This holy Shakti Peeth is located in the lap of the mighty Himalayas in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand near Kedarnath. It is among the 52 Shakti Peeth located in India and holds great importance in Hindu tradition. It is the best place for nature lovers and devotees have wish to visit some of the Shakti Peeth and take blessings of Maa Kaali and other deities.
Located at an altitude of 6000 feet above sea level in the lap of Himalaya on the bank of the Saraswati River in Rudraprayag district. Kalimath temple is dedicated to Maa Kali, the fierse and powerful form of Maa Durga. Kalimath is among the 108 shakti peeths available in India.
Although it is not as widely known as other temple of Char dham yatra of uttarakhand, Kalimath holds a significant and cultural importance. Devotees from all over the world visiting Ukhimath for Kedarnath yatra or Do dham yatra must visit to this temple to seek blessings of Maa kali for strength, protection, and spiritual progress
The Kalimath Temple, located in the serene hills of Uttarakhand, holds profound mythological significance, particularly in relation to Goddess Kali and her role in Hindu cosmology. The temple is considered to be the sacred abode of the fierce and powerful form of Goddess Kali, who symbolizes destruction and transformation, essential aspects of the cosmic cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. The mythology surrounding Kalimath is steeped in ancient Hindu texts and local legends, all contributing to its deep spiritual resonance.
Here are the main mythological elements and beliefs associated with Kalimath Temple:
In Hindu mythology, Kali is often depicted as a dark, terrifying goddess, with wild hair, a garland of skulls, and a blood-dripping tongue. Her appearance might seem ominous, but she embodies the essential principle of transformation. She is not just a destroyer; she is a transformer, who dissolves the old to make way for the new. This dual role is central to the theme of life and death, creation and destruction, which is at the heart of many Hindu philosophies.
At Kalimath, Kali is seen as the goddess of destruction in a spiritual sense—destroying ego, ignorance, and the attachments that bind individuals to worldly suffering. The temple itself is often visited by those seeking liberation (moksha) from their personal struggles, hardships, or negative influences. Pilgrims believe that by offering prayers to Kali here, they can receive divine protection and blessings to overcome difficulties in life and experience personal transformation.
The location of the temple, in the midst of the Garhwal hills, is also thought to enhance the transformative power of the goddess, as it is an area where spiritual practices and purification through nature have been carried out for centuries.
The temple's location, amidst the natural beauty of the Himalayas, is itself a point of mythological significance. Local legends say that this was the spot of a divine manifestation where the cosmic energy of Goddess Kali was focused. Many believe that Kalimath is one of the siddh peeths (sacred places of spiritual power) where the goddess’s presence is eternal. The natural surroundings—with their purity and serenity—are thought to amplify the goddess's power and divine protection, making the area a sanctified ground for worship and meditation.
The mythology asserts that Kali chose this particular spot to manifest because of its proximity to other sacred places and its role as a spiritual gateway. Kalimath, therefore, serves as a spiritual center where devotees can commune with the divine and seek solace in times of crisis, much like the goddess’s mythical role of providing spiritual and physical protection to her followers.
In some versions of the mythology, Kali is linked with Lord Shiva, who is often seen as her consort. The Kali-Shiva myth involves a significant interaction between the two deities, which further highlights the complex relationship between creation and destruction.
One popular story associated with Kalimath involves Lord Shiva lying on the ground while Kali dances with great fury after her victory over Raktabija. In her wild dance, Kali's energy becomes uncontrollable, and she starts to destroy everything in her path. To calm her, Shiva lies beneath her, and when Kali unknowingly steps on him, she realizes her excess and immediately calms down, recognizing Shiva’s tranquil presence beneath her. This episode highlights how destruction and creation are intertwined, and it is only in the presence of both Shiva and Kali that the universe maintains balance.
At Kalimath Temple, this symbolism is significant, as it emphasizes that the goddess’s power is not separate from that of the other gods, especially Shiva. Shiva and Kali, in their unified forms, represent the dynamic duality of life’s processes—the masculine and feminine, the creator and the destroyer, and the passive and the active—working together to maintain cosmic harmony.
The Kalimath Temple is part of a broader sacred region, which holds immense spiritual significance in the region. The temple is sometimes considered part of a spiritual circuit that links various sacred places of worship in the Garhwal Himalayas. The area is dotted with other temples and shrines dedicated to different deities, especially Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, who play key roles in the mythology of the region.
The connection between Kalimath and other holy sites such as Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Omkar Mandhata further highlights the temple’s mythological significance. The energy of the goddess at Kalimath is believed to interlink with the powers of other deities in the region, creating a harmonious network of divine energy that devotees can tap into during their pilgrimage.
Apart from her destructive role in cosmic mythology, Kali is also revered for her role in personal transformation. In Hindu philosophy, Kali symbolizes the inner self, the unmanifest potential that resides within each individual. By invoking Kali, worshippers seek to overcome their own inner demons—be it ignorance, fear, desires, or attachments—and to awaken their true divine nature.
