Kotdwar

Kotdwar is a city, a Municipal Corporation and a tehsil in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India. Its old name was "Khohdwara", which means the gateway of the river Khoh since it is located on the bank of river Khoh. It is situated in the south-western part of the state and is one of the main entrance points in the state of Uttarakhand. 

Initially an isolated and less known, it came into prominence when it was connected with rails in 1890 by the Britishers. 

Kotdwar is famous for its well-known and holy Sidhbali Temple which is situated at a distance of 2 km from Kotdwar. Sidhbali Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is visited by hundreds of believers all around the year.

Etymology 
Kotdwara means Gateway to Garhwal since it is a gateway to the hills of Pauri 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 Panwar dynasty of Garhwal. 

Then came the Gurkhas who reigned Kotdwara for almost 12 years, after which the British defeated them and took control over the region. The Kotdwar Railway Station established by the Britishers is one of the oldest in India. Being a Gateway to Garhwal it was used for transporting timber from Garhwal. The first passenger train ran in 1901.

Climate
The climate of Kotdwar is generally temperate, although it varies from tropical; from hot in summers to severely cold, 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 temperatures can often reach 43 °C whereas winter temperatures are usually between 4 and 20 °C.The highest temperatures of Pauri district has been recorded at Kotdwar at 45°C 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.

https://www.weather-ind.com/en/india/kotdwara-climate

Demographics
As of 2011-2020 India census, Kotdwar had a population of 33,035. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Kotdwar has an average literacy rate of 79.63% - higher than the national average of 64.83% - Male literacy is 88%, and female literacy is 70%. In Kotdwar, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Industry
Kotdwar has two major industrial areas, SIDCUL and BEL. Among the industries, the most prominent ones are Simpex Pharma, Reliance Medi Pharma, Polestar polymers, Sidhbali steels, Del Monte, Indica Chemicals, etc.

Military establishment
The Garhwal Rifles has its base in Lansdowne, approximately 37 km from Kotdwar. Kotdwar also has a cantonment area called Gabar Singh Camp and a combined ECHS polyclinic & CSD complex.

Transport
Transport options include:

 By Air:  :Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport to Kotdwar situated at a distance of 110 km. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Kotdwar.
 Railways: :Kotdwar is well connected by railways with major cities of India as the gateway to hills of the Garhwal region. One of the oldest Railway Station of India is situated at Kotdwar.

 By Road: :Kotdwar is well connected with motorable roads with major destination of Uttarakhand state. Buses to Kotdwar from Delhi is easily available. Kotdwar is well connected with National Highway 119.

Education

CBSE Affiliated schools
Adarsh Vidya Niketan
Bal Bharati School
Baluni Public School Motadhak
Blooming Vale Public School
Cradle Play Public School
Daffodils Public School
DAV Public School
Gyan Bharti Public School
Gyanvriksh Public School
Happy Home School
Hayde Heritage Academy
Maharshi Kanva Vidya Niketan
Maharishi Vidya Mandir Public School
Navyug Public School
RCD Public School
Shri Guru Ram Rai Public School
Shanti International Academy
Shanti Vallabh Memorial Inter College
TCG Public School kotdwara simbal chaur

CISCE Affiliated schools
 St. Joseph's Convent School
 Mother Land Academy

State Board Affiliated schools
 Arya Kanya Inter College 
 GGIC Ghamandpur
 Government Girls Inter College
 Government Inter college
 Government Inter college, Padampur Sukhron
 Janata Inter College, Motadhak
 Saraswati Vidya Mandir Inter College, Jankinagar
 Meharban Singh Kandari Saraswati Vidya Mandir
 Vidya Niketan Inter College, Padampur Sukhron
 Shanti Vallabh Memorial Inter College

Colleges

B.ed College
Malini Valley College of Education

General degree college
Bhavar Degree college (SDSUV), Kisanpuri, Kotdwar
Dr. Pitamber Dutt Barthwal Himalaya Govt. P.G. Degree College, Kotdwar

Hotel management colleges
Hope Institute of Hospitality Management
Institute of Hospitality, Management & Sciences, B.E.L Road, Balbhadrapur, Kotdwar

Law college
Chandrawati Tiwari Law College

Polytechnic college
Government Polytechnic College, Kotdwar

Excursions

Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is one of the oldest national parks in India, covering 1318 km2. Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Deer, Elephants, Bear 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 will help attract lots of 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. [self-published source?]

