Jhula Devi Temple

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Overview

Jhula Devi temple is a prominent hindu shrine located at the hill station Ranikhet in the state Uttarkhand. The temple lies at a distance of 7 km from the town of Ranikhet, which is near Chaubatia Gardens of the Almora district. The presiding deity of this temple is Jhula Devi who is a form of Goddess Durga. The temple is believed to have been built by the local people, seeking the protection of Devi Durga against the dangers posed by wild animals inhabiting the hilly region.

Legends and Stories

The Juala Devi temple is believed to be around 700 years old. The present temple complex of Maa Jhula Devi was constructed in the year 1935. There are innumerable bells seen hang around the temple complex. Devotees are seen tying those bells with the hope that Maa Jhula Devi is there to protect them. Chaubatia was once a forest area, full of wild animal. Leopards and Tigers are said to attack the locals living in that area and taking away their livestock. The frightened people are believed to have worshipped Devi Durga for protecting them from these dangerous animals. The divine Goddess Durga is said to have appeared in a shepherd's dream and had asked him to dig up a particular place where he would find her idol. She had ordered him to construct a temple at that site. The dutiful shepherd found the idol as told by the goddess and all the villagers came together to constructed a temple at that site. They installed the sacred idol of Devi Durga in the temple and with that the villagers were freed of the threats from wild animals.

Devi Durga is again said to have appeared in some one's dream and had wished for a Jhula (Swing) for herself. So the devotees are said to have placed the idol of Maa Durga on a wooden jhula (swing) within the temple sanctum sanctorum. Thus the deity got to be called as Matha Jhula Devi. Even to this day, villagers and their cattle remain unharmed inside the forest, despite the presence of wild animals. People believe that Goddess Jhula Devi still continues to protect them and their live stock.

Best time to visit

The Jhula Devi Temple can be visited throughout the year, though the ideal time to visit the temple is during the months of April to June and September to October.

How To Reach

Airport

The nearest domestic Airport is the Pantnagar Airport, Uttaranchal, which is around 125 kms from Almora city.

Railways

The nearest railway station from Almora is at Kathgodam which is about 81 kms from the city. The train service is good and is well connected to many other cities such as Moradabad, Delhi, Haridwar and Bareilly etc.

Road

The Uttarakhand Roadways buses are available from ISBT in Anand Vihar in New Delhi. The journey takes around 10–12 hours through the NH 24, which connects Delhi to Rampur . At Rampur, one need to turn north on NH 87, which connects Almora.

Temple Address