Kunjapuri Temple Tehri

Kunja Puri Temple is located on a peak near the town of Hidolakhal in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand, in the Rishikesh region. This temple sits at an elevation of 1676 metres above sea level. It is not only an ancient temple but is also known as a Siddh Peeth. The temple offers a stunning view of the Himalayan ranges in the Garhwal region. Devotees who come here for a visit are captivated by the enchanting beauty of nature. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga.

Among the 13 Shakti Peethas in the Shivalik Range, Kunja Puri Temple is one. Additionally, it is one of the three Shakti Peethas established by Jagadguru Shankaracharya in the Tehri district. The other two Shakti Peethas in this district are Surkanda Devi Temple and Chandrabadni Devi Temple. Kunja Puri, along with these two Peethas, forms a sacred triangle. According to the historical legend associated with Kunja Puri Temple, during a yagna organised by Sati's father, Lord Shiva was not invited. Sati was deeply hurt by this and, in her anger and to protest against the disrespect to her husband, she sacrificed herself in the yagna fire. When Lord Shiva learned about this, he was filled with grief and anger. He picked up Sati's body and started performing the cosmic dance of destruction known as the Tandava. To stop this, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to cut Sati's body into pieces, and where her body parts fell, Shakti Peethas were established. At Kunja Puri Temple, it is believed that Sati's hair fell, hence the name Kunja Puri.

Due to its status as a Siddh Peeth, Kunja Puri Temple attracts a large crowd of devotees during the Sharadiya Navaratri festival. It is believed that those who come here with a sincere heart to seek the blessings of the Goddess have their wishes fulfilled. According to religious beliefs, visiting this temple provides spiritual energy. The temple also offers breathtaking views of the snow-covered mountains in the winter, adding to its charm. Along with temple visits, one can enjoy the beauty of nature in this area.

Inside the sanctum sanctorum of Kunja Puri Temple, there is no idol of the Goddess. Instead, there is a sacred stone symbol. There is a perpetually burning eternal flame inside the main temple. Near the main temple, there are idols of Lord Bholenath, Mahakali, Narhari Bhagwan, and Bhairon Baba. The temple premises also have trees where devotees tie pieces of cloth or threads while making their wishes. This temple holds great significance for devotees.

In Kunja Puri Temple, offerings to the Goddess typically include fruits, flowers, dried fruits, coconuts, and cloth.

By Air If you choose to reach Rishikesh by air, the nearest airport will be Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. The distance from the airport to the temple is approximately 32 kilometres, which takes about 57 minutes by road. You can also book a taxi from the airport to reach the temple easily.

By Train If you prefer to reach Rishikesh by train, the nearest railway station will be the Rishikesh Railway Station. From there, you can hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the temple. The distance from the railway station to the temple is approximately 27 kilometres, which takes about 50 minutes.

By Road If you prefer to reach Rishikesh by road, note that Rishikesh is well-connected to other cities through road networks. It is easily accessible from Delhi, Bijnor, and Dehradun. Therefore, you can find bus services conveniently. The distance from the Rishikesh bus stand to the temple is 27 kilometres, and it takes approximately 50 minutes to reach the temple.