Every city has its popular landmarks, which helps tourists and locals to reach the spot. Uttarakhand’s Almora is one of the most visited tourist spots in India because of its natural resources, hill stations, wildlife parks, pilgrimage sites, and trekking routes. One of the must-visit places in Almora is the Lala Bazaar. This 200-year-old shopper’s paradise was sermonised by the Kings. It has a wide range to offer. Some of the shops are as old as the hill around. You can buy local sweets and brass/bronze items as souvenirs from the Lala Bazaar. Situated within the narrow lanes, the tourists usually fail to locate the market, hence leaving empty-handed. For them, there is a famous lion statue which is situated at the centre of the market. It is mentioned as a landmark by the locals to explain the route of Lala Bazaar in Almora.
The statue of the lion is made up of iron. It is present at the centre of Lala Bazaar. The statue of the lion is considered a landmark by the locals. If people call anyone in Almora, then they tell the address near the iron lion statue to locate the place. If lost or separated from the family, they often trace back their route to the iron lion to meet.
Resident Kalyan Mankoti said in an interview that the iron lion has become a part of their heritage. “Every place has some or the other thing known for its identity, similarly the iron lion of Almora is also known as a symbol today. Today, from small children to adults in Almora, this iron lion is recognised and it has also become a landmark,” said Kalyan Mankoti. The address of the statue of the iron lion helps the tourists in mapping Lal Bazaar.
Outgoing Nagar Palika president Prakash Chandra Joshi said that the iron lion situated in Lal Bazar of Almora has maintained its historicity. “This lion figure has been present here for many years. People keep telling different stories about this city but there is no exact information about it. Today this iron lion has become an identity of Almora. Today if you have to wait for someone or call someone, then the address of this iron lion is given,” said Prakash Chandra.
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