Uttarakhand Temples

Dhari Devi Temple – Timings, Significance and History

September 23, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 1 Comment Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples

Dhari Devi temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. It is an ancient, spiritual temple located on the strands of the Alaknanda River between Srinagar and Rudraprayag in the Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand. The temple is the protector of the Char Dham (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri) in Uttarakhand.

Dhari Devi shrine is one of the 108 shakti sthals.

Devotees worship Goddess Dhari as the upper half of the idol. According to devotees, the goddess changes appearance from a girl, to a woman, and then to an old lady during the day. The lower half of the idol is located in Kalimath where she is worshipped as a manifestation of the Goddess Kali.

Dhari Devi Temple – Facts

Deity	Goddess Kali
Location	Kalyasaur, Uttrakhand, India
Best Time to Visit	November to June
Darshan Timings	6:00 am to 12:00 pm 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Dussehra, Deepavali, Kartik Purnima, and Navratras

Dhari Devi Idol — The deity believed to change appearance during the day from a girl to a woman, and then to an old lady.

Dhari Devi Temple Timings

Here are the timings of the temple:

Morning Darshan	6 AM to 12 PM
Evening Darshan	2 PM to 7 PM

What is the significance of Dhari Devi Temple?

The significance of Dhari Devi lies in the place of Kalinath. The place where Goddess Kali killed the demon Raktabija and after that, the goddess had gone under the earth.

Dhari Devi significance — Goddess Kali killed the demon Raktabija at Dhari Devi Temple.

On June 16, 2013, people uprooted the idol of the goddess to make way for a 330 MW hydel project. After a few hours, a severe cloudburst took place which resulted in devastating floods and landslides washing away the entire shrine town and killing hundreds of people. As per the devotee’s beliefs, the place had to face the Goddess’s wrath as she was shifted from her ‘mool sthan’ (original abode).

A similar attempt in 1882 by a local king had resulted in a landslide that has flattened Kedarnath.

The deity believed to change appearance during the day from a girl to a woman, and then to an old lady.

What is the history of Dhari Devi Temple?

The history of the temple denotes a popular lore about the temple. It states that once because of the flood in the Alaknanda River and the idol of Goddess Kali got struck against a big rock. Afterwhich, the people of the “Dharo” village heard the divine voice of the diety and they fixed the idol of Goddess Kali at the spot, where the temple is present. After this incident, It’s known as the Dhari Devi temple.

Dhari Devi Temple History — Adi Guru Shankaracharya took rest and worshiped in the temple area when he was on an excursion.

Another lore states that when Adi Guru Shankaracharya went for an expedition, he took some rest in this area and worshiped. IF this is true then it is the possibility that this temple belongs to the Dwaparyug era. Priests have placed the idol in an open sky. Devotees believe that the idol of the goddess is not to be placed under a roof.

What are the festivals celebrated in Dhari Devi Temple?

The festivals celebrated at Dhari Devi are:

Dussehra – This is also called Vijayadashami, is a major Hindu festival. It is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. The day when Lord Ram killed Ravana and established peace and prosperity. As a ritual, devotees burn an effigy of Ravana.
Deepavali– It’s is one of the most prominent festivals celebrated in India. The festival indicates the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil.
Kartika Purnima – It’s a Hindu, Sikh and Jain cultural festival, celebrated on the Purnima (full moon) day or the fifteenth lunar day of Kartik.
Navratri or Durga Puja– Navratri festival is a symbol of victory of good over evil. As per legend, goddess Durga defeated the demon king Mahishasura to save the world and restore Dharma.

Dhari Devi Temple Festivals — Navratri is a combination of two Sanskrit words – ‘nava’, which means ‘nine’ and ‘ratri’, which means ‘night’.

How to reach Dhari Devi Temple?

Here’s how to reach Dhari Devi:

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (136 km).
Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh (119 km).
Road: Buses are available to Srinagar from ISBT Kashmere Gate. From there, one can avail a bus or taxi to get to the temple.

Where to stay near Dhari Devi Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near the temple while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

Hotel Taj Himalaya, Khirsu– Hotel Taj Himalaya is an elegant hotel to stay in. It provides all the basic facilities with free Parking, Airport shuttle, restaurant and is good for kids.
Hotel Urvashi – Hotel Urvashi is a decent hotel that delivers all the basic facilities including free breakfast, free Parking, Restaurant, Room service and Laundry service too.
Shiv Shakti Lodge – The Shiv Shakti Lodge imparts a variety of facilities which include Concierge, easy Currency exchange, Fireplace(highlights), Wheelchair accessible entrance, Car/bicycle hire, and Sauna. They accept payment in cash, cheque and debit cards.

