In the Indian state of Uttarakhand’s Almora district sits the Hindu temple known as Dunagiri Temple. It is devoted to Shakti, also known as Durga or Dunagiri Devi. The temple, which is perched on a hilltop, is thought to be one of India’s 108 shakti peethas, or sacred sanctuaries honoring the goddess Shakti.
According to legend, the temple was erected by the Pandavas while they were exiled, and it is also thought that the goddess Durga lived there before relocating to the site of the Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir.
The temple offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan Alps and is surrounded by luxuriant green trees. The Dunagiri Devi stone idol that serves as the temple’s primary deity was allegedly found by a sage by the name of Vishvamitra.
Throughout the year, the temple draws a lot of visitors, but the Navratri festival, when there are special celebrations, draws the most. Either a cable car trip or a set of stairs can be used to get visitors to the temple. There are other additional temples and ashrams in the neighborhood that are interesting to visit.
Directions to the Dunagiri Temple
India’s Uttarakhand state’s Almora district is home to the Dunagiri Temple. The many routes to the Dunagiri Temple are listed below:
Via Air: The Pantnagar airport, which is around 140 kilometres from Dunagiri Temple, is the closest airport. You can take a bus or a cab from the airport to go to the temple.
Via Rail: Kathgodam Railway Station, around 110 kilometers from Dunagiri Temple, is the closest train station. You can get to the temple via bus or cab from the railroad station.
Via Road: There are many roads that lead to Dunagiri Temple. To go to the temple, you can take a bus or a taxi from Delhi, Dehradun, or other neighboring cities. Dwarahat, a town roughly 14 kilometers from the temple, is the closest one.
To go to the temple from Dunagiri, you must hike for around 1.5 kilometers. As an alternative, you can travel to the temple via cable car from the hill’s base. The cable car trip offers a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and lasts for around 10-15 minutes.
Architecture and History
The history surrounding the Dunagiri Temple is steeped in myth and folklore. Hindu legend describes Dunagiri as the home of the goddess Durga, and it is thought that the Pandavas constructed the temple there while they were exiled.
According to legend, the Katyuri monarchs constructed the temple’s current edifice in the 19th century. The temple was constructed using materials like stone and wood in keeping with the Kumaoni architectural heritage.
The sanctum sanctorum or garbhagriha of the temple contains a stone statue of Dunagiri Devi, who serves as its primary goddess. Devotees worship the statue, which is decorated with gold decorations, and travel great distances to ask for her blessings.
A number of additional minor shrines to various gods and goddesses can also be found within the temple complex. The complex offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan Alps and is surrounded by verdant trees.
The stone slab in front of the main door of the Dunagiri Temple is one of its distinctive features; it is rumored to contain writing in an antiquated script that has not yet been deciphered.
Ultimately, Dunagiri Temple is a significant place of worship for followers of the goddess Shakti and a symbol of Uttarakhand’s rich architectural and cultural traditions.
Nearest Destination
In the Almora area of Uttarakhand, India, there are a number of interesting spots to explore close to the Dunagiri Temple. Some of the nearby tourist attractions are listed below:
Little settlement Dwarahat is about 14 kilometers away from Dunagiri Temple. It is well-known for its rich cultural heritage and architecture and is home to several old temples.
Jageshwar: Around 50 kilometers from the Dunagiri Temple, Jageshwar is a collection of about 100 historic Shiva temples. The temples are encircled by verdant woodlands and are constructed in the Nagara architectural style.
Almora: Almora is a charming hill town about 60 kilometers from Dunagiri Temple. It is well-known for its breathtaking vistas of the Himalayan highlands and is the location of a number of temples, including the Chitai Golu Devta and Nanda Devi temples.
Popular hill resort Ranikhet is about 70 kilometers from Dunagiri Temple. Many old temples and military cantonments may be found there, and it is renowned for its scenic splendor.
The mountainous town of Kausani is about 100 kilometers away from the Dunagiri Temple. It is frequently referred to as the “Switzerland of India” and is famous for its breathtaking vistas of the Himalayan Alps. Mahatma Gandhi once resided at the Anasakti Ashram, which is also located in Kausani.