Temples
Mahakali Temple of Gangolihat
Tehsil and block Gangolihat is at a distance of 77 Km. from Pithoragarh. It is rich in folk culture, music and religious traditions and had been chosen by Sankaracharya for the installation of Mahakali shaktipith. Amidst the cluster of pine trees is situated the shakti temple. The Goddess Kali as represented in her fierce form conquering the demon, is offered sacrifices of lambs and goats. In the direction opposite of the Kali temple about 2 Km. away is situated the Chamunda temple which is believed to be in the centre of an area of wilderness exclusively possessed by spirits and demons conquered by the Goddess in her fierce aspect. The temple has an aura of mystery and weird charm and during the dark hours of night the spirits are believed to have a free sway outside the temple premises.
Hat kalika
Hat kalika gate
Patal Bhuvaneshwar :
The exposure of Patal Bhuvaneshwar (Lord Shiva in the underground temple complex) is one of this unique way to help mankind. 16 Km. to the north-east of Gangolihat and 20 Km. to the south of Berinag is situated the Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave temple. It is 91 Km. away from the district head quarter and situated at a height of 1350 meters above sea level. The temple place comes under village Bhuvneshwar which is in the tehsil Didihat.The way to the temple is through a narrow tunnel shaped cave, giving a very thrilling experience. The main passage way opens into several small caves which have in them the stone carvings of many traditional Gods & Goddesses and can evoke weird romantic fancies and images in the religiously inclined person. The cave temple of Patal Bhuvaneshwar is traditionally believed to be the abode of thirty three crore deities.
Patal bhuvneshwar gate
Patal Bhuvneshwar Cave
Mostamanu :
The Motamanu Temple, Pithoragarh is one of the city’s most visited destinations. This temple is located near Pithoragarh Fort, about 6 km from the main Pithoragarh town. This temple is dedicated to God Mosta, which is considered as the god of this region. Devotees of God Mosta travel far and away while worshiping the deity and receive blessings in the form of prosperity and welfare. In order to celebrate the divine presence of Lord Mouza, a local fair is also organized in the month of August-September, which includes a large number of devotees, travelers, tourists etc. The temple of this hill shows an enchanted view of the entire city and the high valley. The temple complex is large and you can spend some special time here. The pure atmosphere of the temple, body and soul reaches utmost comfort
Mostmanu mandir
Mosmanu gate
Kamaksha Temple :
To the north east of Pithoragarh at a distance of about 7 Kms near the army contonment base is situated the Kamaksha temple on the top of a hillock over looking the surrounding mountain ranges.
kamakhya mandir
kamakhya mandir view
Ulkadevi Temple :
On Pithoragarh chandak motor road close to where the tourist rest house is situated stands the Ulkadevi temple besides which has also been built a memorial for the martyrs who laid down their lives in defense of the mother land. The temple offers a remarkable view of the sprawling Soar Valley.
ulka devi mandir
Jayanti Temple Dhwaj :
Eighteen Km from Pithoragarh on Didihat road is situated a place called Totanaula from where after a 3 Km long steep and tough climb is reached the Jayanti temple. On the way, some 200 ft. below the main temple, is situated the cave temple of Lord Shiva. From the hill top where the Jayanti temple is situated the Panch-chuli and Nandadevi peaks of Himalayas in all their splendour can be clearly sighted.
Dwaj
Arjuneshwar :
Ten Km from the west of Pithoragarh town on the top of a hill at a height of 6000 ft. is situated the Shiva temple called Arjune- shwar believed to have been built by Arjuna the great warrior & the supreme archer.
Kotgari Devi :
Situated about 9 Kms from Thal the temple of Kotgari is held to be the final divine court of appeal for the deprived and the victim of cruelty and injustice.
The principal among them are Laxminarayan temple and Shivalaya in the town and Shiva, Hanuman, Chatkeshwar, Gurna Devi and Igyara devi around the town. Then again there are temples dedicated to local Gods like Gangnath, Bhumia, Airi, Chamu, Badan, Haru, Balchan, Churmal, Gabila, Chipla and so on. These latter Gods are a class apart from the divine order and are Gods restricted to specific areas, families and castes.
Nagmandir of Berinag :
About one Km uphill to the south of Berinag proper in a romantic setting flanked in the north by a cluster of trees and to the further south by a ravine, is the location of the famous snake temple which is dedicated to one of several manifestations of Lord Vishnu. Legends say that the place was named Berinag after the Nagveni King Benimadhava. It is believed that when the pants from Maharashtra came to settle here they saw coiled snakes of allcolours in a very large number and as a mark of reverence to them they built a snake temple sometimes in the fourteenth century. It is a popular belief that Lord Krishna after conquering Kalinag advised him to leave river Jamuna and settle somewhere amidst the snowy peaks, and that, Kalinag followed by many others came to a place somewhere around here.
Sirakot :
Built by Reka Kings, the Sirakot fort cum temple is situated at a distance of 2 Kms away from Didihat town which is some 52 Kms from the district headquarters.The outer part of the fort was used by the King as household accommodation Sirakot temple near Didihat Sirakot Temple Photo : Deep Chauhan where the temples of Shiva & Bhairab were built in the inner part. They are now in a state of ruins. The hilltop on which the fort is situated offers a remarkably clear and fascinating view of the Himalayan ranges.
Ghunsera Devi Temple :
The Ghunsera caves are located in the middle of a lofty hill on the top of which is situated the Asurchula temple. The stone images of Gods and Goddesses are believed to have been installed by the Khol kings of Kartikeya pura. Two of the stone images found here are said to belong to the Gupta period.