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| Santala Devi Temple (Santore Garh) Dehradun Uttarakhand |
Santala Devi Mandir is a very
popular and ancient hilltop temple of Dehradun. The temple is also famous as
Santora Devi temple among the devotees. The Santala Devi temple is situated in
the village Jahariwala. Temple is situated at the hilltop and at the bottom of
the hill there is a very beautiful river Nun which makes it a very beautiful
location for the tourist who comes to visit this temple. Santala Devi temple is
at about 2083 m height. There are other Gods statues also in the Santala Devi
Temple such as Gauri Sankar Statues, Lord Hanuman, Lord Shani Dev, Maa Kali,
etc.
Santala Devi Temple is located in
the green dense forest at a beautiful location. From the Santala Devi temple,
view of Dehradun, Mussoorie and nearby area, the river looks so mesmerizing. It
will be a memorable visit for everyone. The Santala Devi temple is also
considered as a symbol of brother and sister unbreakable relation. There is a
Manokamna fulfill tree at Santala Devi temple. Devotees tie the thread on the
tree for their wish fulfillment.
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| Santala Devi Temple Dehradun Main Gate |
The Santala Devi temples come
under the 5/1th Gorkha rifles army area. The Santala Devi temple management and
maintenance are also are taken care of by maximum Gorkha peoples. You can see
the many constructions works in the Santala Devi temple done by the Gorkha army
persons. Their name mentioned in the entry gate of the Santala Devi temple.
Maa Kali Temple at Santala Devi Temple
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| Maa Kali Temple at Santala Devi Temple |
At the Santala Devi temple, there
is a Ma Kali temple also. At the Maa Kali temple, devotees came to gives Bali
of small animals such as cock, goat after the fulfillment of their wishes. But
due to Supreme Court orders, the killing (Bali) of animals at temples is fully
banned. So devotees just for symbolism offers these animals in the temple of
Maa Kali.
History of Santala Devi
Temple
History of Santala Devi temple is
about 400 years old. The Santala Devi temple was established by the Mahant Shri
Patiram. As per legends, Santala Devi was the daughter of Nepal's King. During
the Islamic rule in India, a Mughal emperor Aurangzeb wanted to marry Santala
Devi. When Santala Devi know about Mughal emperor Aurangzeb wish then she moved
from Nepal with his brother Santor and started living at the Doon's hill at
Panjabiwala. That time this place is known as Santore Garh. Both Santala Devi
and his brother lived in their fort which was known as Santore Garh Fort.
Mughal emperor Aurangzeb started
searching to Santala Devi and found that she was living at the hilltop of
Santore Garh. Then Mughal emperor attack on them. Mughal emperor attacked with
a good number of soldiers and war continued for a long time. So Santala Devi
and his brother felt that they will defeat definitely. Santala Devi and his
brother both were very devotees of Goddess Maa Durga so he started praying to
God. God blessed both and suddenly a bright light comes then all soldiers of
Mughal emperor Aurangzeb get blind and fell down from the hill. Finally Mughal
emperor Aurangzeb get defeated in this war.
After the bright light fell down
on both, Santala Devi and his brother Santore turned into stone statues. Later
Santore fort converted into Santala Devi temple. Santala Devi devotees started
to come and see their statues. The day was Saturday on which Santala Devi
turned into stone. So devotees come on Saturday especially.
Mythologies of Santala Devi Temple
There is a story, a British
officer who had no child. When he knows about the Santala Devi temple, he came
to Santala Devi temple and done worship with full faith. Within a year he
became a father of a baby boy. The British officer also gave a Hindu name to
his child. So peoples who wish the kids come here to worship Santala Devi. Devotees
of Santala Devi also offers Silver Chhatra to Santala Devi when their wish
fulfilled. You can see lots of small Silver Chhatra in the Santala Devi temple.
Best Time to Visit Santala Devi Temple
Santala Devi temple is much
crowded during the Navratri. The best time to go Santala Devi temple will be
early morning. In the morning everyone fresh and energetic so the trekking the
way of temple easily complete. You can go Santala Devi temple any time except
rainy season but the best time will be from March to April and from September
to October.
Timing of Santala Devi Temple
Santala Devi temple opens daily.
Temple is crowded more on Saturday and Sunday. Santala Devi temple opens in the
morning at 06:00 am and closed in the evening after 06:00 pm. For one hour in
the afternoon, the Santala Devi temple is closed due to lunchtime. Santala Devi
temple is closed for one month during the rainy season from 15th July to 15th
August.
Visiting Time Duration of Santala Devi Temple
From the Dilaram Chowk, Santala
Devi temple is about 11 km far away and about half an hour time will be
consumed. In the trekking, about 30 to 40 minutes time will be taken by a
normal person. But when you return from the temple it will take only 20 minutes. Total time depends on you. An average
for reaching, trekking and visiting the Santala Devi temple will consume about
2-3 hours.
Facilities at Santala Devi Temple
- Drinking water is available at the temple.
- A washroom is available.
- Prasad shops are available near the temple.
- Snacks shop also available near the temple at the hilltop.
- There are many shops for foods and snacks at the starting point of the temple trek.
- Vehicle parking is available near the main road of the temple.
- Within two-three months the new cemented roads and stairs construction started by the local leaders. So the trekking road is in some good condition.
- Resting benches for rest are available on the trekking temple way. So you can rest for some time there or can take selfies or photos from there.
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| Entry Gate of the Santala Devi Temple |
Santala Devi temple is about 12
km from the Clock tower (Ghanta Ghar) Dehradun and 13 km from the Dehradun
railway station. If you are at ISBT Dehradun then it is about 15 km far. There
is a direct bus service for Jaitunwala from the Dilaram Chouk. So you will
easily be reached Santala Devi temple foothill. From the base, you have to trek
about 1-2 km on foot to reach up to temple.
Maximum devotees go to Santala
Devi temple by own vehicle or by booking of private taxi or auto. Because they
have to celebrate a picnic near the river at the Santala Devi temple.
TouristBug’s Recommendations
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| Peoples enjoying Picnic near Nun River at Santala Devi Temple |
- You must carry water and snacks with you during the trekking.
- You must wear good footwear’s because the way is the steep walking road.
- Avoid the rainy season from July to August for visiting the Santala Devi temple.
- Peoples also come here to see Sunset during the evening. It looks so beautiful from the hilltop.
- Photography is allowed outside the temple. So you can take many photos and enjoy the beauty of location at the height.
- The mobile network will not be available at the hilltop at the Santala Devi temple. You can see a weak mobile network on your smartphone.
- Please wear helmets if you are going by two-wheelers to Santala Devi temple because it comes under the Army area and they didn't allow to go there without a helmet. If two persons, then both have to wear a helmet.
- The way to the temple is very steep so be careful during going there. There are no railings on the maximum way so you have to careful.
- Don't spill garbage here and there on the way of the temple. You will spoil the natural hill beauty so use dustbins.
- If you are in Dehradun then you must visit once the Santala Devi temple.
The nearest tourist place from
the Santala Devi temple is the Tapkeshwar Temple which is situated in Ghadi
Cantt.
