Gangolihat, September 7 (Daily Kiran) : Nestled among dense cedar forests in Pithoragarh district, the Haatkalika Temple in Gangolihat is a renowned and vibrant Shakti Peeth. According to local beliefs, Maa Kali settled here after arriving from West Bengal.
The Skanda Purana’s Manas Khanda narrates that this sacred site is where Maa Kali vanquished the demon Sumayya. Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted the temple’s grandeur. He shared a stunning video of the temple on social media platform X, stating, “The Haatkalika Temple in Gangolihat is a sacred center of unwavering faith for countless devotees of Maa Mahakali. It is renowned for its divine spiritual energy, rich history, and vibrant religious traditions.”
Dhami also mentioned that essential infrastructure developments are underway to enhance the experience for devotees. These improvements are expected to boost religious tourism and increase visitor numbers. He encouraged visitors to seek the sacred blessings of Maa Haatkalika when in Pithoragarh.
The temple is revered as the patron goddess of the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army, with soldiers expressing deep faith in this spiritual site. It is believed that Adi Guru Shankaracharya established this Siddh Peeth, which has ties to the Katyuri and Chand dynasties, dating back to the 9th to 14th centuries. The Skanda Purana mentions this location, reinforcing its historical significance.
Local lore suggests that Maa Kali visits the temple at night to rest. The temple priests prepare a bed for her each evening, and when the doors are opened in the morning, the bed shows creases, which devotees interpret as miraculous evidence of her presence.
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