The famous hill resort of Pithoragarh is in Uttaranchal, which seems to be attracting a lot of tourists these days, because the state not only offers the tourists a chance to enjoy natural beauty but also a chance to try various adventure sports, such as white river rafting, hang-gliding and skiing. So whether you want to spend a holiday close to nature or have the time of your life.

The district of Pithoragarh was carved out of the district of Almora and became a separate district in the year 1960.Pithoragarh is rich in natural beauty & it offers best view of the Himalaya. Some of the peaks like Nanda Devi, Panchchuli ,Trishul , Nandakhat falls in this district. District pithoragarh has some finest glaciers in the world such as Milam Glacier, Sunder Dhunga Glacier, Ralam Glacier, Namik Glacier.

Pithoragarh-Location
Pithoragarh stands at a height of 1,851 meters in a valley, fondly called the 'Little Kashmir' in the northern state of Uttaranchal. The district covers an area of 8,856 square kilometers and it borders both Nepal and Tibet.

Pithoragarh-Sites to Visit
While you are at a tour of Pithoragarh, you can check out a number of lakes around Pithoragarh. There are two of them which are quite famous, one of them being Jolingkong and the other one being Anchherital. While the former is at a height of 4,634 meters, the latter is situated at an altitude of 3,658 meters. The district is dotted all over with many old temples that you visit. There is a shrine at Purnagiri, which is only 20 kms from Tanakpur, and there is another Sikh shrine near Lohaghat called Ritha Sahib. According to a belief, Guru Nanak touched the bitter ritha and it turned sweet after his touch.

A tour to the White Manu Temple is also a must if you are in Pithoragarh. It is dedicated to the Goddess, who on invocation brings rain thus good fortune to the mountains.

Pithoragarh-Sites Nearby
You can travel to Baleshwar, which is 76km away on the Tankpur Road. There you can see the beautiful temples which were built by early Chand rajas in the 8th Century. About 77 kms from Pithoragarh is a Shaktipeeth, which was established by Adi Sankaracharya. About two kilometers away is Chamunda Devi temple.

Around 14 kms from Gangolihat is Patal Bhubaneshwar, a temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Interestingly enough, one has to go through a tunnel to reach the temple.

Around 62 kms from Pithoragarh is Lohaghat. About 2 kms from here is the Abbot Mount and Mayawati. At Mount Abbot, one can see a lot of Bungalows, which belong to the colonial era. This place also offers a great view of the Northern Hill Ranges. Mayawati is known for the headquarters of Adwait Ashram.

At a distance of 7km from Pithoragarh is Chandak. It is at a height of 1,830 meters and offers a breathtaking view of the Pithoragarh valley. 20 kms from Tanakpur is Punyagiri, which has the Punyagiri temple, which is devoted to Maa Punyagiri.

Pithoragarh-Adventure Sports
One can enjoy rafting and canoeing at areas close to Pithoragarh. There are also possibilities for hang-gliding and other adventure sports. Khaliya Top and Batulidhar are perfect was skiing and other sports. Trout fishing can be enjoyed at the rivers in the district.

People & Culture
Paintings, the art of 'aipan': 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 there is a tradition of making clay idols (Dikaras). The Shaukas use their own and Tibetan knitting art form to decorate mattresses known as Dans. In these woolen goods we find the influence of the Kumaoni and Tibetan styles. Pithoragarh also has a distinctive style of making different baskets called Doka. The art of hilljatra mukhotas (masks) is also worth mentioning.

Fairs: The fairs of Pithoragarh are not only an expression of the religious, social and the cultural urges of the people but have also sustained the folk culture and have been central to the economic activities of the people. Jauljibi and Thal fairs are primarily trade fairs. During the navratri fair at the Mahakali temple at Gangolihat the devotees turn up in a very large number and thus these fairs are manifestly religious in nature.

Chhipla Jaat: Chhiplakote is situated in the heart land of Kali and Gori rivers, south of Panchchuli mountains.The highest point of this mountain - Najurikund (4497 m) - is the seat of Chhipla Kedar The people of 15 - 20 villages of Dharchula and Gorikhal regions reach Kedardwe and Najurikote every third year on Bhado Purnmasi. The principal yatra starts from village Khela near Tawaghat. It goes through thick forests, rocky lands and Bugyals. People go there barefoot even in these days.The dhami burha or bonia (folk priest) finalizes the dates of the jaat (journey). With folk drums, bhankaras (metalic pipe instrument) and neja (the flag of red cloth pieces collected from all the families of the villages) the jaat goes to Barmano, which is 6 Km from Khela. On the second day the yatris go through thick oak forest. After crossing Bunga, Garapani, Mangthil gwar, Ganbhuj-dhura (the blooming bugyal) comes Brahmkund (18 Km). Around 100 people can stay at the udiyar (cave) of Brahmkund. From this point one can have a glimpse of Chaudans region and the peaks of W. Nepal. On the third day the route is on the back of Najurikote, which is full of buggi grass and brahmkamals (Saussurea obvallata). At Kedardwe pond sacred dips are taken and the worship is performed.

