Almora - The legend of the Castle

From the time we reached Laxmi Nivas, one name cropped many a times in the family chit chat, while remembering the glorious past, especially of the area (Rani Dhara) where we were staying. And this was The Castle. On my probing, I was told that it was a house close-by which is huge and looks like a castle, and hence the name. Just like Laxmi Nivas (the house where we were staying) is more popularly known as 'Cement Kothi', this house is known as 'Castle'. Long back when this part of Almora was sparsely populated, these two houses stood tall (they still do, especially amongst the garish new houses of the new neighborhood).

On my way to the town the same evening I finally saw the Castle. It was a huge pink English style Villa/ Castle with imposing columns and surprisingly faded pink walls. With lots of land around, the place had an aristocratic feel. I had an irresistible urge to walk up from the road and knock the door and ask the owner all about the history of the house. But I never thought that it would be so interesting.

Almora

Somehow I never asked much in our house about the Castle, and this article is made of the little tidbits collected from overheard conversations. Currently only a woman stays there, and hats off to her for staying in such a huge place all alone, but it must also be very intriguing. A house which has hosted a slew of well known heroes of the Independence Movement (including Gandhi), each room and wall would be loaded of stories and events. I wonder if one would feel differently inside the house.

There was also something unapproachable about the place, like ghosts lurking somewhere around, protecting the place. The evening air hangs heavily around the house as the sun sets. I look at it from the narrow road below, contemplating again if I should invite myself for an unwanted cup of coffee, and finally deciding against it. When I slept that night, I had a dream about the Castle, again.