Chitai Golu Devta Temple is a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Golu Devta, who is popularly known as Goljyu Devta. Golu Devata is a deity of the Kumaon region as well as the eastern Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. He is also referred to as the god of justice. The temple was constructed in the 12th century by a general belonging to the Chand Dynasty. The statue of Lord Golu installed in the temple is of white color. Golu Devta is seen sitting on his horse. The temple is surrounded by a thick forest of Chir pines. Golu Devta is famous as Nyaya ke Devta. He is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva in the form of Gaur Bhairav.
The temple holds a great religious value and devotees offer their prayers utilizing white cloth, pagri, and white shawl. The belief of locals says any issue related to legal cases can be solved or fulfilled by writing it down on a white paper and tying it along with a bell in the temple. Every day this temple of Golu Devta is visited by thousands of pilgrims in order to get their wishes fulfilled. The temple looks extraordinary and can be easily recognized by the number of copper bells hung on its premises.
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History and Origin of Chitai Golu Devta
Tales about his birth differ from place to place. One popular legend tells of King Jhal Rai and his queen, Kalinka. The story about Golu says the king, while hunting, sent his servants to look for water. The servants disturbed a woman who was praying. The woman, in a fit of anger, taunted the king that he could not separate two fighting bulls and proceeded to do so herself. The king was very impressed by this deed and he married the lady.
When this queen gave birth to a son, the other queens, who were jealous of her, replaced the boy with a silbatta (batan, stone), put him in a cage, and cast him into the river. A fisherman eventually found the child and raised him. When the boy grew up, he took a wooden horse to the river and on being questioned by the queens, he replied that if women can give birth to stone, then wooden horses can drink water. When the king heard about this, he punished the guilty queens and crowned the boy, who went on to be known as Golu devta.
Chitai Golu Devta Temple Almora Uttarakhand
The Chitai Golu Devta temple is located in Chitai village, roughly 8 to 10 kilometers from Almora town on the Almora–Pithoragarh or Jageshwar Dham road (State Highway 37) in Uttarakhand.
Temple Location
● Located on the Jageshwar- Dham road, Golu Devta Temple is situated at a distance of 8.5km from Almora.
● It is Situated at the top of a hill amidst the Kumaon hills, 25km from Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Chitai village. It is easily connected by motorable roads with all the nearby destinations of Uttarakhand.
● Can be easily reached via road from with all the nearby destinations of Uttarakhand.
● The nearest major Railway station is Kathgodam Railway Station which is at a distance of 89km approx. Cab/ Taxi is easily available from the station to reach Chitai Temple.
Best time to Visit Chitai Golu Devta Temple
Chitai Golu Temple timings are Monday to Sunday between 6 A.M. to 10 P.M. One can visit the temple throughout the year, however, the best time to visit the Chitai temple is March to June as it will be really enjoyable during this time with pleasant weather. July and August can be a little difficult due to the Monsoon Season. But October to May is again a good time to visit, with snowy mountains surrounding the region here.
For official travel information and advisories in this region, you can refer to the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, the state government’s official tourism body.
Religious and Cultural Importance of Golu Devta and the Chitai Temple
India’s social and religious environment is diverse, featuring numerous deities that are not exclusively part of the primary Brahmanical/Puranic Hindu traditions. Throughout India, individuals venerate regional deities and ancestral spirits that are tied to the particular geography and borders of their territory. In the Himalayas, particularly, the worship of such deities, and the practices related to it, have not been absorbed into the mainstream Hindu pantheon as yet. The local people believe in these gods who seem to exercise control over different territories. One of these prominent deities who has become significant over the last few years is Goludevta or Goriya Raja of Uttarakhand.
Golu Devata is seen in the form of Bhairav. Golu Devata is also worshiped as a key ancestral deity (Ista/Kula Devta) in many villages in Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand.
There are many temples of Golu Devata in the Kumaon region, and one of the most popular temple is the Chitai Golu Devta Temple . It is a popular belief that Golu Devata dispenses quick justice to the devotee. Many devotees file a lot of written petitions daily, which are received by the temple.
Things to Experience at the Chitai Temple
● Worshippers pin written letters, family problems, or even formal legal documents referred to as ‘Arzi’ directly to the temple walls, asking the deity to act as the ultimate judge and resolve their problems.
● Pilgrims tie brass bells around the temple grounds as a symbol of gratitude once their prayers are answered.
● Traditional offerings like white cloth, white turbans (pagri), and white shawls are frequently presented to Golu Devta by the pilgrims.
● Traditional offerings like white cloth, white turbans (pagri), and white shawls are frequently presented to Golu Devta by the pilgrims.
Conclusion
Chitai Golu Devta Temple is an important religious place in Almora, Uttarakhand, and holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. The temple is famous for its association with Golu Devta, who is worshipped as the God of Justice. The tradition of offering bells and writing petitions makes this temple different from many other temples. Along with its religious importance, the temple also gives visitors a chance to learn about the culture and traditions of the Kumaon region. Overall, Chitai Golu Devta Temple is a meaningful place to visit for anyone exploring the spiritual and cultural beauty of Uttarakhand. Travelers who enjoy temple treks in the Garhwal Himalayas can also explore at Explore Hills’ Kalpeshwar Rudranath Trek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are bells tied around Chitai Golu Devta Temple?
Bells are tied around the Chitai Golu Devta Temple by the devotees as a symbol of gratitude when they believe their prayers have been answered.
What is an Arzi at Chitai Golu Devta Temple?
An Arzi is a written petition or request presented by devotees to Golu Devta. People write about their problems, concerns, or wishes on paper and offer their petitions as an expression of faith in the deity’s justice.
What should devotees offer at Chitai Golu Devta Temple?
According to the tradition bells, white cloth, white turbans (pagris), and white shawls are offered by the devotees to the temple. Some visitors also submit written petitions.
Why do people write legal petitions at Chitai Golu Devta Temple?
Golu Devta is known as the God of Justice. Devotees believe they can seek his help when they have any personal or legal difficulty. Devotees write petitions to bring up their concerns to Golu Devta.