Nag Dev Temple
Pauri, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Nag Dev Temple (Nagdev Mandir) is a much-worshipped serpent-deity shrine set on a forested ridge above Pauri, the hill-town headquarters of Garhwal's Pauri district. Dedicated to Nag Devta — the snake god venerated across the Himalayan foothills as a guardian of springs, forests and village wellbeing — the temple sits amid a dense stand of pine and rhododendron on the Pauri–Bubakhal road, roughly 5 km from the Pauri bus stand. Nag worship is an ancient and widespread strand of the region's Hindu devotional life: serpent deities are honoured as nature-spirits and protectors, and shrines like this one draw both local pilgrims seeking blessings and travellers who come as much for the walk and the views as for the darshan.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-vegetarian Garhwali bhojnalayas in Pauri main bazaar – simple thalis with mandua roti, aloo ke gutke and dal-bhaat; confirm the kitchen is pure-veg before ordering, as Pauri is a mixed hill town.
- ✦GMVN Tourist Rest House canteen, Pauri – the government-run guesthouse kitchen serves plain vegetarian North-Indian and Garhwali meals; hours are limited, so ask ahead.
- ✦Tea-and-snack stalls near Kandoliya and along the Pauri ridge – chai, pakoras and Maggi for a quick vegetarian bite before or after the walk.
- ✦Bhandara (community prasad meal) at Kandoliya Devta temple, Pauri – a pure-vegetarian langar served on festival days; a devotional, not a restaurant, option.
About
Nag Dev Temple (Nagdev Mandir) is a much-worshipped serpent-deity shrine set on a forested ridge above Pauri, the hill-town headquarters of Garhwal's Pauri district.
- Dedicated to Nag Devta — the snake god venerated across the Himalayan foothills as a guardian of springs, forests and village wellbeing — the temple sits amid a dense stand of pine and rhododendron on the Pauri–Bubakhal road, roughly 5 km from the Pauri bus stand.
- Nag worship is an ancient and widespread strand of the region's Hindu devotional life: serpent deities are honoured as nature-spirits and protectors, and shrines like this one draw both local pilgrims seeking blessings and travellers who come as much for the walk and the views as for the darshan.
- The approach is part of the appeal.
- From the road-head a gentle trek of about 1.5 km climbs through cool, shaded forest — chir pine underfoot and, in the higher reaches, rhododendron (buransh) that flames red across the hillsides in March and April.
- The path is quiet and birdsong-filled, an easy introduction to Garhwali hill-walking for families and first-timers.
- An observation point installed along the way opens up one of the finest free Himalayan panoramas near Pauri: on a clear morning the snow line unfurls to reveal Chaukhamba, the Gangotri group, Bandarpunch, Kedar Dome and Kedarnath ranged along the northern horizon.
- The shrine itself is modest — a small, unpretentious temple rather than a grand complex — which suits its remote, meditative setting.
- Devotees offer flowers, milk and prayers, and the surrounding forest lends the spot a genuine sense of seclusion rare at more crowded pilgrimage sites.
- It is especially associated with Nag Panchami (July–August), the festival of serpent deities, when local worshippers make the walk up to pay their respects.
- For vegetarian travellers, the practical picture is simple: there are no eateries at the shrine itself, so carry water and a light snack for the walk.
- Pauri town, a short drive away, is where you eat — look to pure-vegetarian Garhwali bhojnalayas and simple thali kitchens in the bazaar for local staples such as mandua (finger-millet) roti, aloo ke gutke and dal-bhaat.
- As Pauri is a mixed hill town, confirm that a kitchen is pure-vegetarian before ordering.
- Sturdy shoes, a warm layer for the ridge breeze, and an early start for the clearest mountain views make for the best visit.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Nagdev, off the Pauri–Bubakhal road, forested ridge above Pauri town, Pauri, Uttarakhand, 246001
How to Reach: The temple lies off the Pauri–Bubakhal road, about 5 km from the Pauri bus stand. Take a taxi or shared jeep from Pauri toward Bubakhal to the road-head (reported ~15 minutes), then walk about 1.5 km uphill through pine and rhododendron forest to the shrine. Pauri is around 150 km from Rishikesh (5–6 hours by road via Devprayag/Srinagar); the nearest railhead is Kotdwar (~108 km) and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun (~155 km).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nag Dev Temple in Pauri and how far is it?
Nag Dev Temple (Nagdev Mandir) sits on a forested ridge off the Pauri–Bubakhal road, about 5 km from the Pauri bus stand. From the road-head it is a further walk of roughly 1.5 km uphill through pine and rhododendron forest to reach the shrine.
Is there an entry fee for Nag Dev Temple?
No. Nag Dev Temple is a free serpent-deity shrine open to all. There is no admission ticket — you only need to reach it, which involves a short forest trek.
How do I reach the temple from Pauri?
Take a taxi or shared jeep from the Pauri bus stand along the Pauri–Bubakhal road to the road-head (reported about 15 minutes), then walk roughly 1.5 km uphill through the forest. Wear sturdy shoes; the path is gentle but unpaved in places. Pauri itself is about 150 km from Rishikesh and 108 km from the Kotdwar railhead.
What can you see at Nag Dev Temple?
The temple is a modest shrine to Nag Devta, the serpent deity, set in dense pine and rhododendron forest. The highlight for many visitors is an observation point along the trail that opens up a sweeping Himalayan panorama — on a clear morning you can see Chaukhamba, the Gangotri group, Bandarpunch, Kedar Dome and Kedarnath. In March and April the rhododendron (buransh) is in bloom.
When is the best time to visit?
March to June and September to November offer the clearest mountain views and comfortable weather; go early in the morning for the sharpest Himalayan panorama. The rhododendron blooms in March–April, and Nag Panchami (July–August) is the temple's main festival. Avoid the monsoon, when the forest trail becomes slippery.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Nag Dev Temple?
There are no eateries at the shrine, so carry water and a light snack for the walk. In Pauri town, a short drive away, look for pure-vegetarian Garhwali bhojnalayas in the bazaar serving mandua roti, aloo ke gutke and dal-bhaat, or the GMVN Tourist Rest House canteen for a plain vegetarian meal. As Pauri is a mixed hill town, confirm a kitchen is pure-vegetarian before ordering.
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