Kunjapuri Devi Temple, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand India

Kunjapuri Devi Temple is located at a distance of 15 km from Rishikesh. Situated on a small hill, this temple is devoted to one of the thirteen most significant goddesses of Shivalik Range. The temple offers a magnificent view of sunset and sunrise. Travellers visiting this temple can also view the peaks of Garhwal Himalayas including Chaukhamba, Swarga Rohini, Banderpunch, and Gangotri.According to a folklore, Hindu deity Sati sacrificed herself after her husband Lord Shiva was humiliated by her father, King Daksha. Sad and melancholic, Lord Shiva decided to carry her body to the Kailash Parvat. It is said that the temple is constructed on the site where the upper part of Goddess Sati fell while Lord Shiva was carrying her corpse. 

Kunjapuri Devi temple is considered as one of the 52 Shaktipeeth / Shaktipeetha/ Shaktipeetham of our divine Mother. Shakti denotes power. To understand the meaning and significance of Shaktipeeth, let us go back to our Puranas (Hindu scriptures).

Goddess Parvati is the consort of Lord Shiva. In her previous birth, Goddess Parvati was known as Sati. She had married the Lord but her father King Daksha was not too pleased. He had organized a Yagna, a spiritual gathering where offerings are made to Agni Dev (Fire God). He had purposely not invited his daughter and her husband. When Sati came to know of this, she was furious and decided to go uninvited. Lord Shiva tried to persuade her to drop this idea but she was relentless.

King Daksha gave his reasons to Sati which was nothing but public humiliation of her husband. Angered by this, Sati jumped into the sacrificial fire and ended her life. Lord Shiva was torn apart. He destroyed and created havoc at the Yagna. Then carried the remains of Sati’s body on his shoulder and danced the dance of destruction-Tandav which would eventually destroy the Universe. While other versions state that in grief, the Lord carried her body on his shoulders and walked aimlessly in grief. He refused to complete the final rites.

Kunjapuri is positioned at a height of 1645 meters and lends a panoramic sight of the Himalayan peaks to the North and Rishikesh, Haridwar and the Doon valley to the South. Travelling towards Gangotri, about 6 kilometers from Narendra Nagar the road bifurcates at Hindola Khal, leading to the shrine, which is 5 kilometers further.

Being a main religious place, 1000s of visitors come throughout the year especially throughout 'Navratras' (April and October). Grand Celebrations are held during the Dussehra festival. One can witness excellent sunrise or sun set on the Greater Hiamalayan Peaks and the vast Indo Gangetic plains .