Kasar Devi Temple, a 2000-year-old temple, dates back to the 2nd century and is one of the oldest temples located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. It is located on a hilltop on the Almora-Bageshwar highway. Standing at the top of the Kashyap hills, one can enjoy the Bandpuch range on the Himachal Pradesh border.
Dedicated to Kasar Devi, the goddess( one of eight forms of Durga) is worshiped. The name of the village, Kasar, is based on the name of the temple. Thousand of years ago, Goddess Katyani, a form of Durga, killed two demons, Shumbha and Nishuma. A fair is held on the Kartik Poornima of the Hindu calendar when thousands of people come to participate.
Many famous personalities visited the place. In 1890, Swami Vivekananda meditated here and wrote about his experiences in a diary. Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, and Timothy Leary sought spiritual enlightenment at the temple in the 1960s and 1970s.
It consists of two groups of temples, one dedicated to Devi and the other to Lord Shiva and Bairav. Akhand Jyoti in the main temple burns for 24 hours a day
Kasar devi fair
A fair is held on the Kartik Poornima of the Hindu calendar when thousands of people come to participate.
Hippie movement
The place became famous for the hippie movement during the 1960s and 1970s.
Magnetic zone
It’s a magnetic zone where radiation from magnetic fields can be experienced. Scientific studies suggest that there is a huge magnetic body under this place, and the whole area is named the Van Allen belt. Stonehenge in England and Pichhu in South America also show magnetic properties like this.
How to Reach Kasar Devi Temple
By Road:
Kasar Devi Temple is situated on Binsar road in the Almora district. You can easily reach Almora by road from Delhi, which is around 370 km away. You can take a taxi or bus from Delhi to Almora. From Almora, the temple is around 8 km away and you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the temple.
By Train:
The nearest railway station to Kasar Devi Temple is Kathgodam Railway Station, which is around 90 km away. You can take a direct train from Delhi to Kathgodam and then hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the temple.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Kasar Devi Temple is Pantnagar Airport, which is around 135 km away. You can take a flight from Delhi to Pantnagar and then hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the temple.