Dharchula

This article is about the town in India. For the town across the border in Nepal, see Darchula.

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Town in Uttarakhand, India

Dharchula

Town

Clockwise from top : View of mountains from Dharchula, Rung Museum, Narayan Ashram and Buddha Cave.

Dharchula

Location in Uttarakhand

Show map of Uttarakhand

Dharchula

Dharchula (India)

Show map of India

Coordinates: 29°50′54.6″N 80°32′34.8″E﻿ / ﻿29.848500°N 80.543000°E﻿ / 29.848500; 80.543000
Country|  India
State| Uttarakhand
District| Pithoragarh
Elevation

| 940 m (3,080 ft)
Population

(2011)

• Total

| 7,039
Languages

• Official| Hindi
Time zone| UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN|

262545[1]

Vehicle registration| UK
Website| uk.gov.in

Dharchula is a town in Pithoragarh district in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, situated at an elevation of 940 m above sea level, surrounded by peaks from all sides and Kali river cutting through the middle, dividing the area into two towns on either banks of the river - one in India and the other in Nepal. River Kali originates from Kala Pani at Lipulekh Pass and forms the border between India and Nepal. People of the two towns have similar traditions, culture, and lifestyle, and can move across the border without a passport or visa. The area has a mixture of Kumaouni and Rung language, traditions and culture. Dharchula lies about 92 km (57 mi) north of Pithoragarh \- the district town, along the route of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage tour. It lies on the Pithoragagh-Lipulekh Pass Highway (PLPH).

Dharchula gets its name from ‘Darchyo’ and ‘la’; Darchyo is a white coloured traditional holy flag and la is an honorific term in Runglwo.[2]

## Demographics

[edit]

As of 2011, the population of Dharchula Nagar Palika (municipality) was 7,039 (3,797 males and 3,242 females), with a female sex ratio of 854 compared to the state average of 963. Children of 0–6 years represent 12.64% of the population with a child sex ratio of 824 compared to the Uttarakhand state average of 890. The literacy rate of Dharchula city is 88.68%, higher than the state average of 78.82%; literacy in males is around 95.10% and in females, it stands at 81.20%.[3]

## History

[edit]

Dharchula was an ancient trading town on the Trans-Himalayan trade routes. It was also halting place for the migrating tribals of the valleys' above i.e. Darma and Byans. People of Chaundas hardly migrated as the weather was much bearable unlike the other two valleys. Trade was based on barter system and was the only source of income for the inhabitants of Dharchula. Local handicrafts like carpets which are known here as ‘dan’, were exchanged with the Tibetans for food and clothing.[citation needed]

After the Indo-China War in 1962, all trading ties with the Tibetans came to a stop which caused innumerable hardships to the people of Dharchula. The difficulty forced people to look for alternate means of earnings. Soon the locals engaged themselves in farming, small businesses and cattle farming. With government intervention, good tourism facilities have developed in the town.[4]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Dharchula Pin code". pin-code.net. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
2. ^ "Dharchula".
3. ^ "Dharchula Nagar Panchayat City Population Census 2011-2022 | Uttarakhand".
4. ^ "Brief history of Dharchula".

## External links

[edit]

* Dharchula, official website
* Dharchula at wikimapia.

* v
* t
* e

Cities and towns in Pithoragarh district

Cities and
towns|

* Berinag
* Dharchula
* Dharchula Dehat
* Didihat
* Gangolihat
* Munsiyari
* Pithoragarh (district headquarters)
* Thal

Villages|

* Askot
* Bunga
* Chaukori
* Devalthal
* Garkha
* Gunji
* Gurusuti
* Jhaltola
* Milam
* Ogla
* Raiagar
* Simalkot
* Sosa

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