Dhari Devi Temple—The Protector of 4 Char Dhams in Uttarakhand
Where is the Dhari Devi Temple located?
Dhari Devi in Uttarakhand is a beautiful temple in the Kalyasaur Village, at a distance of 14 km from Srinagar, Uttarakhand, and 20 km before Rudraprayag on the National Highway 58 to Badrinath Dham.
Dhari Devi Temple is one of Uttarakhand’s most famous pilgrimages. It is said that the idol of the Dhari Devi changes its face three times a day. The idol looks like a young girl in the morning, a woman in the afternoon, and finally, an old lady in the evening.
This temple is located in the middle of the Alaknanda River, on an elevated platform, which is a sight to behold. According to the Srimad Devi Bhagwat, the Dhari Devi temple is among the 108 Shakti Sthals in India.
Pilgrims and tourists visit this temple before visiting Char Dhams in Uttarakhand. Dhari Devi is regarded as the guardian deity of Uttarakhand and is said to protect the Char Dham sites in the state.
History of Dhari Devi Temple
There are many stories about the origin of the Dhari Devi temple. However, there is one account that is consistent across all sources. According to a legend, during the Dwapar Yug, a temple was swept away by a severe flood.
Due to this, the idol of devi flowed away into the Alaknanda River and got stuck against a rock near Dharo village. It is said that a divine voice came out of the idol, which instructed the villagers to set up the idol at that place.
After this, the villagers got together and built a temple there. Dhari Devi houses the head part of the deity, while the rest of the idol is worshipped at Kalimath as Goddess Kali. According to the priests, the temple has been present at this spot since the Dwapar Yug.
How to reach the Dhari Devi Temple?
Dhari Devi Temple is located in the tiny village of Kalyasaur on the National Highway 58, en route to Badrinath. A 1 KM cement pathway from the highway leads pilgrims to the shrine on an elevated platform over the mighty Alakananda River.
By Air
The nearest airport to Dhari Devi Temple is the Jolly Grant Airport on the Dehradun-Rishikesh Road, 133.7 km from the temple.
By Rail
Rishikesh is the nearest railway station to the Dhari Devi temple at 117 km. Buses and taxis are readily available from Rishikesh to Dhari Devi Temple.
By Road
One can reach the Dhari Devi Temple by taking National Highway 58 to Mana Pass. Srinagar is a significant spot along the route, and the temple is a mere 14 KM from there.
The Best Time to Visit Dhari Devi
The Dhari Devi temple can be visited all year round; however, I suggest you avoid the monsoon season between July and September due to massive landslides and bad weather.
Major Cities/Towns Near Dhari Devi
| Town/City | Distance From Dhari Devi |
| Delhi | 381.7 KM |
| Dehradun | 156.7 KM |
| Haridwar | 142.8 KM |
| Rishikesh | 120 KM |
| Devprayag | 47.4 KM |
| Tilwara | 27.4 KM |
| Rudraprayag | 19.8 KM |
| Srinagar | 14.2 KM |
Other Places to See Near Dhari Devi
| Location | Distance from Dhari Devi |
| Rudraprayag | 19.8 KM |
| Koteshwar Temple | 23 KM |
| Maletha | 23.3 KM |
| Augustmuni | 39.4 KM |
| Chopta | 42.1 KM |
| Devprayag | 47.4 KM |
| Karnprayag | 51.4 KM |
| Basukedar | 57.2 KM |
| Kalimath Temple | 65.9 KM |
Dhari Devi’s Connection to Kedarnath Floods of 2013
Believers say that the Kedarnath floods of 2013 resulted from Maa Dhari Devi’s wrath. Local people and devotees believe this happened because maa Dhari was moved from her original location.
The protector of Cham Dham, the original Dhari Devi temple, was relocated to a concrete platform above the Alaknanda River.
This was done to accommodate the 330 MW Alaknanda Hydro-Electric Dam by Alakananda Hydro Power Company Ltd on June 16, 2013, the day of the devastating floods.
Interestingly, in 1882, a local king attempted to move the temple. At that time, Kedarnath experienced a devastating avalanche. The new temple is built in its original position.
