Purnagiri Devi Temple Uttarakhand Full Details

Purnagiri Devi Temple is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas. It is situated at a distance of 20kms from Tanakpur, on the right bank of the river Kali in the district of Champawat. A three km track leads from Tunyas( 17km from Tunakpur) to the Purnagiri temple. It is dedicated to goddess Purnagiri Devi. During the navratras devotees tie a thread to take a wish. If their wish gets fulfilled, the pilgrims come back and untie the threads.

According to the legends, Daksha performed a yagna with a desire of taking revenge on Lord Shiva because he had married the former’s daughter going against his will. He invited all deities for the yagna except for Shiva and Sati. Sati wanted to attend the yagna and eventually convinced Shiva to let her do so. Shiva allowed her to go with his followers. Since Sati was an uninvited guest, she wasn’t given respect. Furthermore, Daksha insulted Shiva. Sati couldn’t tolerate her father insult her husband and she commits suicide by jumping into the yajna. Due to the loss and insult, Shiva got enraged and beheaded Daksha. He replaced the head with a goat’s head and gave him life. Not just that, he picked up Sati’s body and danced the dance of Destruction- Tandav all around. Many Gods intervened to stop him but he wouldn’t listen to anyone. Shiva’s disc, the Sudarshan Chakra cut through the corpse of Sati and the various parts of her body fell at several parts of the continent which formed the sites that are known as Shakti Peethas today. The part where the Nabhi or Naval fell, has the Purnagiri temple. People come here to worship the devi.

The temple is open from 6 AM to 12 PM and from 4 PM to 8 PM.

These fairs attract a large number of pilgrims. An innumerable number of people visit the shrine on these days.The fairs in the temple include Purnagiri Mela, Navaratri Mela, Vishuwat Sankranti and Kumaon. During the chaitra navaratra mela, basic amenities like medicines, hospital, telephone, and so on are available. The nearest petrol pump is in Tanakpur.

The melas take place at Champawat, which is easily accessible.The nearest airport is located at Pant Nagar at a distance of 206 kilometers.  The nearest railhead is situated at Kathgodam at a distance of 180 kilometers. Bageshwar can be communicated from all the major towns of the state of Uttaranchal. At Champawat, taxis are available as local means of transport. To attend Purnagiri Mela, it is most convenient to stay at Champawat.

It is not advisable to visit this place during rainy season. There are landslides and the path to the temple isn’t maintained during this season.

The nearest railhead is the Tanakpur Railway Station at a distance of 22 km from the temple.

The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport at a distance of 340 km from the temple.