Nestled in the calm embrace of Almora’s hilly terrain, Ritha Kot (रिथा कोट) is one of those rare Himalayan villages where time seems to move at its own gentle pace. Located in the Bhanoli Tehsil of Almora district, this small village is home to around 22 families and a population of barely 100 residents. But don’t let its size fool you, every lane, field, and face here tells a story woven with warmth, simplicity, and mountain pride.
As dawn breaks, the village slowly wakes up. The mist (धुंध) rolls lazily over the terraced fields, and the chirping of birds blends with the faint sound of a distant घंटी (bell) tied to a grazing cow.
A woman steps out, her shawl drawn tight, balancing a brass pot as she walks to the nearby spring. The चूल्हा (hearth) crackles inside her home, filling the air with the comforting scent of burning wood and fresh चाय (tea). Children giggle as they get ready for school, calling out to each other in playful tones that echo down the hillside paths. It’s not chaos, it’s rhythm. The slow, steady rhythm of village life.
Life in Ritha Kot is deeply rooted in the earth. The stepped farms that hug the slopes are not just fields, they’re lifelines. Here, villagers cultivate मंडुवा (finger millet), गेहूँ (wheat), and आलू (potatoes).
Men and women work side by side, their laughter mingling with the whistling of the wind. At noon, someone calls out, “खाना तैयार है! (Lunch is ready!)” And families gather together under the open sky. A simple meal of lentils, rice, and chutney becomes a feast when shared with love and laughter. Farming here isn’t just an occupation, it’s a relationship between people and their land, nurtured over generations
Each season paints Ritha Kot in a new shade.
In गर्मी (summer), the fields shimmer in golden hues; in बरसात (monsoon), the whole valley seems wrapped in mist and melody; and during सर्दी (winter), the nights are long, but warm fires and friendly conversations keep hearts aglow.
Festivals are celebrated with heartfelt joy. हरेला (Harela) brings saplings and songs of prosperity, while दीपावली (Diwali) lights up every doorstep with flickering diyas (दिये). Children run from house to house with sparkles in their hands and mischief in their eyes. The festivals here are less about grandeur and more about gratitude.
Getting to Ritha Kot is an experience in itself. From Almora, winding roads take you through oak and pine forests (चीड़ के जंगल) and mountain turns that open up to breathtaking views. The final stretch is a narrow path, less travelled but worth every step. As you arrive, someone might call out from a courtyard, “चाय पियोगे? (Would you like some tea?)”, an invitation that warms both heart and spirit. Sit down, sip your tea, and let the calm of this village seep into you. Here, even silence feels alive.
What makes Ritha Kot special isn’t its geography, it’s its people. Their humility, warmth, and quiet resilience reflect the soul of Uttarakhand (उत्तराखंड). They don’t measure life in numbers or possessions but in togetherness, stories, and sunsets.
When you leave, you don’t just remember a place; you remember a feeling, the laughter of children, the aroma of fresh रोटी (roti), the wind brushing past your face, and the peaceful rhythm that stays with you long after you’ve gone.
Ritha Kot (रिथा कोट) isn’t just a village; it’s a whisper from the Himalayas. A place that reminds you what simplicity feels like, what community means, and how silence can sometimes speak the loudest.
So, if you ever crave an escape, not from the world, but to find it again, this tiny dot on the map of Almora is waiting, quietly, to welcome you home.
Uttarakhand is not simply another country. People here name it Devbhoomi (देवभूमि), the Land of the Gods. And it feels that way. Rivers begin right here. Old temples sit on mountain tops. Morning dayl...