Please carry valid ID proof such as Aadhar Card. It is needed at the time of booking of the hotel rooms.

What are some temples near Dhari Devi Temple?

Some of the temples near-by are:

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The main god of the temple is ‘Neelkanth’ who is a form of Lord Shiva and has a blue throat as an aftereffect of consuming poison. There is a Shivalingam here and devotees tie a thread around it while worshipping.
Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi: This temple is present in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and is in honor of Lord Shiva. It bears a resemblance to the Vishwanath temple of Kashi. Moreover, devotees believe that it is at this temple that Lord Shiva proposed Goddess Parvati to marry him.
Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath: Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath is an ancient Hindu temple present in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It houses the deities Kedarnath and Madmaheshwar during winters (November- April) when the temples of Kedarnath and Madmaheshwar remain closed.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dhari Devi Temple-

What changes are made in Dhari Devi Temple after the flood?

The new temple is now being constructed at its original location. The height of the temple was raised so that it stood above the spouting Alaknanda river.

What’s the temperature in summer at Dhari Devi Temple?

The temperature is moderate here ranging from 20 to 36 degrees Celsius.

What’s the best time to visit Dhari Devi Temple?

The months between November and June are favorable to witness the calmness of the temple and it’s best to visit the place during any Hindu festival.

What is the mystery behind Dhari Devi Temple?

It is believed that natural calamities occur in the valley whenever anyone tries to shift the shrine from its said place.

How much is the distance from Srinagar Garhwal to Dhari Devi Temple?

The distance from Srinagar Garhwal to Dhari Devi Temple is 14.2 k.m

How much is the distance from Dhari Devi Temple to Kedarnath?

The distance from Dhari Devi to Kedarnath is 56 k.m.

How much is the distance from Rishikesh to Dhari Devi Temple?

The distance from Rishikesh to Dhari Devi Temple is 122.5k.m.

How much is the distance from Haridwar to Dhari Devi Temple?

The distance from Haridwar to Dhari Devi Temple is 146.8 k.m.

How much is the distance from Delhi to Dhari Devi Temple?

The distance from Delhi to Dhari Devi Temple is 368.1 k.m.

Gangotri Temple Opening and Closing Dates 2019, Darshan Timings, Travel Guide

August 2, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 2 Comments Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples

Gangotri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. The temple is situated in the Uttarkashi district of the state of Uttarakhand. It is located at an altitude of 3,100 meters in the Greater Himalayan Range on the banks of Bhagirathi river. Gangotri is the source of the Ganga river. It is the second stop of the Char Dham Yatra.

Here are the opening and closing dates of Gangotri Temple for 2019:

Gangotri Temple Opening Date in 2019: 07 May, 2019

Gangotri Temple Closing Date in 2019: 27 October, 2019 (Tentative)

Gangotri Temple
Temple Timings	6:15 am to 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Aarti Timings	6:00 am and 7:45 pm
Opening Date	7-May-2019 (Akshaya Tritiya)
Closing Date	27-October-2019 (Diwali)
Time Taken for Darshan	May and June: 4 hours. July-October: 1 hour
Entry Fee	Free
Best Time to Visit	May to October
Registration	Bio-metric registration in Rishikesh
Nearest Airport	Dehradun

The temple opens on the day of Akshaya Tritiya which usually occurs in May. It closes after the celebration of Diwali. After that, the temple staff return to their villages. A white sheet of snow covers the valley for the next 6 months. During this time, the idol of the goddess is kept at Mukhba village.

Gangotri glacier also called Gaumukh is the actual source of the Ganga river. It is a 19 km trek from Gangotri. The road to the glacier is extremely difficult for people to reach. Hence the shrine has been located at the foot of the hill.

Gaumukh is the Actual Source of Ganga River

Frequently Asked Questions about Gangotri Temple

What is the best time to visit Gangotri?

It is best to go in the opening months of May to June and in the closing months of September to November. Avoid going during the monsoon months of July to September. There are chances of landslides and floods in monsoon.

Is Gangotri open now?

