KUMAON is a beautiful region of Uttar Pradesh (India) consisting of Four Districts Almora, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Champawat and Udhamsingh Nagar. The area is in the lap of the Central Himalayas. Kumaon offers the best snowscape panoramas of the Greater Himalayan peaks in the north. The region is full of natural beauty provided by God. Wild life reserve, fruit orchards, religious sites and a beauteous landscape are the different beauties of the area. The name of the socio-cultural region of Kumaun is believed to have been derived from "Kurmanchal", meaning Land of the Kurmavtar (the tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Perserver of Hindu Trinity). Extending from the northern end of the Ganga plains right upto Tibet, Kumaun's endless panorama of scenic wonders is nothing short of a romance with pristine and soul-lifting nature itself. The Katyuri and Chand dynasties glorified the region by constructing some fine temples - now renowned throughout the country. Though largely a Shaivite region, the presiding deity, Nanda Devi, is amongst the most exalted in Kumaun.

Sojourning in the beautiful Kumaun region of Uttar Pradesh with its majestic, snow clad mountains, lakes and rich plethora of flora and fauna, not only enables one to constantly think about the Himalayas but to behold their pristine magnificence time and again. Thus purifying one's soul aptly enough, setting the tone for which the options are as many as they are delightful, catering to the multifaceted interests of grown-ups and youngsters alike.

The people of the Kumaon are very peace loving and patriotic. There are a lot persons in Indian Army from the region. Who do not know about Capt. Somnath Sharma, The first person who got the heighest Indian army award Param Veer Chakra, was also from Kumaon Regiment. The hills are the best place to spent holidays and for enjoying life. For coming to Kumaon one can come from Delhi to Kathgodam by train (Broad guage). If one wishes to come by plane than he can come to Pant Nagar which is around 22 Km. from Kathgodam. If one is coming by Nerrow guage train route then he has to come till Lalkuan (18 Km. from Haldwani) and from here one can get buses and taxies to all over Kumaon or he can come to Haldwani. Buses are available for all over the Kumaon from Delhi. But bus journey is not so easy so one has to avoid it till Haldwani/Kathgodam because after that Buses are the only means of transportation. Taxies are also available from Green City, Haldwani to all the main places of Kumaon. From Haldwani distance of Nainital is around 40 Km. only while Almora and Ranikhet are 105 Km. On the way one can enjoy the natural beauty of the hills.

RAJULA AND MALUSHAHI
A BALLAD OF KUMAON
The epic ballad, Rajula and Malushahi, has been sung in the Kumaon Himalayas for at least a thousand years. Set at the time when the Katyuri dynasty was fragmenting into independent fiefdoms, the ballad traces its origins to around the 10th century A.D., when a king no longer reigned from the capital of Kartikeyapur. Instead, the ballad tells the tale of one successor king, Malushahi, who ruled from Bairath, near present-day Dwarahat The king, although already married to seven queens, falls in love with Rajula, the beautiful and intelligent daughter of Sunapati Shauka, a Bhotiya trader of Tibetan goods. Their romantic adventures in search of one another take them to the far corners of the Himalayas, where intrigue, treachery, violence, black magic, and even death conspire to keep them apart.where the Ballad takes place.

Furthermore, Rajula and Malushahi is one the most comprehensive ballads of Kumaon. In their travels, the principle characters visit many places and deal with at least three distinct cultures - the Katyuri, Bhotia (Shauka), and Tibetan (Huniya). Unlike other tales, the characters never become gods, nor are overpowered by them, as Malushahi and especially Rajula use their wits to escape danger time and time again.

What Rajula may have looked like

Best Season :
The trekking and adventure season in Kumaon is prevalent all the year round with the traditionally popular periods being April-June and September-November. April-June, i.e, before the monsoon sets in, is the season of flowers while the second season is known for post-monsoon freshness.

Getting there :
The railhead for Kumaon is Kathgodam, on the main meter gauge line from Lucknow, thus offering convenient connections to Agra, Bareilly, Mumbai, Delhi Calcutta and Madras. The airport for Kumaon is Pantnagar, 71 kms from Nainital, 118 km from Ranikhet and 127 kms from Almora. The frequency of flights are irregular.

From Kathgodam, regular bus services are provided by UP roadways and the Kumaon Motor Owners union to Nainital. Buses and Taxis are also available from Nanital for Kausani and southwards to the Terai towns of Haldwani, Pilibhit, Pantnagar and Tiger haven at Dudhwa.