Kunjapuri

Kunjapuri is located at a height of 1645 meters and engufed by the panoramic sight of the Himalayan peaks to the north and Rishikesh, Haridwar & Doon valley to the south. Being a main religious place, thousands of visitors come here throughout the year especially during ‘Navratras’ (April and October) while a grand celebration is held during the festival of Dussehra here. One can witness an excellent sunrise or sunset on the Greater Hiamalayan peaks and the vast Indo Gangetic plains.

Kunjapuri Devi temple is considered as one of the 52 Shaktipeetha of Goddess Shakti that denotes power. To understand the meaning and significance of Shaktipeeth, let us go back to our Puranas (Hindu scriptures). Goddess Parvati is the consort of Lord Shiva. In her previous birth, Goddess Parvati was known as Sati. She married Lord Shiva, but her father King Daksha was not too pleased with the match. He organised a Yagna (spiritual gathering, where offerings are made to Agni Dev, the God of fire). He purposely did not invite his daughter and her husband to show his displeasure. When Sati came to know of this, she was furious and decided to go to this yagna uninvited. Lord Shiva tried his best to persuade her not to, but she did not relent. On confronting her father King Daksha gave his own reasons for not inviting Sati while these were quite an insult to her and her husband. Also her father publicly humiliated her. Angered by this, Sati jumped into the sacrificial holy fire to end her life. By this move of Sati, Lord Shiva was shattered and extremely angered only to create havoc at the Yagna, then he carried the remains of Sati’s body on his shoulder and danced (Tandav) which would eventually destroy the entire Universe. While another versions states that in grief, the Lord carried Sati’s body on his shoulders and walked aimlessly in grief refusing to complete the final rites after the death of Sati.

The best time to visit this temple is before the sunrise. The location is extremely picturesque as it is situated on a mountain top surrounded by forests on all sides.