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Popular Devi Temples (Mandir) in Uttarakhand

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Our Indian history is replete with many stories regarding the divine power of various goddesses who are better known as “Deviyaan” and their origin is from the great Himalayas. Many beautiful Devi temples are being established by their devotees in and around mystique Himalayan caves, grounds or river sides spreading the heavenly aura of beautiful goddesses.

Uttarakhand, being a state surrounded by the fascinating and eye-catching peaks of the Himalayas, houses many beautiful Devi temples where goddess Durga along and with her several incarnations are worshipped. Beautiful artwork, picturesque locations and the routes leading towards these temples attract many devotees and tourists from different parts of the country and the world.

Here is a list of some most popular Devi temples in Uttarakhand that have always been the focus as religious and holy places.

Gangotri Temple

This pilgrim is located at the Uttarakhand, on three thousand forty eight meters height. Gangotri is surrounded by the tremendous ranges of the Garhwal Himalayas. The height of this temple is about six meters and it has worn white dress by using white stone of granite, because of this it became a noticeable.

Gangotri temple is located in the Bhagirathi River’s right bank. After the legend, this holy temple was constructed by the Amar Thapa, he was the General Gorkha. And it was re-constructed by the Jaipur district’s king. This temple is belongs to the eighteenth century and it has been contributed to the Mother Goddess Ganga, people believe that Ganga River was came from the heaven, by being the source of life as a response of the Maharaja Bhagirath’s attrition.

Yamunotri Temple

This holy Yamunotri temple is located on the elevation of around three thousand two hundred five meter. This is a place which has spiritual importance of the Hindu religion. This is a very important pilgrimage which is situated on the opposite side of the Gangotri temple. From the Dharasu place, the road gets divided. It is near the Uttarkashi and Rishikesh, through which you will reach the Yamunotri temple. You can also visit this holy temple from the Barkot and Mussoorie.

Yamuna Goddess temple was constructed by the Queen of Jaipur Gularia, during the nineteenth century. This temple was demolished two times, in the current century and it was reconstructed again. This Yamuna temple gets closed during the months of November and May or April.

Naina Devi Temple, Nainital

Naina Devi Temple, located close to the northern bank of Naini Lake in Nainital at an elevation of 6837 feet is a most popular temple dedicated to Goddess Sati. Also, it is one of the popular Shakti Peethas of India, believed to have emerged as the eyes of Sati fall in this spot. The annual statue immersion ceremony is observed in the month of September, followed by a grand celebration. Devotees from various parts of the country take part in this festival.

Gaurikund Temple, Rudraprayag

Gaurikund is located 5 kms away from Sonprayag in Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to goddess Gauri. The Cold and Hot water tanks are the main attraction for the tourists. The best time to visit this place is from March to November. The temple has idols which are of Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri.

The Legend says that Lord Shiva’s wife Parvati meditated here to win Lord Shiva which she did and later got married at Triyuginarayan.

There are two tanks close to the temple. In one of the tanks there is cold water and the other has hot water. The hot water comes from the rock of sulphur and some water falls into Mandakini River nearby.

Local Transport:

The service of light vehicles and private taxis is also available. There are Horses, Ponies and Dandies available to carry luggage.

Accommodation:

This is a place which is almost full by tourists so there are many small and big hotels available for accommodation. There are also lodges, Dharamshala is available nearby for budget accommodation. The Tourism board makes special arrangements for tourists to stay during the time of season or Yatra.

Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar

Chandi Devi is located in Haridwar in Uttarakhand which is on top of Neel Parvat. This temple is said to be constructed by Suchat Singh who was the King of Kashmir and in 1929 AD he constructed the temple. On the other side of temple one can find River Ganga. Devotees have to trek around 3 kms from Chandi Ghat to reach the temple.

The name is derived from goddess Chandi Devi when she killed the head of the army Chanda-Munda of the demons Shumbh-Nishumbh. So the name of the temple is Chandi Devi. It is also said that in the 8th century the original statue was established by Adi Shankaracharya. The old statue of the goddess is important to the devotees and they worship it with their heart. They get sweets, flowers and sometimes coconut to offer the goddess. They believe that if they do it then the goddess will be happy and will bless them and their life would be great and will be without any problems.

If one wishes to worship the goddess then they have to climb the rope which will make them reach the temple. It is located 6 kms away from the town of Haridwar.

Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar

Mansa Devi Temple is located in Haridwar and is on circlet of Bilwa Parvat. If one desires to worship the goddess then they have to go through the ropeway or the normal trekking route. When reached on the crown of the hill then the incredible view of Haridwar can be seen.

There are many shops around the temple and one has to follow the queue to have the look of the goddess. There are two goddesses inside from which one has three mouths and six arms and the other goddess had eight arms. The way which leads to Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi is very thrilling.

People enjoy this way a lot. Tourists come and worship the goddess and also enjoy the experience of going on the way using the rope. Local people say that any one that comes here doesn’t go empty handed and one who ask for any wish by the goddess that will come true if they worship the goddess with a clean heart. People say they believe this as they also have experienced this many times as when they have wished anything from the goddess it has come true some time or later. They respect the goddess a lot and worship it with flowers, sweets and coconut.

Kunjapuri Temple, Tehri

Kunjapuri Temple, located in Tehri Garhwal district at a distance of about 15 kilometres from Rishikesh, is one of the three interconnected temples of goddess Durga. This temple is one of the Siddha Peethas of Devi Puranas and blessed with the divine presence of a body part of goddess Sati. This temple is believed to be the seat of 13 most popular deities of the Shivalik Range and attracts most tourists because of its magnificent stature on the top of a mountain peak presenting a scenic view of the temple surrounded by snow clad mountains of Himalayas. Dussehra festival celebrated in between the months of October-November is a must visit here.

Surkanda Devi, Dhanaulti

Surkanda Devi, located at about 8 kilometres from Dhanaulti on Mussoorie-Chamba Road at an elevation of 9976 feet is another famous temple dedicated to goddess Durga. This temple gives a panoramic view of the snowy mountain peaks and small villages settled around these mountains. Ganga Dussehra is a festival that is celebrated in the month of June and witnesses the gathering of locales and devotees across the state.

Chandrabadani Devi Temple, Devprayag and Pratapnagar

Chandrabadani Devi Temple, located on the border of Devprayag and Pratapnagar and 22 kilometres from Rudraprayag, at an elevation of 7470 feet is dedicated to goddess Durga. This temple is one of the Shakti Peethas blessed with the fallen torso part of the body of goddess Sati. Unlike worshipping, holy and ritual ceremonies performed in other Devi temples of Uttarakhand, the deity in this temple is worshipped in the form of Shri Yantra engraved on a flat stone surface. Outside this temple, a number of tridents made of different metals are found scattered all around here.

Devotees pray for the goddess to fulfil their wishes and again go back to the temple to untie the thread once the wishes get fulfilled. Also, the enclosed mountain peak attracts attention for the source of the river Kali that is known as river Sharada in plains. Navaratri festival celebrated in the months of March-April is the best time to visit this temple.

Nanda Devi Temple, Almora City

Nanda Devi Temple, located above the Mall Road of Almora City at an elevation of 6110 ft is dedicated to Nanda Devi who is an incarnation of goddess Durga. Various religious beliefs are associated with Nanda Devi Temple, Almora City.

Mata Purnagiri Temple, Tanakpur

Mata Purnagiri Temple, located at high altitude mountain peak at a distance of 20 kilometres from Tanakpur and 92 kilometres from Champawat at an elevation of 3000 mts, is dedicated to Maa Purnagiri. This temple is an ideal spot to get involved in trekking voyage also. This temple witnesses several deep rooted beliefs because of which the devotees tie a thread here to the temple of Nanda Devi, who is worshipped as the daughter of Kumauni people makes it a popular pilgrimage spot in Uttarakhand. The main attraction of the temple is Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra that is held once in every 12 years. During this ceremony, the deity in the form a sheep is decorated with different jewelleries, flowers etc. and along with food and clothing the sheep is sent to her other home at the Trishul Peak followed by a grand procession. Melodious folk songs and dance performances make this ceremony and procession a remarkable one.

Dunagiri Temple, Dwarahat

Dunagiri Temple, located at Dwarhat Block, at a distance of 48 kilometres from Ranikhet in the district of Almora at an elevation of 2500 metres is dedicated to goddess Vaishnavi Devi. Popularly known as Dronagiri or Dunagiri, this small pilgrimage place is encircled by six small, less populated and peaceful villages that offer excellent view of the snow clad Himalayan mountain ranges. These mountain ranges attract many devotees of goddess Shakti from different parts of the country for being the seat of Vaishnavi Devi. It is believed that this is the second Vaishnavi Devi temple known after the famous one located in Jammu and Kashmir. According to mythology, Lord Hanuman brought the medicinal herb to save Lord Laxman’s life from this mountain only.

