Are you seeking a spiritual journey to enrich your soul and rejuvenate your body? Do you want to visit one of the most revered and miraculous temples of India, where the Goddess Mother resides in her half-form? If yes, then you should book a travel package with Travel Acharya, the leading travel agency that specialises in pilgrimage tours to Uttarakhand. Travel Acharya will take you to Dhari Devi Temple, a sacred shrine located on the banks of the Alaknanda River, and is one of the 108 Shaktipeeths of Goddess Mother. Dhari Devi Temple is not only a place of worship but also a place of wonder, as it has a fascinating history and legends associated with it. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Dhari Devi Temple, and how Travel Acharya can help you plan a hassle-free trip to this sacred place.
The History and Legends of Dhari Devi Temple
Dhari Devi Temple is not only a place of worship but also a place of wonder, as it has a fascinating history and legends associated with it. In this section, we will explore the origin and significance of the temple, the story of how the temple was saved from a flood, and the mystery and controversy of the temple relocation in 2013.
The origin and significance of the temple
The Dhari Devi Temple traces its roots back to Hindu mythology. According to ancient legends, the temple is believed to be the abode of Goddess Kali, an incarnation of the divine feminine energy. It is said that the idol of Dhari Devi was consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya, the renowned Hindu philosopher and theologian, during his visit to this region. According to the legends, the temple is associated with the Mahabharata. It is believed that the Pandavas visited this place during their exile, and they worshipped the goddess here.
The temple is one of the 108 Shaktipeeths of Goddess Mother, as numbered by Srimad Devi Bhagwat. The idol of the goddess has two parts, the upper half and the lower half. This shrine of Dhari Devi is home to the upper half of the idol of the goddess, while the lower half of the idol is located in Kalimath, where she is worshipped as a manifestation of the Goddess Kali, the other half of Lord Shiva. The goddess is considered to be the guardian deity of Uttarakhand and is revered as the protector of the Char Dhams.
The story of how the temple was saved from a flood
One of the most remarkable legends of the temple is how it was saved from a devastating flood in the past. According to a legend, during the Dwapar Yug, a temple was swept away by a severe flood. Due to this, the idol of the goddess flowed away into the Alaknanda River and got stuck against a rock near Dharo village. The villagers tried to pull out the idol from the rock, but they could not move it. They heard a divine voice saying that the idol should be left there and worshipped in that form. The villagers obeyed the voice and built a temple around the idol on the rock. Since then, the temple has been known as Dhari Devi, meaning the goddess who is stuck.
The locals and devotees believe that the goddess has the power to control the flow of the river and the weather of the region. They also believe that the goddess likes to sit in the open space, and hence the temple has no roof over the idol. The appearance of the idol is said to change with time, from a girl to a woman and then to an old woman.
The mystery and controversy of the temple relocation in 2013
The temple faced a major challenge in 2013 when it was proposed to be relocated to facilitate the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Alaknanda River. Many locals, devotees, and activists opposed this plan, as they feared that it would anger the goddess and cause natural disasters in the region. However, the authorities went ahead with the plan and shifted the idol to a concrete platform at a height of about 611 metres from the river on June 16, 2013.
Coincidentally, hours after the idol was moved, the region faced one of the country’s worst natural disasters since the 2004 tsunami. The 2013 North India floods were caused by a multi-day cloudburst resulting in devastating floods and landslides that washed away the entire shrine town of Kedarnath and killed hundreds of people. Many people believed that this was the wrath of the goddess for being disturbed from her original abode. A similar attempt in 1882 by a local king had resulted in a landslide that had flattened Kedarnath.
The controversy and the tragedy sparked a debate on the environmental and cultural impact of the dam project. The Supreme Court of India intervened and ordered a halt to the project and a review of the situation. The new temple was later constructed at its original location in 2017.
The Travel Acharya Experience
If you are looking for a reliable and professional travel agency that can help you plan a hassle-free trip to Dhari Devi Temple, then you should choose Travel Acharya, the leading travel agency that specialises in pilgrimage tours to Uttarakhand. Travel Acharya has a network of agents in every important city in India and has operated in Uttarakhand for several years. Travel Acharya offers you the following benefits and features when you book a travel package with them:
- Customized itinerary: You can choose from a variety of tour packages that suit your budget, preferences, and schedule. You can also customize your itinerary according to your interests and needs. Travel Acharya will take care of all the arrangements, from booking the hotels to arranging for transportation and sightseeing.
- Comfortable accommodation: You will stay in comfortable and clean hotels that are handpicked by Travel Acharya for their quality and location. You will enjoy the amenities and services of the hotels, and have a relaxing and pleasant stay.
- Transportation: You will travel in a comfortable and well-maintained car or bus that is driven by a courteous and experienced driver. You will have a smooth and safe journey, and enjoy the scenic views of the mountains and valleys along the way.
- Guidance: You will be accompanied by a knowledgeable and friendly guide who will explain the history and significance of the places you visit. You will also get tips and suggestions on how to make the most of your trip, and avoid any hassles or inconveniences.