The kapat of Gangotri temple opens on 7th May for the year 2019. One can visit after that any time.

Can I visit Gangotri in December?

At Gangotri, winter starts from October and lasts till April. The average temperature falls down to 5°C during day time. In December, Gangotri experiences heavy snowfall. It is advisable not to go during December.

How can I go to Gangotri Temple?

If you are coming from abroad, Delhi is most connected. By rail, Haridwar is best. From there you have to travel by Road to reach Uttarkashi and then Gangotri.

Can I go to Gangotri by car?

You can hire a taxi from the railway station to reach Gangotri. There are buses available too from nearest bus stations. However, it is not recommended to go by car. Find out why?

How far is Gangotri from Rishikesh and Haridwar?

The distance between Gangotri and Rishikesh is 270 km. The distance between Gangotri and Haridwar is 293 km.

Does Gangotri have snow?

From November to April, it is winter in Gangotri. Snowfall happens very often during winters. The average temperature is 5°C.

How old is Gangotri?

Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa originally built the temple in the 18th century. Also, Bhagiratha meditated for years. He called Ganga to clean the sins of his ancestors.

Which God is in Gangotri?

Gangotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. As per Hindu mythology, Ganga is the daughter of Lord Brahma.

Is registration compulsory for going to Gangotri?

Yes, the Uttarakhand government have made the registration compulsory after the 2013 floods. One cannot skip the registration. Steps for online registration

Gangotri Temple Decorated At The Opening Ceremony

What are the timings of Gangotri Temple?

Here are the timings of Gangotri Temple:

Gangotri Temple Timings
Timings	6:15 am to 2:00 pm (Morning) 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm (Evening)
Opening Date	7-May-2019 (Akshaya Tritiya)
Closing Date	27-October-2019 (Diwali)
Time Taken for Darshan	3-4 hours in May-June, 1 hour in July-October
Aartis	6:00 am (Morning Aarti) 7:45 pm (Evening Aarti)

What are the pooja and aarti at Gangotri Temple?

Various pujas are performed in Gangotri temple for goddess Ganga. Mangala Aarti is performed in the morning while Shayana Aarti is performed in the evening daily. Pujas are performed by Semwal family of pujaris who are the administrator of the place. These pujaris come from Mukhba village.

Mangala Aarti & Sandhya Aarti at Gangotri

The poojas and aartis of Gangotri temple are:

Gangotri Mangala Aarti – The morning Mangala Aarti takes place at 6 AM behind closed doors. The temple does not allow public viewing of this aarti.
Sandhya Aarti – The evening Aarti takes place at 7:45 PM in summers and at 7 PM in winters.
Ganga Devi Pooja – This pooja takes place at both the Ghat of Ganga as well as main shrine together. The Pooja has a special significance if it takes place on Ganga Saptami. The priests performing the pooja chant several Ganga Mantras and Stotrams.

What is the history of Gangotri Temple?

Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa originally built the temple in the 18th century. As per Hindu mythology, Ganga is the daughter of Lord Brahma. One day, Brahma was washing the feet of Vamana (incarnation of Lord Vishnu). At that time, she was born from Vishnu’s kamandala (a spout shaped vessel).

According to a legend, King Sagara killed so many demons on the earth. To show his victory, he performed an Ashwamegh Yagya. A lot of horses hence taken on an uninterrupted journey around the earth. They were accompanied by the king’s 60,000 sons. However, Lord Indra got the fear of losing his throne.

Indra then took away the horses to fail the Yagya. He tied them in the ashram of Sage Kapila who was in deep meditation. King Sagara’s sons searched and found the horses near the meditating sage. 60,000 angry sons of King Sagara disturbed sage Kapila during his meditation. As a result, sage Kapila cursed them and they all perished.

Later, the king sent his grandson Anshuman to sage Kapila for forgiveness. Kapila said that only the water of heavenly Ganga can wash away their sins. Anshuman and his son Dileep tried but could not please Brahma.

Later, Bhagiratha, the grandson of King Sagara, meditated for years. He called Ganga to clean the sins of his ancestors and to liberate their souls. Hence, Goddess Ganga took the form of a river.

Ganga Arriving on Earth after Bhagiratha's Meditation — Ganga Arriving on Earth after Bhagiratha’s Meditation

What is the significance of Gangotri Temple?

