Uttarakhand, also called the land of various holy and ancient abodes, is known to house numerous ancient temples dedicated to various deities. This ancient yet beautiful temple is located en route to Srinagar, in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The temple is beautifully nestled on the banks of the holy Alaknanda River. The temple is quite popular among the locals as it is believed that one visit to the temple fulfills whatever a person wishes for. It is said that the present structure was relocated in 2013 from a 20-meter-high rock and has been beautifully reconstructed.
It is believed that Goddess Kali acts as a protector of all the sites of Char Dham in Uttarakhand. Dhari Devi Mandir sees heavy crowds of devotees throughout the year, especially during Navratri when the number of devotees increases to seek the blessings of the goddess. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises. Another interesting fact about this temple is that the idol of the presiding deity holds some secrets, as her face changes three times a day, in addition to protecting the Char Dham.
Similar to other popular pilgrimages in Uttarakhand, Maa Dhari Devi Mandir is also famous for its interesting legends. According to popular Hindu mythology, the upper part of Goddess Kali is worshipped at this place, while her lower part is worshipped at Kalimath, where she is revered as Goddess Kali. There is a belief among locals that they have witnessed the different phases of a girl’s life—from a girl to a woman and, finally, an old lady. Mythology supports the statement that the idol should not be placed under a roof, which is why the idol in the temple is kept in an open area.
It is believed that the Dhari Devi Temple is the protector of the revered Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The legend states that, due to the Srinagar Hydel Project, the idol of the temple was taken away, and after a few hours, the region experienced a devastating cloudburst. Devotees believed that this occurred because the idol was shifted from its original divine place (Mool Sthan), and since then, that hydel project has remained in ruins. This was not the first time such an incident occurred. In 1882, when a local king made a similar attempt, the region also suffered a hazardous landslide.
It is believed that the temple was washed away in a heavy flood, and the idol of Goddess Kali got stuck amidst the rocks. Villagers from a nearby village, Dharo, heard the painful cries of the Goddess and placed her idol at this spot. This is how the temple was established, and the place gained its religious significance.
A small yet beautiful and quite popular village located near Srinagar, Maletha is known for the bravery of Madho Singh Bhandari. Madho Singh is the person who separated India and Tibet with an international boundary, now known as the McMahon Line. You can see a huge statue of this brave man, where each and every villager flocks to worship him. This huge statue is the main attraction of this village due to its awe-inspiring design.
It is thought to be the same place where the original Shiva Linga of Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi was kept during the reign of the great Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. It holds great importance in Hinduism and is beautifully adorned with colorful and scented flora, along with many ancient temples.
If time permits, don’t miss the chance to visit other important places like HNB Garhwal University (which was recently centrally recognized), Kamlesh Temple, Keshorai Math, Vishnu Mohini Temple, and Kilkileshwar Mahadev Temple. These are some other places where you can gain devotional experiences.
The auspicious occasions of Navratri, Diwali, and Kartik Purnima are celebrated here with great joy and zeal. During these grand celebrations, the temple is beautifully adorned and is crowded heavily with devotees.
This highly revered pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand is easily accessible via all modes of transportation. However, road transport is the most convenient way to pay homage at Dhari Devi Temple, as there are frequent inter-state buses plying regularly, providing a comfortable ride.
By Air: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport, situated 136 km away from the temple. There are numerous buses and taxis running regularly to connect the airport with the temple.
By Rail: Rishikesh and Haridwar are the two nearest railheads, located around 124 km and 142 km away from Kalyasaur . After arriving at these stations, you can take a bus or taxi to reach your destination.
By Road: The well-connected road network of the state offers a comfortable ride to seek the blessings of Goddess Kali. The region has a smooth connection to various popular and major tourist destinations in Uttarakhand, including Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, and Dehradun.
Srinagar and Rudraprayag are two places where you can choose to stay. There is a chain of budget hotels and resorts closer to the temple, equipped with all the basic amenities and facilities required by a tourist. These accommodations cater to every guest’s needs.
The temple is located in Kalyasaur, which experiences a favorable and serene environment from November to June. It is also a great idea to visit this pilgrimage during any of the festive seasons, as the place looks most delightful.
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