At an elevation of 1690 metres from sea level, it is situated on a gentle slope above the right bank of Nayaar (East) river.
Originally, the name of the place was Thali (some locals still call it by this name), but since the town is settled on a long and gentle hill (known as “Sain” in Garhwali language) it later came to be known as Thalisain.
Thalisain was a part of Patti Choprakot in the historic Chaandpur kingdom, with its headquarters at Chaandpurgarhi in Chamoli Garhwal.
Most of these stone temples have been built in traditional Ashlar style, some even showing Katyuri characteristics dating from 12th to 16th century AD.
Today, those temples and houses tell of the glorious past of the Garhwal kingdom when there were no roads and warriors roamed the forests and bridle paths on their horses.
While British administration undertook the construction of several roads, schools and medical facilities in the region, they also formulated policies to take control of the natural resources, specifically the forests, as the region had one of the densest forest covers in Garhwal hills and was conveniently close to the plains of North India.
North western aspects are not favorable for human habitation and agricultural occupations because it receives less solar energy.
As the Nayaar valley broadens in the south, it forms vast beds of fertile alluvial soil which is suitable for rice and other water-intensive crops.
As one gains elevation while heading north towards Dudhatoli mountains, the soil gets sandy-loamy with good aeration and drainage.
Thalisain is pre-dominantly a Hindu majority region, people of other religions have settled here as recently as late 1990s in the last two decades.
In the valley areas abundance of water in the form of perennial springs and rivers supports a dense population.
Lack of water resources on the high hill ranges are responsible for scattered settlements with low population density.
The upper part of Thalisain and Nayaar Valley has been historically known as “Raath” and has its own dialect of Garhwali language known as “Raathi”, a word which is also proudly used as a demonym by locals.
Men wrap rough-spun tunics of Sheep's wool around their torso and women are often bedecked with a dozen ornaments.
While the Salaan region is haunted by desertion, villages of Raath have flourished by their hard work and farming skills.
Although, there are many folk-deities in the Garhwal region, Ghandiyal devta is quite popular here in the upper reaches of Thalisain and with a good number of temples dedicated to him.