Dhari Devi is revered as the guardian deity of the Char Dham Yatra and the protector of Uttarakhand. The goddess is believed to control the flow of the Alaknanda River, and her displacement is said to have caused the devastating floods of 2013. Read on to uncover the mysteries surrounding Dhari Devi, the enigmatic goddess of Uttarakhand.
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Dhari Devi Temple Overview
The Dhari Devi Temple, dedicated to Maa Dhari Devi (a form of Goddess Kali), is situated in Kalyasaur on the banks of the Alaknanda River between Srinagar and Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand, India. This temple is unique as it houses only the upper half of the idol of Goddess Dhari, while the lower half is enshrined in the Kalimath Temple, where she is worshipped as an incarnation of Goddess Kali. The temple is located 15 km from Srinagar Garhwal, 20 km from Rudraprayag, and 360 km from Delhi.
Devotees flock to the temple year-round, with a significant increase during Navratri, especially among newly married couples seeking blessings. Major festivals like Chaitra Navratri, Ashwin Navratri, Dussehra, Deepavali, and Kartik Purnima are celebrated with great fervor.
Mythological Stories of Dhari Devi Temple
The Flood of 2013
On June 16, 2013, while engineers were working on a project on the Alaknanda River, the idol of Dhari Devi was displaced. This act is believed to have provoked the goddess’s wrath, resulting in catastrophic floods that claimed thousands of lives. A similar event occurred in 1882 when a king moved the idol, leading to a landslide. These incidents reinforce the belief that Dhari Devi must remain undisturbed to maintain her protective influence over Char Dham and its devotees.
Formation of the Dhari Devi Temple
According to legend, Dhari Devi was the only sister among seven brothers. After their parents died, her brothers raised her with great affection. However, astrologers warned that her presence was harmful to her brothers, leading them to resent her. Eventually, five brothers died, and the remaining two blamed her and plotted to kill her. They beheaded her and threw her head into the river, where it was discovered by a washerman in Dhari Village. Guided by a divine voice, he placed the head on a rock, where it became the idol of Dhari Devi. The lower half of her body reached Kalimath and is worshipped as Ma Methna, one of the 108 Shakti Sthals of Ma Kali.
Unique Characteristics of Dhari Devi
Dhari Devi is considered a living deity whose appearance changes throughout the day. In the morning, she appears as a young girl, transforms into a beautiful woman by afternoon, and becomes an old lady by evening. This transformation symbolizes her dynamic nature and the different aspects of life she oversees.
Quick Facts About Dhari Devi Temple
- Average Temperature: 7°C to 25°C
- Height: 1837 feet (560 meters) above sea level
- Best Time to Visit: September to June
- Location: Kalyasaur, Dhari Village, Garhwal
- Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport
- Distance from Delhi: 381 km
- Distance from Rishikesh: 120 km
Dhari Devi Temple stands as a testament to the deep-rooted spiritual beliefs and traditions of Uttarakhand, drawing countless devotees seeking her blessings and protection.
