Surkanda Devi Temple Uttarakhand is a holy temple of Hindu religion in Uttarakhand, India located close to Dhanaulti. Located on a hilltop at 2,756 meters (9,042 feet) it is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas where head of Goddess Sati fell. It is a temple, dedicated to Goddess Parvati, and brings pilgrims who come to be blessed. The temple is a plain white house of worship with a small deity in it and has splendid sceneries of Himalayan mountains including Bandarpunch and Kedarnath. Avid tourists can either trek 2.5 km to the spot in Kaddukhal village, a process that consumes between 1.5 to 2 hours or a 502 meter ropeway, that involves 7-8 minutes.
The ropeway began in 2022 and it is priced at 177 rupees(per head) to 205 rupees(per person) round trip with the schedule being between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM every day. This temple lies 8 km away from Dhanaulti or 35 km away from mussoorie and the nearest airport, Jolly Grant in Dehradun is situated 88 to 91 km away. It is also at the peak during the Ganga Dussehra and Navratri festivals, where devotees throng it to a great extent. The serenity and environmental beauty of the temple is what accounts to the worship and nature lovers.
Kunjapuri Temple Timings Darshan 2025 : Puja/ Aarti
An Overview of the Surkanda Devi
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand, India |
| Altitude | 2,756 meters (9,042 feet) |
| Religious Significance | One of 51 Shakti Peethas, dedicated to Goddess Parvati |
| Trek Distance | 2.5 km from Kaddukhal village, 1.5–2 hours |
| Ropeway Length | 502 meters, 7–8 minutes |
| Ropeway Ticket Cost | ₹177–₹205 (round trip) |
| Ropeway Hours | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM daily |
| Distance from Dhanaulti | 8 km |
| Distance from Mussoorie | 35 km |
| Nearest Airport | Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (88–91 km) |
| Festivals | Ganga Dussehra, Navratri |
| Ropeway Start Year | 2022 |
| Scenic Views | Himalayan peaks (Bandarpunch, Kedarnath) |
What are the timings of the temple Surkanda Devi
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temple Timings | 6:00 AM–6:00 PM daily |
| Ropeway Timings | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM daily |
| Special Note | Timings may vary during festivals like Ganga Dussehra and Navratri |
What are the sevas and darshans are available at the temple Surkanda Devi
| Seva/Darshan | Timings | Price (₹) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Darshan | 5:00 AM–7:00 AM | Free | General viewing of the deity |
| Evening Darshan | 5:00 PM–7:00 PM | Free | Evening viewing accompanied by aarti, |
| General Puja | 7:00 AM–12:00 PM, 3:00 PM–6:00 PM | 50–200 | Basic puja performed by priests on behalf of devotees |
| Abhishekam | 6:00 AM–7:00 AM (on request) | 500–1000 | Ritual bathing of the deity with milk, honey, or sandalwood paste |
| Archana | 7:00 AM–6:00 PM (on request) | 100–300 | Chanting of the goddess’s names with offerings of flowers or prasad. |
| Special Puja (Navratri/Ganga Dussehra) | Varies during festivals | 1000–5000 | Elaborate rituals during festivals, including havan and special offerings. |
How to reach to the Surkanda Devi
Surkanda Devi Temple is near Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand, India, on a hill at 2,756 meters. You can reach it by road, rail, air, or a combination of these. Below is a simple guide in basic English on how to get there.
By Road:
- From Dehradun it is a far of 65–90 km, 2–3 hours you have to take a bus or taxi to Kaddukhal village via Mussoorie-Dhanaulti road.
- From Mussoorie it is aprox 32–40 km, 1–1.5 hours or you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to Kaddukhal.
- From Dhanaulti it is about a 8 kmyou should hire a take a local taxi or bus to Kaddukhal.
- From Delhi (320–340 km, 6–8 hours), drive or take a bus to Dehradun, then follow the route to Kaddukhal.
From Kaddukhal, you can:
- Trek: Walk 2–2.5 km uphill (1.5–2 hours, steep but paved).
- Ropeway: Take a 502-meter cable car (7–8 minutes, ₹177–₹205 round trip, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
- Pony/Horse: Hire a pony at Kaddukhal (cost varies, check locally).
By Train:
- The nearest railway station is Dehradun which is about a 63–85 km you can Take a train from Delhi or other cities, then hire a taxi or bus to Kaddukhal.
By Air:
- The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun which is abour 88–100 km. Fly from Delhi or other cities, then take a taxi or bus to Kaddukhal.
Temple History
This temple was established centuries ago by Anand Singh Jadi. Long ago, hill people from Dehradun were carrying heavy goods on their backs. On the way, they met a helpless old woman who asked to be taken along, but no one agreed. Anand Singh Jadi, being kind-hearted, carried her on his back with the goods. After walking far, he stopped to rest, and the old woman disappeared. When he reached home, the old woman appeared in his dream as the Devi and told him to dig at the highest peak. Upon digging, a divine self-manifested stone appeared, and the villagers built a temple there. Maa said the Jadi clan would be called her “maiti” (maternal family). Since then, the Jadi clan manages and serves the temple, Ujal village’s Lekhwani perform puja, and Malkosh people are called Devi’s maternal uncles.
Things to Do Nearby
Besides Surkanda Devi Temple, there’s much to do here. After trekking, you can enjoy camping in the nearby forests and hills. Adventure sports like ziplining and rock climbing are also available. If you have time after darshan, visit Kana Taal or Dhanaulti. The eco-park in Dhanaulti, near the temple, is very famous, with an entry ticket of ₹50.
Offerings and Rituals
For prasad like coconuts, people sit behind the temple to break them for you for a nominal ₹10 charge. You can offer the coconut water to the Shivling or consume it yourself. Say “Jai Mata Di!” Maa’s head fell on Sarkut mountain and is still present in this holy temple. The vibe here is very positive. Mussoorie to Dhanaulti is the main hill station, and you see a lot of snowfall here. So, at Surkanda Devi Temple, it’s very cold. If you visit after this video, I’m sure you’ll see snowfall. Even on normal days, 2 to 3 feet of snow falls here.
Mythological Significance
When Lord Shankar learned of this tragedy, his third eye opened in anger. His followers caused chaos, and all gods and sages fled the yagna site. Shankar took Sati’s body from the yagna fire and carried it on his shoulder, performing the Tandava dance across the universe in rage. To save the world from destruction, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to divide Sati’s body into 51 parts. Her body parts and ornaments fell at 51 places, which became Shakti Peethas. It is believed that Maa Sati’s head fell at this holy temple of Surkanda Devi, present in the sanctum today. Devotees come here to have darshan of Maa Rani.
Ropeway Details
If you want to take the ropeway, get tickets from here. Otherwise, the walking path is ahead if you prefer to trek. The ropeway ticket for a round trip is ₹205 per person, and a one-way ticket is ₹103. You can get a one-way ticket because strong winds sometimes cause the ropeway to stop. You can see one ropeway car carries four people.
A round-trip ticket is ₹205 per person, and a one-way ticket is ₹103. Walking to the temple takes about 30 to 40 minutes, but the ropeway takes 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the weather. If strong winds are blowing, the ropeway may stop midway, which can make you nervous. You can see the ropeway has started but stopped midway.