Dhari Devi - The protector of Char Dham and Uttarakhand. The goddesses are credited for keeping the Flow of the Alaknanda River under control. The goddess whose displacement from her position resulted in the flood of 2013. Excited !!! Read this article to learn more about this mysterious goddess "Dhari Devi" of Uttarakhand.
It is an admired temple dedicated to Maa Dhari Devi (a form of Goddess Kali) who is considered the angel deity of Uttarakhand and is worshipped as the guardian of the Char Dham Yatra. Dhari Devi is a Hindu temple located in Kalyasaur on the banks of the Alaknanda River between Srinagar and Rudraprayag in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India. The Dhari Devi Temple houses the upper half of the idol of Goddess Dhari and the lower half of the idol is in Kalimath temple, where she is worshipped as the expression of Goddess Kali. It is at a distance of 15 km from Srinagar Garhwal, 20 km from Rudraprayag, and 360 km from Delhi. Devotees come here throughout the year to worship the goddess, but during Navratri the number of pilgrims increases and people come here to receive blessings, mostly newly married couples. Chaitra Navratri and Ashwin Navratri are glorified and celebrated in this temple. The festivals of Dussehra, Deepavali, and Kartik Purnima are celebrated with great pomp and show.
✓Once a flood swept away Uttarakhand on 16 June 2013 when engineers were working on a project on the Alaknanda river and due to this the figure of Dhari Devi was removed from its place. It is believed that the flood happened, and thousands of people died due to the anger of Ma Dhari Devi. Similarly in 1882 also a king displaced the idol of Dhari devi from her original place and a landslide happened. Whenever humans tried to challenge the grace, calmness, and strength of the place the consequences were justified by the Ma Dhari devi to prove her presence in her stormy way. It is believed that Ma Dhari Devi protects Char dham being the guardian of char dham and consequently protects the deities who pay visits there and is also known as the protector of devotees of Char dham.
✓According to mythology, there is a famous story behind the formation of Dhari Devi temple that says-
Ma Dhari Devi was the only sister of her seven brothers and their parents died when they were very young. Ma Dhari Devi loves her brothers as they brought up her after their parents died. She was seven when she cooks for them and she loves all of her brothers a lot but once upon a time the brothers got to know that the stars of their sister were negative for them they started hating her. Later on, Maa Dhari Devi's five brothers died and the remaining two thought it was because of the negative impact of her sister's presence and they planned to kill her so that they could save their lives. She was thirteen when they made up a plan involving their wives and killed her, date chopped her head off from the remaining body and flushed it away in a river and the head came across Kalyasaur in Dhari Village where a washerman noticed a girl floating and thought to help her yet, he was afraid to get into the river as it was very deep then suddenly he heard a moan and a divine voice ordering him to save her and assuring him for his safety. As the divine voice said it happened so. He exclaimed when saw it wasn't any girl there was just a head, then that figure ordered the idol to be placed on a stone there. And this was how the idol of Dhari Devi was trapped in the rocks near Dhari village. The remaining lower half figure of the devi reached Kalimath and is famous as Ma Methna Temple and prevalent among the locals as one of the 108 Shakti Sthals of Ma Kali.
✓Dhari devi is considered as the living diety of Uttarakhand and locals have great devotion toward her. She is the diety whose face changes with time. In the morning time she will appear as a little girl, while in the afternoon she will turn into a beautiful young lady while in the evening she will appear as an old lady.
✓Goddess Dhari Devi is said to have two parts. Her upper body appears in the Dhari Devi temple where there is a calm figure of kali maa and her lower body in the Kalimath temple, where there is an angry figure and she is worshipped as Ma Kali.
Average Temperature - 7 Degree celcius to 25 Degree Celcius
Dhari devi temple Height - 1837 feet (560 meters) above the sea level.
Best Time to visit Dhari devi temple - September to June
Location - Kalyasaur, dhari Village Garhwal
Nearest Railway Station - Rishikesh
Nearest Airport - Jolly Grant Airport
Delhi to Dhara Devi Tempe Uttarakhand Distance:- 381 km
Rishikesh to Dhara Devi Temple Distance:- 120 km
.webp "Beautiful view of Dhari Devi Temple")
Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath Temple is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand in India, on the banks of the Mandakini River. The distance from Dhari Devi temple to Kedarnath is 56 km. Lord Shiva is great and there is only Lord Shiva who is beyond time, beyond space, never born, never dies, never perishes. Hindu devotees from all over the world fast and pray all night for Mahadeva's blessings. This is the first of four places of pilgrimage sites famous as Char dham yatra. If you are looking for Kedarnath tour packages then you can definitely check out the packages available with Manchala Mushafir Private Limited. Visit to Dhari devi temple is complementry in our package. We provide Kedarnath yatra packages at an affordable price and luxury stay with river rafting.
Gaurikund is known as a sacred place for Hindus, Gaurikund is located 89 km from Dhari Devi Temple and offers mesmerizing views. Here you can take a dip in the hot water pool and visit the Gauri mata temple surrounded by panoramic views. The dip is believed to make a person clean due to its holiness. Goddess Parvati meditated here for very longer period to get lord shiva as her husband. Later on they got married at Triyuginarayan Temple. It is famous as the base for the Kedarnath tour and believe to be very auspicious to take the blessings of Gauri Mata before proceeding for Kedarnath Temple .
