Rajarajeshwari Temple, Ranihat, Uttarakhand

Rajarajeshwari Temple, Ranihat, Uttarakhand

Rajarajeshwari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Rajrajeshwari located in Ranihat, an outskirt of Srinagar Town in Srinagar Tehsil in Pauri Garhwal District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This temple is considered as the largest temple of Srinagar in the Shakta tradition. The temple is situated on the right bank of Alaknanda river, right in front of Srinagar SSB Campus. The temple complex is one of the state protected monuments in Uttarakhand declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 9^th century CE but the idols enshrined in the temple are dated to the 4^th century CE. The idol of Mahishasura Mardini enshrined in the northern niche is dated to 11^th century CE. Devadasi system is practiced in this temple during ancient times.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and enclosed within a compound wall. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and maha mandapa. The maha mandapa is supported by eight pillars. The maha mandapa is provided with three entrances on the eastern, northern and southern side. The superstructure over tha mandapa is of pyramidal style. The shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style of architecture. The shikara is about 30 feet tall.

The shikara is crowned with amalaka with kalasa on top of it. The antrala has a superstructure called sukhanasi. It looks like a shorter extension of the shikara. The sanctum enshrines an image of Mother Rajarajeshwari (Goddess Parvati). She is seen sitting in Padmasana posture in quadrilateral form on the navel of the reclining Lord Shiva. There is another idol of the goddess  Rajarajeshwari behind the red curtain. The darshan of this idol is completely forbidden.

There are shrines dedicated to various Hindu deities can be found in the temple premises. All these shrines follow nagara style of architecture. The idol of Mahishasura Mardini enshrined in the northern niche is dated to 11^th century CE. There is an image of Nrivaraha in the maha mandapa. He is seen lifting the Bhudevi with the help of the left hand and knee by raising the feet on Sheshnag. This idol is older than the Mahishasura Mardini idol.

Festivals

Navratras and Chaitra Mas are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Srinagar Bus Stand, 5 Kms from Srinagar, 8 Kms from Maletha, 32 Kms from Devprayag, 36 Kms from Pauri, 38 Kms from Rudraprayag, 101 Kms from Rishikesh Railway Station, 104 Kms from Rishikesh, and 118 Kms from Dehradun Airport. Srinagar is situated on Devprayag to Rudraprayag route. The temple is situated right in front of Srinagar SSB Campus.

Location