Jwalpa Devi Temple, Pauri

Jwalpa Devi Temple, a divine place located at 34 kilometres from Pauri on the Pauri-Kotdwar route is dedicated to the presence of the supreme deity of Maa Jwala Devi. A burning flame at the temple is believed to be the incarnation of the deity and is worshipped here instead of any idol. There is a belief that Sachi, the daughter of the demon king Pulom tried to please goddess Durga with her strong meditation here in this spot. Contented with her devotion, the deity of Durga appeared in front of Sachi in the form of a burning flame and blessed her with fulfilment of her wishes. From that day itself this place has a holy significance.

Nanda Devi Temple, Nauti, Chamoli

Nanda Devi Temple, located at Nauti village, Chamoli is dedicated to goddess Nanda Devi, who is worshipped as the daughter of Kumaon and Garhwal region in the state of Uttarakhand. That is why there are a number of temples located at different districts of Uttarakhand dedicated to Devi Nanda. The Trishul Peak is called as her in-laws home and Garhwal-Kumaon is regarded as her maternal home. During Nanda Devi Raj Jat yatra the people of Kumaon region arrange a grand procession starting from this temple site that goes beyond this Valley of Flowers and ends at Homkund.

Hariyali Devi Temple, Rudraprayag

Hariyali Devi temple, located on the main Rudraprayag-Karnprayag route of Uttarakhand state at an elevation of 1400 metres is dedicated to Devi Mahamaya. It is a most revered Devi temple in the lap of the great Himalayan ranges. Hariyali Devi temple is believed to have many deep rooted mythological beliefs from the past. The idol of the deity Mahamaya is huge and she is found seated on the back of a lion, also known as Shitla Mata in the nearby villages and tourists from different parts of the state gather here during the Janmashtami and Diwali celebrations in the month of August and October when the deity is taken for a procession that ends at Hariyali Kantha.

Dhari Devi Temple, Rudraprayag

Dhari Devi Temple, located at Kaliyasaur in Srinagar Pauri is dedicated to Dhari Devi and is famous as one of the most mysterious Devi temples. This place is believed to be connected with several mythological beliefs. The shrine of Dhari Devi is located in a picturesque location along the banks of the holy river Alaknanda adding to its religious significance. The main attraction of the temple is the idol of the goddesses that are kept under the open sky. As the temple is located on the Srinagar – Badrinath highway route, number of devotees travelling to Badrinath always take the opportunity to visit to this temple.

Kalipad Shakti Peeth, Bageshwar

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Kalipad Shakti Peeth, located near Baghnath temple in a quiet environment at the foothills of Girechhina in Bageshwar district, is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The Kalipad Temple is popular among the local people because of its charismatic power. The temple’s vicinity is ideal for getting closer to the supreme powers of the deity and mesmerises the devotees due to the breath taking views of the Great Himalayas. The tributaries of River Sarayu and Gomati is there at the close distance from this temple. The temple’s surrounding also encloses green verdant areas that are covered with deep vegetation and attracts  tourists who take a break and relax here after the long tiring tour of the Char Dham Yatra.

Mata Murti Temple

Mata Murti Temple located 3 kms from Badrinath on the right bank of the Alaknanda, dedicated to the mother of Shri Badrinathji (Nar Narayan). Other important places of pilgrimage in the township are Sesh Netra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanapaduka temple.

There are several other temples in and around the snowy Himalayan mountain ranges that are particularly dedicated to goddess Durga, the divine mother and her various incarnations that attract many devotees who visit these temples with full faith to get rid of their sins and take the goddess’s blessings. Some of them are – Anusuya Devi and Atri Muni Ashram located in district Chamoli, Virinda Devi Temple at district Almora, Gaura Devi Temple located in district Pauri and Nanda Devi Temples around other locations of Uttarakhand state.

As the dwellers in the mountain consider the goddess as their daughter, they celebrate each occasion connected to the deity with grand fervour and happiness. Mostly Navaratri is considered as the best time to worship their motherly goddess’s incarnations and feel the divine being and also enjoy  vibrant festive cultural activities. During this period most of the Devi Temples here are decorated with bright lights, fairs followed by huge processions.

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