Nanda Devi Temple is the spiritual centre of Almora's old town, tucked into the bazaar rather than set apart from it. The shrine is dedicated to the patron goddess of Kumaon, and its carved wooden details and courtyard give the busy ridge a clear point of focus.
The best time to come is early, before the streets are fully jammed, or during the Nanda Devi fair when the temple's local importance is easiest to feel. Even outside festival time, this is the place that explains Almora better than any viewpoint.