Right opposite Kashi Vishwanath stands the Shakti Temple, a small shrine that houses one of the most striking religious symbols in Uttarakhand – a gigantic Trishul (trident) of the Goddess. The trident rises about 6 metres high, with a broad base and an attached axe-like blade (parashu) on one side. Devotees believe it is the divine weapon of Maa Durga herself. The temple courtyard is simple, but the sheer size of the trident and the stories around it create a very powerful impression. Pilgrims often touch it gently and feel it vibrate, which is taken as a direct sign of the Goddess’s presence.
About this place
History & highlights
Local legend says this is the very Trishul with which Maa Durga slew the demon Mahishasura, and that it appeared miraculously at Uttarkashi. Metallurgically it is remarkable: sources describe it as a single-cast piece with copper base and iron shaft, whose buried lower end has never been fully measured. An inscription near the Trishul connects it with the royal builders of the adjacent Vishwanath temple, showing that for centuries this spot has been honoured as a combined Shaiva–Shakta complex. Over time the Shakti Temple has become a symbol of Uttarkashi itself: photos of the giant Trishul are used in tourism posters and religious articles to represent the town’s fierce divine energy.
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