Chitai Golu Devta Temple lies about 8–9 km from Almora on the road towards Jageshwar and is one of the most famous temples of the Kumaon region. The shrine is dedicated to Golu Devta (Goljyu), an incarnation of Lord Shiva worshipped as the God of Justice. The temple is instantly recognisable because its courtyards and pathways are covered with thousands of copper bells and written petitions hung by devotees requesting justice, resolution of court cases, job, land or family issues. Dense forest around the temple, the sound of bells in the breeze and views of hills in the distance create a very atmospheric and unique devotional experience.
About this place
History & highlights
District and tourism sites describe Chitai Golu Devta as the most sacred Golu temple in Uttarakhand; while many Golu shrines exist, this one is considered the principal seat. Over centuries, people began the practice of writing their appeals on paper and hanging them at the temple, returning later to offer bells once their wishes were fulfilled. This has turned the temple into a living archive of people’s faith and struggles. The cult of Golu Devta is closely tied to the traditional justice system of Kumaon and Garhwal, where villagers believed that when human courts failed, Golu Devta would deliver divine justice. Today, Chitai is both a major pilgrimage for locals and an important cultural stop for tourists exploring Almora and Jageshwar.
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