Chitai Golu Devata Temple

Overview

Chitai Golu Devta Temple The famous Temple of Chitai Almora is the Golu Devta Chitai temple, dedicated to Gollu or Goljyu Devta an Avtar (incarnation) of Lord Shiva in the form of Gaur Bhairav. Although there are many temples of Golu Devta in but the Chitai Golu Devta Temple is the most sacred one. It is reputed to make every wish come true, provided the worshipper ask for it with a clear conscience. The temple is situated at 9kms from Almora.

Legends and stories

Chitai Golu Devta - God of Justice Golu Devta is famously regarded as God of Justice. Maximum devotees worship the deity and ask for the justice on behalf of the injustice have been done to them or with their family. Devotees worship at Golu Devta with the means of White cloth, Pagri and White Shawl. People believes that God asks for in propitiation is a bell, as is evident from the thousands of bells strung across the temple premises. Anyone can even seek Gollu Devtas divine intervention by writing to him. Stacks of letter are pinned all over the temple along with bells. Golu Devta Temple - Chitai Temple of Golu Devta in Almora As the story goes, once a king went Ito the forest for hunting, when the king became thirsty he ordered one of his servants to fetch water for him, in turn the servant disturbed a lady deep in meditation, the king got fond of the lady and married her. As the other queens of the king became jealous of the new queen they stole the newborn child of the queen and replaced it with a stone and threw the kid in a lake where a fisherman found him. Later when the boy realised about his true identity he decided to seek on the injustice done to his mother. He goes to the lake with a wooden horse and tries to make the horse drink water from the lake, seeing this the king asked the boy how can he make the wooden horse drink water at which the kid asked the king if a women can give birth to a stone then the horse can also drink water. The king realised his mistake and accepted him as his son. He then treated his subjects with mare care and concern and became popular for his justice and was regarded as Gwalla devta. there are also many other stories relating to the origin of Golu devta, some says he was the son of the Katyuri king, Jhall Rai and the grandson of Hal rai.

According to another story he was the general in the army of Chand king Baz Bahadur. Gwala Devta also called as "Gwala" which means a herder of Cows. There is also well known saying about Golu Devta, that if you tie up a bell in neck of sacred cow, the ringing equals to 1000 bells in a holy temple. It was his belief that all 33 crores gods and Goddesses are pressent in a single temple. Golu devta have siblings Kalva Devta, in form of Bhairava and Garh Devi in the form of Shakti. In villages of Chamoli which are very close to Kumaon, Golu Devta is also worshiped as key deity (Ishta/ Kull Devta).

Prasad and Offering

Golu Devta is worshipped by devotees from far flung areas. Devotees perform 3 days pooja or 9 days pooja and give offerings in name of Lord Golu Devta. Also known as Goreel Devta famous in Chamoli district (Jaagar). Lord Golu basically worshipped by offering Ghee, Milk, Curd, Halwa, Poori, Pakauri.

Rare Facts

Pant was quoted saying, “Since we organise a large number of marriages at the temple, it is very difficult sometimes to verify the name and address of the couple. Many couples come from outside the state to get married here and it not possible to verify whether the couples have met the minimum age requirements for marriage. There have been instances when couples who came to the temple were found to be underage and it turned out they had eloped to get married. There have also been cases of Nepalese underage girls coming here to get married. So the temple committee took the decision of checking Aadhaar cards before agreeing to conduct the wedding.”

However, temple officials said that they only check their Aadhar cards and do not ask for other proof of identity like voter ID card or anything. A temple official was quoted saying, “Aadhar card has a great deal of composite information like name, age, father’s name, address and is a trustworthy identity proof. That is why, we have decided that couples should bring their Aadhaar cards along with them.” Couple not having a proper Aadhar card can get married if any of the temple committee knows any of the family of the bride or groom and that they have completed minimum age requirements. Pant added saying, “In case the couple aspiring to get married doesn’t have Aadhaar cards made, Pant said that they can take a decision on “whether we can solemnize their wedding provided any member of the temple committee knows either the bride or groom or their family and is satisfied that they have met the requirements for marriage.” (Image Credits-trawell.in)

How To Reach Golu Devta Temple in Almora

Airport

Airport (124 kms) and IGI International Airport (352 kms) are nearest airports to reach Almora.

Railways

Nearest rail connectivity is at Kathgodam railway station (94 kms).

Road

Golu Devta Chitai Temple is located at 9 km from Almora on Jageshwar Dham Road. It is well connected with road and one can reach easily by sharing taxi, buses etc.

Temple Address

Chitai Golu Devata Temple,
Chitai, SH 37,
Almora, Uttarakhand,
Pincode – 263601.