Garjia Devi Temple
The 'Garjia Devi Temple' is one of the major religious places in Uttarakhand. In the name of Maa Girija Devi, this temple is called 'Garjia Devi Temple'.
State: Uttarakhand
Place: About 15 kilometres from Ramnagar, Uttarakhand.
Religious Affiliation: On fulfilment of the wishes of the devotees, they offer bells or umbrellas etc. in the temple.
Special: Thousands of devotees visit here on Navratri and Ganga Snan. It is estimated that more pilgrims come here in millions across India in the last 5 years.
Other information: Devotees bathe in the Kosi river before reaching the temple. To get from the river to the temple one has to climb 90 stairs. After the darshan, devotees visit the Bhairon temple, Shiva temple and offer khichdi.
Introduction
Garjia Devi Temple or 'Girija Devi Temple' is located in Sunderkhal village of Uttarakhand, which is one of the main temples of Mata Parvati. This temple is a wonderful example of faith and trust. This famous temple of Uttarakhand is located about 15 kilometres from Ramnagar.
The temple is built on top of a small hill, where the calm environment gives a feeling of peace and elegance. The place of Girija Devi (Garjia Devi) is unique among the famous temples of the Goddess. She is called by this name only because she is the daughter of the Himalayas.
It is believed that the temples where the Goddess is situated as Vaishnavi are worshipped with floral offerings and where Shiva is in the form of Shakti, there is a provision of sacrifice.
History
Archaeologists state that the oldest settlement of Kurmanchal was near Dhikuli, where the present Ramnagar is located. The name of this city, situated on the banks of river Kosi, was then 'Virat port' or 'Virat Nagar'.
Before the arrival of the Katyuri kings, the first kings of the Kuru dynasty ruled here, who lived under the umbrella of the ancient Indraprastha (modern Delhi ) kingdom.
Dhikuli, Garjia region has its own history of about 3000 years. Renowned Katyuri dynasty, Chandra dynasty, Gorkha dynasty and British rulers have enjoyed the pleasure of the holy land here.
Shakti Sthal named Garjiya in 1940 was in a neglected state, but even before 1940, many dentures tell the history of this place.
Prior to the year 1940, the condition of this temple was not as it is today, in due course this goddess was known as Upta Devi (Upadhyayun).
The public opinion of the time was that the mound in which the present Garjia temple is situated was flowing from the upper area somewhere in the flood of Kosi river.
Seeing the temple flowing along with the mound, Bhairav Dev was told to try to stop it - " "थि रौ, बैणा थि रौ" " i.e. 'Stay, stay sister', stay here with me. Since then the goddess has been residing in Upta in Garjia.
Religious Affiliation
It is believed that before the year 1940, this area was full of forests. The idols were first seen on the mound by the staff of the forest department and local riders and realized the presence of Mata Jagjanni at this place.
The secluded forest area, the strong stream of the Kosi river flowing under the mound, climbing up to the mound with the help of grass and straw, despite the fierce roar of wild animals, devotees started coming to this place to visit the mother. Then senior officials of the forest also came here. It is said that the lion used to roar fiercely in the vehicle of Goddess Durga near the mound. Many times the lion was also seen by the people orbiting this mound.
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