु मंदिर.jpg.]]

The region subsequently came under the Kurmanchal kingdom, which had its capital first at Jyotirmath and then at Karikeyapura (Modern day Baijnath) in the Katyur Valley.{{Cite book |author=Kaṭhoca, Yaśavanta Siṃha |title=Uttarākhaṇḍa kā navīna itihāsa |year=2010 |isbn=978-81-86844-91-5 |oclc=948116582}} The Group of Temples at Kasni village (3 km from city centre) were built in 11th century during the rule of Katyuri kings.{{cite news |title=Uttarakhand News: पिथौरागढ़ के इस गांव में होते हैं भगवान विष्णु के साक्षात दर्शन, जानें खासियत |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/uttarakhand/pithoragarh-lord-vishnu-temple-in-pithoragarh-11th-century-dashavatar-idol-of-god-nodnc-4467664.html |access-date=25 November 2023 |work=News18 हिंदी |date=13 August 2022 |language=hi}}

Upon the disintegration of the Katyuris and fall of kingdom in 13th century, Pithoragarh came under the rule of Bam kings of Saur. The Bam kings were feudal to the Raikas of Doti and was a branch of katyuri kings, and had their capital at Udaipur near Pithoragarh, However, the Rajas used to come down to Rameshwar and Bailorkol during the winter months.{{rp|24}} The Bam kings, who ruled over Saur were:{{cite book|last1=Pande|first1=Badri Datt|title=History of Kumaun : English version of "Kumaun ka itihas"|date=1993|publisher=Shyam Prakashan|location=Almora|isbn=81-85865-01-9}}{{rp|216}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

1. Karakil Bam
2. Kakil Bam
3. Chanari Bam
4. Arki Bam
5. Jnani Bam
6. Shakti Bam
7. Vijai Bam
8. Hari Bam

{{div col end}}

In the fifteenth century, King Bharti Chand of Champawat amassed a huge army, and started plundering and killing in the regions ruled by the Doti Kings. This resulted in a war, which lasted for 12 years, and ended with a victory for the Chands.{{rp|213–214}} After the death of Bharti Chand in 1462, Nagmalla, the king of Doti attacked his son, Ratna Chand who was successful in defending himself.{{rp|213–214}} Nagmalla was killed in the war and the Bams became feudatories of the Chands.{{rp|215–216}} The pargana of Saur came under direct control of the Kingdom of Kumaon in the sixteenth century during the rule of King Balo Kalyan Chand, when it was given to him by the Raika king of Doti as dowry for marrying his Daughter.{{rp|226}}

File:Pithoragarh Fort.jpg

In 1790, the Chand kings built a new fort on the hill where the present Girls Inter College is situated. This fort was destroyed by the Indian government in 1962 after China attacked India.^[why?] The Chand rule, at its zenith, is seen as one of the most prominent empires in Kumaon. Their rule also coincides with a period of cultural resurgence. Archeological surveys point towards the development of culture and art forms in this period.

A Branch of Indian National Congress was established in the region in 1912, and in 1916, many people from Pithoragarh attended the Lucknow session of Congress. The Non-cooperation movement was started in the region in 1921 and in 1930, 10 people from Pithoragarh participated in the Civil disobedience movement. Subsequently, the Congress won the Pithoragarh seat in the Provincial Elections in 1937. The Quit India Movement of 1942 found greater support in Pithoragarh and about 150 persons were arrested while several were fined. The Congress won the Pithoragarh seat again in the General Elections of 1945 for the Provincial Assembly, and in 1947, along with the rest of India, this region also won independence from the British Rule.{{rp|38}}

File:Jagir Khet Waterfall 01.jpg

Pithoragarh is located at {{Coord|29.58|N|80.22|E|}}.[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/39/Pithoragarh.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Pithoragarh] in the district of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India. It lies in the revenue Division of Kumaon{{cite book|title=Kumaon Himalaya|publisher=Shree Almora Book Depot|isbn=9788190020992|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pWs-AgAACAAJ&q=almora|language=en}} and is located 188 km northeast of Nainital, the administrative headquarters of Kumaon. It has an average elevation of 1,627 metres (5,338 feet).[http://pithoragarh.nic.in/Gazetteer/gazetter19.pdf A document from official website of Pithoragarh] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410072247/http://pithoragarh.nic.in/Gazetteer/gazetter19.pdf |date=10 April 2009 }}[http://pithoragarh.nic.in/ Official website of Pithoragarh] It is situated in the centre of the western half of the Saur Valley. The valley is spread across around 50 square kilometers. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, on a scale ranging from I to V in order of increasing susceptibility to earthquakes, the city lies inside seismic zone V.{{cite book|title=Hazard profiles of Indian districts|publisher=National Capacity Building Project in Disaster Management, UNDP|url=http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/hazardprofile.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519100611/http://www.undp.org.in/dmweb/hazardprofile.pdf|access-date=17 October 2016|archive-date=19 May 2006}} It lies in the Moderate damage risk (B) area in Wind & Cyclone Zone and is declared a No Flood Zone.

