Kotdwar
Kotdwar is a city, municipal corporation in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India. It is just 101 km from Pauri, the district headquarter. It is the eighth-largest city in Uttarakhand. Its old name was "Kootdwar", which means the gateway of the high hill Koot since it is located on the bank of river Khoh. It is situated in the southwestern part of the state and is one of the main entrance points in the state of Uttarakhand.
Initially isolated and less known, it came into prominence when it was connected with rails in 1890 by the British.
Kotdwar is famous for its well-known and holy Sidhbali Temple which is situated from Kotdwar. Sidhbali Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is visited by millions of believers all around the year.
Etymology
Kotdwar translates to Gateway to Garhwal because the town is located in the foothills of Pauri Garhwal region in Uttarakhand.History
The city was initially ruled by the Mauryan Empire under the Great Ashoka, followed by the rule of Katyuri dynasty and then the Panwar dynasty of Garhwal.British rule
Gurkhas reigned Kotdwar for almost 12 years, after which the British defeated them and took control over the region. The Kotdwar Railway Station established by the British is one of the oldest in India. It was mainly used for transporting timber from Garhwal. The first passenger train ran in 1901.Geography
Kotdwar is at foothills of Himalayas. The city's total area is. By road Kotdwar is North of Delhi,North of Bijnor, South East of Dehradun, West of Nainital, East of Roorkee.
Kotdwar lies on the western margin of the Himalayas, at an altitude of above sea level.
Climate
The climate of Kotdwar is generally sub-tropical, although it varies from tropical; from hot in summers to severely cold in winter, depending upon the season and the altitude of the specific location. The nearby hilly regions often get snowfall during winter but the temperature in Kotdwar is not known to fall below freezing. Summer temperature can often reach whereas winter temperature are usually between. The highest temperature of Pauri district has been recorded at Kotdwar at During the monsoon season, there is often heavy and protracted rainfall. Kotdwar and other plains areas of Uttarakhand see almost as much rainfall as Coastal Maharashtra. The weather is considered to be good during winter in the hilly regions. Agriculture benefits from fertile alluvial soil, adequate drainage, and plentiful rain.The warmest month is May. The month with the lowest average high temperature is January. The coldest month is January.
The wettest month is July –. The driest month is November –.
The month with the longest days is June. The month with shortest days is December.
Demographics
Religion
is the dominant religion in Kotdwar. Other religions with a significant presence include Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism.As of 2011 India census, Kotdwar had a population of 175,232. Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. Kotdwar had an average literacy rate of 79.63% – higher than the national average of 64.83% – Male literacy was 88%, and female literacy 75.5%. In Kotdwar, 14% of the population was under 6 years of age.
Education
As of the 2011 Census of India, Kotdwar had 26 primary schools, 8 middle schools, 8 secondary schools and 5 senior secondary schools as well as 1 arts college, 1 science college, 1 commerce college and 1 polytechnic college.Healthcare
Healthcare in the Kotdwar is provided by private and public facilities.Government hospitals
- Government hospital
- Kotdwara ECHS Polyclinic
Private hospitals
- Kotdwar Child Care and Maternity Centre
- Bisht Ortho Hospital
- Devbhoomi Eye Hospital
- Devrani Clinic
- Kala ENT and Skin
- Mansa Maternity And Surgical Centre
- Kotdwar Eye Hospital & Laser Centre
- Maithani Medical Centre
- Maa Kamakhya Multi Speciality Hospital′
Industry
Military cantonment
has its base in Lansdowne, approximately 37 km from Kotdwar. Kotdwar also has a cantonment area called VC Gabar Singh Camp and a combined ECHS polyclinic & CSD complex.Transportation
Air
is the nearest airport to Kotdwar situated at a distance of 105 km. Taxis and bus are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Kotdwar.Rail
Kotdwar is well connected by railways with major cities of India. One of the oldest Railway Station of India is situated at Kotdwar.Road
Kotdwar is well connected with roads to major cities of Uttarakhand state. Buses to Kotdwar from Delhi are easily available.Kotdwar is well connected with National Highway 119.
Tourism
Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park is one of the oldest national parks in India, covering 1,318 km2. Bengal Tigers, leopards, deer, elephants, and bears can be easily seen in the park. On 27 November 2017, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the Jim Corbett National Park entry from Kotdwar. Ecotourism and operation of safari vehicles attract many tourists to Kotdwar and other Garhwal regions.Kanvashram
Kanvashram is an important place both historically, culturally and archaeologically in the history of India. It is located on the bank of river Malini about 14 km from Kotdwar. It is believed that Indra, the king of Gods, was scared by Sage Vishwamitra's meditation, sent a beautiful heavenly damsel named Menaka to the earth to disrupt his meditation. She succeeded in disturbing Vishwamitra's meditation. With their union, she gave birth to a girl child. Menka having succeeded in her purpose left the child on the bank of river Malini and went back to her heavenly abode. This child was found by sage Kanva and brought up in his ashram called Kanvashram. She was named Shakuntala by the sage. She later married the King of this region named Dushyanta. She gave birth to a boy child who was called Bharata, the prince after whom India was named as Bharatavarsha. About 10,000 pupils used to get an education in the ashram of Kanva Rishi in ancient time and since then the valley or ghati is known as Kanvaghati.Sidhbali Temple
At a distance of 3.4 km from Kotdwar's main market i.e. from Bus stand and Railway Station, the Siddhabali temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is located on the bank river Khoh, almost 50 meters above from the river bank. A large number of devotees visit the place round the year, including Hindus and people from other communities.Durga Devi Temple
Situated at a distance of 10 km from the main town, the Durga Devi temple is one of the most important places of worship of the town. Durga Devi temple attracts numerous visitors traveling to Lansdowne. Durga Devi temple is situated 11 km ahead Kotdwar and 4 km before Duggada.Durga Devi Temple is located in Near Kotdwar. Durga Devi Temple is located at 11 km from Kotdwar bus stand, on the road to Dugadda. One more famous temple located in Kotdwar is Sidhhabali Temple.