Didihat is named after the Kumauni word 'Dand' meaning a small hillock. Didihat falls on the pilgrimage route to Kailash Mansarovar.[4] Earlier it was known as “Digtad”. Present day name Didihat is derived from Hat Tharp village which is the heart of this town.
History
Malaynath Temple at Sirakot was built by the Raika Kings.
The area of present-day Didihat was ruled by the Katyuri dynasty. Until the time of King Hari Malla, this region was within the Doti principality established by the Katyuri dynasty. After the fall of the Katyuris, the region came under the rule of the Malla kings of Sirakot. The ancient Shirakot Temple of Lord Malay Nath was built by the Raika Kings of Doti. In 1581, when Rudra Chand ruled the Chand dynasty, this region came under the control of Chand rulers, who defeated the Raikas of Doti.[5][6] Remnants of ancient forts and temples remain present in Didihat to this day.
According to the 2011 Census of India, the population of Didihat Nagar Panchayat was 6,522. Didihat has a literacy rate of 91.03%; 95.20% of the men and 86.44% of the women are literate. Didihat's sex ratio in 2011 was 889 women per 1000 men. Almost all of the residents of Didihat are native Kumaonis. About 20.55% of the population belongs to the Scheduled Castes, numbering over 1,340 in the 2011 census. In addition, the city is home to some 649 people, who belong to the Scheduled Tribes. Didihat is the native place of 'Rajis', a Scheduled Tribe.[18]: 424 Approximately 1,400 people live in slums within the city. Didihat had a population of 4805 according to the 2001 Census[19] and 3514 according to the 1991 Census of India.[20]
Economy
Didihat had traditionally been a place where merchants from adjoining areas brought their goods for sale on a prescribed day of the week.[21]Wool and salt from Tibet was exchanged for grain here.[21] The "Kumaon Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation" established a "Carpet Center", a "Blanket Production Center" and a "Wool Production and Sales Center" at Didihat for the all-around economic-development of the Scheduled Tribes living here.[18]: 93–94
Didihat observes a wide range of festivals. Popular celebrations and observances include Kumauni Holi, which is celebrated in different forms such as the Baithki Holi, the Khari Holi and the Mahila Holi. The festival of lights, Deepavali, is celebrated with the lighting of lamps in every house, decorating the floors with rangoli, and sharing of sweets with relatives and Friends. Kumaoni is the mother tongue of majority in Didihat; however people speak Hindi as well. The dialect of Kumaoni spoken in Didihat is called 'Sirali'.
Village Hat Tharp is famous for its Hiran Chital Festival during rainy season. This village also conducts one of the oldest Ramlila’s of the Didihat area.
People of village Hat Tharp invented a unique idea about conserving their forest by dedicating the whole forest to Maa Bhagwati of Pankhu for 10 years. No one is allowed to take their axe and cut forest, only dry wood collection is allowed.
Tourism
Didihat is a Himalayan tourist destination situated 43 km from Pithoragarh. Didihat is situated on the hilltop plain of 'Digtarh' with the river Charamgad (Bhadigad) flowing below. Below the town there is a fertile 'Haat valley'. Within Didihat is the temple (mandir) known as Sirakot (Malaynath Mandir) of Lord Shiva (Bholenath). Another mandir is situated in the top hill of the nanpaupu village is known as dechula.
Views of Himalayan snow-capped peaks can be observed from Didihat, especially Panchachuli and Trishul. Didihat is known for the ancient Shirakot Temple of Lord Malay Nath, built by Raika Kings. Approximately 8 km from here, is Narayan Swamy Ashram at Narayan Nagar. The regional Headquarters of ITBP is situated at Merthi at 6 km from Didihat. Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary is administratively situated in Didihat Tehsil.
There’s a large stone bigger than a house in the middle of a field in Village Hat Tharp known as Bheem Ka Patthar, every year people of village worship there. It is believed Bheem brought that stone and left there.
Didihat is a Class-V town and a nagar palika in Pithoragarh district in the state of Uttarakhand, India.[15]: 681 The Didihat city is divided into 4 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. Didihat Nagar Panchayat has a committee consisting of a chairman with ward members. Membership consists of a minimum of ten elected ward members and three nominated members. The Notified Area Committee members of the Nagar Panchayat are elected from the several wards of the Nagar Panchayat on the basis of adult franchise for a term of five years. Two Non-Notified Slums exist in Didihat; Nai Basti having 150 households and G.I.C. Ward with 180 households.[15]: 686
Administratively it is also a tehsil and a subdivision of the Pithoragarh district.[22]Tehsil Didihat is divided into three developmental blocks—Didihat, Kanalichhina, and Berinag. Didihat tehsil is the second most populous tehsil in Pithoragarh and has the highest number of villages. There are about 367 villages in Didihat Tehsil.[23]
Transport
A Road in Didihat
Buses are the main form of transport that connect the town to the national capital Delhi and other cities. Buses are either run by state controlled Uttarakhand Transport Corporation or the private Kumaon Motor Owners Union. The nearest railway station to Didihat is Tanakpur (210 km (130 mi)).
India
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