Kuteti Devi Mandir or Kuteti Devi Temple is an ancient temple located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. This temple is situated at a distance of about 2 km from Uttarkashi on Hari Parvat on the banks of river Bhagirathi. The famous Vishwanath temple is also situated near the Kuteti Devi temple.
Kuteti Devi is regarded as the Kuldevi of the king of Kota in Rajasthan. How and why Kuteti devi temple is constructed here, there is a famous story behind it. Kuteti Devi Mandir is yet another temple where Goddess Durga is worshiped in this form called Kuteti Devi.
Story related to Kuteti Devi Mandir Uttarkashi
Kuteti Devi Mandir Uttarkashi : Src https://nayi-umang.in/ |
The story related to the Kuteti Devi Temple is the story of the Maharaja of Kota in Rajasthan and his daughter. Once the king of Kota came to visit Uttarkashi. He was carrying a lot of valuables along. One day he realized that one of his bag was lost. This bag had valuables and money. The king was very upset by all this and then he wished that if he got his lost bag, he will arrange the marriage of his daughter to a boy from that place where he lost the bag. He told his vow to the priest.
The priest and villagers started the search and when the king found his lost goods through the priest's efforts, he ordered the priest to choose the right boy for his daughter. On the advice of the priest, he got his daughter married to a local boy. King's daughter was a religious girl. She was sad because now she will have to worship the gods from the groom's family and not hers any more. She did not want to leave worshiping Kuteti Devi.
During that time once the princess had a dream that Maa Kuteti would meet her in a field at a particular place. She told that dream to her husband and her father. Next day the princess found three stones in the field on the hill near Indravati river, as mentioned in her dream. Then the villagers built the temple of Kuteti Devi in the same field.
This story is famously told in the region. Kuteti Devi Mandir is a special temple in the area.
Religious Significance of Kuteti Devi Mandir Uttarkashi
Kuteti Devi Mandir is recognized as a Siddhapeeth. Here couples come from far and wide to pray for a child. Kuteti Devi is considered the goddess who provides happiness and prosperity to the family.
This temple is the center of religious belief in this area. People come here to get blessings for their marriage. Students come here and seek blessings for better life and prosperity. Whenever people start a new job or buy new vehicle, they visit the temple to get blessings. It is believed in the nearby villages that before starting any auspicious work one should seek the blessings of the Goddess.
Kuteti Devi Mandir Uttarkashi Worship timings
Kuteti Devi Mandir has a worship ritual. Prayers are done every day after Ganga bath in Kuteti Devi Mandir. Every day in the morning and evening regular prayers and aarti are performed in the temple. There are many shops where devotees can buy the worship materials around the temple. People from far and wide come here to visit the temple during the main festivals and devotees keep coming here for darshan throughout the year.
Kuteti Devi Mandir Uttarkashi Festivals
During the special nine days of Goddess Shakti in the Hindu calendar known as Navratri, special prayers are organized in the Devi temple. During this time, especially on Ashtami Navami, a huge crowd of devotees visit for special darshan and prayer.
Kuteti Devi Mandir Uttarkashi Architecture
This temple is a very old one. The full name of this temple is Aadi Shri Kuteti Devi Puranic Siddha Peetha Mandir. The idols of nine forms of the Goddess are installed in the temple. The temple is surrounded by lush green mountains and nature at its most beautiful.
The old construction of this temple was in simple. It was later reconstructed as a modern shikhara style temple during the Maneri Bhali project.
How to reach Kuteti Devi Mandir Uttarkashi
To reach the temple, Jolly Grant Airport located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand is the closest to Uttarkashi. Distance from Dehradun to Uttarkashi is around 180 km which can be covered by road, state transport or private tourist bus or car or taxi.
Even if you are on a train journey, Dehradun railway station is the nearest one. The journey ahead can be done only by road.
By road, you can reach Kuteti Devi Temple located in Uttarkashi by state transport bus or by your personal vehicle.