Information of Garjiya Devi Temple, Corbett, Ramnagar, Nainital, Uttarakhand

Garjiya Devi Temple is a cute Hindu goddess temple built over a huge monolith rock in the midst of the flowing Kosi River. It is one of the great temples of Kumoean Region, which is found in the lower Himalayas. Over a lakhs of devotees visit this temple in a year time. Apart from pilgrims, many tourists too visit here for its natural beauty surrounded by hills, rivers and dense forest. It is uniquely located in the center of Kosi River in Ramnagar Village (on the outskirt of Corbett National Park) of Nanital District of Uttrakhand State in India.

Garjiya Devi Temple Religious Significance

Garjiya Devi Temple literally means the Hill Goddess. All the elements on the planet earth are considered as a mother or the women God. Hence the Garjiya or the Girija Devi is one of the mountains Goddess or the daughter of mountains. Here all sects of the Hinduism visit this temple throughout the year. This goddess is believed to be power full and bless is devotees with great strength and unity when worshiped here with true devotions. This is also a great temple for the women members to get visited mostly. There is a dedicated local priest to perform rituals and ceremonies in this temple. It is mostly visited by it local villagers in the time of opening and closing of this temple. Most of its pilgrims come in the summer season. Within the premises of the temple, one would also find the temple of Laxmi Narayan which was found during the excavation. Though during early 1940's the temple was less known, but the religious importance have make this temple popular and the devotees is lakhs visit this temple every year.

Garjiya Devi Temple Mythology & History

There are many mythical stories behind this temple formation. As per the ancient beliefs, the Girija Devi who was the daughter of the mountains abode here for few days as per the wishes of the tribal peoples here. Since then a temple was built here for her honor. This Garjiya Devi Temple stood as the guard of these mountains and for the flowing Kosi River. But this temple came to light since after the independent India. Before that this temple was only a noted one in the British survey peoples in their British India survey Records.

Garjiya Devi Temple Architectural Significance

This is an ancient temple found on a big monolith rock. It is built on the mounds of this rock, which is having a 3 side with steep slopes. One of it lesser steep slopes is built with rock carved steps which leads to the main temple areas from the river waters. A very good wooden bridge is built here to cross this kosi River in the monsoon time. This is built in the modern Hindu temple style or the Nagar architecture of those found in the North Indian temples. Garjiya Devi Temple is a very cute and small temple. The mound cliffs are totally fences with high walls. The centre of this mound has the main temple which is built in a square type structure with a conical dome on it. The sanctum sanctorum is also found under this main dome. Here a beautiful goddess is found in a color full sculpture in a seated position.

Festival at Garjiya Devi Temple

The Kartik Purnami is the major temple festival celebrated here very grandly. It is also known as the Light Festival for Gods locally. It is a 2 months festival occurring annually from the month of November to December. The lunar days of these two months are considered as a holy days by the Hindus. Apart from this temple festival, the Kumoan festival and fairs do attracts many pilgrims towards this temple. The main believes of this temple is that, devotees coming with marriage wishes will happen in few months and also the childless couples are blessed with children's very soon after visiting this temple. This is also a month long fair and many pilgrims take a temple circuit in the Kumoen Ranges of Uttrakhand State. This festival also coincides with the Sikh Festival of Guru Nanak Jyanti.