Dunagiri Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Pantnagar Airport is 178 km away. New Delhi International Airport is the nearest international airport.

• By train

  Kathgodam railway station is 140 km away.

• By road

  Dwarahat can be reached by road from various towns of Uttarakhand. The area is 47 km from Ranikhet and 100 km from Nainital.

Why devotees come here

Dunagiri Temple lies in the Dwarahat area of Almora district, Uttarakhand. It is a Shakti shrine, counted among the most ancient Shakti temples of Kumaon, known locally as Dunagiri Devi. The temple is also linked to the story of Kriya Yoga.

Dunagiri is counted among the most ancient Shakti temples of Kumaon, and the Shakti here is known locally as Dunagiri Devi. The Manas khand of the Skanda Purana mentions Dunagiri and gives it the title Brahm-parvat, or Divine Mountain. Sage Garga is said to have had his ashram here, and the river Gagas is believed to be named after him. Local tradition says the Pandavas took shelter at Dunagiri during their exile.

Dunagiri is also known as a birthplace of modern Kriya Yoga. Lahiri Mahasaya was initiated into Kriya Yoga here by Mahavatar Babaji. The Mahavatar Babaji cave is said to be where Lahiri Mahasaya received his teachings directly from him.

Dwarahat was a centre of temple building under the Katyuri kings, from the 7th to the 11th century. Its ancient temples are generally dated to the 11th century, and about 30 once stood in the town. Dunagiri is the most famous of them. The temple lies in the Dwarahat development block, which has 116 villages.

Tips for your visit

• The Mahavatar Babaji cave is the place linked to Lahiri Mahasaya's Kriya Yoga teachings.
• Pandukholi, a place with caves, is 27 km from Dwarahat.

Questions people ask