Lansdowne
Lansdowne (town) is one of the quietest hill stations of India and is popular since the British came to India. Lansdowne is unlike other hill stations as it is well connected with motorable roads but remote in its own way. It is situated at an altitude of 1,700 m above sea level surrounded with thick oak and blue pine forests in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand state.

Lansdowne got its name from Lord Lansdowne, who was the then Viceroy of India during the period of 1888 - 1894. Presently, Lansdowne has the command office of the Garhwal Rifles division of the Indian Army. Lansdowne is one of the most popular hill stations of Garhwal region when it comes to a weekend destination.

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. It's almost 50 meters above from the river bank. When you'll go there, a strong positive vibe and positive feelings will start flowing through your mind and body. A large number of devotees visit the place round the year. One of the world-renowned places and truly worth a visit. Not only Hindus but people from other Communities also visit the temple.

Durga Devi Temple
Situated at a distance of 9 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 & name is Sidhhabali Temple. This Place is very much popular as the best picnic spot. There are several small waterfalls and hills forest makes this place more spectacular.

Koteshwar Mahadev
Situated at an elevation of 1428 m, this temple has a great following among childless couples. The temple houses a Shivling and is surrounded by the Himalayan ranges in the east, Haridwar in the west and Siddha Pith Medanpuri Devi temple in the south. Legends have it that a village woman inadvertently hit a Shivling while digging, divine voices were then heard, directing the people to construct a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Accordingly, the Koteshwar Mahadev temple was erected. It is believed that childless couples who chant the Mahamrityunjaya mantra (verse) during the whole month of Shravana with full faith and devotion are blessed by the Lord and their wishes are granted. It is also believed that during the Navratras the Goddess roves around, besitted upon her steed, the lion. Kotdwar is also known as the entrance towards Himalayas of Uttarakhand.

Medanpuri Devi
Situated at an elevation of 1657 m, the temple is popularly known as the Medanpuri Devi temple. 'Medan' literally means curd and it is believed that the Goddess showers Her devotees with milk, curd, and whey by way of blessings. Legend has it that the Goddess had appeared in a curd-bowl in the hearth of a family living in village Marora. The Goddess revealed to the head of the family the place where she would appear and a temple dedicated to the Goddess was then erected in her honor. Special offerings are made during the Navratras, followed by a big fair on Ashtami. Jeeps and taxis are available at Rishikesh (37 km), Chandighat and Haridwar (42 km). Accommodation is available in Tourist Rest Houses at Chila (36 km).

Tarkeshwar Temple
This is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva surrounded by thick Cedar trees. It is located 38 km from Lansdowne at an altitude of 1800 m to the northeast of Lansdowne on-road Lansdowne-Deriyakhal. Tarkeshwar temple is one of the most visited tourist places in the district and is approximately 75–80 km from Tarkeshwar Temple. It is surrounded by deodar trees. The way to Tarkeshwar Temple was diverted from Chaukhuliyakhal to Bironkhal highway.

Devi Bhagwati Temple
At a distance of 135 km from Kotdwar. Large number of devotees visit the place round the year. Devi Bhagwati temple is one of the most important places of worship of the Garhwali people (Especially Chandkot, Pauri Garhwal)

St. Joseph's Church

At a distance of 1.3 km from Kotdwar bus stand, this is Asia's second largest church at this altitude. It is opened everyday for people from all communities.

See also
Kotdwar District

References

External links 
 Kotdwar

Category:Cities and towns in Pauri Garhwal district