A rock shaped Shiva-Linga form naturally in Gangotri every year with the beginning of the winters. At this place, Shiva allowed Ganga to flow through his locks. At the time of Ganga’s arrival onto Earth, Lord Shiva agreed to bear its force. He absorbed it into the locks of his hair which slowed the flow.

The locks of the hair also split it into seven streams. These are Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Janhvi, Saraswati, Bhilangana, Rishiganga, and Mandakini. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source. After reaching Devprayag, it acquires the name Ganga. Later, it meets with Alaknanda river.

The water of river Ganga collected at Gangotri is believed to be an Amrit (nectar). It is considered as a holy drink. People carry this water to their home. They use this holy water in several poojas at home.

On the day of Ganga Dussehra, one should take a holy dip in the Ganga river. It cleanses the human soul of all the sins. People also dip the ashes of a dead person in Ganga river. It releases the soul from the cycles of death and rebirth.

What is inside the temple?

In architectural terms, Gangotri temple is very simple and naturally plain. It does not have any detailed carvings. Sculptures are also not present anywhere. The temple is constructed with white marble stones symbolizing peace. The steps leading to Sabha Mandap meets the main sanctum. A small Shiva temple is also present inside the main temple.

What to wear while going Gangotri?

Gangotri temple is situated in the cold valleys. The weather is cold throughout the year. Rainfalls and snowfalls often occur there. Hence, one should wear proper winter clothes with mufflers and gloves. An umbrella is also must to carry.

What are the festivals celebrated at Gangotri Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Gangotri temple are:

Ganga Dussehra – This festival signifies the day when Goddess Ganga descended on Earth. Thousands of pilgrims across the country take a holy dip in the Ganga river. A beautiful Ganga Aarti also takes place in the evening. Devotees offer various flowers and sweets to Ganga river. The offering is made in leafy boats which floats on the river.
Diwali – After the celebration of Diwali, the temple closes. Devotees take the idol of Ganga to the Mukhyamath Temple in a small village of Mukhwa. This temple is the winter home of Goddess Ganga. On this day, people of Mukhwa clean the whole village as preparation for Goddess’s arrival.
Akshaya Tritiya – On this day, devotees bring the idol of Ganga back from her winter home of Mukhwa. They clean and decorate the whole temple with flowers. The idol of Goddess Ganga is then placed in the main sanctum. The ceremony takes place along withsongs and dances performed by the devotees.

How to reach Gangotri Temple?

Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport.
Train: Nearest railway stations are Rishikesh and Haridwar.
Road: Gangotri is connected by road with major cities in Uttarakhand and Delhi NCR. Buses are also available from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Roorkee, Tehri and Hanuman Chatti. Pilgrims generally make Uttarkashi as their base camp. The time taken from Uttarkashi to Gangotri temple is about 4 hours by road.

Where to stay near Gangotri Temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Gangotri temple are:

Bhagirathi Sadan: There are a total of 15 rooms in this hotel. Each room has bottled drinking water, a spacious bed, and basic furniture. The hotel offers facilities of front desk assistance as well as room service. Guests can also make use of luggage storage space.
Hotel Mandakini: It has 16 spacious rooms. The hotel has facilities like cable television and bottled drinking water. It also has attached bathroom with the facility of hot/cold running water. Other facilities include luggage storage space, 24-hour power back-up, and parking space.
Hotel Kalp Kedar: The hotel has an in-house restaurant where one can enjoy delicious meals. There are 10 rooms spread across 1 floor. The rooms are clean with 24 hour supply of hot and cold water. It has room service and front desk help. Parking area for cars is available within the premises.

What are some temples near Gangotri Temple?

Cheedvasa & Bhojvasa - Camping Sites Near Gangotri — Cheedvasa & Bhojvasa – Camping Sites Near Gangotri

Some of the temples near Gangotri temple are:

Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttarkashi: It is one of the most sacred temples in Uttarakhand. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is present on the banks of river Bhagirathi. It is also one of the Char Dham Yatra destinations. The Shiva lingam here is 56cm in height and tilted towards south.
Shakti Temple – It is present in Uttarkashi opposite to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. A massive Trishul is present in the center of the temple. The Trishul is 6 meters high and 90 cms wide. The lower half of Trishul is of copper and the upper half is of iron. According to legends, Goddess Durga aimed this Trishul to killed the devils.
Gaumukh – Gaumukh is the actual source of the Ganga river. It is a 19 km trek from Gangotri. The road to the glacier is extremely difficult for people to reach.
Pandava Gufa – It is a 1.5 km trek from Gangotri temple. It is the place where the Pandavas are believed to have meditated. They took rest here while going to Kailash.
Cheedvasa & Bhojvasa – These are ideal camping sites near Gangotri. Cheedvasa is at a distance of 28 km and Bhojvasa is at a distance of 22 km from Gangotri.
Nandanvan – Nandanvan is a 6 km trekking route along the glacier. It gives a spectacular glimpse of the Shivalinga.
Sylvan Tapovan – It is across the Gangotri glacier. It is known for its greenery encircling the base of the Shivalinga.

Ardha Badri – Sapta Badri

August 29, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 3 Comments Filed Under: Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Temples Tagged With: Sapta Badri, Vishnu Temples

Ardha Badri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is the seventh temple complex among the ‘Sapta Badri’ temples. It’s part of the famous ‘Sapta Badri‘ pilgrimage circuit. It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra Package within Uttarakhand.

Know more about- Sapta Badri

Ardha Badri – Facts

Deity	Lord Vishnu
Location	Garhwal region, Uttarakhand
Best Time to Visit	May to June and September to October
Darshan Timings	5 AM to 12 PM 2 PM to 9 PM
Entry Fees	Free
Dress Code	Traditional Wear
Festivals	Krishna Janmashtmi, Makar Sankranti

It extends from Satapanth to Nandaprayag in the Alaknanda river valley. In ancient times, the path to the temple went through the Badri van (Forest of berries). Hence, the suffix ‘Badri‘ is added to the seven holy shrines of Lord Vishnu.

What are the timings of Ardha Badri?

Here are the timings of Ardha Badri:

Timings	From	To
Morning	5 AM	12 PM
Evening	2 PM	9 PM

What is the significance of Ardha Badri?

The significance of Ardha Badri is that in comparison to other temples, the idol of Lord Vishnu here is smaller. Hence, the name of the temple roughly means ‘the little Badri‘. As per mythology, Vishnu is the ‘preserver’ among the holy trinity that also includes Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma.

What is the history of Ardha Badri?

According to history, Adi Shankaracharya built Sapta Badri temples, including Adi Badri during the Gupta period. As per beliefs, he did so to promote and spread Hinduism to all parts of the country, however remotely accessible. Devotees believe that Lord Vishnu moved to Badrinath in Satya yuga.

Adi Badri History 1 — Adi Shankaracharya built Sapta Badri temples to promote and spread Hinduism.

However, ancient saints prophesied that he will shift his abode to Bhavishya Badri after the Kali Yuga, which is also a part of the Char Dham Yatra destinations within Uttarakhand.

What are the festivals celebrated at Ardha Badri?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Ardha Badri are:

Krishna Janmashtmi: It is a popular Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It occurs according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar and is a very important festival for the followers of Lord Vishnu.
Makar Sankranti: This festival is celebrated each year in January and is to appease the Sun God. It is the first day when Sun enters Capricorn and marks the lengthening of daytime in the forthcoming days. This day also includes colorful decorations, preparation of sweets with sesame seeds and children asking for treats and pocket money.

Adi Badri Festivals — Makar Sankranti and Krishna Janmashtmi are celebrated at the temple.

How to reach Ardha Badri?

Here’s how to reach Ardha Badri:

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.
Train: Rishikesh and Haridwar are the nearest railway stations.
Road: Ardha Badri temple is present near the Joshimath-Tapovan road in a remote village and can be approached only by trekking along a steep bridle path.

Where to stay near Ardha Badri?

Some of the places where one can stay near Ardha Badri while undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are:

Hotel Sudarshan Palace: Hotel Sudarshan Palace has facilities such as 24-hour front desk, garden area and parking facility within its premises. Amenities such as bed, bottled drinking water, access to the common balcony and attached bathroom are available.
Hotel Kuber Annex: The facilities offered here are front desk, room service, power backup, STD PCO facility, doctor on call. Massage service is also available here so that guests can relax after trekking. A helicopter booking facility is also available at the hotel.
Hotel Heaven: The hotel offers facilities suchlike parking and telephone. With a team of skilled professionals, the property also ensures the fulfillment of all needs of guests. Moreover, in case of medical emergencies, one can avail the doctor on call facility at the hotel.