Today I would like to write about my experience visiting the temple. I have visited 5 temples in Almora, Uttrakhand –Sun Temple, Jageshwer Dham Mandir, Nanda Devi, Chitai Golu Devta, and Kasar Devi Temple.
Sun Temple (Katarmal): This sun temple was built in the 9th century and is popularly known as Baraditya, facing east and one of the biggest and tallest temples in the Kumaon region built by Katyuri kings called Katarmalla who ruled the central Himalayan region. It is 17 km far from Almora, there is no direct transportation. either people travel half of the way by bus, sharing a jeep and then walk for 2 to 3 km, or hire a private car which costs 1500 INR up and down. Some locals share that Katyuri kings tried to make this temple within one day and the moment the sun arose they stopped making it, and that is the reason the top of the temple still looks incomplete. It is said that the first ray of the sun falls on a place inside the temple, I did not experience it as I reached late. I am not sure how much this story is true, however, I am always fascinated to hear local people and their stories about the place I visit.
Jageshwar Dham Mandir- Jageshwar Dham Mandir is a heritage site protected by the Archeological Survey of India.
It is 35 to 36 km from Almora. this temple is dedicated to Shiv and other gods and goddesses. It is situated on the ancient route of Kailash Mansarovar, and there are 125 small temples in this entire courtyard. The Akhand Jyot (eternal light) burns in the temple, and the priest tells how the King of that time lit the Akhand Jyot which continues from then till today.
Chitai Golu Devta- It is a temple where people write a letter to god about anything and it goes inside the temple, The priest performs prayer and then people hang these letters in the courtyard of the temple.
The only thing that bothered me was that all the letter I could be able to read written by women was all about husband, children, family. None of the letters talked about herself or I did not find those letters, and her peace all aligned with family and with her man. Might be too early to judge however, while I was standing in the long line to wait my turn to enter the main temple area I was reading so fast that I could see a letter from a woman written for herself. This feeling inside me might be as it's been a long time working with girls and women in the social sector and heard so many harsh realities, so might be I was expecting what a woman could write for herself.
The beautiful part is you can write any kind of letter, people even hang their court case with a notary stamp.
**Nanda Devi Mandir (temple) – **The temple is built by the Chand Rajas. Every September a festival known as Mela is celebrated for five days.
This temple is near the Almora market walking distance of the people who live in main Almora.
Kasar Devi Temple- Kasar Devi Temple is 7 to 8 km from the main Almora.
I reached here around sunset the perfect time to see sunset and meditation. everything was so magical that it was hard to explain those feelings and very hard to capture in the camera.
I wrote in one of the previous posts about the Almora market, Uttrakhand, India. Link to the previous post - @saranegi/almora-district-uttarakhand-love-at-first-sight
Disclaimer - All the photos clicked by me, and wrote everything based on what locals shared and read on the information board.
