Kandoliya Devta Mahadev Temple
Pauri, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Kandoliya Devta Mahadev Temple crowns a forested ridge roughly 2 km above Pauri, the hill headquarters of Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district, at an altitude of around 1,700 metres. Dedicated to Lord Shiva in his local manifestation as Kandoliya Devta, the shrine is revered as the guardian deity (kul devta) of Pauri — a protective presiding god whom townspeople invoke for the welfare of the settlement and its families. The setting is as much the draw as the deity: the temple sits inside a stretch of dense oak, pine and deodar (Himalayan cedar) forest, and on a clear morning the view opens northward across the terraced Gangwarsyun valley to a long wall of snow peaks, giving the place its enduring reputation as a spot where devotion and Himalayan nature meet.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Kandoliya park stalls — seasonal chai, pakoras and simple vegetarian snacks near the shrine and forest park; availability varies with the day and season, so treat it as a snack stop rather than a meal.
- ✦Pauri bazaar vegetarian dhabas and thali points — simple pure-veg hill meals (dal-bhat, aloo-ke-gutke, mandua roti); Pauri is a mixed town, so pick a clearly vegetarian counter and confirm on the spot.
- ✦GMVN Pauri (government tourist rest house) canteen — the state tourism guesthouse typically serves simple vegetarian thalis; confirm the day's menu and timings in advance.
- ✦Pauri bazaar sweet shops — hill-town mithai, jalebi and chai for a light stop; entirely vegetarian counters are easy to find in the market lanes.
About
Kandoliya Devta Mahadev Temple crowns a forested ridge roughly 2 km above Pauri, the hill headquarters of Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district, at an altitude of around 1,700 metres.
- Dedicated to Lord Shiva in his local manifestation as Kandoliya Devta, the shrine is revered as the guardian deity (kul devta) of Pauri — a protective presiding god whom townspeople invoke for the welfare of the settlement and its families.
- The setting is as much the draw as the deity: the temple sits inside a stretch of dense oak, pine and deodar (Himalayan cedar) forest, and on a clear morning the view opens northward across the terraced Gangwarsyun valley to a long wall of snow peaks, giving the place its enduring reputation as a spot where devotion and Himalayan nature meet.
- The temple itself is a modest, whitewashed hill shrine rather than a grand monument — a small sanctum housing the Shivalinga, ringed by a paved courtyard, prayer bells and a scatter of subsidiary niches.
- What lends it importance is its role in Pauri's living devotional calendar: local worshippers climb up through the forest on Mondays and during the month of Shravan (July–August), and an annual fair (mela) at the temple draws families from the surrounding villages, animating the ridge with stalls, folk devotion and community gathering.
- The Garhwal region's tradition of village and clan deities is strong here, and Kandoliya Devta belongs squarely to that world of intensely local, place-bound sacred geography.
- The shrine is wrapped by a well-kept forest park — with walking paths, benches and a small sports complex — that makes it a favourite morning-walk and picnic destination for Pauri residents; just beyond lies Ransi, often described as one of the highest sports stadiums in Asia.
- For visitors of all faiths the temple is freely open: remove your shoes before the sanctum, dress modestly, and observe quietly during worship.
- For vegetarian travellers, the ridge is easy country.
- There is no restaurant at the shrine itself — usually just seasonal chai-and-snack stalls and, during the fair, prasad and simple snack vendors — so plan to eat down in Pauri bazaar, where hill-town sweet shops and vegetarian dhabas serve thalis, aloo-ke-gutke, mandua (finger-millet) rotis and chai.
- Pauri is a mixed hill town, so choose a clearly pure-vegetarian counter and confirm on the spot.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Kandoliya, on the Pauri–Khirsu ridge road, about 2 km above Pauri town, Pauri, Uttarakhand, 246001
How to Reach: Kandoliya is about 2 km above Pauri town on the ridge road towards Khirsu. From Pauri bus stand or the main bazaar it is a short shared-taxi or private-cab ride (about 10 minutes), or a pleasant 30–40 minute uphill walk through the forest. Pauri lies roughly 150 km from Rishikesh (about 5–6 hours by road via Devprayag/Srinagar Garhwal on NH-58) and is well connected by Uttarakhand roadways and shared jeeps; the nearest railhead is Kotdwar (about 100–110 km), and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kandoliya Devta Mahadev Temple and why is it important?
It is a hilltop Shiva shrine about 2 km above Pauri, in Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district, at roughly 1,700 metres. Shiva is worshipped here in his local form as Kandoliya Devta, revered as the guardian deity (kul devta) of Pauri. Set inside oak, pine and deodar forest with sweeping views of the Gangwarsyun valley and the snow peaks, it is loved equally as a place of devotion and of Himalayan nature.
Is there an entry fee for Kandoliya temple, and what are the timings?
There is no entry fee — the temple is free and open to all. It is generally open from around sunrise to sunset (reported roughly 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM), with informal timings typical of a hill shrine. The surrounding forest park is a daytime space. It is best to confirm locally, particularly in winter when hours can shorten.
How do I reach Kandoliya temple from Pauri?
Kandoliya is about 2 km above Pauri town on the ridge road towards Khirsu. From the Pauri bus stand or main bazaar it is a short shared-taxi or cab ride of about 10 minutes, or a pleasant 30–40 minute uphill walk through the forest. Pauri is roughly 150 km (5–6 hours) by road from Rishikesh; the nearest railhead is Kotdwar and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.
What can I see and do around Kandoliya besides the temple?
The shrine is wrapped by a well-kept forest park with walking paths, benches and a small sports complex, making it a favourite morning-walk and picnic spot for Pauri residents. On a clear morning you get long views across the Gangwarsyun valley to the Himalayan snow line. Just beyond lies Ransi, often described as one of the highest sports stadiums in Asia. An annual temple fair brings local folk devotion and stalls to the ridge.
When is the best time to visit?
March to June and September to November offer clear Himalayan views and comfortable walking weather, with early morning best for snow-peak visibility. Mondays and the month of Shravan (July–August) see active Shiva worship, and the annual fair is the liveliest time for local colour. Winters are cold and can bring occasional snow, so pack warm layers.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Kandoliya temple?
There is no restaurant at the shrine — usually just seasonal chai-and-snack stalls, plus prasad and snack vendors during the fair — so plan to eat down in Pauri bazaar. There you will find pure-vegetarian hill-town dhabas serving thalis, aloo-ke-gutke and mandua (finger-millet) rotis, sweet shops for mithai and chai, and the government GMVN rest-house canteen with simple vegetarian thalis. Pauri is a mixed town, so choose a clearly pure-vegetarian counter and confirm on the spot.
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