Image Credits : Rajeshchaunsali
Image Credits : Travelling Slacker
Image Credits : Travelling Slacker
Image Credits : Travelling Slacker
Image Credits : Michael Scalet
Located on the luxuriant Kumaon Hills, Kasar Devi is a small village near Almora, Uttarkhand. Being a hidden jewel in Uttarakhand, the village derived its name from a local goddess Kasar Devi. The Kasar Devi temple built in her admiration has become a famous pilgrimage destination of Almora. Numerous devotees visit the temple every year both from the country and outside the country. The westerners come to seek spirituality because of its fame as the Hippi Hill in the 1970’s Hippie counterculture movement. Kasar Devi is also a popular place for its secluded and quiet atmosphere
Kasar Devi Temple sits high at 2116 m above the sea level. It is surrounded by lofty deodar and pine trees. This temple dates back to nearly 2nd century AD. The Kasar Devi temple no just offers views of the Hawalbagh Valley and Almora, but excellent views of Himalayas as well. Swami Vivekanand is known to have visited this temple in the 1890s and also have performed meditation here. This temple includes two diverse groups of temples. One temple is devoted to Kasar Devi and another one to Lord Shiva and Lord Bhairava. An Akhand Jyoti is burring in the main temple for 24 hours a day for many years. The havan kund’s dhuni is considered so sacred and powerful that it can cure any kind of mental illness. The main Devi shrine is located in a cave type formation of huge rocks. Every year, an annual fair known as Kasar Devi Fair is held at this temple on Kartik Poornima during November or December. No matter when you are planning a tour to Almora, ensure to go and visit Kasar Devi Temple for sure.