Dunagiri


Dunagiri is a historic area in Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand in India. Approximately from Delhi, a cluster of six small villages forms the place that is variously known as Dunagiri, Drongiri and Doonagiri. 116 such villages combine to form the Development Block of Dwarahat, which falls under the District of Almora. Located at a height of 8,000 feet above sea level, Dunagiri is famous within Kumaon for its temple of Shakti – known here as Dunagiri Devi.

History

According to the local tradition, the town has been regularly visited by sages of India who established their ashrams here in the midst of nature. Ashram of Garga Muni was at Dunagiri after whom river Gagas is said to have been named. Sukhdev Muni's ashram was also here, at a place now known as "Sukh Devi". During their period of anonymous travel, the Pandavas of Mahabharata took shelter at Dunagiri. Pandukholi is said to be the place near Dunagiri where they stayed for a period of time. Pandav's Guru Dronacharya also did tapasya at Dunagiri. Dunagiri is mentioned in Manas khand of Skanda Purana. Dunagiri Devi is described as Mahamaya Harpriya. Manas khand of Skandpuran bestows Dunagiri with the title of Brahm-parvat. Among all the Shakti temples of Kumaon, Dunagiri is counted amid the most ancient ‘Sidh Shaktipeeth’, as a primary ‘ugra’ ‘peeths’ – called ‘Ugra Peeth’. This Shaktipeeth in its essence has been influenced over time by Shaiva, Vaishnav and Shakt practices.