Kalinka Temple, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Kalinka Temple, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Kalinka Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, located in Bironkhal block of Pauri Garhwal District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This is a Hill Temple, lies close to the border with the Almora district. This Temple is often confused with Bunkhal Kalinka, which is near Malund village of Raath region in Thalisain.

Legends

As per local folklore, a badiyaari shepherd was herding his sheep on the ridge which houses the temple at present. As he was sleeping at night, he was awakened by a loud cracking sound and thunder with flashes of lightning. He saw a bright light and heard a shrill and furious voice that commanded him to climb up the mountain and build a shrine there. The shrine was to be dedicated to the goddess. He, after paying his homage to the goddess, started climbing uphill and after reaching the summit, gathered some rocks and formed a mound. Over time, the summit was cleared of all the brambles and vegetation to make bigger structures.

History

The construction of the temple has been credited to the Badiyaari community. Badiyaris were a semi-nomadic shepherding tribe. The temple in its present lotus-bud shaped shikhar (dome) was constructed around the year 2010. A charitable co-operative by the name of Garhwal-Almora Kali Mandir Vikas Samiti has been formed by residents of roughly a dozen villages surrounding the hill-temple. All these villages have a considerable Badiyaari population. This organization of villagers keeps the temple premises clean and are responsible for any beautification projects to be taken up in the future.

The Temple

The temple is situated at an altitude of roughly 2100 metres on a flat, bare and rocky hilltop, devoid of much vegetation. It offers a good view of Dudhatoli hills, the Trisul Massif and also peaks of Western Garhwal up to Bandarpunch range. It is a small temple with lotus-bud shaped shikhar (dome).

Festivals

Goddess Kali is much revered among the local people and the temple holds an important place during social events and religious festivals. A fair, known locally as Kalinka Jatoda, is held here in winter which attracts thousands of local people and outsiders. Historically, hundreds of goats, rams and male buffalo calves have been sacrificed here during that fair. Animal sacrifices have been a subject of controversy and criticism in recent times. Government and law enforcements have been trying to curb this practice but it continues despite all the efforts. It is deeply imbibed in the local culture.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 108 Kms from Ramnagar, 109 Kms from Ramnagar Railway Station, 121 Kms from Ranikhet, 168 Kms from Almora, 189 Kms from Pantnagar Airport and 372 Kms from New Delhi Airport. There are many ways to approach the temple from both Garhwal and Kumaon regions.

Location