| Char Dham Yatra – towards Badrinath, Day 45 |


We have returned to Choupata after Darshan of Tungnath & Chandrashila. After a wonderful experience of Nature’s beauty, we shall now travel for four hours, to have the Darshan of Devi Maa. Do you know the history of Maa Anasuya’s temple?

Anasuya Temple

Sati Maa Anasuya temple is situated in a place called Mandal, in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. To reach these remote places nestled in the lap of the tall Himalayan peaks, amidst nature, away from the hustle & bustle of city life is not only a test of our belief & conviction, but also a very thrilling experience for tourists. The temple here is situated in the higher reaches of the lofty and relatively inaccessible peaks of the Himalayas because of which, we have to climb on foot to reach it.

There is a motor able road upto Mandal in Chamoli dist. From here, the pilgrims and devotees have to undertake a steep uphill climb of 5 kms on foot, to reach the temple. Mandal, the first village on the route to the temple is full of fruit bearing trees. Hilly Oranges grow in abundance over here. The burbling & gurgling waters of the Amrut Ganga river flowing by this village enthuse the Pada Yatris (pilgrims on foot); egging them on towards the temple on the mountain top. On the route to Anasuya temple, one comes across forests of oak, buransh (rhododendron) & Himalayan cedar that leave one fascinated. There are rest houses and drinking water points located at convenient distances all along the route, which are good enough for tourists or pilgrims to have some relief and respite from their fatigue.

When the pilgrim nears the temple, he/she first sees an imposing outline of Ganesha on a rock, that has formed naturally over here. Looking at it, one feels that the Lord is in a reclining posture, to His right. There is a small village named Anasuya situated here where the marvelous temple has been built. The temple has been made in Naagar Shaili style of temple architecture, which is widely prevalent in North India from the Himalayas to the boundary of the Vindhyas region.

(To be continued …)