Dhari Devi Temple: History, architecture & best time to visit

Have you heard of an idol changing her face three times in a day? Or did the anger of the Goddess lead to Kedarnath’s destructive flood in 2013? The Goddess we are talking about is one of the 108 Shakti Sthals, Dhari Devi is an avatar of Maa Kali who protects the Char Dham. This feminine energy is popularly known for her legendary tales and the real incidents that have strengthened the belief of the devotees. On seeing ‘Bhakti Mein Shakti’ – ‘Strength in Devotion’, we Travel Acharya are here to take you on the spiritual journey of Dhari Devi Temple.

Location

Dhari Devi Uttarakhand

The pristine temple of Dhari Devi is located in the village of Kalyasaur, between Rudraprayag and Srinagar in the Garhwal region. The temple is elevated at 560 m (1837 ft) on the banks of Alaknanda River in the Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.

Dhari Devi face changes – The Miraculous Idol that Changes Face Three Times a Day

The visitors to Maa Dhari Devi have experienced the miracle of the deity which attracts them to visit the temple. The idol of the goddess changes face three times a day enough to astonish anyone and feel the spiritual atmosphere of the divine energy. The deity’s idol in the morning looks like a young girl, in the afternoon it becomes like a young woman and by the evening it looks like an old woman. Every day the locals and visitors witness this spiritual wonder over the centuries, representing a woman’s life circle and feminine energy presence.

Spiritual Importance

• Dhari Devi is named after the Dharo village near Kalyasaur, Srinagar.
• Mata idol is kept with no roof as the Goddess likes to sit in the open air.
• Mata idol was placed on a 20 m rock above her Mool Sthan.
• The deity is the incarnation of Mata Kali and the upper part is said to be in Guru’s direction, Shiva as Guru calming Kali on the Shri Shetra. The lower part is in Kalimath in Rudraprayag, known as the Devi Yantra or Yoni from where the creations take birth, the universe.
• Displacing the Dhari Devi from her place led to two mishappenings, one in 1882 and the other in 2013 (Kedarnath Flood).
• People have strong faith in Devi Mata as she emerges as the protector and saves them from evil, known as Jagat Kalyani.

Architecture of Dhari Devi Temple

The temple is constructed like an ancient Hindu temple in Nagara style, with a shikhara on top, a Garhwali structure, and an open roof where the idol is situated. Some modern structures, like fencing and grills, are also included. A half-meter steel bridge to the temple can easily cross over the Alaknanda River.

History of Dhari Devi

There are two stories revolving around the Dhari Devi Temple:

Dhari Devi’s name is because of idol placement in the village of Dhari. The deity placed here is the Maa Kaali swaroop ‘Maa Kalyani’ or ‘Kalyaneshwari’ named by Shiva. 

First, according to a belief, Devi Maa was born into a family with seven brothers. Losing her parents early, Maa was brought up by her seven brothers, whom she loved greatly. But the brothers learned that her sister’s stars were heavy for them. 

  Maa Dhari Devi’s five brothers died for some reason; afraid of seeing this, the remaining two brothers with their wives plotted the ill against Devi. She was 13 years old when her two brothers chopped her head and flushed them in the river. The head flowed towards the Alaknanda River in Kalyasaur near Dhari Village. The watchman noticed and thought a girl was drowning. He wanted to save, but the depth of the waters frightened him. A divine voice then ordained to save the girl and assured him safety. On approaching the girl figure in the waters, he found it was just a head. The heavenly voice told them to keep that head as an idol on the stone where today devotees worship Dhari Devi—the Protector of Char Dham and Uttarakhand. 

Another story of Devi Maa by a temple priest revolves around when Maa Kali was combating the Asurs or Demons like Raktbeej, Shumbh and Nishumbh. Devi’s fierce roar and unparalleled strength vanquished every demon to death, and she displayed divine power. The devi was in anguish and uncontrollable state to calm Devi down Shiva lay down on earth. Maa Kali walks forward to demolish everything, and unknowingly steps on Lord Shiva’s abdomen on seeing this her tongue comes out. In the guilt of stepping feet on her husband, the Devi asked other deities to unscramble her body. Dhari Devi is the place where the Goddess was calmed and her upper part was kept, it is also called as Shri Shetra (श्री क्षेत्र). 

   The other lower half is in Kalimath, where Devi Kali is worshipped near Saraswati River, Rudraprayag. The idol of Dhari Devi is known as the Living Goddess because the head is installed as an idol, the form of Maa Kali.