Pithoragarh has a monsoon-influenced climate. The summer season from April to mid-June is moderately warm with occasional thunderstorms, whilst the monsoon season from mid-June to mid-September is humid with heavy showers almost daily. This gives way to a warm and sunny autumn season. The winter season brings pleasant afternoons, very cold mornings, and spells of frontal rain accompanied by sparse snowfall.

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| open = yes

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

| location = Pithoragarh

| Jan mean C =7.8

| Feb mean C =9.4

| Mar mean C =14.2

| Apr mean C =19.2

| May mean C =22.1

| Jun mean C =23.1

| Jul mean C =21.9

| Aug mean C =21.6

| Sep mean C =20.4

| Oct mean C =17.4

| Nov mean C =13.2

| Dec mean C =9.7

| year mean C = 16.7

|Jan high C= 13.7

|Feb high C= 15.5

|Mar high C= 20.7

|Apr high C= 25.9

|May high C= 28.7

|Jun high C= 28.5

|Jul high C= 25.9

|Aug high C= 25.4

|Sep high C= 24.9

|Oct high C= 23.3

|Nov high C= 19.7

|Dec high C= 15.8

|year high C= 22.3

| Jan low C =1.9

| Feb low C =3.4

| Mar low C =7.7

| Apr low C =12.6

| May low C =15.7

| Jun low C =17.7

| Jul low C =17.9

| Aug low C =17.8

| Sep low C =16

| Oct low C =11.5

| Nov low C =6.8

| Dec low C =3.5

| year low C =11

| Jan precipitation mm =37.4

| Feb precipitation mm =42.8

| Mar precipitation mm =39.4

| Apr precipitation mm =34.7

| May precipitation mm =56.7

| Jun precipitation mm =164.8

| Jul precipitation mm =317.3

| Aug precipitation mm =305.2

| Sep precipitation mm =174.4

| Oct precipitation mm =47.9

| Nov precipitation mm =7.3

| Dec precipitation mm =16.7

| year precipitation mm =1244.5

| precipitation colour = green

| unit precipitation days =

| Jan precipitation days =3.4

| Feb precipitation days =3.8

| Mar precipitation days =3.7

| Apr precipitation days =3.1

| May precipitation days =4.1

| Jun precipitation days =10.9

| Jul precipitation days =16.5

| Aug precipitation days =17.6

| Sep precipitation days =10.5

| Oct precipitation days =2.9

| Nov precipitation days =1.2

| Dec precipitation days =1.3

| year precipitation days =79.1

|source = Weatherbase{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=596060&cityname=Pithoragarh-Uttarakhand-India|title=Monthly Weather Averages Summary, Pithoragarh, India|access-date=2016-10-17}}

}}

Pithoragarh is an urban town with a Nagar Palika Parishad or Municipal Council{{Cite web|title=Municipalities {{!}} District Pithoragarh, Government of Uttarakhand {{!}} India|url=https://pithoragarh.nic.in/public-utility-category/municipality/|access-date=2020-09-15|language=en-US}} spread over an area of 9 square km.{{Cite web|title=Census of India - Uttarakhand - Town Amenities (Excel Row 53)|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB.html|access-date=15 September 2020|website=Census of India}} It is divided into 20 wards for the sake of administration.{{Cite web|author=Prem Punetha|date=Dec 18, 2019|title=12 ward members resign over use of Dev Singh Ground for exhibition {{!}} Dehradun News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/12-ward-members-resign-over-use-of-dev-singh-ground-for-exhibition/articleshow/72859073.cms|access-date=2020-09-15|website=The Times of India|language=en}} It is also part of the Almora Lok Sabha Constituency, thus has BJP MP Ajay Tamta representing the city{{Cite web|title=Uttarakhand: BRO constructs 180-feet-long bailey bridge in cloudburst-hit Jauljibi sector|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/uttarakhand-bro-constructs-180-feet-long-bailey-bridge-in-cloudburst-hit-jauljibi-sector20200816233019/|access-date=2020-09-15|website=ANI News|language=en}} and is a part of the Pithoragarh Vidhan Sabha constituency, represented by INC's Mayukh Mahar.{{Cite web|title=MP/MLA {{!}} District Almora, Government of Uttarakhand {{!}} India|url=https://almora.nic.in/mp-mla/|access-date=2020-09-15|language=en-US}}

Pithoragarh town, before the creation of a Municipal Board, was administered as a Town Area by a committee consisting of 10 members and a chairman. The Municipality of Pithoragarh came into existence on 24 November 1962 and the members and the chairman of Town Area Committee became its members. The board was, however, dissolved on 12 March 1963, and the town was then administered by the District Magistrate, who was the ex-officio chairman of the board under the U.P. Municipalities Act of 1916. There was no elected body and the affairs were supervised by an Officer-in-charge (a deputy collector) to whom the powers were delegated by the District Magistrate.{{rp|157}}

File:Hilljatra-festival-photos.jpg

=== Festivals ===

Pithoragarh Mahotsav has played a significant role in conserving and sharing Pithorgarh's unique culture. It showcases local culture through music and dance, often featuring performances in the Kumaoni language.

