Spiritual Essence: "The Peak of the Sanjeevani, where the Goddess guards the healing secrets of the Himalayas."

📜 The Legend of the Celestial Fragment

The story of Dunagiri is etched into the very fabric of the Ramayana. It is told that when the mighty Hanuman was carrying the Dronagiri mountain across the sky to save the life of Lakshmana, a fragment of that sacred, herb-rich peak fell upon this spot. This celestial shard became the ridge we stand upon today—Dunagiri, the "Mountain of the Sanjeevani".

For centuries, this ridge has been a sanctuary for those seeking the ultimate Mother. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Vaishnavi, the Shakti who embodies the creative and healing power of the universe. Legend whispers that the sage Bharadwaja performed intense penance here, and even the Pandavas sought the Goddess's blessings during their exile.

Unlike many other ancient shrines, Dunagiri is a Vaishnavi Shakti Peeth where the Goddess is worshipped in her gentle, sattvic form. It is a place where the barrier between the mythic past and the present moment dissolves in the gaze of the eternal Mother.

🧳 Traveler’s Guide

• 📍 Location: Situated near Dwarahat in the Almora district, approximately 15 km from Dwarahat and 50 km from Ranikhet.
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to June for pleasant trekking, or October to November for the most breathtaking, crystal-clear Himalayan views.
• 🚶 Trek Difficulty: Moderate; the climb involves several hundred steps, which is rewarding for all who reach the top.

🙏 Rituals & Festivals

• 🌸 Navratri: The temple is at its most vibrant during both the Chaitra and Sharad Navratris, when pilgrims throng the heights to offer flowers and incense.
• 🕯️ Sattvic Puja: The daily rituals focus on silent mantras and offerings of fruit and grains, maintaining a high level of spiritual purity.

📍 Nearby Attractions

• 🧘 Mahavatar Babaji’s Cave (5 km): The legendary cave where the deathless master initiated Lahiri Mahasaya into Kriya Yoga.
• 🏛️ Dwarahat Temple Group (15 km): An archaeological marvel featuring 55 ancient stone temples from the Katyuri era.
• 🌿 Pandukholi (10 km): A high-altitude meadow believed to have sheltered the Pandavas during their exile.