One of the most popular and recommended tour packages offered by Travel Acharya is the Garhwal Package, which includes a visit to Dhari Devi Temple along with other attractions like Haridwar, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Chopta, Tungnath, and Auli. The Garhwal Package is a 10-day tour that covers the best of the Garhwal region, which is known for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and spiritual significance. Here are some of the details and highlights of the Garhwal Package:
- Haridwar: Haridwar is one of the seven holy cities of India, and the gateway to the Char Dhams. You will visit the famous Har Ki Pauri, where you can witness the evening Ganga Aarti, a spectacular ritual of offering prayers to the river Ganga. You will also visit the Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, and Bharat Mata Mandir, which are some of the prominent temples of Haridwar.
- Dehradun: Dehradun is the capital city of Uttarakhand and a popular hill station. You will visit the Robber’s Cave, a natural cave formation that is a popular picnic spot. You will also visit the Sahastradhara, a sulphur spring that is known for its medicinal properties. You will also visit the Forest Research Institute, which is a heritage building that houses a museum and a botanical garden.
- Mussoorie: Mussoorie is one of the most famous hill stations of India, and is also known as the Queen of Hills. You will enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayas and the greenery of the hills. You will visit the Kempty Falls, a cascading waterfall that is a popular attraction. You will also visit the Mall Road, which is the main shopping and entertainment area of Mussoorie. You will also visit Gun Hill, which is the second-highest point of Mussoorie, and offers a stunning view of the Doon Valley and the snow-capped peaks.
- Rishikesh: Rishikesh is a holy city that is situated on the banks of the river Ganga, and is also known as the Yoga Capital of the World. You will visit the Lakshman Jhula, a suspension bridge that connects the two banks of the river and is associated with a legend from the Ramayana. You will also visit the Ram Jhula, another suspension bridge that is similar to the Lakshman Jhula. You will also visit the Triveni Ghat, where you can see the confluence of the three holy rivers, Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. You will also visit the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated on a hilltop.
- Chopta: Chopta is a small village that is located in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, and is also known as the Mini Switzerland of India. You will enjoy the serene and scenic beauty of Chopta, which is surrounded by meadows, forests, and mountains. You will also trek to Tungnath, which is the highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the Panch Kedar temples. You will also trek to Chandrashila, which is the summit of Tungnath and offers a 360-degree view of the Himalayas.
- Auli: Auli is a ski resort that is situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, and is also known as the Skiing Capital of India. You will enjoy the snow-covered slopes of Auli, which are ideal for skiing and snowboarding. You will also take a cable car ride from Joshimath to Auli, which is the longest and highest cable car ride in Asia. You will also visit the Artificial Lake, which is the world’s highest man-made lake and is used to create artificial snow for skiing.
The Garhwal Package is a perfect blend of adventure, nature, culture, and spirituality, and will give you an unforgettable experience of Uttarakhand. You will also get to visit the Dhari Devi Temple, which is the main attraction of this package, and pay your respects to the Goddess Mother.
If you are still not convinced, you can read the testimonials and reviews of previous customers who have travelled with Travel Acharya and enjoyed their service and hospitality. Here are some of the feedbacks that Travel Acharya has received from their satisfied customers:
- “I recently took a trip to Char Dham Yatra with my family, arranged by Travel Acharya. The team at Travel Acharya took care of everything, from booking the hotels to arranging for transportation and sightseeing. The hotels they booked were comfortable and clean, the transportation was hassle-free and the driver allocation was very good. Special thanks to Shailendra sir for coordinating & being in touch from the very beginning… Overall, I am extremely happy with the services provided by Travel Acharya. I highly recommend Travel Acharya to anyone looking for a reliable and professional travel agency. Thank you Travel Acharya for the amazing experience” – R J1
- “We have booked the Char Dham tour through Travel Acharya. The trip has been very well. My family have been very pleased by the arrangements and services of them. Thank you, Travel Acharya.” – SARIT BHATTACHARJEE
- “We travelled to Badrinath Kedarnath and Haridwar Rishikesh with Travel Acharya. They helped us in all possible ways like booking heli services, good hotels, comfortable cars and most importantly were responding immediately to our queries. We travelled with our parents who are 75 years old. But they made sure that everything was taken care of. Darshan at all places happened quietly. We had to cancel this in April due to bad weather conditions but they arranged everything as per our dates. Great service! Thank you, Travel Acharya!!” – Shweta Gade
- These are just some of the examples of the positive feedback that Travel Acharya has received from their customers. You can read more reviews on our website or our social media pages. You can also contact them for any queries or bookings, and they will be happy to assist you.
Conclusion:
In this article, we have told you everything you need to know about Dhari Devi Temple, and how Travel Acharya can help you plan a hassle-free trip to this sacred place. Dhari Devi Temple is a spiritual journey that will enrich your soul and rejuvenate your body. Travel Acharya is a reliable and professional travel agency that will take care of all your travel needs and offer you the best and most valuable solutions in the field of Tours and travel. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Dhari Devi Temple with Travel Acharya today, and have the experience of a lifetime!