Kandali Festival A flower called Kandali (Strobilanthes wallichii) blooms once every twelve years in the Chaudans region of Pithoragarh district, and the people celebrate the Kandali festival between August and October. Local people, known as Shaukars or Rangs, take part in the week-long festival with joy and enthusiasm in various villages throughout the region. The festival begins with the worship of a Shiva linga made of a flour mixture of barley and buckwheat. During this festival, local liquor is traditionally consumed. It is performed in a decorated corner of the courtyard by each household. People pray for good fortune. The individual Poojas are followed by a community feast. Then, the women and men, in traditional dresses and laden with gold and silver ornaments, assemble around a tree on the sacred ground of the village. Strips of white cloth are tied to the tree and a flag is raised.{{Cite web|url=http://kumaon.gov.in/pages/display/90-kandali-festival|title=Kandali Festival|publisher=Govt of Kumaon}}

Hilljatra is a pastoralists' and agriculturalists' festival, which is celebrated in some parts of Pithoragarh districts. The aathon (eight day of bhado) and Gawra Visarjan became part of Hilljatra during the development process. The festival, which originated in West Nepal's Sorar (Mahakali) region, was first introduced to the valley in Kumor village, Pithoragarh.The hiljatra of Urai (Dewalthal)is the most famous.Tha tableau of the Lakhiya bhoot is the main attraction.On the evening of hiljatra,worship of goddess Mahakali is performed tableaux are tajen out.The people of Bajethi, another village near Pithoragarh, accepted the Jatra, and it was modified and introduced as Hiran chital in the Kanalichhina and Askot regions. Hilljatra is linked to ropai (paddy planting) and other rainy-season agricultural and pastoral labours (Hill = mud, Jatra = Jaat). It has also been linked to the Champawat ruler's victory.{{Cite web|url=http://kumaon.gov.in/pages/display/89-hilljatra|title=Hilljatra|publisher=Govt of Kumaon}}

File:pithoragarh Panorama.jpg

The small town was extensively described in a novel by American author Bradley Swift, From Pithoragarh to Pittsburg. Major parts of the Bollywood film Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar have been shot in the city.{{cite news |last1=Service |first1=Tribune News |title=Bollywood in Pithoragarh for 'Sandeep & Pinki Farar' |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/bollywood-in-pithoragarh-for-sandeep--pinki-farar-508379 |access-date=20 February 2020 |work=Tribuneindia News Service |language=en}}

File:Utc Bus.jpg and cloudbursts, caused by heavy rains that fall during the summer monsoon, often interrupt transportation networks.]]

File:Pithoragarh Naini Saini Airport.jpg]]

Pithoragarh is not connected by any direct train services; however, it is well connected by road, and it also has an airport. The National Highway 9 passes through Pithoragarh.{{Cite web|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2015/163579.pdf|title=National highway 9 route substitution notification|date=31 Mar 2015|website=The Gazette of India|access-date=1 Aug 2018}} Landslides and cloudbursts, caused by heavy rains that fall during the summer monsoon, often interrupt transportation networks.{{cite news|last1=Singh|first1=Kautilya|title=263 roads across Uttarakhand closed, efforts on to open them for vehicular movement|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/263-roads-across-Uttarakhand-closed-efforts-on-to-open-them-for-vehicular-movement/articleshow/53288408.cms|access-date=18 October 2016|agency=TNN|work=The Times of India|date=19 July 2016|location=Dehradun}}{{cite news|last1=Singh|first1=Kautilya|title=Heavy rains block 338 roads in Uttarakhand|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/Heavy-rains-block-338-roads-in-Uttarakhand/articleshow/53271509.cms|access-date=18 October 2016|agency=TNN|work=The Times of India|date=18 July 2016|location=Dehradun}}