Chaittol: In the village of Aath-gaon Shilling, Bin, Saatshiling, Chaunser etc., chaittol is celebrated on the Astami and Nawmi of Chaitra. On this occasion the deity Deval samet who in fact is a human medium possessed by the deity, is taken around in a dola (palanquin). The temples dedicated to this God are situated in Bin, Chensor, Kasni, Jakhni and Bharkatia villages. The fair in fact is an extension of a convention among the inhabitants of Kumaon, enjoining upon a brother to make to his sister on endowment, in the month of Chait every year, in cash or kind called Bhitola or Bhetna in local dialect. At the beginning and end of Chaittol the villages assemble, sing in chorus and join hands in rustic dance to the beat of the drums and hurka in gay abandon and the whole process of merry-making is called Khel in local dialect.

The whole paraphernalia of the chaittol includes Dola (palanquin), Chattra, nissan (Symbol), golden Janevo (holy thread), morpankh (peacock feathers), tails of the chanwar gay (cow), silver Dhagula (bracelets), Chunni, traditional costumes including jhagula (frock) for dhami, the cover over the chatra and a length of rope. With the brush made of the tail of chanwar cow the deity exorcises evil spirits and the rope is used to raise and lower the dola when carried through the difficult mountainous terrains. The deity Deval samet, i.e. the possessed medium, is danced in the mode of Tandava ,Nritya in 22 villages.

Kandali: Chaudans region of Pithoragarh district, a flower - Kandali (Strobilenthes wallichii) - blooms once every 12 years (last in 1999 and next in 2011) and the people celebrate Kandali festival between the months of August and October. In the week long festival the local people - Shaukas or the Rangs - participate with gaiety enthusiasm in different villages of the region. Some stories are associated with this festival, which express the marital tradition of the Shaukas. In the first story, it is said that by tasting the poisonous flower of the Kandali the only son of a widow died. In the second story, this flower is the symbol of famine and poverty. According to the third and most popular story, the region was once attacked while the men folk were away for trade. The brave women repelled the enemy, who hide in the Kandali bushes, and they attacked the bushes and destroyed the enemy. The festival commemorates their bravery and the women therefore destroy the plant ceremonially to remind the local people of the incident and to prevent further mishaps.

Tourist Places
Naraina Ashram: This Ashram was established by Narayan Swami in. The Ashram is a spiritual place and also engaged is imparting education to local children. In Ashram is also engaged in socio-economic activities to help and promote local people. This Ashram has magnificent surroundings and is surrounded by a multitude of flowers.

Dhwaj Temple: This highly revered temple situated, at an elevation of 2100 mts. above the sea level, at a distance of 15 Kms. including a journey of 4.5 Kms. on foot. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Maa Jayanti. The picturesque view of Himalayan peaks can be seen from the temple.

Patal Bhuneshwar: This mysterious place a highly revered among the devotees .This tample is like a narrow shaped tunnel and has several small caves. These small caves have stone carving of many deities on their walls which are really mysterious and fascinating. The cave temple of Patal Bhubaneshwar is traditionally believed to be the abode of thirty three crore deities.

Kapileshwar Mahadev: Kapileshwar Mahadev temple is at a distance of 3 Kms from the city. The cave like temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva that is why it is called Kapileshwar Mahadev.

Askot Sanctuary: Askot sanctuary is situated in Pithoragrah district state Utaranchal.Surrounded by the mountain and forests this picturesque green Askot Sanctuary is a best dwelling place of wild animals. The sanctuary is a house of many wild animals such leopard, deer, beers, kakars and a great variety of birds .Lying in the lap of Kumaon Himalayas at a height of 5412 ft., the sanctuary is visited by many Indian and foreign scientists for the research projects.

Air: Local airport situated at Naini Saini some 5 Km away from Pithoragarh town.Nearest commencing airport is Pant Nagar in Udham Singh Nagar district.

Rail: Nearest railway terminals are:
Tanakpur in Champawat district connected with Pithoragarh by 151 Km long motor route via Champawat and Lohaghat. Kathgodam in Nainital district connected with Pithoragarh by 212 Kilometers long motor route via Bhowali, Almora, Daniya and Rameshwar.