Surkanda Devi Temple, Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand
Surkanda Devi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Goddess Sakthi, located in Dhanaulti in the village Uniyal Gaon of Tehri
District of Uttarakhand State, India. The Temple is situated at an
altitude of about 3,030 metres, or 9976 ft lies close to nearby hill
stations of Dhanaulti
and Chamba. The Temple is surrounded by dense
forests and affords a scenic view of the surrounding region including the Himalayas to
the north, and certain cities to the south (e.g., Dehradun, Rishikesh).
This temple is a part of the Devi Darshan triangle,
which also includes Chandrabadani and Kunjapuri. Atop the hill where Surkanda
Devi temple is located, the tourists can get a 360-degree view of the Garhwal
region of the Himalayas, the Dehradun valley and other peaks. Tourists usually
trek along the route to the temple, but, those who cannot; there are ponies and
horse rides available. The place is situated is placed in the midst of an apple
growing region.
Legends
As per a legend, when Daksha (Sati’s father) organized a
Yagna, he did not invite Sati and Shiva. But Sati still went to meet her father
and mother. However, Daksha, who loathed Shiva, did not receive her warmly and
said disrespectful things. This angered Sati and she committed self-immolation
in the fire pit of yagna Kund, due to an insult committed by
her father Daksha towards her consort Lord Shiva during the Yaga. Raged by the
death of Sati, Lord Shiva destroyed the Yaga of Daksha and
with the body of Sati in his hands started to do
'Tandava'.
Lord Vishnu cut the dead body of Goddess Sati with his
Sudarshan to free Lord Shiva from the grief caused by her death. Parts of the
dead body of Goddess Sati were scattered to fifty-two different places, which
were consecrated as Shakti Pithas. Devotees believe that her head fell at the
place where Surkanda Devi Temple stands today and due to which the temple's got
its name as Sirkhanda which in the passage of time is now called Surkanda.
Festivals
The Ganga Dushera festival is celebrated every year
between May and June and attracts a lot of people.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 7 Kms from Dhanaulti, 23
Kms from Chamba, 33 Kms from Landour, 34 Kms from Mussoorie, 34 Kms from New
Tehri, 67 Kms from Narendra Nagar, 84 Kms from Rishikesh Railway Station, 88
Kms from Rishikesh, 89 Kms from Dehradun Airport, 98 Kms from Devaprayag, 122
Kms from Haridwar, 123 Kms from Haridwar Railway Junction and 323 Kms from New
Delhi Airport.
Surkanda Devi Temple is situated on the motorable road
running from Mussoorie to Chamba and is connected with Narendra Nagar and Tehri
by motorable roads. It is located on a hill and one reaches there after a steep
2 Kms trek, from village Kaddukhal, on the Dhanaulti - Chamba road.
Rishikesh is the major starting point for road journey
to this place. Regular buses operate from Rishikesh Bus Station to Yogadhyan via
Karnaprayag.
The nearest railway station is at Rishikesh,
which has a small railway terminal. Haridwar Railway
junction, 24 Kms farther from Rishikesh, has train connections to most of
the major cities in India. Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.
Location
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