114	Abode of Gods
antly in the hills.
The landscape
Nothing among the lower spurs of the great Himalayas, and
surrounded by the magnificent range of Nanda Devi (25,626 ft.)
highest mountain within Indian Republic, Trisul 6,307 nits.
(23,460 ft.) the trident of Mahadeo, Pancha Chuli, the five fire
stalls of the Mahadeo, on the western extremity, the square
mass of Holy Badrinath group of peaks which consists of Hathi
Parvat—22,330 ft. (6827 mtrs.), Gauri Parvat—-22,023 ft.
(6712 mtrs.), Kamet 25,417 ft. (7944 mtrs.), Nailkantha—
21,650ft. (6597 mtrs.) and the massive square of Chaukharnba
23,420 ft. (7237 mtrs.), besides numerous other known and
unknown peaks. These are snowy summits, the sacred guardians
of the Indian Peninsula and the home of greater gods which are
visible from Almora.
From Almora the sharp peak of Nanda Devi may be seen at
times what looks like a wreath of smoke, which devout Hindu
sentiment has supposed to be the sacrificial fire of Shiva which
burns perpetually.
Almora is at its best during rainy season and in autumn when
the valleys and hill sides in and around Almora assume the most
verdure, covering every foot of ground, so that the eye is delight-
ed with delicate and endlessly diversified greenery, which appears
to outlive in clearest colour every fold and dimple of the hills.
The rains, in Almora are more endurable than in most other hill
stations, owing to the scarcity of the rainfall.
The town with its stone floored Bazar
The town lies on the ridge of a hill, a little over 5,000 feet above
sea level, and surrounded on three sides by deep valleys through
few small rivers, the Sual and the Kosi, they ultimately join the
Ganges. On the north-east/the ridge runs to meet the higher hills.
There are forests on the upper part, of the most of the surrounded
ranges, but for a few miles around Almora there is a general
absence of trees, said to be due to the practice of the Gurkhas,
who were never prepared to accept any forest near fortresses
occupied bf them because it would provide natural eover to the
enejuies* Tfeey degraded Almora hills of its rich forest