Dronagiri Temple

       

Dunagiri Temple, also known as Dronagiri temple, is located 15 Km from Dwarahat in Almora district of Uttarakhand. It is a Hindu pilgrimage town of Kumaon region. Dunagiri is worshiped in the form of goddess Durga or Vaishnavi here.

About

       Dunagiri is a small town but the significance of it is in everybody’s life. The temple is very ancient. Dunagiri is located at the foot of Himalayas. The greenery of this place rejoices the visitors. Devotees reach the temple by climbing about 490 stairs.

Stairs of Temple

As per Hindu mythology, a piece of mountain fell down while it was being carried by Lord Hanuman to save Laxman’s life. Since that mountain was Drona Parwat that’s why this place is named as Dronagiri which means in Hindi clearly indicate that Drona Fallen. This temple is situated at the top of the town hence a beautiful sight can be seen from this place.

Snowfall at Temple

A large number of devotees come throughout the year to worship here and some couples also come to get married and most of the devotees after getting married to take the benedictory of goddess Vaishnavi. This place is having its own significance and named as Dunagiri or Dronagiri Devi.

Reverent Devotees 

Chronicle

       A bronze plate can be seen inside the temple which itself describes the historical significance of this place. The bronze plate is believed to be from the year 1181.

This place is regularly visited by the Sages to perform meditation and build their Ashrams. It is a perfect place in the beautiful creation of nature for meditation. Here are Ashram of sages Garg Muni and Sukhdev Muni (son of sage Ved Vyas). Pandavas of Mahabharat during their exile period took shelter at this place, Pandavkholi is the name where they stayed for a time period.

This place also witnessed the Pandavas great Guru (teacher) Dronacharya as an eremite. Dunagiri is regarded as a Siddh Shakti Peeth among all the Shakti Temples of kumaon region in Uttarakhand.

Significance

       Dunagiri holds importance not only in mythological views but is also medicinally important. This place is integrated with a wide range of medicines and herbs. As per mythology, Laxman (younger brother of Lord Ram) got seriously injured in the battle with Meghnath in Ramayana. To cure him Lord Hanuman bring the whole mountain instead of medicinal herb in view of facing difficulty to find that particular herb in a short time period. While bringing the mountain, a piece of it collapsed and named as Dronagiri. The Patanjali’s researchers also find some medicinal herb here. Pandavkholi is the place where Pandvas spent some time during their exile period.

Pandavkholi fleeced with Snow

There is no sacrifice allowed in the temple premises and even the coconut offered during worship are not allowed to be boiled. Devotees penance by lighting a lamp in the temple. As per local lore women worshipped for child here and after completion of wish they offer gold or silver umbrellas, bells, conchs in the temple.

How To Reach

       (i) By Air: Pantnagar is the only nearest airport connected with New Delhi airport. From Pantnagar to Dunagiri via Ranikhet the distance about 190 km is to be covered by road through Haldwani Karnprayag road. From Dwarahat the route is to be changed for Dunagiri.

       (ii) By Rail: To reach Dunagiri, train facility is available till Kathgodam. After de-boarding the train at Kathgodam which is known as Gateway of Hills, taxis are easily available to cover the 165 km journey by road. Same route as by air from Haldwani.

       (iii) By Road: Dunagiri is well connected with road for Almora-Ranikhet. It is 15 kms away from Dwarahat town on Almora road. Taxi from Almora, Ranikhet and Dwarahat to Dunagiri are easily available. The distance from Delhi to Dunagiri is about 450 km.

Stay For Devotee

       There are no options to stay in Dunagiri. Visitors have to go back to Almora, Ranikhet or Dwarahat for better options. In Almora and Ranikhet star hotels are available for all the visitors. Though these cities have sufficient number of hotels, there is a need to book rooms in advance to avoid last minute hassle as during peak seasons the place remains booked entirely.

Nearby Sight

(i) Pandavkholi

(ii) Ranikhet

(iii) Almora

(iv) Kausani

(v) Baijnath Temple