Purnagiri Temple | Festivals, History & Timings

Purnagiri Temple had an altitude of 3000 meters at Tanakpur in Champawat district of Uttarakhand (Northern Himalayan state of India), above sea level and just 20 km from Tanakpur. The Purnagiri Temple timings are from 05:00 am to 07:00 pm.

Purnagiri Temple

Purnagiri Temple Overview:

There is a motorable road from Tanakpur to Tulligad and a 3 km trek through easy steps to reach the holy Temple. After climbing Bans Ki Charhai comes Avala Khan (new name Hanuman Chatti).

From this place, one can see the southwest side of ‘Punya Parvatam’. This Temple is also known as Punyagiri. Purnagiri Temple is an important place among the famous temples of Uttarakhand. 

It is considered one of the 108 Siddha Peethas of India. At Tanakpur, the river Kali descends into the plains and is known as the Sarada river.

Purnagiri Temple History:

According to Hindu mythology, during Satya Yuga, Parvati (Sati), daughter of Dakha Prajapati, married “Yogi” (Shiva) against Dakha Prajapati’s wishes. So to take revenge on Shiva, Dakha Prajapati performed a Vrihaspati Yajna, where he invited all the deities except Shiva & Sati. But knowing that he did not invite Sati, she expressed her wish to Lord Shiva to attend the Yajna.

Lord Shiva tried his best to stop her, but she understood nothing, so Lord Shiva had to allow her to attend the Yajna. Where, being an uninvited guest, she had not given any respect. Infect, her father Sati insulted Lord Shiva intolerable.

So knowing her father’s trick to insult her husband, she jumped into the Yajna and committed suicide. Seeing the burning Sati, Lord Shiva destroyed the Dakha Prajapati Yajna. The places where her body parts fell had been identified as Shakti Peethas. Part of Sati Devi’s naabhi (navel) fell at Purnagiri, where the Temple was now located.

Festivals at Purnagiri Temple:

Purnagiri Mela is one of the famous festivals held in this Temple. And it is maintained by Sri Purnagiri Temple. The Mela is held every year during Chaitra Navratri for two months. 

These fairs attract many pilgrims. Many people visit the shrine these days. Temple fairs include Purnagiri Mela, Navratri Mela, Vishwat Sankranti, and Kumaon.

During the Chaitra Navratra Mela, basic facilities like medicines, medical facilities, telephone and more are available. The local petrol pump is at Tanakpur.

False Temple Story:

While returning from Purnagiri Mandir, what had been considered ‘Juta Mandir’ (False Temple) had seen. A merchant had said to have offered Maa Purnagiri that he would build a golden pedestal if his dream of having children came true. Devi granted his wish.

He overcame the greedy merchant and built an altar of copper overlaid with gold. When the altar had brought up, the people placed it on the ground as they brought it up. He tried to pick it up again, but it didn’t budge. The merchant recognized the deity’s annoyance, sought forgiveness and built a temple on that altar.

Purnagiri Temple Timings:

These are the Purnagiri Temple winter timings:

DayTimings
Monday5 am to 5 pm
Tuesday5 am to 5 pm
Wednesday5 am to 5 pm
Thursday5 am to 5 pm
Friday5 am to 5 pm
Saturday5 am to 5 pm
Sunday5 am to 5 pm

These are the Purnagiri Temple summer timings. Open and close timing will vary during the festival.

DayTimings
Monday5 am to 7 pm
Tuesday5 am to 7 pm
Wednesday5 am to 7 pm
Thursday5 am to 7 pm
Friday5 am to 7 pm
Saturday5 am to 7 pm
Sunday5 am to 7 pm

Best time to visit:

Purnagiri Mandir had open throughout the year and can be visited whenever you like. Winters, however, are harsh as the temperature in Purnagiri drops significantly. 

As a result, you should bring some warm clothes. The best time to see the Temple is the Purnagiri Mela, held in April and May. At this time of the year, the area had lit up with devotees for darshan.

Hotels near Purnagiri Temple Tanakpur:

Purnagiri Mandir Tanakpur offers an extensive range of hotels, guest houses, and resorts to suit every pocket. Some good options include:

  • Hotel Rajshree
  • Valley View
  • Hotel Solitaire
  • Hotel Perchwood
  • Hotel Blue Empire

Places to see in and around Purnagiri Temple:

Tanakpur Spend a day exploring the nearby areas around Temple. Below is the list of places worth visiting. 

Shyamathal: 

This natural lake is located in a small, peaceful village about 25 km from Tanakpur. It is the perfect escape if you are looking to purify your soul.

The calm, sacred natural lake and the surrounding greenery will make you feel like you are in heaven. Shyamathal is a perfect resort for picnics and hiking. It is a must-visit if you are visiting Purnagiri temple. 

Banbasa Range: 

It is an old barrage built on the Sharada River, which passes through the Annapurna peak, where the Purnagiri temple had located. The scenery is simply breathtaking, and the atmosphere is serene.

In winter, when the sunrise falls on the lake formed by the barrage, it forms a picturesque sight from the Range. With a nearby park, Banbasa Range makes a great picnic spot to spend quality time with family and friends. 

Sharada Ghat: 

Also known as Ma Purnagiri Sharada Ghat, this ghat in Tanakpur on the river Sharada had dedicated to performing holy baths and rituals before proceeding to the Temple.

Most of the time, Sharda Ghat is a place to visit during the evening haarti and blend in with the divine atmosphere. 

Bhairon Baba Temple:

Bhairon Baba Mandir, or Bhairavnath Temple, is situated south of the Kedarnath temple on the eastern hill of the lofty Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairav.

Gangotri Temple:

Gangotri Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. This Temple had located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state. It had situated at an altitude of 3,100 meters in the Himalayan Range on the banks of the Bhagirathi River.

Badrinath Temple

This Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Vishnu in the Garhwal area of Uttarakhand. Alaknanda river flows next to the Temple. Devotees believe that the idol of Lord Vishnu is Swayambhu in nature.

Kedarnath Temple:

Kedarnath Temple had Located in the Garhwal Himalayan field in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. The Kedarnath Temple is one of the most prestigious and sacred Hindu temples, as it is part of the Chhota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

Hemkund Sahib:

Hemkund Sahib (formerly Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Ji) is a Sikh worship area in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It had also called Hemkunt Sahib. This place is devoted to the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Sri Guru Gobind Singh.

How to reach Temple:

Well, you can come by rail, road and air. 

By Air:

Purnagiri is 158 km from Pantnagar Airport in the Nainital District, which had connected by flights to leading metros of India.

By Rail: 

Tanakpur, about 22 km from Purnagiri Dham, is the nearest railway station. It receives round-the-clock, year-round passenger trains from all major urban centres in India. 

By Road:

Purnagiri has good motor road connectivity. To reach Purnagiri temple, you can opt for government UTC (Uttarakhand Transport Corporation) buses or private buses and cabs. 

Purnagiri Temple Address:

Purnagiri Temple, National Highway 9, Kutari, Uttarakhand 262308

FAQs:

What is the height Purnagiri temple height?

3000 mts.

Why is Purnagiri famous? 

Realizing that it was her father’s ploy to humiliate her husband, Parvati immolated herself in the sacrificial fire. As the husband carried her dead body, the places where her body parts fell had identified as Shakti Peetha.

Is Purnagiri Temple Shakti Peetha? 

Purnagiri Temple had considered a Mahakali Peetha and is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas.

Which body part of Sati fell in Purnagiri?

Naabhi.

Related Articles: