Golu Devta Temple, Uttarakhand

This temple of Chitai Almora is dedicated to Gollu or Goljyu Devta an incarnation of Lord Shiva in the form of Gaur Bhairav. There are many more temples in Almora but this is the most famous and sacred one. It is situated at 8kms from Almora on Jageshwar Dham road. It is reputed to make every wish come true, provided the worshipper ask for it with a clear conscience.

The temple is identified by a large number of bells hanging in the premises. These bells are hung by the devotees as offerings making a wish or in thanksgiving on the fulfillment of one’s wish. This is an important religious attraction on the tourist map. It is the most sacred temple for the people of Almora and the neighboring villages. The walls of the temple are covered with court stamp papers by those who did not get justice in the court. Around the temple are hanging thousands of bells, which have been donated by those people whose wishes have been fulfilled.

Golu Devta Temple, Almora, Uttarakhand

History
Special Rituals and Puja Timings
How to Reach
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According to history, Golu devta is considered as the brave son and General of Katyuri king, Jhal Rai and his mother Kalindra and grand-father Hal Rai. Historically the origin of Golu Devta is accepted at Champawat. His mother is believed to be the sister of two other local deities Harishchand Devjyun and Sem Devjun.

Another legend suggests that, once a king went to the forest for hunting when he felt thirsty and asked his servants to fetch water for him. For the purpose, the servants disturbed a lady deep in meditation. The king became fond of the lady and married her. The other queens became jealous of her and threw the newborn baby into a well and a fisherman found it. They replaced the baby with a stone. Years later when the prince realized about his true identity, he took a wooden horse and tried to make the horse drink water from the lake. When the king notices this, he tells him that the horse wouldn’t drink water. To this the kid retorts that if a woman can give birth to a stone, then why can’t a wooden horse drink water. Realizing the truth, the king punished the other queens and his son went to be crowned and was known as the Gwalla Devata.

There are other tales that say Golu Devta was killed by the king of Binsar due to some false doubt and he was beheaded by the king. His head fell at Kaparkhan and his body fell at Gairad at Dana Golu where the temple now stands.

Normally three days pooja or 9 days pooja is performed to worship Lord Golu Devta also known as Goreel Devta in Chamoli District. Golu Devta is offered Ghee, Milk, Curd, Halwa, Poori, Pakauri and head of Goat sacrificed. Two Male Goat sacrifice ( Bali) is performed; preferably black in color. One is sacrificed in the temple of Golu devta and the other outside the temple in remote location. The sacrificed goat is received as Prasada of pooja. Golu devta is known as God of justice and prayed with great pride and enthusiasm. Golu Devta is offered with White Cloths, white pagari and white shawl.

By Road

By road Almora is connected conveniently and is merely 380 KMs away from Delhi, 466 KMs from Lucknow and 415 KMs from Dehradun. It is well connected with road and one can reach easily by sharing taxi or buses.

By Rail

The nearest railhead is the Kathgodam Railway Station at a distance of 91 km from Almora.

By Air

The nearest airport is the Pantnagar Airport at a distance of 124 km from the main city of Almora.