Tehri: Uttarakhand, popularly known as Devbhoomi (Land of God), is home to the famous Char Dham, Panch Badri, Panch Kedar, Panch Prayag, and many Siddha Peeths devoted to Goddess Durga. Among these, the Surkanda Devi Temple in Tehri is notable.
It is believed that devotees who visit the temple are blessed by the Goddess. The Surkanda Devi Siddha Peeth’s fame extends far and wide for its miracles. Siddhpeeth Maa Surkanda Devi Temple stands on Sirkut Mountain in Tehri’s Kaddukhal. It is said that the head of Mata Sati fell here, giving the site its Sidhpeeth status, mentioned in the Kedarkhand of the Skanda Purana.
Mythology related to this temple
According to the mythological story, Daksha Prajapati, the son of Brahma Ji, performed a yagya, inviting everyone except his daughter Sati’s husband, Shiva. Feeling insulted by her father and not seeing her husband, Sati immolated herself using her yogic powers. The Shiv Ganas at the yagya caused a commotion upon seeing this.
Surkanda Temple in Tehri is believed to be where Sati’s head fell
Lord Shiva, upon learning from the Ganas, arrived at the yagya from Mount Kailash and, seeing Sati’s burnt body, lost his senses. In his grief, he carried her body towards the Himalayas. Concerned about the potential harm Shiva’s attachment to Sati could cause, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to sever Sati’s body into parts for the world’s welfare. The places where her body parts fell became revered Siddha Peeths. The Surkanda Temple in Tehri is believed to be where Sati’s head fell. Originally called Sirkanda, it became known as Surkanda.
Holy water of Surkanda Devi is equated with Ganga Jal
The holy water of the Surkanda Devi Temple is revered for its special glory, equated with the sacred Ganga water. There is a stream near the Siddhpeeth Maa Surkanda Devi Temple, believed to be a part of the Ganga, which fell from Shiva’s matted locks, making the water sacred. According to local belief, when King Bhagirath brought the Ganga to earth, a stream from Lord Shiva’s matted locks emerged here. This source of water has been regarded as Ganga water since then, as described in Kedarkhand.
Goddess is bathed with this sacred water
This Sirkut mountain, despite its height, lacks water sources, except for a nearby stream, considered similar to the Ganga. This connection is why Ganga Dussehra is celebrated at the Surkanda Temple, where the Goddess is bathed with this sacred water, and it is used to prepare prasad. Devotees believe their wishes are granted by simply having darshan of Maa Surkanda Devi, drawing large crowds, especially during Navratri.
This temple is close to Dhanaulti near Mussoorie
To reach Surkanda Devi Temple, one route is via Chamba from Rishikesh, then taking a bus or small vehicle to Kaddukhal. Another route is from Dehradun to Kaddukhal through Mussoorie and Dhanaulti. From Kaddukhal, the temple can be reached by foot or ropeway, although many prefer to trek to the temple. Devotees visiting Surkanda Devi Temple often take bottles of this water, considering it holy and similar to the Ganges water.
