Surkanda Devi Temple

Introduction to Surkanda Devi Temple

Surkanda Devi Temple lies amidst the picturesque hills of Dhanaulti, Tehri District, Uttarakhand. It stands at an altitude of about 2,756 meters from sea level. The temple enshrines the Hindu deity Sati (Parvati). Every year, it attracts thousands of pilgrims who come here to seek blessings and pay homage to her. Dense forests surround the temple, giving a scenic view of the region, including the Himalayas to the north and cities to the south. It is 3 km from Kaddukhal, the place where visitors park their vehicles.

Legend of Surkanda Devi Temple

According to the temple's legend, Sati was Shiva's wife and King Daksha's daughter. When Sati wanted to marry Shiva, her father opposed it. Eventually, she married Shiva without her father's consent. So, Daksha wanted to teach her a lesson. Sati was very devoted to Shiva. Her father organized a grand Yagna (sacrifice) and invited all the deities except Shiva and his Ganas.

On hearing this, Sati decided to confront her father. She went to the Yagna but got insulted by Daksha before everyone. In a fit of rage, she jumped into the fire and killed herself.

Shiva was filled with rage and grief on hearing about Sati's death. He picked up her burnt corpse and began his Rudra Tandavam. It threatened to destroy the entire universe. To stop his ferocious dance, Vishnu sent his Sudarshana chakra. It severed Sati's body into many pieces, which fell down on earth. The places where the 51 parts of her body fell are known as Shakti Peeths. The Surkanda Devi Temple stands where Sati's head is believed to have fallen.

The Architecture of Surkanda Devi Temple

The architecture of the Surkanda Devi Temple is beautiful and unique. It follows the traditional Himachali style of architecture. The temple has a pyramidal shape. It is constructed of stone and wood.

At the base, pilgrims can see a small Mandap. It leads to a square-shaped Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the sanctorum, they can worship and offer prayers to the idol of the main deity, Parvati. Maa Surkanda Devi is beautifully adorned with silver crowns and silk robes. The idol of Hanuman is also in the temple. A conical roof made of wood and copper covers the small entrance of the Garbhagriha.

A wooden porch runs around the temple. Sturdy wooden pillars support the wooden porch. Pilgrims can see beautiful carvings on the porch. Brass bells adorn it. The porch leads to a small courtyard where devotees sit and offer prayers. The exceptional feature of Surkanda Devi Temple is its location. The temple stands on the summit of a hill. People can reach the peak only by trekking. Many pilgrims consider trekking as a spiritual experience. The trek is over 2.5 km long. It takes about an hour to complete. They undertake it to seek the blessings of the deity. Surkanda Devi Temple is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand.

Festivals in Surkanda Devi Temple

Surkanda Devi Mela, the birth anniversary of the presiding deity, and Ganga Dussehra, the special celebration for the river Ganges, are grandly celebrated in Surkanda Devi Temple. Apart from these two festivals, Diwali, Navratri, and Dussehra are also celebrated here with great enthusiasm.

Benefits of Worshipping at Surkanda Devi Temple

Skanda Purana says that when the Asuras captured heaven, Indra, who lost the custody of heaven, came here and performed penance in front of Surkanda Devi. She blessed him, and he conquered heaven again. Devotees feel great peace after worshipping the deity in such a divine atmosphere.