Dhari Devi Temple - A Hindu Temple of Rudraprayag

 

Dhari Devi a Hindu temple located on the banks of the Alaknanda River between Srinagar and Rudraprayag in the Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand, India. The temple is home to the upper half of the idol of the goddess Dhari, while the lower half of the idol is located in Kalimath, where she is worshipped as a manifestation of the Goddess Kali. She is considered to be the guardian deity of Uttarakhand and is revered as the protector of the Char Dhams. Her shrine is one of 108 Shakti Sthals in India. People who visit the temple say that here Maa Kali changes three forms every day. She takes the form of a child girl in the morning, a woman in the afternoon and an old lady in the evening.

 

On June 16, 2013 the original temple of the goddess was removed and shifted to the concrete platform at a height of about 611 metres from the Alaknanda river to give way to the construction of the 330 MW Alaknanda Hydro Electric Dam. The Dam was building by Alaknanda Hydro Power Company Limited(AHPCL).

 

 

Incidentally, Hours after the idol was moved, the region faced worst natural disasters were caused by a multi-day cloudburst resulting in devastating floods and landslides washing away the entire shrine town and killing hundreds of people. Locals and devotees believe, Uttarakhand had to face the Goddess’ ire as she was shifted from her ‘mool sthan’ (original abode) to make way for a 330 MW hydel project that was left in ruins after the flood. A similar attempt in 1882 by a local king had resulted in a landslide that had flattened Kedarnath. The new temple is now constructed at its original location.

 

 

The temple dedicated to goddess Kali is a much worshiped Goddess of the region and the Dhari Devi temple is the centre of faith for the people of Garhwal. A mythological account says that once a severe flood washed away a temple and Dhari Devi’s idol was trapped against a rock near the village Dharo. Villagers heard the wail of the idol and a devine voice directed them to install the idol there. Every year on the occasion of Navratras special worship is offered to Goddess Kaliasaur. People from far & near visit this sacred haunt in great number to get the blessings of Goddess Kali. An ancient cave is also present near the temple.

 

 

Dhari Devi temple is located 15km from Srinagar on Delhi- Niti National Highway 55 leading to Badrinath. A 1 km-cement pathway leads one to the temple on the bank of river Alaknanda. The nearest Rishikesh Railway Station is 119 kms and nearest Jolly Grant Airport is 136 kms away from the temple.