Ropeway to Surkanda Devi temple to facilitate pilgrims

Ajay Ramola

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, April 10

The Surkanda Devi temple is situated at a height of around 9,976 feet and around 8 km from Dhanaulti in Tehri Garhwal district. It is dedicated to Goddess Durga and one has to tread around 3 km uphill from Kaddu Khal to reach there. The renovated temple has taken a much grandeur shape at present and one is mesmerised by the 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks on the north and the Dun valley on the south. The Ganga Dasehra festival is celebrated here between May and June that attracts a lot of people.

Historians and culture buffs believe that the existence of the temple bears its origin to a tale that dates back to the Skanda Purana era. Sameer Shukla, director of Soham Art and Culture Centre, Mussoorie, says the temple finds mention in scriptures. A verse in manuscripts states that the temple existed during the Vedic age.  The description in the scripture geographically confirms it to be akin to this region only. 

The government has begun upgrading facilities around the temple and a ropeway from Kaddu Khal to the temple is proposed, the work on which will begin soon. Ropeway consultant Piyush Jain says with improvement in technology more such ropeways can be installed at temples situated at a height, thus providing easy and eco-friendly access to devotees.

Deputy Director, Tourism, Yogesh Gangwar says the Tourism Department is planning to upgrade facilities at the temple sites.