Devalgarh Rajrajeshwari Siddhapeeth
Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Devalgarh Rajrajeshwari Siddhapeeth crowns a quiet forested ridge above the Alaknanda valley, roughly 18–19 km north of the university town of Srinagar (Garhwal). Devalgarh was founded in the early sixteenth century by the Garhwal ruler Ajay Pal and briefly served as a strategic hill capital of the Garhwal kingdom before the seat of power shifted down to Srinagar and later to Pauri. What survives today is not a fort but a remarkably intact temple cluster — a rare, uncrowded window onto medieval Garhwali kingship and its devotional life, reached by a short climb through oak and rhododendron with the Himalayan foothills opening on every side.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Tea and prasad stalls at Devalgarh village — simple and purely vegetarian, good for chai and light snacks; do not expect a full meal here.
- ✦GMVN (Garhwal Mandal) rest-house canteen at Srinagar (Garhwal) — typically serves pure-vegetarian thalis; confirm meal timings and that the kitchen is fully vegetarian.
- ✦Satvik / pure-veg bhojanalayas in Srinagar (Garhwal) bazaar near the university — hill thalis and North-Indian vegetarian fare; verify each is fully vegetarian before ordering, as Srinagar is a mixed town.
- ✦Small vegetarian dhabas along the Srinagar–Khirsu road — parathas, dal-bhat and chai; ask before ordering to be sure the outlet is pure-veg.
About
Devalgarh Rajrajeshwari Siddhapeeth crowns a quiet forested ridge above the Alaknanda valley, roughly 18–19 km north of the university town of Srinagar (Garhwal). Devalgarh was founded in the early sixteenth century by the Garhwal ruler Ajay Pal and briefly served as a strategic hill capital of the Garhwal kingdom before the seat of power shifted down to Srinagar and later to Pauri.
- What survives today is not a fort but a remarkably intact temple cluster — a rare, uncrowded window onto medieval Garhwali kingship and its devotional life, reached by a short climb through oak and rhododendron with the Himalayan foothills opening on every side.
- The presiding shrine is dedicated to Raj-Rajeshwari (Rajrajeshwari), the tantric form of the Goddess who was the kul-devi, or royal family deity, of the Garhwal rulers.
- Local tradition holds the shrine as a Siddhapeeth — a seat of spiritual accomplishment — and an Akhand Jyoti, a continuously tended flame, is kept burning within, an unbroken lamp that devotees regard as the living heart of the sanctuary.
- The Goddess is worshipped here in the Sri-Vidya tradition, and the temple's royal association gives its rituals a distinctly ceremonial character during the two Navratri seasons.
- Beside it stands the older Gaura Devi temple, dedicated to Gauri (Parvati) and believed to predate Devalgarh's rise as a political capital.
- It is a state-protected monument (Uttarakhand State Archaeology — part of the Devalgarh Group of Temples) and displays the characteristic Himalayan Nagara idiom of the region: a stone-built shikhara (spire), an elevated platform, and carved doorframes weathered to soft grey.
- A Lakshmi-Narayan temple nearby extends the complex into Vaishnava worship, so the ridge holds Shakta, Shaiva and Vaishnava strands side by side.
- For all visitors, regardless of faith: the temples are open to everyone.
- Remove shoes before entering, dress modestly, keep quiet during aarti, and ask before photographing inside a sanctum.
- The site is genuinely off the tourist trail, so carry water and time your climb for daylight.
- Devalgarh itself is a tiny village with only simple tea and prasad stalls — purely vegetarian by custom.
- For a proper meal, plan to eat in Srinagar (Garhwal): a mixed hill town where you should choose clearly pure-vegetarian kitchens.
- Government-run GMVN rest-house canteens and the town's satvik bhojanalayas serve dependable vegetarian thalis; confirm that any eatery you pick is fully vegetarian before ordering.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Devalgarh village, on the ridge above the Alaknanda valley, about 18–19 km north of Srinagar (Garhwal), Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand, Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand, 246174
How to Reach: Devalgarh sits on a ridge about 18–19 km by road from Srinagar (Garhwal), which lies on NH-7 roughly 105 km up the Alaknanda from Rishikesh. From Srinagar, hire a shared or private taxi for the climb via the Khirsu-side hill road (about 45–60 minutes, part of it on a narrow ascending single-lane road); a short walk up steps leads to the temples. There is no railway or airport nearby — Rishikesh is the closest major railhead and Dehradun (Jolly Grant) the nearest airport, both onward by road. Regular buses and shared jeeps connect Rishikesh and Kotdwar to Srinagar (Garhwal).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Devalgarh Rajrajeshwari temple and why is it important?
Devalgarh Rajrajeshwari is the royal Shakti Siddhapeeth of the former Garhwal kingdom. The Goddess Raj-Rajeshwari was the kul-devi (family deity) of the Garhwal rulers, and an Akhand Jyoti — a continuously tended flame — burns within the shrine. It stands at Devalgarh, a hill village that briefly served as a Garhwal capital in the sixteenth century, and shares the ridge with the older, state-protected Gaura Devi temple.
Is there an entry fee for the Devalgarh temples?
No, entry is free. These are active Hindu temples open to everyone regardless of faith, with no admission ticket. There is no charge for the Rajrajeshwari, Gaura Devi or Lakshmi-Narayan shrines on the ridge.
How do I reach Devalgarh from Srinagar (Garhwal)?
Devalgarh is about 18–19 km by road from Srinagar (Garhwal). Hire a shared or private taxi for the 45–60 minute climb up the hill road (partly narrow single-lane), then walk a short flight of steps to the temples. Srinagar itself is on NH-7, roughly 105 km up the Alaknanda from Rishikesh, which is the nearest major railhead; Dehradun's Jolly Grant is the nearest airport.
What can I see at Devalgarh besides the Rajrajeshwari temple?
The ridge holds a compact cluster of medieval temples. Beside the Rajrajeshwari Siddhapeeth is the Gaura Devi temple, dedicated to Gauri (Parvati) and a state-protected monument (Uttarakhand State Archaeology), built in the Himalayan Nagara style with a stone shikhara and carved doorframes. A nearby Lakshmi-Narayan temple adds a Vaishnava shrine, so you see Shakta, Shaiva and Vaishnava worship together, along with wide Himalayan foothill views.
When is the best time to visit Devalgarh?
March to June and September to November offer the clearest mountain weather. Both Navratri seasons — Chaitra (spring) and Sharad (autumn) — bring the most ceremonial atmosphere, in keeping with the temple's royal Shakti tradition. Avoid the peak monsoon in July and August, when the hill roads can be slippery. Remember to remove your shoes, dress modestly, stay quiet during aarti and ask before photographing inside a sanctum.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Devalgarh?
Devalgarh village has only simple tea and prasad stalls, which are purely vegetarian but not a full meal. For a proper meal, eat in Srinagar (Garhwal), a mixed hill town where you should pick clearly pure-vegetarian kitchens — the GMVN rest-house canteen and the town's satvik bhojanalayas serve dependable vegetarian thalis. Always confirm an outlet is fully vegetarian before ordering.