Dhari Devi Mandir Uttarakhand: Welcome to a blog post about a temple situated in the lap of the serene mountains of Uttarakhand, India. The Guardian of Char Dham, Dhari Devi is one of the most worshipped deities in Uttarakhand. She is known to be very kind and merciful to her devotees and is widely loved by the local population and the visitors as well. The interesting legend associated with her and the splendid temple dedicated to her, make Dhari Devi one of the most sought-after pilgrimage destinations. If you are in search of a spiritual journey or if you simply want to enjoy the lap of Mother Nature, Dhari Devi is the place to be. Come, let us embark on this journey of exploring the history, mythology and the importance of this wonderful place.
What is the Dhari Devi?
Dhari Devi is a Hindu goddess and the principal deity of the Dhari Devi temple in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The name can be separated into two words Dhari and Devi. Dhari means the one who holds or the bearer’ and Devi means the goddess. Locally she is believed to be the saviour of the region from calamities such as flood, landslides etc.
Dhari Devi is said to be the idol of the most fierce and powerful Hindu deity Goddess Kali. It has three forms, head and arms represent Maa Kali, torso represents Maa Shakti and feet represent Maa Lakshmi.
There is a saying in folklore that the past attempts made by the government to move the present location of the temple to the other side during the road widening of Char Dham Yatra in the year 2013-14, caused unprecedented floods that took many lives and property. Since then, the locals feel that if the temple of Dhari Devi is moved from the present location, it would invite a greater disaster in the future.
The temple of Dhari Devi is visited by the devotees round the year with great respect and humility for the well-being and prosperity. The scenic view with religious significance of this beautiful place offers an unmatched experience of spirituality and Mother Nature.
The Legend of the Dhari Devi
Legend about the Dhari Devi belongs to Hindu mythology and folklore. As per the legend many centuries back, a flood ravaged through the valley where the temple of Dhari Devi is situated today. Villagers prayed to be saved from the wrath of the flood and sought a safe place to stay on top of a hill.
As they were offering prayers to Goddess Kali, an idol of her came out of water onto a nearby rock. The people then built a small shoddily made temple around it and began worshipping her as their tutelary deity. It came to be known as Dhari Devi “the bearer goddess” over time.
Another legend has it that when Adi Shankaracharya was travelling through this region in Uttarakhand, he had a vision about Goddess Kali here at this place. He immediately set up an idol at this spot.
It is said that every time an attempt has been made since then to shift her idol from the place it was originally kept, floods and landslides would strike that region destroying life and property. Many are the people who believe that she is protecting them from all harm.
The faith people have in her is so strong that even today in times of natural calamities or an apprehended threat, offerings of prayer are made to her to shower her divine grace and bless them with immunity from all evil.
The Significance of the Dhari Devi
Dhari Devi is an Indian Hindu goddess. As per legend she is the preserver of Char Dham Yatra of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The story of Dhari Devi is based on the fact that she is the preserver of these religious places. It is said that once, when the idol of Dhari devi was taken away from her place situated by the banks of Alaknanda River, there occurred a huge flood. Many believed that she must stay at her present place to save them from natural calamities.
The power of Goddess Dhari Devi is said to be effective against natural disasters as well. Dhari Devi Mata is believed to shower grace of prosperity and protection to her devotees if they worship her with a clean heart.
Temple of Goddess Dhari Devi is also auspicious for the devotees to visit before starting the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage.
It is also believed that if one prays at the temple, one can get rid of all the obstacles and can attain success.
The Importance of Dhari Devi: She is considered as a goddess who not only protects her devotees but also guides them on their spiritual path and helps them seek blessings and divine intervention.
Temple Of Dhari Devi
The temple of Dhari Devi is situated on the banks of river Alaknanda, the temple complex is encircled by scenic mountain ranges. The temple structure is made up of stones and wood, it has been built in the classic Kumaoni style.
The presiding deity in this temple is Goddess Kali who is believed to be one of the most powerful goddess in the Hindu mythology. The idol enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum has eight hands and is holding weapons such as sword, trident, mace, etc.
Legend has it that during the high floods that devastated Uttarakhand region in 2013, people had attempted to move the statue from its original place. This angered the goddess and resulted in the even more catastrophic floods in the after math.
One of the interesting aspects of this temple is that it appears different at different times of the year as per different seasons and atmospheric conditions. In summers when there is less water in the pond, two rocks which resemble feet can be seen at the place where the statue originally was before it was shifted to this shrine.
Devotees on Char Dham yatra make it a point to visit this temple first as they feel that without worshiping here their pilgrimage will be considered incomplete.
How to Reach the Maa Dhari Devi Temple?
Visit Dhari Devi Temple: The temple is located in Uttarakhand and can be accessed through Roadways. There is a bus service or you can take a taxi from Rishikesh or Haridwar to Srinagar, which is the closest town to the Dhari Devi Temple.
One has to cover another 16km distance towards Rudraprayag on NH58 from Srinagar before you reach Kalya Saur. An uphill 1 km trek up to the temple complex is challenging. It involves crossing the Alakananda River by a suspension bridge and 200 stairs to climb.
The ideal season to visit Dhari Devi is during summers when the climate is most favourable for both travel and trekking. Monsoons are not recommended because of a possibility of landslides that could make access difficult. Reaching Dhari Devi Temple requires a bit of effort but also allows you to get closer to the splendour of nature as well as to religious convictions and spirituality.
Importance of Chardham
The temple of Dhari Devi is also important in context to Char Dham yatra. It is believed that goddess guards and keeps a vigil on four dhams, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Legend has it that during the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, flash floods that hit the state, Dhari Devi’s idol was moved from its original site near Alaknanda River to a new site on higher ground. It is believed that the goddess got infuriated and exacted her revenge, unleashing her anger, which resulted in massive destruction in Uttarakhand.
The locals as well as the pilgrims believe that Goddess Dhari Devi saved the valley from the calamity, henceforth, she is not only the presiding deity of Char Dham but also has the power to avert any natural disasters from occurring in the region. The mythological narrative around this powerful deity has made the goddess even more revered by the Hindu devotees from all across India. Dhari Devi temple is now one of the important visits for the Char Dham Yatra as offering respects to the deity is said to ensure a safe journey while the divine blessings from the Goddess help avert any kind of danger during the course of the pilgrimage.
Dhari Devi or Dhari Mata is one of the guardian deities of Char Dham region. The temple of Dhari Devi is considered holy and significant as per Hindu mythology and is also one of the pilgrimage sites.
The fact that the idol is said to have changed form in times of floods only adds to its aura and powers. In times to come, the shrine has weathered many challenges and catastrophes in the forms of nature’s fury and political instability. Through it all, the shrine has stood the test of time, as a beacon of faith, strength and devotion.
If you are visiting Uttarakhand anytime soon or even keen to explore India’s myriad culture, we’d strongly suggest you check out Dhari Devi Temple off your checklist. It’s a truly unique temple visit that will have you refreshed and recharged by the natural beauty, spirituality, and history the place offers.