Delhi to Chardham Yatra – Book Your Tour

History Behind the Establishment of Temple

• The Dhari Devi temple was built around the Dwapar Yug and the Pandavas worshipped the Devi during their exile.
• The tales depict that once the temple was drifted by flood water and the idol struck on the rocks of the Alaknanda river near Dharo village. The villagers tried to take the idol from the rocks but the divine voice intervened and ordered them to build the shrine where the idol was struck.
• Dhari Devi is an incarnation of Dakshin Kali, the deity is called ‘Mata of Dwaparyug’, Kalyaneshwari and the guardian of Char Dham. Without Dhari Devi, the Yatra of Char Dham is incomplete.
• According to legends, the Hindu philosopher and theologian Shri Adi Shankaracharya worshipped this temple in the 8th century. During his excursion to the valleys of Devbhoomi, the saint rested and worshipped the Dhari Devi.

The Story of the 2013 Incident When Dhari Devi Idol was Removed: Belief or Coincidence?

Who can forget the devastating flood in Kedarnath on 16 June 2013? The havoc that surrounded the Kedarnath Valley, took the lives of more than 10,000 and affected over 4500 villages nearby. A series of cloud bursts on the Chorabari Glacial Lake and heavy rainfall have invited dangerous floods from nearby rivers like Mandakini that have damaged life and property to a great extent. The rivers were blocked by debris, it was the most terrifying experience the country has ever faced. 

Kedarnath is one of the Char Dham Yatra, the main temple was built in the 8th century BCE and the Saraswati River was not damaged. To construct a 330-watt Hydel Power Dam Project on the banks of the Alaknanda River, the authorities removed the Dhari Devi idol from her place. After a few hours, the clouds burst with heavy rain, creating water havoc in the Kedarnath region. Locals and priests believe that Maa Dhari is the Shakti of Lord Shiva and Guardian Char Dham, and displacing her from the Mool Sthan has led to Kedarnath destruction. 

   Earlier in 1882, the Kedarnath Valley experienced the wrath of Devi Maa when a king tried to remove from her Mool Sthan led to landslides. 

   Some people believe that Devi’s power has shown her anger whereas some consider it a coincidence. What are your thoughts?

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Summer(April- June): Summers are hot and pleasant marked with clear skies, perhaps the perfect time to travel to the temple. The temperature is around 28℃ to 20℃. 

Monsoon(July- September): The monsoons are marked by heavy rains and landslides making it difficult for visitors to travel. 

Winter(December-February):  The weather in winter is chilling and cold but still you can visit the temple. The temperature goes from 10℃ to minus.
Autumn(October-November):  Autumn is warm and clear with cooler nights welcoming winters when devotees can visit the temple. Temperature may be around 20℃ to 15℃.

Travel Itinerary: How to Reach Dhari Devi Temple

By Road: The Dhari Devi temple can be travelled via bus or vehicle.

To reach Dhari Devi from any major city, first get to Srinagar. 

Srinagar to Dhari Devi Temple is 10 km.

Delhi – 

DELHI – HARIDWAR – RISHIKESH – SRINAGAR

You can get a direct bus from Delhi Kashmiri Gate to Srinagar via Rishikesh.

Visit the site to check the schedule and price: UTC Online

Rishikesh–

You can get a direct UTC bus from Rishikesh to Srinagar. You can hire a taxi or a rental to the temple.

Dehradun–

Dehradun to Srinagar, Uttarakhand buses are available which you can get easily from UTC Online.

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is 125 km from Dhari Devi Temple.

By Train: The closest railway station is in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand at 115 km from the Dhari Devi Temple. 

Accommodations 

Watch This Video To See The Appearance Of Hail to the Guardian of Char Dham: Dhari Devi

A Venture of Travel Acharya to Dhara Devi Temple

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• Friendly Guides: Travel Acharya has friendly and experienced guides with plenty of knowledge and mystic facts that will make you curious about the places you will visit in your tour package. They will provide you best guidance and ensure that you have an amazing trip to Dhari Devi.
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Nearby Places to explore:

Explore the places near Dhari Devi Temple (these distances are from the temple):

• Chaukhamba viewpoint (16km)
• Khirsu (30 km)
• Pauri(45.2 km)
• Srinagar(16 km)
• Rudraprayag(20 km)
• Kyunkaleshwar Temple(49 km)
• Kandoliya temple(46 km)
• Kartik Swami Temple(60 km)
• Chopta(53.4 km)
• Tungnath and Chandrashila(90.8 km)

Timings of the Temple and Entry Fees

Festivals Celebrated in Dhari Devi Temple:

• Makar Sankranti
• Basant Panchmi
• Navratri
• Shiv Ratri
• Holi
• Diwali
• Annual Mela in May

Arti Timings

• Morning: 6.00 AM (Arti)
• Afternoon: 12.00 PM (Closing Ritual)
• Evening: 6.00 PM (Arti)
• Evening: 8.00 PM (Closing of Temple)

FAQs

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