A vision to behold with a charm that mesmerises heart of every devotee is the popular pilgrimage site of Surkanda Devi Temple in Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand. Situated at a short distance from Dhanaulti in the Uniyal Gaon, this temple is dedicated to Surkanda Devi and is reckoned to be one of the 51 Shaktipeethas unfurled over the Indian subcontinent. Spreading its spiritual vibe all over the place, the popular religious site rests at an elevation of 2700 m above the sea offering a breathtaking 360° view of the snow-capped Himalayas and the prolific land around it. Being a part of the Tehri District the temple is a top tourism place located near other must-visit holiday destinations like Chamba, Dhanaulti, and Mussoorie. There are many mythologies that relate to the origin of the temple. But the one that is believed the most revolves around Sati, wife of the revered Hindu deity, Shiva.
It's said that Sati and Shiva were not accepted wholeheartedly by Daksha, Sati's father and hence were not invited to Yajna(sacred worship). Upon knowing this, Sati came to the Yajna and threw herself into the fire to make her father's sacrifice impure. This act ultimately left Shiva in rage and remorse and so he decided to carry Sati's body on his shoulder until it perishes away. Seeing this, the other deities were frightened and so they beseeched Lord Vishnu to appease Shiva. While the Lord was performing his Tandava throughout the heaven, many parts of Sati's body fell on the Indian Subcontinent which are entitled as the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas. Presently, the Surkanda Devi Temple stands tall where pragmatically Sati's head fell. The Ganga Dusshera festival is celebrated in the temple with a lot of zeal every year between May and June and attracts a lot of people.