.webp "a beautiful view of guptkashi near Dhari Devi Temple")
Guptkashi is a large beautiful town in Uttarakhand, located 62 km from Dhari Devi temple. The Vishwanath and Ardhanarishvara temples and the Manikarnika Kund, where the holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna are believed to be located, are prominent places in Guptkashi serving mesmerizing views of nature. Guptkashi is also famous for its ancient history, when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati lived in the giant mountains and this is where Lord Ganesha broke his tusk. So Guptkashi is of great importance and serves as an enchanting base camp for many tours. If you are planning to visit Dhari devi temple and you have some spare time then Guptkashi is must to visit place.
The magnificent temple is beautifully decorated and consists of stones that are painted on the outside depicting tall towers, one among the Panch Kedar temples. Tungnath Temple is at a distance of 87 km from Dhari Devi Temple. The sunrise and the sunset are the major attractions of this place. In the temple, inside the main chamber lies the Ashtadhatu, which consists of eight metals, sculptures of Saints Vyas and Kala Bhairav, and followers of Lord Shiva. Inside the complex are also images of the Pandavas and four other Kedar shrines. Beautiful wooden stage, decorated roof, vivid images of deities, and whatnot. The whole temple has its vibes which is an amazing experience in itself and yes it is a must-visit. But keep note that like Dhari devi temple, Tungnath doesn't remain open trhougout the year. It opens in the month of May and closes in October.
Dhari devi temple reamins open throughout the year, so you can visit this place any time. But avoid visiting in mountain region during the monsoon as it brings varinat challenges like landslides, flood, stone shooting, road blockage etc. In addition to this it's perfect to visit Dhari devi temple during the festive seasons specially during Navratra. Environment around this temple will be completely different and you can experience the local culture and tradion in it's raw form.
With bright sunshine and calm, fresh air, summer is the best time to visit Kalyasaur. The temperature here ranges from 20°C to 36°C, so you can visit temples and other attractions for refreshment during the summer months without any hindrance. In addition to Dhari devi temple you can also cover other places like Kalimath temple, Kedarnath temple, Bhaiav nath temple, chorabari lake or Vasuki Tal
Witnessing the beautiful view around Dhari devi temple when the sky changes color and the trees sway when it rains in the land of Kalyasaur is a wonderful experience. Monsoon in the region of Dhari devi temple begin in July and last until September, bring the pleasant aroma of the soil, the vitality of the rains, and the drop in temperature from 27°C to 21°C. Landslides and road closures are possible during the monsoon season, so it's best to check the weather forecast before visiting during monsoon.
Kedarnath yatra is the most famous among all the five temples, as it is also a part of the Char dham Yatra and 12 jyotirlingas in India, which is quite famous among Hindus. You can also book a Kedarnath yatra package at best price.
If you are a adventure lover and want to experience chilling cold then winter is the perfect time to visit Dhari devi temple. During this time temperature here will fall to sub zero level. But trust me, it's the most amazing time to visit this place and experience the divinity of Dhari devi temple in less crowd and even in very affordable budget. But keep note that temperature falls here to a sub-zero degree, so don't forget to pack your luggage properly.
Dhari devi temple is open to visitors throughout the day. Here are the usual timings:
To fully experience the spiritual ambiance, it’s best to visit early in the morning or during the evening aarti.
Dhari Devi Temple is well connected to mostly all the important cities and towns in Uttarakhand. The following section explains how to reach Dhari Devi Temple by road, train, and plane. Dhari Devi is located in Kalyasaur, which is between Srinagar and Rudraprayag. The distance from Srinagar to Dhari Devi is 16 km and that from Rudraprayag to Dhari Devi is 20 km. Srinagar and Rudraprayag are the places available for accommodation. These are the best places to stay in a hotel and are nearest to Dhari Devi Temple. To reach Dhari Devi Temple it will be convenient and best to take either bus or taxi from any one of the places either Rudraprayag or Srinagar, so it is all about reaching Rudraprayag or Srinagar.
Planning a trip to the Dhari Devi Temple? It’s not just about soaking in the spiritual vibes but also ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here is a list of things if you follow that can make your journey more smooth and memorable
Dress according to the season. Carry Light cotton clothes work best during summer, while a light jacket can keep you cozy in cooler months. If you’re visiting during the monsoon, wear sturdy, non-slip shoes since the area can get wet and muddy.
In high altitudes, you can face network issues, or there Local vendors near the temple may not have digital payment options. Carry some cash with you for offerings, snacks, and any local souvenirs you might want to buy.
This is a holy place, so make sure to follow temple customs. Take off your shoes before entering, dress Appropriately, and avoid loud or Inappropriate behavior. As a gesture of respect, keep the surroundings clean.
Organize your transportation ahead of time, especially during the busy season. While public transport is available, hiring a private vehicle gives you more flexibility. Drive carefully, as the roads leading to the temple are narrow.
