Durga Devi Temple (Khoh River Cave Shrine)
Pauri, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Durga Devi Temple is one of the most revered wayside shrines of the Pauri Garhwal foothills, standing on the winding Kotdwar-Dugadda-Pauri hill road roughly 11 km beyond Kotdwar and about 4 km short of Dugadda. Perched on a forested slope above the Khoh river, it is venerated locally as a siddhpeeth (a "place of accomplishment," where prayers are believed to bear fruit) dedicated to the Goddess Durga, the fierce and protective mother-form of Shakti. For generations of Garhwali families, and for travellers heading up to Pauri, Lansdowne or Khirsu, a brief halt here for darshan is a customary act of blessing before the mountain journey ahead.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Temple satvik prasad and roadside tea-and-snack stalls near the shrine - simple offerings; treat availability as seasonal and hedged.
- ✦Pure-vegetarian sweet shops and bhojanalayas in Kotdwar town (about 11 km back down the road) - the dependable option for a full sit-down meal; verify each is genuinely pure-veg before ordering, as this is a mixed district.
- ✦Dhabas along the Kotdwar-Dugadda road serving vegetarian thali, dal-chawal and paratha - ask for the pure-vegetarian ones and confirm on the spot.
- ✦Snack and chai stalls at Dugadda (about 4 km ahead) - convenient if continuing uphill; choose clearly vegetarian counters.
About
Durga Devi Temple is one of the most revered wayside shrines of the Pauri Garhwal foothills, standing on the winding Kotdwar-Dugadda-Pauri hill road roughly 11 km beyond Kotdwar and about 4 km short of Dugadda.
- Perched on a forested slope above the Khoh river, it is venerated locally as a siddhpeeth (a "place of accomplishment," where prayers are believed to bear fruit) dedicated to the Goddess Durga, the fierce and protective mother-form of Shakti.
- For generations of Garhwali families, and for travellers heading up to Pauri, Lansdowne or Khirsu, a brief halt here for darshan is a customary act of blessing before the mountain journey ahead.
- The temple's most distinctive feature is a stepped cavern below the main shrine — a narrow flight descending roughly a dozen feet into the rock, at the base of which devotees revere a Shivling.
- This pairing of the Goddess above and the Shiva Shivling in the cave below gives the site a layered sanctity that draws Shakta and Shaiva worshippers alike.
- A signature ritual is the tying of red chunari (sacred red cloth) around the sanctum as a vow or thanksgiving, so that the shrine is wreathed in fluttering crimson offerings; bells, vermilion, marigold and the murmur of the river define its atmosphere.
- Crowds swell during the Navratri festivals (spring Chaitra and autumn Sharad), when the road below fills with pilgrims and the small temple precinct hums with continuous aarti.
- For visitors of every faith the shrine is welcoming: remove footwear before the sanctum, dress modestly, take care on the worn cave steps (they can be damp and slippery), and observe quietly during worship.
- The setting above the Khoh is genuinely scenic, and the short cave descent makes it memorable for children and elders alike, though the latter should mind the steps.
- For vegetarian travellers the halt is easy.
- The temple itself offers simple satvik prasad, and the surrounding stretch is dotted with modest roadside tea-and-snack stalls; for a proper sit-down meal it is best to plan around pure-vegetarian dhabas and sweet shops in Kotdwar town, which serve the pilgrim traffic.
- As this is a mixed hill district, confirm that any eatery is genuinely pure-vegetarian before ordering.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Kotdwar-Dugadda-Pauri hill road, above the Khoh river, near Dugadda, Pauri Garhwal, Pauri, Uttarakhand, 246149
How to Reach: On the Kotdwar-Dugadda-Pauri road, about 11 km from Kotdwar (roughly 4 km before Dugadda). Kotdwar is the nearest railhead, well connected by train to Delhi and Haridwar. From Kotdwar, shared jeeps and taxis bound for Dugadda, Pauri, Lansdowne or Khirsu pass the temple; a private taxi from Kotdwar costs about 400-600 rupees and takes around 30-40 minutes on the ghat road. There is roadside parking near the shrine. Confirm shared-jeep timings locally as they run mainly by day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the Durga Devi Temple near Kotdwar?
It stands on the Kotdwar-Dugadda-Pauri hill road, about 11 km beyond Kotdwar and roughly 4 km before Dugadda, on a forested slope above the Khoh river in Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. Kotdwar is the nearest town and railhead.
What is special about the cave at Durga Devi Temple?
Below the main shrine of the Goddess Durga, a stepped cavern descends roughly a dozen feet into the rock, and at its base devotees revere a Shivling. This pairing of the Goddess above and Shiva's Shivling in the cave below gives the siddhpeeth a layered sanctity that draws both Shakta and Shaiva worshippers. Take care, as the worn cave steps can be damp and slippery.
Why do devotees tie red cloth here?
Tying a red chunari (sacred red cloth) is a traditional vow or thanksgiving offering to the Goddess Durga. Over time the sanctum becomes wreathed in fluttering crimson cloths, which is one of the shrine's most recognisable sights. It is a personal act of devotion, entirely optional for visitors.
Is there an entry fee, and what are the timings?
There is no entry fee - like most Hindu roadside shrines it is free to visit. It is generally open from around sunrise to sunset (reported roughly 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM), with aarti timings that vary and extend during Navratri. As hill-road shrine hours shift with the season, it is best to confirm locally.
When is the best time to visit?
March to June and September to November offer pleasant hill weather. The two Navratri festivals - Chaitra Navratri (March/April) and Sharad Navratri (September/October) - bring the most vibrant devotional atmosphere, with large numbers of pilgrims. Avoid the peak monsoon (July-August), when the ghat road and cave steps become slippery.
Where can vegetarian travellers eat near the temple?
The temple offers simple satvik prasad, and roadside tea-and-snack stalls sit nearby. For a proper sit-down vegetarian meal, plan around pure-vegetarian sweet shops and bhojanalayas in Kotdwar town, about 11 km back down the road. Since this is a mixed hill district, always confirm that an eatery is genuinely pure-vegetarian before ordering.
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