Here is Some informations about kunjapuri Temple in Rishikesh Uttrakhand india.
Location :hillock around 15 km away from Rishikesh
Dedicated to : Goddesh Durga
Photography : Allow
Height :1645 meters
Temple Timing : 6AM to 8AM
Visiting timing: 1 hrs
Best Time to visit : Oct to May
Festival Celebration : Dusshera
Entry : Free
Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh RAilway Station
Nearest Airport: Delhi,Dehradun
Kunjapuri Devi Temple is located on a hillock around 15 km away from Rishikesh. This temple is dedicated to one of the thirteen most important goddesses of Shivalik range. The temple is well-known among the travellers as it gives a beautiful view of the sunrise and the sunset from the greater Himalayan peaks. Snow ranges and peaks of Garhwal Himalayas like Swarga Rohini, Gangotri, Banderpunch and Chaukhamba, can also be seen from this temple.
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.
Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe felt that if Sati’s body did not receive proper cremation according to the Hindu Shastra’s then she could not take rebirth as Goddess Parvati. While Lord Vishnu was concerned that Lord Shiva’s grief would slowly cause the destruction of the Universe. They could not control or face Lord Shiva’s anger so Lord Vishnu took his Sudarshan Chakra (Disc) and cut the body into pieces. As Lord Shiva traveled her body part fell and last rites were done by the gods. The places where divine Mother’s body parts fell is known as Shaktipeeth. Temples have been built around it and worshipped daily. People travel across continents to seek blessings of Shakti.We have been very fortunate to seek blessings from one such Shaktipeeth located in Rishikesh where divine Mother’s chest had fallen. This Kunjapuri temple is located on a hillock, 15 kms from the main city.
The temple was accessible by road. The drive was more of a rollercoaster ride as the roads are very steep and winding. The parking area was lined with shops selling offerings for worship, Puja Samagri. We bought our Puja thali and energetically headed to the temple.
A flight of around eighty steps took us to the main entrance. This was decorated with freshly painted lion and elephant busts on either side. The lion is the mount of the Goddess. At the centre of the courtyard was the main temple. A large idol of Lord Shiva was located next to this along with idols of other deities. Bordering the courtyard, there were small rooms where the temple priestess and caretaker lived.
We were first to arrive and waited patiently, taking in the pious ambience for the temple to open. The morning bells chimed and the doors finally opened and we were so close to divinity. Inside, there were idols of Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva’s linga/lingam and a part of the Goddess. We handed our Puja thali to the priestess. The offerings consisted of incense sticks, red chunari (veil), coconut, rice puffs, Elachi dana, (sugar drops) and Kumkum (vermillion).
The priestess took vermillion from the divine Mother’s body and put a Tilak on our forehead. She tied a red sacred thread on our wrist as blessing. She then narrated the origin of the temple. We sat in silence, taking in the positive vibrations and thanking Goddess Shakti for giving us the opportunity to come so close to her. On our way out, we were given rice puffs and coconut as Prasad (Sanctified food) to be eaten and taken home for the family. The feeling inside the temple was mesmerizing. There was stillness in the cold morning air combined with the warmth of the glowing oil lamps, the comforting fragrance of the burning incense and the presence of the Divine Mother.
The best time to arrive at the temple is before sunrise. The location is extremely picturesque as it is situated on a mountain top surrounded by forests on all sides. The chirping birds, buzzing insects and the gentle rustle of trees were an indication that something was about to happen. And truly, within few seconds, the sky changed its hue. The bluish grey sky cleared its path so that we could get the first glimpse of Surya Dev, Sun God.
The road to Kunjapuri is paved and a whole lot better.The Kunjapuri temple requires walkig about 500 to 1000 steps up.
How to Rich kunjapuri Temple in Rishikesh
By Air : The nearest airport is Dehradun, 35 kms from Haridwar, which is connected to Rishikesh by train. However, air is not the preferred mode of transport for getting into the town. You can hire a bus or taxi from here to reach Rishikesh.
By Rail : There is a slow shuttle train between Haridwar and Rishikesh. Haridwar (24 km) connects Rishikesh to Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Dehradun and other cities of India by trains. It is better to get to Haridwar by Dehradun Shatabdi and then hire a bus or taxi to Rishikesh.
By Road : To get to Rishikesh, take the National Highway 58 passing through Modinagar, Khatauli, Muzzafarnagar, Roorkee, Haridwar and Raiwala. Rishikesh is served by well defined road networks and is connected by buses to other towns of Garhwal, UP and Delhi, which are further connected to other major cities of India by road. Some important road distances from Rishikesh are - Badrinath 301 kms. Delhi 224 kms. Dehradun 43 kms. Kedarnath 228 kms. Gangotri 258 kms Yamunotri 288 kms. and Uttarkashi 154 kms.
Picture Gellery of kunjapuri Temple in Rishikesh
Google Map for kunjapuri Temple in Rishikesh
