The short answer
Tamta Mohalla: what visitors should know first
Worth a stop if you care about crafts. Go on a weekday morning, ask permission before photographing, and buy a small item if you can. Expect only a few working workshops, not a market.
History and context
The story behind Tamta Mohalla
Published accounts say that when the Chand rulers moved their capital to Almora in the 1560s, they brought coppersmiths from Rajasthan, who became the Tamta community. The quarter has produced copper vessels for temples and households for more than three centuries.
Only about five families are reported to be still practising the craft today.
Useful facts
Tamta Mohalla facts at a glance
- Location
- Tamta Mohalla, old town, Almora
- Experience type
- Working craft quarter
- Known for
- Hand-beaten copper vessels
- Architect/Built
- Community brought by the Chand kings in the 16th-17th century
- Time or schedule
- Weekday mornings; workshops are small and irregular
Why it matters
Why Tamta Mohalla is worth your time
The Tamtas are a community of coppersmiths who, according to published accounts, were brought from Rajasthan by the Chand kings when they made Almora their capital. For over three centuries, their work has supplied temples and households with copper vessels.
Today only about five families are reported to continue the craft, while more than twenty have moved to other work. Visiting is a small way to support artisans and to see a trade that once defined an entire quarter, and it adds a human dimension to the Chand history told elsewhere in the town.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Hand-beaten copper
Sheets of copper are cut and hammered into kalash, glasses, bowls and plates.
- 02
A fading craft
Only a few families still work, so each visit is a small act of support.
- 03
The old town setting
Narrow lanes close to Lala Bazar make a natural walking pair.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Ask for Tamta Mohalla in the old town, because small workshops are tucked into the lanes and are easy to miss. Walk slowly, look for open doorways, and ask politely before stepping in. Inside, you may see sheets of copper being cut, hammered and shaped by hand into kalash, glasses, bowls and large plates.
Talk to the craftsmen if they are willing. The work is slow, and the number of families practising it has fallen sharply. If you want to buy, choose a small item such as a glass or bowl and agree on the price first. Sales to visitors help keep the craft going.
The quarter is a short walk from Lala Bazar, so you can combine the two. Do not expect a showroom; this is a working neighbourhood and the experience depends on who is working that day.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Go on a weekday morning
- Ask permission before entering or photographing
- Agree on a price before buying
- Choose a small item to carry easily
- Combine with Lala Bazar
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Tamta Mohalla, Almora old town
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Best time
- Weekday mornings when workshops are working
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The lanes are narrow and sloping, with uneven paving and no seating. Workshops are small, so you will stand at the door. It is manageable for steady walkers; ask a local to guide you if you are unsure of the route.
- Tickets and access
- No entry fee. This is a working neighbourhood, so ask before entering any workshop or photographing artisans. Prices are not fixed; agree on a price before you buy.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Tamta Mohalla
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The lanes are narrow and sloping, with uneven paving and no seating. Workshops are small, so you will stand at the door. It is manageable for steady walkers; ask a local to guide you if you are unsure of the route.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Who are the Tamtas?
A community of coppersmiths who, according to published accounts, were brought from Rajasthan by the Chand kings.
Can I buy copperware here?
Yes, from the working families if they have stock; agree on a price first and choose items you can carry.
How many families still work?
Published reports say only about five families continue the craft.
Sources and further reading
- Copperware losing sheen for Tamtas of Almora (Village Square)
- Almora: the cultural heart of Uttarakhand (eGov)
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.