How to Reach Chitai Golu Devta Temple, Almora, (Uttarakhand) India

 How to Reach Chitai Golu Devta Temple, Almora, (Uttarakhand) India

Introduction:

Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is known for its temples, rivers and sacred shrins throughout the country and abroad. Chitai Golu Devta Temple, Almora is one of them. It is located at Chitai, 9 km away from Almora city towards Jageshwar Dham route, at an altitude of 5500 feet. Chitai Golu Devta is also known as the God of  Justice (Nyay ke Devta) for ages. Golu Devta is widely worshipped in the kumaon region of Uttarakhand State. The temple is particularly known for its unique tradition of devotees offering bells and letters to the deity. He is considered an incarnation of Lord Shiva.It holds a significant place in the religious and cultural life of the region.

How to Reach Chitai Golu Devta Temple

Chitai Golu Devta,Jai ho!

Reaching the Chitai Golu Devta Temple from Delhi and other cities involves a combination of air, train, and road travel, depending on yor preferences. Here's a step by step guide on how to get there particularly from Delhi. This guide should help you plan your trip efficiently, whether you are travelling from within India or abroad.

1- By Air

• Nearest Airport:  The nearest airport to Chitai Golu Devta Temple is Pantnagar Airport which is about 155 km away.
• From Delhi: You can take direct flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to Pantnagar. The flight duration is approximately 1.30 hours.
• From Pantnagar to Chitai: From Pantnagar Airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus  to reach Almora, which is about 5 hours drive.
•  From Almora, the Chitai Golu Devta Temple is around 9 km away , you can easily approach  it by taxi or local transport.
  

2- By Train:

• Nearest Railway Station: The major nearest railway is Kathgodam Railway Station, about 105 km from the temple.
• From Delhi: There are several trains from New Delhi Railway Station to Kathgodam, such as Shatabdi Express, Ranikhet Express, Sampark Kranti Express. The journey takes about 6-7 hours. From Kathgodam to Chitai: From Kathgodam you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Almora, which is about a 4 hours drive. From Almora easily you can approach to Chitai, hiring a taxi or local transport which is a short 15-20 minutes drive away.

3- By Road

• Direct Road Trip: You can also reach Chitai Golu Devta Temple by road directly from Delhi. The drive usually takes 9-10 hours, depending on traffic and road condition. The distance from Delhi to Chitai is about 400 km.
• By Bus and Taxi: Uttarakhand transport Buses are available from Anand Vihar, to Haldwani and Almora. You can also hire a taxi directly to Chitai Temple. The buses take 11- 12 hours to reach Almora.

Accommodation: 

• Almora is a suitable place to stay as hotels, stay homes and guest houses are available at Almora ranging from cheap to higher ranges.It's advisable to stay in Almora and visit the temple , which is a short drive away.
• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the temple is throughout the year. Only in monsoon season, land slides and heavy rain in hills creates disturbances. So, the best time to visit the temple is March to June and September to November, when the weather is pleasant in hills.
• It is well connected with road and one can reach easily by sharing taxi or buses.while going towards Jageshwar Dham and Pithoragarh.

Legend and Folklore:

Chitai Golu Devta Temple, Almora

• The origin of Golu Devta is hidden in local legends and folklore. One popular belief is that Golu Devta, thimself is the king of Champawat. He was a brave and just king, who was known for his fairness and was loved and respected by his subjects. This legend is more popular in Kali Kumaon region.
• According to another legend, Golu Devta is the son of Katyuri King, Jhal Rai and queen Kalinka, who was a spiritual and powerful figure. After his death, he was deified, and his spirit began to be worshipped as Golu Devta. The legend highlights him as a warrior deity who is quick to grant justice to his devotees. This legend is more popular in Almora region.
• Apart from this, one more legend predicts Golu Devta is considered as the brave son and General of Katyuri king, Jhal Rai, and his mother Kalinga and his grandfather Hal Rai. Historically, the origin of Golu Devta, is accepted at Champawat, a district in kumaon.

Historical Significance:

• The Chitai Golu Devta Temple was established by the Chand Dynasty, which ruled kumaon from the 13th to 18th centuries. The Chand kings regarded Him their Patron and were devout followers of Golu Devta, They played  a significant role in propagating his worship across the region.
• Some legends say that His birth was crucial under conspiracy of the step mothers who were seven in numbers who blackmailed the eight th queen of the king Jhal Rai, and tortured Him at the time of birth flowing the baby into the Gori River, while some say in Kali River.
• Golu Devta was brought up by a fisherman family named Bhana-Dhevar, while the innocent king was unknown by the incident. As a young boy, Goril, revealed the conspiracy made by his step mothers before the king. 
• Goril is known as Golu Devta, and ruled over the region. People have great love and regard for him. After hid death, he is regarded as God of Justice and welfare in the Kumaon region. Devta is in form of Bhairav
• According to history, Golu Devta is seen in form of Lord Shiva, his brother Kalva Devta, and Garh Devi is in form of Shakti (Power).

Temple Tradition and Worship:

• Golu Devta is worshipped not just at the Chitai Temple but also in many other temples across kumaon. Golu Devta Temple of Champawat and Ghorakhal are famous temples of Golu Devta.
• The he goats and cocks were sacrificed, in the temples in past decades before the High Court bane over the animal sacrifice publicly in temples. Now, Satwik pooja is performed in the temples.
• The deity is traditionally offered bells and letters as part of the worship process. It is believed that Golu Devta listens to the request and prayer of the devotees written in these letters and grants justice  immediately.
• The devotees also offer bells as a sign of gratitude when wishes are fulfilled and at the success of their family issues as well as for the blessing for the family. The numbers of bells are in crores. This tradition is has evolved over centuries, becoming a symbol of the deity's power to grant justice and fulfil wishes. 

Modern Relevance:

• Golu Devta's worship is associated to local beliefs with Hindu traditions.Over time, his cult spread beyond the kumaon region, and He is now worshipped by people from various parts of India, particularly those seeking justice or solutions to their problems.
• Even today, the Chitai Golu Devta Temple, remains a major pilgrimage site, drawing devotees from far and wide. The temple continues to be a local point for those who believe in the divine justice blessed by Golu Devta.

Conclusion:

The Chitai Golu Devta Temple, with its rich history and deep cultural significance, stands as a testament to the enduring faith of the kumaoni people in their local deities and the traditions that have been passed down through generations. This is strange that the unique aspect of the temple is the tradition of devotees writing letters to Golu Devta, requesting for justice or the fulfilment of their wishes. These letters, often pinned or tied around the temple, are an integral part of the worship process. Offering prayers, in written documents add intuitions to God and Justice demand it like courts. This is why, the Chitai Golu Devta Temple is regarded as the Supreme court of Uttarakhand.