If you’re looking for an escape from the sultry heat, I have the perfect place for you. Almora is a hill station in the state of Uttarakhand, nested in the Kumaon Mountains of the Himalayas This hill station was developed by Indians and is situated above a crescent shaped mountain range. Even though Almora is said to be the town of temples, it will not fail to mesmerize you by its astounding beauty. The best way to experience Almora is through a homestay.

The sunrise at the Bright End Corner is something not to be missed for anything. Inspite of being a late riser, I could not have missed this. The sunrise viewed through the majestic Himalayan peaks was worth every bit. And the steamy adrak wali chai made the experience all the more heavenly.

Since it is the town of temples, how could we miss visiting the temples? Moreover, with your parents travelling along with you, you can hardly escape the trip to the temples! The first temple that we visited was the Kalimut. Dedicated to Goddess Kali, this temple also offers a beautiful view of the snow capped Himalayas. Katarmal Sun Temple followed Kalimut. It is believed to be more than 800 years old and the intricate sculpting left us wondering how skilled Indians were even back during the old times. After grabbing some quick breakfast, we were on our way to Kasar Devi Temple. It is believed to be one of the places where Swam Vivekananda meditated. This temple is mentioned in Skanda Purana and was built by a king named Rudrak as deciphered from an inscription on a stone boulder. We ended our temple visiting spree with a visit to the Chitai Temple which is dedicated to Gollu Devta. The deity of the temple is said to fulfill every wish if the worshipper asks for it with a clear conscience. Numerous letters are pinned all over the temple which were written by the worshipped. I also saw thousands of bells strung across the temple’s premises too.

We returned to our homestay, a very cozy place and with very pleasant people as our hosts.

The next day we planned for a picnic in this amazingly beautiful place and settled for Simtola. A cool breeze was blowing and the view of the mountains covered with Pine and Deodar was absolutely blissful. We didn’t realize how time flew by while we were appreciating the sheer beauty of the place.

We rushed to the Deer Park next and I really enjoyed gazing at the Himalayan animals. They were really adorable and almost each one of them was covered with thick fur. I had a strong desire to go and cuddle the Red Pandas and the Himalayan Sloths but alas!

We spent the evening by taking a walk through the Lalal Bazaar, lined with wooden shops. Being a sweet lover, I thoroughly loved the Bal Mithai, Singauri and Choklate. After an early dinner that day, we headed towards the bus stand.

Almora is not only famous for its beauty but also its rich cultural heritage, creative handiworks and mouthwatering delicacies. It is a perfect getaway from the hectic city life and of course, the awful summer.