At Kalimath, devotees often experience a deep sense of peace and spiritual awakening. The legend of Kali, who overcame her own fury and passion (symbolized by her wild dance), encourages followers to harness their inner strength, overcome personal challenges, and attain a state of higher consciousness.
One of the most significant mythological narratives associated with the Kalimath Temple is the battle between Goddess Kali and the demon Raktabija, which is mentioned in various texts, including the Markandeya Purana and Devi Mahatmya (part of the Skanda Purana). The story goes as follows:
Kalimath temple is located at a scenic and sacred location in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Unlike other places, where Maa Kali is worshipped as the first goddess, here she is treated as a protector of Char Dham temples. To reach here, you need to pass through some of the most beautiful locations in Uttarakhand. Here is a brief description of how to reach the Kalimath temple.
By Air:- The nearest airport to Kalimath temple is Dehradun airport, which is known as Jolly Grant airport. It is located at a distance of 221 km. Jolly Grant Airport is well connected by major airports of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, etc. All major flight operating companies like Spicejet, Air India, Indigo, Vistara, etc. have regular flights for this location. You can book your flight dicetly for this airport from your hometown. The nearest international airport to Kalimath temple is Indra Gandi International (IGI) airport, which is located at a distance of 471 km from Kalimath temple. If you are not getting a direct flight to Dehradun airport or traveling from somewhere outside India, then you can also take a flight for IGI, New Delhi.
By Train:- The nearest railway station to Kalimath temple is Rishikesh, which is known as Yog Nagri Rishikesh railway station with station and is located at a distance of 205 km from Kalimath temple. But this station is not well connected, so you can also look for trains for Haridwar, Dehradun, or Roorkee. All these cities are located very close to each other and well connected by other cities in India.
By Road:- Kalimath temple is well connected by road from the major cities of Uttarakhand and other cities nearby. If you are coming from New Delhi, you can take a direct bus from ISBT, Kashmir, or drive all the way to Kalimath Temple in your personal vehicle. In addition to this, you can also book your personal cab for you. This is going to be very costly but most preferable if you are traveling with family and kids. It's also one of the safest modes to travel to Kalimath temple. You can also get a shared cab from Haridwar railway station for Rudraprayag and then another taxi, which will take you to Kalimath. The last option is to hire a bike or scooter from Haridwar. Rishikesh or Dehradun and then go on a road trip. But this is recommended only to those who have prior experience of driving in hilly regions; otherwise, it could be fatal.
Kedarnath Temple:-One of the 12 jyotirlingas, Panch Kedar, Chota Char Dham yatra, and Do Dham yatra, Kedarnath Temple is one of the most famous temples located in Uttarakhand. This Kedarnath temple is located 54 kilometers from here. Millions of tourists visit the Kedarnath temple every year to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. You can book your Kedarnath yatra package with us with visit to Kalimath temple to cover both the places in one go. In our Kedarnath yatra package cost we provide transportation, meals, guide, yatra registration, river rafting and many more.
Ukhimath:- The winter seat of Lord Kedar is at Ukhimath. It is just at a distance of 21 km from Kalimath temple. If you are visiting here during the winter and wish to take the blessing of Lord Kedar, then visiting Ukhimath is going to be the best option.
Guptkashi: Another kashi of India after kashi vishwanath is Guptkashi in Uttarakhand. This is located just 8 km from Kalimath temple. It is another Lord Shiva temple and holds great importance in Hindu tradition.
Triyuginarayan Temple:- You must get excited by knowing that Triyuginarayan Temple is the place where Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati got married. Yes, you heard right, and this temple is very close to Kalimath Temple and located at just 56 kms from the temple. This temple is also known as Akhand Dhuni Temple due to the perpetual fire burning in the compound of the temple.
Dhari Devi Temple:- As per the holy scriptures, it is said that the upper body part of the maa kali placed in Kalimath temple is worshipped at Dhari Devi Temple, which is located at a distance of 63 km. It is another most important and sacred temple of Uttarakhand, having great importance. This magnificent temple is located in the middle of the river Alaknanda and is credited with controlling the water level of the river and finally the flood in this state. This temple is also famous for its diety, who appear as a small kid in the morning, as a young lady in the afternoon, and as an old lady in the evening. So if you are visiting Kalimath temple in the near future, Dhari Devi temple should be on your itinerary, and it falls in the route of the Char Dham Yatra circuit.
Despite being in the mountains, this temple remains accessible throughout the year. But if we talk about the best time to visit Kalimath Temple, it is during the summer, i.e., from May to June. You can also come to this region in the months of September to April, but you will face a chilling cold. In the months of July and August, this region experienced heavy railfall, causing various natural challenges like landslides, slippery roads, stone shooting, road blockages, etc., making it the most inappropriate time to visit this place.
Visit Us At
3rd FLOOR, PLOT NO. 94,
PKT 10, Sector 13 Dwarka,
New Delhi, West Delhi, Delhi, 110078
Call Us On
Email Us @
Important Pages
© Copyright 2023. All Right Reserved. Powered By Manchala Mushafir