History of Haat Kalika Temple
The Abode of Haat Kalika at Gangolihat finds its mention in the Puranas, the ancient religious texts of Hindus as Guru Adi Shankaracharya chose this place to install the Mahakali Shakti Peeth. A perpetual holy fire burns at the temple site since time immemorial which is considered to be the power of the goddess. In the modern times, Saint Jangam Baba offered prayers at the temple site for years and one day the Goddess appeared in his dream and asked him to construct a temple here. Therefore, the present temple owes the credit of its formation to Jangam Baba.
It is alleged that during the reign of the Chand rajas, human beings were, at times, offered in sacrifice at this temple, but the practice was stopped in the last century. Goats and buffaloes still continue to be sacrificed, particularly during the Navratri of Chaitra and Asvina.
The Statue of Mahakali was Established Under The Leadership of Subedar Sher Singh.
It is said that the statue of Mahakali was established by the Kumaon Regiment under the leadership of Subedar Sher Singh after the war with Pakistan in 1971. It is said that this was the first idol installed by the army. After this, the Kumaon Regiment had climbed a big statue in the year 1994.
Religious Significance and Legends of Haat Kalika Temple
The Haat Kalika temple has utmost religious significance for the people of Kumaon region, especially the brave soldiers of the Kumaon regiment of the Indian army. A popular legend goes that once a turbulent sea storm blew which caused tremors in the ship that was carrying the soldiers of the Kumaon regiment. When all the efforts for saving the ship from sinking failed, the soldiers then resorted to Goddess Haat Kali and prayed to her. By the grace of Haat kalika, the ship miraculously reached the shore safely. Since then the residents of the Kumaon region started considering Haat kalika as Isht Devi. Many army men visit the Haat kalika temple and offer their service at the temple.
Popular Belief of The Temple
A custom has been prevalent here for centuries. The priests of the temple make a bed in the evening. When the doors of the temple are opened in the morning, there are folds on the bed. Local people believe that Mahakali herself rests at this place during the night. At the same time, it is also said that if the devotee worships the mother in this temple with a sincere heart, then every wish of hers is fulfilled. Here devotees speak their mind by tying a chunari in the temple, then when the wish is fulfilled, there is a tradition of coming again and offering the bell. Haat Kalika located in Gangolihat is considered to be the original form, while a form of Haat Kalika is also there at a place called Lachhair, 20 kms from Pithoragarh. Kalika temple is established here too. Those who cannot reach Haat Kalika for the darshan of the mother, they reach the Kalika temple in Lachair for darshan.
The holy fire has been burning at the temple site since ages and it is believed that it is the energy of the goddess Kalika. Many visitors and devotees come here to seek blessings from Maa Kalika. It is said that you will become healthy and wealthy if you offer flowers to Maa Kalika. In modern times, Saint Jangam Baba used to offer prayers at temples and in his dream Maa Kalika appeared and asked him to construct a Temple here.
How To Reach Haat Kalika Temple
Haat Kalika Temple is located in Gangolihat ( On NH-309A, 23 kms from Berinag & 13 kms from Patal Bhuvaneshwar), Pithoragarh. The temple is situated about 35 km from Chaukori and around 76 km from Pithoragarh city. Kathgodam railway station is the nearest railhead to Hat Kalika Temple. Taxis to Hat Kalika temple are easily available from Kathgodam railway station. Pantnagar airport is the closest air connectivity to the temple. Taxis to Hat Kalika temple can be hired from the airport.
By Rail : Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to Chaukori situated at a distance of 180kms.It well connected with major destinations of India like Lucknow, Delhi, and Kolkata. and trains are frequent to Kathgodam as it is the gateway of Kumaon region. Buses and Taxis are easily available to Chaukori from Kathgodam railway station.
By Road : Chaukori is well connected by motorable roads with major cities of northern India and Buses to Kathgodam and Almora are available from ISBT Anand Vihar, Delhi. Taxis and buses to Almora are easily available from major destinations of Kumaon region like Almora, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Kausani, Didihat, etc.
Gangolihat
Gangolihat is located at an average elevation of 1,760 metres (5,773 feet). It is 78 km from Pithoragarh. The main town is at a hilltop. The region is surrounded by two rivers Saryu and Ramganga. Which meet at q Ghat situated at the foothill of the region. These two rivers make it like a Garland on the shoulders of mighty Himalaya. These two rivers gave the name to the region Gang (River in Kumaoni) + Awali (Garland) making Gangawali which became Gangoli later on. and Hat were the main markets/ gathering places for local people in the past. Which made the name Gangolihat.
Gangolihat is the site of a number of ancient temples and caves, including the temples of ‘Haat Kalika’ In the east, ‘Ambika Dewaal’ in North, ‘Chamunda Mandir to the west’ and ‘Vaishnavi Mandir’. From ‘Vaishnavi Mandir’ it is possible to clearly view the Himalayas. This temple is situated on a mountain that was called ‘Shail Parvat’, which is written in Hindu holy books.
The caves in Gangolihat include ‘Patal Bhuvneshwar’ , ‘Shaileshwar Gufa’ and ‘Mukteshwar Gufa’. A cave has also been recently found and that is called ‘Bholeshwar Gufa’. The peak Bhurgottam near village Mallagrkha is famous as the place of Bhrigu who was one of the seven great sages, The Saptarishis.. Patal Bhuvneshwar cave is believed to be the abode of 33 crore Gods and Goddesses.
The highest peak in the range, Lamkeshwar which is a temple of Lord Shiva, The view of greenery rich valleys of Kumaun Himalayas from this hilltop is memorable and heavenly. It has always been a great trekking site.
Best Time to Visit Haat Kalika Temple
It is located at a high altitude, in winters the weather is so cold and the place witnesses heavy snowfall. The best time to visit Haat Kalika Madir is from May to October. The temperature here is always moderate as it is situated in the subtropical region of Himalaya and sub-Himalayan regions. In the monsoon period and winter, it is best to avoid the trek here. Heavy monsoon and snow makes the trek difficult and confusing. However, after the monsoon, the regions are covered with lush greenery. Also during mild winters little snowfall and bright sunshine make the trek more delightful.
What is Haat Kalika Temple Famous for?
This temple is famous for a variety of reasons:
- Haat – Kalika Temple : Gangolihat is a famous temple in Uttarakhand and one of the important sightseeing attractions in Gangolihat. This place also has the remains of a small fort built by a regent of the Chand rajas.
- Many visitors and devotees come here to seek blessings from Maa Kalika. It is said that you will become healthy and wealthy if you offer flowers to Maa Kalika.
- The Haat Kalika temple has utmost religious significance for the people of Kumaon region, especially the brave soldiers of the Kumaon regiment of the Indian army.
Tourists Can Visit This Temple During Their Char Dham Yatra
Among the countless religious sites and circuits that devotees visit in Uttarakhand, one of the most prominent is the Char Dham Yatra. This Yatra or pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath – nestled high up in the Himalayas. The Yamunotri temple, lodged in a narrow gorge close to the source of River Yamuna (the second-most sacred Indian river after River Ganga) in Uttarkashi district, is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. The district of Uttarkashi is also home to Gangotri dedicated to Goddess Ganga, the most sacred of all Indian rivers. Located in the Rudraprayag district lies Kedarnath, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Badrinath, home to the sacred Badrinarayan Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
On a visit to Uttarakhand it is recommended to plan a trip to other holy places of India which might lie on the way of Char Dham Yatra. One such place is Haat Kalika Temple which is of great religious significance in the state of Uttarahand.