Pack a Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated yourself and carry some light snacks, especially if you’re traveling with family and kids. While there are small eateries nearby, having your supplies can come in handy.
The temple and its surroundings are incredibly scenic, but before clicking photos, check if photography is allowed in certain areas of the temple. Always seek permission where required.
During monsoon months, the terk can be challenging. Walk carefully to avoid slips. If you’re traveling with seniors or anyone with mobility issues, be prepared to assist them on uneven paths.
For a deeper understanding of the temple’s rich history and spiritual significance, consider hiring a local guide. They can share fascinating stories and legends connected to the temple.
You’ll find small shops and eateries near the temple offering basic food and drinks. For a more substantial meal, you may need to head to nearby towns like Srinagar or Rudraprayag.
Mobile network coverage is limited in this area. Let your loved ones know your travel plans in advance and embrace the chance to disconnect for a while.
Pack the basics like sunscreen, hats, raincoats (if visiting during monsoon), and a small first-aid kit. These little things can make your trip a lot more comfortable.
The nearest airport to Srinagar is Jolly Grant Airport also known as Dehradun airport and is located at a distance of 120 km from Dhari devi temple. Jolly Grant Airport is well connected to other airports so it will be a convenient destination airport if an individual is coming by air. After reaching here, the roads are reliable to connect to Srinagar via taxis or even you can take roadways bus to reach here.
Rishikesh is the nearest railway station to Dhari devi temple but very few trains arrive here. If you don't find any direct train for Rishikesh you can also book your train for Haridwar / Dehradun / Roorkee. All these cities are in close vicinity to Rishikesh railway station. Major railway station near Dhari devi temple is New Delhi Railway station.
Srinagar is at a distance of 342 km from Delhi. If you are coming from Delhi then buses are easily available for Srinagar from ISBT Kashmiri Gate also don't worry if you are coming from any other starting point as Srinagar is well connected to all the major destinations of Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag etc via bus, car or taxi.
The Dhari Devi Temple is not just a spiritual site but a Combination of myths, legends, and natural beauty. Perched on the banks of the Alaknanda River, this temple holds a special place in the hearts of devotees, especially those embarking on the sacred Char Dham Yatra. From its compelling mythological stories to the serene environment, the temple offers a divine experience that connects devotees to the spiritual aura of Maa Dhari Devi, who is respected as the guardian deity of Uttarakhand. The surrounding destinations like Kedarnath, Guptkashi, Gaurikund, and Tungnath further enhance the spiritual journey with their cultural richness and stunning views. Whether you visit during the vibrant Navratri festivals or in the calm winters, the temple promises a unique spiritual encounter.
If you want to reach Dhari Devi there you can see many facilities you can reach by airways, roadways, and railways at your convenience and budget, and airways leading to nearby towns like Srinagar and Rudraprayag. To fully immerse in its spiritual ambiance, consider visiting early in the morning or during the evening aarti for a soulful experience. Dhari Devi Temple remains a timeless witness to faith, devotion, and the mystical charm of the Himalayas, inviting travelers to explore its profound legacy.
Dhari Devi Temple is dedicated to Maa Dhari Devi, a form of Goddess Kali. It is considered the guardian deity of Uttarakhand and the Char Dham Yatra. The temple is famous for its mythological significance and the belief that the goddess protects the region and its devotees.
The temple is located in Kalyasaur, near the Alaknanda River, between Srinagar and Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand. It is about 15 km from Srinagar Garhwal and 20 km from Rudraprayag.
You can visit the temple the whole year, but the best time is from September to June. Avoid visiting during the monsoon season due to landslides and road blockages. Navratri festivals are particularly vibrant and an ideal time to experience local traditions.
The temple is open for visitors:
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, approximately 120 km away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Srinagar or Rudraprayag, and then travel to the temple.
<The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, located about 120 km away. Alternatively, you can also use Haridwar, Dehradun, or Roorkee railway stations, as they are well-connected to major cities.
Dhari Devi is well-connected by road:
The upper half of the idol is housed in Dhari Devi Temple, while the lower half is in Kalimath Temple. The goddess is believed to change her appearance throughout the day – as a girl in the morning, a young woman in the afternoon, and an old woman in the evening.
Yes, the nearest accommodations are available in Srinagar Garhwal (15 km away) and Rudraprayag (20 km away). These places offer hotels, guesthouses, and homestays to suit different budgets.
Navratri is the most celebrated festival at Dhari Devi Temple. Other festivals like Dussehra, Deepavali, and Kartik Purnima are also celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm.
Some must-visit places near the temple include:
Yes, it is believed that the 2013 Uttarakhand floods were caused by the removal of the Dhari Devi idol during the construction of a dam. Similar events are said to have occurred in 1882 when her idol was displaced, leading to a landslide. These stories emphasize her divine presence and her belief in her protection.
While there is no strict dress code, visitors are advised to wear modest and respectful clothing while visiting the temple to maintain its sanctity.
Photography might be restricted inside the main temple premises. It is best to confirm with temple authorities before clicking pictures.
Yes, the temple is relatively accessible, but visitors should note that the terrain may involve some walking. It is advisable to check the specific route conditions beforehand.
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