Almora, September 3: The Maa Dunaagiri Temple, located in Almora district of Uttarakhand, is a significant center of faith and spirituality. Nestled on a high hill in the Dwarahat area, this temple is considered one of the 51 Shakti Peeths and is the second most important Vaishnavite shrine in the Kumaon region.
To reach the temple, devotees must climb approximately 500 steps, but it is believed that those who visit with a sincere heart have their wishes fulfilled. This temple is renowned not only for its religious significance but also for its breathtaking natural beauty.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recently highlighted the grandeur of the temple. He urged people to visit at least once. In a video posted on the social media platform X, he wrote, “Maa Dunaagiri Temple, located in the Dwarahat area of Almora district, is a divine confluence of faith, spirituality, and natural beauty. Dedicated to Maa Adishakti Bhagwati, this sacred site is a center of devotion for countless devotees. Special prayers and religious programs are held during the auspicious occasion of Navratri, attracting devotees from far and wide. Be sure to visit this divine temple when in Almora.”
At Maa Dunaagiri Temple, Maa Durga is worshipped in her Vaishnavite form (Maa Dunaagiri Devi). It is regarded as the second most important Vaishnavite Shakti Peeth in the Kumaon region.
The temple’s history is linked to the epic Ramayana and Mahabharata. According to legend, when Hanuman was carrying the Sanjeevani herb for Lakshman, a part of the Dronagiri mountain fell here. It is also said that Dronacharya, the teacher of the Pandavas, meditated in this area.
While most temples in India have a tradition of breaking coconuts, this temple does not follow that practice. Instead, the offerings (whole coconuts) are returned to the devotees without being broken. Continuous community meals (bhandaras) are organized within the temple premises.
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