Dhari Devi Temple, Kaliasaur
Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Dhari Devi Temple is one of the most venerated shrines in the Garhwal Himalaya — the seat of a goddess widely regarded as the guardian deity (rakshak) of Uttarakhand and, in popular belief, the protector of the four Char Dham shrines. It stands at Kaliasaur (Kalyasaur), on the banks of the Alaknanda River roughly 15 km up the valley from the old Garhwal-kingdom capital of Srinagar, on the highway toward Rudraprayag. The presiding image is unusual: the temple enshrines only the upper half of the goddess's idol, while the lower half is worshipped far up the Mandakini valley at Kalimath, where she is venerated as a form of Kali. Dhari Devi is venerated as a Siddhapeeth and as a guardian goddess in the Devi Bhagavata tradition, and her shrine draws a steady stream of pilgrims travelling the Char Dham route, who stop to seek the goddess's blessing before continuing to Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Temple prasad and bhog counter (on-site) - pure-vegetarian, satvik offerings taken as prasad after darshan.
- ✦Roadside chai-and-pakora stalls near the Dhari Devi turn-off (NH-7) - simple vegetarian snacks, aloo-puri and hot tea; quality is basic, so choose a busy, freshly cooked stall.
- ✦Pure-vegetarian dhabas and thali points in Srinagar (Garhwal) town, about 15 km away - dependable Garhwali-North Indian veg thalis; confirm the kitchen is pure-veg before ordering, as Srinagar is a mixed town.
- ✦GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) tourist-rest-house canteens on the Srinagar-Rudraprayag route - typically serve simple vegetarian meals to travellers; hours vary, so confirm on arrival.
About
Dhari Devi Temple is one of the most venerated shrines in the Garhwal Himalaya — the seat of a goddess widely regarded as the guardian deity (rakshak) of Uttarakhand and, in popular belief, the protector of the four Char Dham shrines.
- It stands at Kaliasaur (Kalyasaur), on the banks of the Alaknanda River roughly 15 km up the valley from the old Garhwal-kingdom capital of Srinagar, on the highway toward Rudraprayag.
- The presiding image is unusual: the temple enshrines only the upper half of the goddess's idol, while the lower half is worshipped far up the Mandakini valley at Kalimath, where she is venerated as a form of Kali.
- Dhari Devi is venerated as a Siddhapeeth and as a guardian goddess in the Devi Bhagavata tradition, and her shrine draws a steady stream of pilgrims travelling the Char Dham route, who stop to seek the goddess's blessing before continuing to Kedarnath and Badrinath.
- A well-loved local legend holds that the goddess's face changes appearance through the day — appearing as a girl in the morning, a young woman by midday, and an aged woman by evening.
- For generations the idol sat on a rock at the river's edge, and priests recount that the deity resisted being permanently roofed over, preferring the open sky and the sound of the Alaknanda.
- Today the shrine occupies a raised concrete platform reached by a short walkway above the river — an arrangement that lets pilgrims approach the deity while the water rushes on all sides, giving the site its distinctive mid-stream drama.
- In 2013 the idol was relocated from its original riverside rock to the present elevated platform in connection with a hydro-electric project on the Alaknanda, and the shrine has since remained an active, much-loved place of worship on the Char Dham route.
- For vegetarian travellers the setting is naturally satvik: temple prasad and bhog are pure-vegetarian, and simple roadside chai-and-pakora stalls near the shrine keep to vegetarian fare.
- Srinagar town, a short drive away, is the practical base for a proper pure-vegetarian thali.
- Visit early morning or at sandhya aarti, when lamps reflect off the dark river and the shrine is at its most atmospheric.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Kaliasaur (Kalyasaur), on NH-7 mid-stream in the Alaknanda, between Srinagar (Garhwal) and Rudraprayag, Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand, 246174
How to Reach: Kaliasaur lies on NH-7 (the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway) about 15 km from Srinagar (Garhwal) toward Rudraprayag, roughly 120 km up from Rishikesh. Shared taxis, buses and jeeps plying the Srinagar-Rudraprayag road stop at the Dhari Devi turn-off; from the road a short marked walkway and steps lead down to the mid-stream platform. Private taxis run from Srinagar (about 30-40 minutes) and from Rudraprayag. The nearest railhead is Rishikesh; the nearest airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun), around 145 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Dhari Devi Temple located?
It stands at Kaliasaur (Kalyasaur) on a raised platform in the middle of the Alaknanda River, on NH-7 between Srinagar (Garhwal) and Rudraprayag - about 15 km from Srinagar and roughly 120 km up from Rishikesh. Note this is Srinagar in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, not the Kashmir city of the same name.
Is there an entry fee for Dhari Devi Temple?
No, entry is free. As an active Hindu shrine on the Char Dham route it is open to all worshippers, with no admission ticket. Small voluntary offerings and prasad contributions are customary but not required.
What are the darshan and aarti timings?
The temple is generally open daily from around 6:00 AM to 12:00 noon and again from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a midday break. Morning aarti is around 7:00 AM and the evening (sandhya) aarti is near sunset - the most atmospheric time to visit. Timings shift with season and river conditions, so confirm locally before travelling.
Why is the idol split between Dhari Devi and Kalimath?
The Dhari Devi shrine enshrines the upper half of the goddess's idol, while the lower half is worshipped at Kalimath in the Mandakini valley, where she is venerated as a form of Kali. Devotees count her among the Shakta pithas and revere her as the guardian deity of Uttarakhand and protector of the Char Dham.
Why does Dhari Devi Temple stand on a platform above the river?
The shrine sits on a raised platform above the Alaknanda, reached by a short walkway, so that pilgrims can approach the deity while the river rushes on all sides — the mid-stream setting gives the site its distinctive drama. The idol was relocated to this elevated platform in 2013 in connection with a hydro-electric project on the river.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Dhari Devi Temple?
The setting is naturally vegetarian: temple prasad and bhog are pure-veg and satvik, and simple roadside stalls near the turn-off serve chai, pakoras and aloo-puri. For a proper meal, drive the short distance into Srinagar (Garhwal) town, which has pure-vegetarian thali points and GMVN rest-house canteens - just confirm the kitchen is pure-veg first, as Srinagar is a mixed town.
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