Katarmal Surya Temple in Almora Uttarakhand
After Konark Sun Temple, Katarmal Sun Temple is regarded India’s second most important sun temple (Orissa). It is thought to be the sole sun temple in the mountains. The temple, which is located at the summit of the hill, is reached after a 2-kilometer difficult hike.
The superbly constructed architectural masterpiece positioned at 2,116 metres above sea level greets the visitor. The old Sun God known as Burhadita or Vraddhaditya is the main deity of the well-designed temple. There are 45 minor shrines surrounding the main shrine. Aside from Vraddhaditya’s statue, the main temple edifice also houses statues of other gods.
On pillars, walls, doors, and panels, intricate carvings can be found. Paintings and magnificent stone and metal sculptures demonstrate the level of artistry attained by the artists of the time. After a 10th century idol was taken from the temple grounds, the finely carved wooden doors and panels were removed and relocated to the National Museum in Delhi. A beautiful 180-degree view of the valley may be had from the temple complex.
Despite the fact that Almora’s Sun Temple is now protected by the ‘Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958,’ it receives few tourists; normally, only a few foreigners and local devotees pay a visit. Whether it’s natural beauty, history, adventure, or architectural brilliance, this area has it all and should be added to one’s list of Almora must-see sights.
The temple’s architecture is quite unusual, with carved pillars and doorways, as well as beautiful stone and metallic sculptures. The temple faces east, as one might assume, so that the first rays of the sun fall on the shivling. The main temple is an older construction with 45 smaller shrines surrounding it.
There is also a small village nearby so if you want to see the village life of Uttarakhand then you must take a look at surroundings of Katarmal Sun Temple. The weatheris amazing around Jan to feb with clouds spread all over and it feels like you are walking in Heaven above those clouds.
How to Reach Katarmal Sun Temple
By Train:
Kathgodam, about 90 kilometres away, is the nearest railway station. Kathgodam is directly connected by train to Delhi, India’s capital, Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, and Dehradun, the state capital of Uttarakhand.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Almora is in Pantnagar, which is around 142 kilometres from Katarmal Sun Temple and 127 kilometres from Almora.
By Road:
The nearest town to Katarmal is Kosi, which is well connected to the rest of the country via road. Because air and train connectivity in Uttarakhand is limited, the best and most accessible mode of transportation is the road network. You can either drive to Almora and then to Kosi or book a cab/taxi from Delhi or any other nearby city to get to Kosi, Almora. From Kosi to Katarmal, you have a 1.5-kilometer track to enjoy.