Surkanda Devi Temple

Surkanda Devi Temple is a Hindu Temple. It is situated near Kanatal, Uttarakhand, India. It has a slope of 2756 meters, is located close to nearby Dhanaulti hill stations and Chamba, and is a 3-kilometer walking distance from Kaddukhal. Vehicles are parked in this place. It offers the beauty of dense forests and affords scenic views of the nearby Himalayas to the north and certain cities to the south, including Dehradun and Rishikesh. In May and June, the Ganga Dusshera festival is celebrated annually. This festival attracts a lot of people throughout the world. This temple is situated among the trees of rounsili. It offers fog-covered beauty most of the time of the year.

Attraction

The Ganga Dussehra Festival is one of the temple’s attractions. It is held between June and May. It’s a grand celebration of the temple that draws the attention of many devotees and visitors. During the festival, local people from the village come here to offer prayers. They also participate in cultural programs and dance.
Surkanda Devi Temple has a slope of 2756 meters and is surrounded by deep forests. Kaddukhal is the base point for starting the trek to the temple. It is approximately 3 kilometers away from the temple. During the trek, you can enjoy eye-resting scenic views of nature and serene landscapes. You can also enjoy the beauty of the Himalayas. It is one of the Shakti Peethas of India because it is believed that the head of goddess Sati had fallen here. The temple is a monument as a result of this ancient mythological tale. It is enriched with a fascinating history.

History

There is a constant history of worship at the temple connected with the legend of Sati, the wife of the ascetic God named Shiva, and the daughter of Daksha, the Puranic god-king. Daksha wasn’t like Shiva as Sati’s husband. He was so much unhappy in this circumstance. That’s why Daksha didn’t invite Shiva or Sati when he performed a grand Vedic sacrifice for all the deities. Because of excessive anger, Sati threw herself onto the fire to make the sacrifice impure. As Sati was the all-powerful goddess mother, she left her body at that moment, and later on, she flourished as the Goddess Parvati. During this time, Shiva became depressed with grief and mad by losing his beloved wife. He took Sati’s body on his shoulder. He began his tandava( a dance that makes cosmic destruction) in heaven and promised to continue the dance until the body was completely decomposed. All the Gods feared his destruction and requested Vishnu to cool down Shiva. Thus, Vishnu started to follow Shiva wherever Shiva wandered through dance. He used his disk Sudarshana to ruin the dead body of Sati.
The body was cut in such a way that no other part could be taken to carry. After that, Shiva started to do a great expiation named Mahatapasya. There is confusion; though both names are similar, scholars sometimes admit that the trend of Sati or widow burning started. Following various myths and traditions, we learned that Sati’s body was scattered into 51 pieces and spread throughout the Indian subcontinent. Later on, these places are known as Shakti Peethas. Those are dedicated to various powerful goddesses. During Shiva’s journey back to Kailash with Sati’s body, her head fell in the place known as the modern Temple of Sarkunda Devi. It was once called “sirkhanda,” but people now know it as “sarkunda.”

Inside/Outside Views

Surrounded by dense forests, the temple stands tall at an altitude of 2756 meters. It is located 8 kilometers from the nearby hill station Dhanaulti and 22 kilometers from Chamba. Visitors can park their vehicles at Kaddukhal, the temple’s base point. The trek from Kaddukhal to the temple covers breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayas to the north and Dehradun and Rishikesh to the south. The temple offers a sense of tranquillity and devotion that helps the visitors connect with God. It is covered with fog almost all the year. The temple is surrounded by the local trees named Rounsili. Besides, it creates an opportunity to pay respects to Goddess Surkanda, who is known as a powerful goddess.

How to Reach

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest to Tehri, situated at 91km. Taxis and other vehicles are always available from Jolly Grant Airport to Dhanaulti town. It is well connected to Delhi and other areas of India. You can get a flight from Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport every day. The airport is well connected by motorable roads with Dhanaulti. You can go to the desired place from the airport using motor vehicles. The difference between the airport and Temple is 88km.

By Road: The nearest bus station to the Temple is Dhanaulti, which is just 2km away. You can easily walk or use any vehicle to the Temple from here. You can also reach Dhanaulti by Road. You can hire a taxi or take a bus from Rishikesh or Haridwar. Rishikesh is only 78km away. It offers fantastic views of the Himalayan foothills and the Ganges River.

By Train: Dehradun Terminal Railway Station is the nearest railway station to the Temple. It is 66km away from Surkanda. This station is well connected to most of India’s cities and Delhi for most trains. Motorable vehicles are always available here. You can hire a taxi or cab to reach your desired destination.

Tips for Travellers

October to February are the best times to visit the temple. The weather is so pleasant during this time that you can explore this spiritual Heaven and enjoy the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas. Please take off your shoes before entering the temple.
Please carry water bottles and little snacks with you, wear comfortable dresses and trekking shoes, and respect religious sentiments. Try to begin your journey early in the morning. It will be helpful for every visitor. Moreover, do take safety precautions.