This is a consecrated temple of Haat Kalika Temple.
There is a place to sit and meditate. You can go into meditative states here effortlessly.
How to Get there
The temple is located 75 kms West of Pithoragarh.
Map:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WVsrg3KR92W1qCjt6
About Haat Kalika Temple
The Haat Kalika temple is situated at Gangolihat in Pithoragarh district and boasts an exquisite complex area. It is believed that the Goddess Kali shifted her abode from West Bengal to this place and has been the popular goddess in the area ever since.
Shankaracharya Had Re-established
This Shakti-Peeth established by Guru Adi Shankaracharya is more than thousand years old. Chamunda temple about 2 km from here is another holy site located in the vicinity of Haat Kalika temple.
It is said that here Mother Kalika used to reside here, but due to the wrath of the Goddess, this place was uninhabited. When Adi Guru Shankaracharya visited this area, he was told about the wrath of the goddess. According to this incident, during that time the Goddess used to call the name of Mahadev at night and whoever heard that voice, he would die. In such a situation, people used to shy away from even passing by, then Adi Guru Shankaracharya appeased the goddess with his Tantra mantra chanting and then this temple was re-established.
History of Haat Kalika Temple
The Abode of Haat Kalika at Gangolihat finds its mention in the Puranas, the ancient religious texts of Hindus as Guru Adi Shankaracharya chose this place to install the Mahakali Shakti Peeth. A perpetual holy fire burns at the temple site since time immemorial which is considered to be the power of the goddess. In the modern times, Saint Jangam Baba offered prayers at the temple site for years and one day the Goddess appeared in his dream and asked him to construct a temple here. Therefore, the present temple owes the credit of its formation to Jangam Baba.
It is alleged that during the reign of the Chand rajas, human beings were, at times, offered in sacrifice at this temple, but the practice was stopped in the last century. Goats and buffaloes still continue to be sacrificed, particularly during the Navratri of Chaitra and Asvina.
The Statue of Mahakali was Established Under The Leadership of Subedar Sher Singh
It is said that the statue of Mahakali was established by the Kumaon Regiment under the leadership of Subedar Sher Singh after the war with Pakistan in 1971. It is said that this was the first idol installed by the army. After this, the Kumaon Regiment had climbed a big statue in the year 1994.
Religious Significance and Legends of Haat Kalika Temple
The Haat Kalika temple has utmost religious significance for the people of Kumaon region, especially the brave soldiers of the Kumaon regiment of the Indian army. A popular legend goes that once a turbulent sea storm blew which caused tremors in the ship that was carrying the soldiers of the Kumaon regiment. When all the efforts for saving the ship from sinking failed, the soldiers then resorted to Goddess Haat Kali and prayed to her. By the grace of Haat kalika, the ship miraculously reached the shore safely. Since then the residents of the Kumaon region started considering Haat kalika as Isht Devi. Many army men visit the Haat kalika temple and offer their service at the temple.
Popular Belief of The Temple
A custom has been prevalent here for centuries. The priests of the temple make a bed in the evening. When the doors of the temple are opened in the morning, there are folds on the bed. Local people believe that Mahakali herself rests at this place during the night. At the same time, it is also said that if the devotee worships the mother in this temple with a sincere heart, then every wish of hers is fulfilled. Here devotees speak their mind by tying a chunari in the temple, then when the wish is fulfilled, there is a tradition of coming again and offering the bell. Haat Kalika located in Gangolihat is considered to be the original form, while a form of Haat Kalika is also there at a place called Lachhair, 20 kms from Pithoragarh. Kalika temple is established here too. Those who cannot reach Haat Kalika for the darshan of the mother, they reach the Kalika temple in Lachair for darshan.
The holy fire has been burning at the temple site since ages and it is believed that it is the energy of the goddess Kalika. Many visitors and devotees come here to seek blessings from Maa Kalika. It is said that you will become healthy and wealthy if you offer flowers to Maa Kalika. In modern times, Saint Jangam Baba used to offer prayers at temples and in his dream Maa Kalika appeared and asked him to construct a Temple here.
Read More:
https://www.sacredyatra.com/haat-kalika-temple.html