The Pithoragarh Airport, also known as the Naini Saini Airport, is located about {{convert|5|km|mi}} north-east of the city. The airport, which was constructed in 1991 for administrative use,{{cite news|last1=Chakrabarty|first1=Arpita|title=Naini-Saini airstrip awaits flying license|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/Naini-Saini-airstrip-awaits-flying-license/articleshow/52857515.cms|access-date=17 October 2016|agency=TNN|work=The Times of India|date=21 July 2016|location=Almora}}{{cite news|last1=Chakrabarty|first1=Arpita|title=No commercial flights from Pithoragarh any time soon|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/No-commercial-flights-from-Pithoragarh-any-time-soon/articleshow/54270318.cms|access-date=17 October 2016|agency=TNN|work=The Times of India|date=10 September 2016|location=Almora}} was previously mainly used by the Indian Air Force for defence purposes.{{cite web|title=Executive Summary, Expansion of Naini-Saini airport|url=http://ueppcb.uk.gov.in/files/Naini-Saiini-Airstrip-Executive-Summary-English_1.pdf |access-date=20 September 2019|work=RITES|date=October 2012}} The airport was upgraded in 2016 at an estimated cost of Rs 64.91 crore.{{cite news |last1=Chakrabarty |first1=Arpita |title=Regular flights to take off from Naini Saini airstrip from Jan 26 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/Regular-flights-to-take-off-from-Naini-Saini-airstrip-from-Jan-26/articleshow/49806761.cms |access-date=20 February 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=16 Nov 2015 |language=en}}

Bareilly Airport is located around 249 km from Pithoragarh is a major airport nearby which is connected to cities like Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru.

Pithoragarh is connected to the rest of Uttarakhand by all-weather motorable roads. The total road length in Pithoragarh is 80 km.{{rp|683}} Haldwani and Tanakpur are two entry points for entering Pithoragarh by road. Both are connected by railway services, the nearest railway stations being Tanakpur (151 km) and Kathgodam (212 km). Regular state bus transport services along with private taxi services are available at both places. Buses, which are the most commonly used mode of transport, are run by government agencies and private operators. Agencies operating long-distance bus services include Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, K.M.O.U, and various private operators.

File:Temporary campus of SIT pithoaragarh.jpg]]

Schools in Pithoragarh are run by the state government or private organisations, Hindi and English are the primary languages of instruction. Schools in Pithoragarh follow the "10+2+3" plan.

After completing their secondary education, students typically enroll in Inter Colleges that have a higher secondary facility and are affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education, CISCE or the Department of Education of the Government of Uttarakhand. They usually choose a focus on liberal arts, business, or science.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

As of 2011, Pithoragarh had 17 primary schools, 20 middle schools, 22 secondary schools, 14 senior secondary schools, and 1 degree college.{{cite book|title=District Census Handbook Pithoragarh Part-A|publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Uttarakhand|location=Dehradun|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0507_PART_A_DCHB_PITHORAGARH.pdf|access-date=11 July 2017}}{{rp|685}} Before independence, during the middle of the 19th century when Pithoragarh was part of Almora, there were only two middle schools in Pithoragarh.{{cite web|last1=Indusnettechnologies|first1=Goutam Pal, Dipak K S, SWD|title=Education: District of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India|url=http://pithoragarh.nic.in/pages/display/70-education|website=pithoragarh.nic.in|access-date=11 July 2017}}

LSM Govt. Post Graduate College is the only government college in the town providing studies up to post-graduation.{{cite web|last1=Indusnettechnologies|first1=Goutam Pal, Dipak K S, SWD|title=L. S. M. Government Post Graduate College Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand)|url=http://pithoragarh.nic.in/pages/view/36/37-l-s-m--government-post-graduate-college-pithoragarh-(uttarakhand)-|website=pithoragarh.nic.in|access-date=11 July 2017}} It was previously affiliated to Kumaun University, Nainital. With the growing impact of I.T., the government opened SIT Pithoragarh in 2011. Almost a dozen of privately owned computer centres opened up later in the town. A few of the IT centres which are in Pithoragarh town are NIIT, Hiltron, Aptech, UpHill Computers, Info. Park, Sri Calculation and Care Computer.

Construction of a medical college is proposed by the state government and it has been allotted a budget of ₹450 crores ($64 million).{{Cite web|title=पिथौरागढ़ मेडिकल कालेज का कार्य प्रारंभ होने के आसार|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/pithoragarh-the-work-of-pithoragarh-medical-college-is-likely-to-start-21867774.html|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}}

• Ulka Devi Mandir
• Gurna Mata Mandir
• Shiv Mandir
• Hanuman Mandir
• Haat Kalika Temple
• Kotgari Temple
• Patal Bhuvaneshwar

• Khadg Singh Valdiya
• Vinod Kapri
• Hemant Pandey

• Unmukt Chand
• Mary Reed
• Laurie Baker
• Dan Singh Bisht

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikivoyage|Pithoragarh}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://pithoragarh.nic.in/ Pithoragarh website]
• [http://wikimapia.org/country/India/Uttaranchal/Pithoragarh/ Pithoragarh] at wikimapia.

{{Pithoragarh district}}

{{Municipalities of Uttarakhand}}

{{Uttarakhand}}

Category:Tourism in Uttarakhand

{{ci|date=October 2022}}