Surkanda Devi Temple, Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand

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