Oldest Shaktipeeth Shri Shakumbhari Devi Temple, Saharanpur

Shaktipeeth Shri Shakumbhari Devi Temple is one of the top temples in India, situated on the Shivalik hill between the Ganga and Yamuna watershed. This temple is one of the fifty-one Satipeethas. There are many other temples of Devi Shakumbhari in different places in all over India but Shaktipeeth Shri Shakumbhari Devi Temple of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh is the oldest of all. This temple was built by the Pundir Rajputs along with Rana Bahadur Singh Pundir on the ruins of the very old temple. This region is the princely state of Jamour. Even at present, this entire region is ruled by the Rana family, the defendants of the princely state of Jamour. This temple is run under his supervision.

Attraction

Market near Shaktipeeth Shri Shakumbhari Devi Temple

It is believed that a visit to this pilgrimage brings wealth and satisfaction to one life and family. The divine image of Goddess Shakumbhari Devi resided in Shaktipeeth Shri Shakumbhari Devi Temple for hundreds of years. Bhura Dev and Maa Kali cave is not far from the Shakumbhari temple. So you can make a visit to these temples also. In this hill there are also holy places like Vishnu mandir, Pret Shila and the cave of Gautam Rishi. The famous Shakumbhari fairs are organized here for the festivals of Navratri and Holi of Ashwin (September-October) and Chaitra (March-April) months. Moreover this area is full of natural beauty and a green valley, which attracts the mind of the visitors. The road leading to the temple from Bhura Dev temple is really attractive. The hilly rivers water soothes your feet and mind. Rocky path of Bhuradev’s temple to Shakumbhari temple seems like Rishikesh or Haridwar.

History

According to the Purana and religious texts, there was a demon named Durgamasura in the Hiranyaksha dynasty. Durgamasura did the penance of Brahma Ji and subjugated the four Vedas. After that, due to the absence of the Vedas, all the activities (Puja-path) disappeared, and the power of the deities started waning. The deities who suffered from the atrocities of Durgamasur hid in the Shivalik ranges. Then they praised Maa Jagdamba and Maa Shakumbhari had to appear in divine form. At this place, Mata Jagadamba killed Durgamasur and not only did penance to save the universe but also liberated the Vedas. There is a temple of Bhura Dev near Mata Shakumbhari Devi Temple. The history of Bhura Dev is this: Bhura dev fought with the risk of his life in the arena. Devi Shakumbhari was pleased with Bhuradev’s heroism and blessed him with immortality. It also gave him the blessing that people would visit Bhuradev’s temple first when they came to visit Shakumbhari Devi. That’s why devotees first visit Bhuradev’s temple and then Shakumbhari temple. It is said that during the worship, meditation and penance, Shakumbhari Devi had only one vegetarian meal at the end of the month. Perhaps, this is the reason why this temple was named Shakumbhari Devi Temple.

Inside/Outside Views

Shaktipeeth Shri Shakumbhari Devi Temple's Inside Views

The place where Mata Shakumbhari Devi was sitting in a beautiful form, a grand temple of deity, has been built at the same place. Apart from this, the place where she killed the demon Durgamasur is now the ground of Virkhet. This shrine is situated in the Shivalik hills of the Himalayan mountain range. This is the same area of the Shivalik hills from where the Hindon River originated. Inside the temple, there are hundreds of years old idols of Shakumbhari Devi, along with Bheema Devi and Bhramari Devi.

How to Reach

By air: The nearest airport to the temple is Dehradun Airport, which is 90 kilometers from Saharanpur. From there, you can go to the temple by taxi or other local vehicles.

By train: Reach Saharanpur railway station from your location. Then, Shaktipeeth Shri Shakumbhari Devi Temple is forty-three kilometers from the railway station. Cover this distance by taxi or any other vehicle.

By road: Saharanpur’s road is well connected with the major cities of India. So it’s easy to reach Saharanpur by any bus service. Apart from this, there is a separate bus service to reach Maa Shakumbhari Devi Temple and it is easily accessible by private vehicle.

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