Information of Kalimath Temple, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Kalimath Temple is an ancient Hindu Goddess temple situated on the Gharwal Region of the lower Himalayan Mountain Ranges. This is an important Shakthi Peeth were the Sathi Devi is worshiped for powers, peace and tranquility. This temple is a great pilgrim place where it has a record of more than 1 Lakhs devotees visiting this temple in the Himalayan pilgrim circuit taken from May to November of every year. This temple is divinely built on the banks of Swraswathi River surrounded by Kedarnath mountain peak adjoining a beautiful scenic mountain valley. It is located near Kaviltha or Kalimat Village, Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand State in India.

Kalimath Temple Religious Significance

Kalimath Temple is one of the Shakthi Peetha for Hindus in the Dev Bhoomi on the Himalayas. Here Sathi Devi is worshiped as Maa, kalimath or the Mother Goddess. This is a great shrine for Shaktism, who is the believers in Devi, Kali or the Bhagavathi Maa. The common principals of worshiping this Sathi Devi are considered to be a powerful Goddess who wish wellness of all and destroy the evils. Many Hindus believe that coming here and get blessed from this Maa will make their dreams come true. Every devotees coming here will come with many wishes and offer prayers and rituals in this temple. The temple priest performs daily rituals throughout the day. It main visitors are the women members of the Hinduism, since it is a Goddess temple. But all Hindu sects visit these Shakthi Peetha spread across the Indian Sub Continent. This temple is one of the Shakthi Peeth in the Himalayan Mountains, which was the abode of Sathi Devi in the ancient times.

Festival at Kalimath Temple

The Kal Ratri Festival is an important auspicious day for the women members of Hinduism. On this day many women's take fasting for a week and come here to worship this Devi with strict practices of Shakthism. This is also the day which the Sathi Devi's idol, which is silver plating in the Goddess model is opened by the temple priest for the viewing of its thousands of devotees on this special day in Kalimath Temple. The Navarathi is another week log festival conducted here. This is a colorful festival with lot of cultural and fair happen in this village near this temple area.

Kalimath Temple Mythology & History

As per the ancient records of this villagers, in the ancient times the kali Matha give her divine view from the Kalishila mountain peak, where she was killing a demon named Raktha Baksh. Since then she came to the place now where the temple is located and presided here for few days along with the villagers. Later the villagers built her a temple and honored here. There is another mythic story is recorded in the Skandha Purana, this Kalimath Temple place is where the parts of Sathi Devi's immolated body fell down when Lord Shiva was carrying her towards the Kailas Mountains. Where her body parts fell on the earth is known as the Shakthi Peeth according to the Hindu beliefs. The present Kalimath Temple is of such importance for the Sathi Devi.

Kalimath Temple Architectural Significance

Kalimath Temple is worshiped since the ancient times. This temple has undergone much modification from the ancient times. The present temple is seen very colorful and unique to look. The main temple is built in the Nagara Style. This temple is made of granite stones and woods. The main structure is a big tower having a pyramid shaped dome on its top. The entire temple structure is covered circularly with wooden porch. This wooden porch is covered by terracotta tiles and gives this temple a very traditional looks. This porch is having a special craftsmanship on the woods. The porch is having many pillars. The main sanctum sanctorum is having a silver plated engraving of Kali Maa or the Sathi Devi. This is placed in the main structure in the central place down by the dome. There is an arched entrance with a big brass bell attached on it top. Inside this temple also many brass bells are tied up along with the wooden roof beams. The entire temple is painted in red, white and yellow, which are the favorite colors of Kali Maa. This temple is situated at an altitude of 1800 meters alongside the Swraswathi River and kedar Mountain ranges making it more divine and holy place.

So while in Uttarakhand, either for a recreation visit or a holy tour, it is a must visit temple. Kalimath Temple is one among the many renowned temples of the state, which is visited by huge number of devotees from all across India and abroad. Come and enjoy the blessed life by seeking blessing from the Kalimath.