Important towns of Kumaon are Haldwani, Nainital, Almora, Pithoragarh, Rudrapur, Kashipur, Pantnagar, Mukteshwar and Ranikhet. Nainital is the administrative centre of Kumaon Division and this is where the Uttarakhand high court is located.

The word ‘Kumaon’ is derived from ‘Kurmanchal’. Kurmanchal means, the land of Kurma (kurma-anchal), the tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu.The paintings discovered at the rock shelter at Lake Udyar points towards the existence of Mesolithic period (middle stone age) settlements in the region.It is believed that the “Kols” were the original inhabitants of Kumaon. They were the people with astro-Asiatic physical type. After loosing the battle with Dravids, some of the Kols sections relocated and settled at Kumaon. Later on they were joined by Indo-Aryan Khas / Khasas tribes.From 500 BCE – 600 ACE, Kunindas (refered to as Kulinda in ancient literature) ruled the entire Northern India including the Kumaon region. The documented history of Kunindas is from 2nd century BCE and are mentioned in the Indian epics, Puranas and Mahabharata.The Kumaon region was ruled by Katyuri Kings from around 7th century ACE to 11th Century ACE.

Kumaoni Holi: The culmination of joy and happiness is reflected during Holi which is celebrated with great gaiety for one week. People singing and dancing all around on the tune of Dholak and Majeera is a common sight. Bat Savitri: This festival is celebrated on the Krishna amavasya (last day of the dark half of the month) of Jyestha and on the day married women worship Savitri and the Bat or banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) and pray for the well being of their spouses Basant Panchami: The festival of Basant Panchami celebrates the coming of the spring season. This festival, which also signals the end of winter, is generally celebrated during Magh (January - February).

culture of the present Kumaon is a blend of influences from the indigenous population as well as from the immigrants to this region. Consequently, the myths, dialects, languages, folk literature, festivals, fairs and forms of artistic expression are examples of the creative influences of the different cultural groups that constitute Kumaon. Every peak, lake or mountain range is somehow or the other connected with some myth or the name of a God or Goddess, ranging from those associated with the Shaiva.