Srinagar (Garhwal): India is known for its ancient and mysterious temples, and one such remarkable site is the Dhari Devi Temple, located near Srinagar in Uttarakhand. The temple, revered for the miracles attributed to the deity, houses an idol of the goddess that is said to change its form three times a day.
Situated in the Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region, the temple venerates the goddess as Dakshini Kali Mata. It is widely believed that Dhari Devi, who safeguards the sacred Char Dham shrines of Uttarakhand, undergoes divine transformation daily. The Goddess’s idol appears as a girl in the morning, a young woman in the afternoon and an old woman in the evening.
Legend behind this temple
According to the legend, this temple is associated with Lord Shiva and goddess Kali incarnation who is the mighty aspect of Goddess Durga. Maa Kali was incarnated in Kalishila of Kalimath situated near Guptkashi. This tale unfolds during the cosmic battle between Goddess Kali and the Raktabeej demon. In her fierce form, Kali was in a wild, destructive trance. To pacify her, Lord Shiva lay down in her path. When Kali accidentally stepped on him, she realized what she was doing and was shocked out of her rampage. This moment of awareness calmed her, restoring balance. It is believed that Lord Shiva pacified the fierce form of Maa Kali after she came down to the Srinagar area near Dhar village after killing the demons in Kalimath. Therefore, her temple was named after Dhar village but in the ‘Devi Mahatamya’ it is referred as Dakshin Kali Maa Kalyani.
Maa Dhari Devi gives darshan in three forms daily
Siddhapeeth Dhari Devi is renowned for its divine manifestations, attracting countless devotees. It’s believed that Dhari Devi reveals herself in three distinct forms throughout the day. According to the temple priest, Laxmi Parsad Panday, a shloka recited during the aarti describes these miraculous transformations. During the morning aarti, those who meditate will see the Goddess as a laughing girl. At noon, she appears as a young woman, and by evening, devotees witness her in the form of an elderly lady. Additionally, locals also believe that the stone carved deity changes the face of a girl, woman, and of old lady as the day progresses.
Idols upper half is goddess Dhari Devi and lower half is Kalimath
The legend holds that the idol of Goddess Dhari Devi is split between Dhari and Kalimath. This symbolism ties both places together in a sacred bond, each part signifying different aspects of the deity’s power and presence. The Dhari Devi temple is home to the upper half of the idol of the goddess Kali, while the lower half of the idol is located in Kalimath, near Guptkashi in Kedarnath valley. She is considered to be the guardian deity of Garhwal region and is revered as the protector of the Char Dham shrines in Uttarakhand. Additionally, her shrine is one of 108 Shakti Peeth in India, as numbered by Srimad Devi Bhagwat.
Uttarakhand had to face the Goddess’ ire as she was shifted from her original place
On June 16, 2013, the original temple of the goddess was relocated to a concrete platform about 611 meters above the Alaknanda River to accommodate the construction of the 330 MW Alaknanda Hydro Electric Dam, built by Alaknanda Hydro Power Company Ltd (AHPCL). Hours after the idol was moved, the region experienced one of India’s worst natural disasters since the 2004 tsunami. A multi-day cloudburst resulted in the devastating 2013 North India floods, causing massive floods and landslides that destroyed the entire shrine town and claimed hundreds of lives. Locals and devotees believe this calamity was a result of the Goddess’ wrath due to her displacement from her original site.
After Dhari Devi’s darshan, pilgrims proceed for the Char Dham yatra
At Dhari Devi, a temple located on the banks of the Alaknanda River between Srinagar and Rudraprayag in the Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand, people from far and wide visit this sacred site in great numbers to get the blessings of Goddess Kali. The temple is 15km away from Srinagar on Delhi- Niti National Highway 55 leading to Badrinath. A one km-long cemented bridge connects the temple with the main road. Usually, after having Dhari Devi’s darshan, travellers and devotees proceed for the Char Dham yatra.
