Katarmal Sun Temple, Uttarakhand, India

Katarmal Sun Temple – Speaking Stones

Uttarakhand, the land of Gods, the northern state of India is quite literally a haven for travelers seeking to explore places that are off the beaten track. One such gem that we had the privilege of visiting during our unforgettable road trip across Kumaon region of Uttarakhand was the Katarmal Sun temple near Ranikhet, Uttarakhand.

In a journey that left us awed and humbled we were treated to some of the best of nature, culture, and heritage that the region of Kumaon is blessed with. With their sheer natural beauty, places like Kausani, Chaukori, Naukuchiatal, and others filled our beings with calm serenity. These places seemed made to order for romantic honeymoons. Places like Nanakmatta, Baijnath temple, Patal Bhuvaneshwar mesmerized us with their mystical aura. Lohaghat thrilled and enticed us with its beauty. Kumaon is indeed a slice of paradise in Uttarakhand and the Katarmal Sun temple Almora is one of the important temples of India.

An Ode To The Sun

Sun temples can be found in many countries. A look at the chapters of the history of the world reveals that the Sun was worshipped in many countries. The legacy of Sun worship can be found today in India, China, Egypt, Peru, and Japan.

In India there are about 20 odd temples, most of them are in ruins. Some of the better-known sun temples of India are the Konark temple near Bhubaneshwar in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. The Modhera Sun temple in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The Martand Sun temple located in the northern Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. India is ornamented with small and big temples across its length and breadth, some of them well known, others not so well known.

The Katarmal Sun temple is a smaller temple if one compares it to the massive scale of the Konark Sun temple, but it has its own beauty. It is compact, perfectly symmetrical, and chiseled with perfection.

Where is The Katarmal Sun Temple

The Katarmal Sun Temple Almora Uttarakhand is located at about 19 kilometers from the picturesque town of Almora in the state of Uttarakhand in India. It is situated atop a hill that overlooks the valley below. Perched on a height, the temple offers some beautiful and panoramic views of the lush green lands stretching out below.

Katarmal Sun Temple History

The Katarmal Surya temple stands as a magnificent example of the exquisite temple architecture of India. It was built by a king named Katarmalla and hence the name. The king though lost in the grey, black hole of history still survives in the beautiful structure of the Katarmal Sun Temple near Almora, Uttarakhand, that he had built. King Katarmalla was a relatively lesser-known member of the Katyuri dynasty. This dynasty strode the region of Uttarakhand like a colossus between the 9th and 12th centuries. Their reign also spanned the regions of Nepal and Afghanistan.

The Katyuri kings in spite of their military might have left their footprints on the sands of time with the beautiful temples they had built. Uttarakhand which is quite literally the land of Gods has so many famous temples like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Jageshwar temple, Baijnath temple, etc.. Many of the temples including the Katarmal Surya temple, Baijnath temple, and the Vasu Deve temple in Joshimath were built by the Katyuri kings.

In its original splendor,  the Katarmal Sun temple consisted of the main shrine. This stood in the center of a raised platform atop a hill. The main shrine had a beautifully carved door and the panels of the shrine were bedecked with exquisite carvings. The main shrine was surrounded by a cluster of smaller temples which were miniature versions of the main shrine and numbered 44. The deity in the main shrine was Surya or the Sun God. The Sun was worshipped in the form of Burhadita or Vraddhaditya which means elderly or old. The smaller temples were dedicated to different Gods and Goddesses like Shiva, Parvati, Lakshmi, Vishnu, etc..

The Katarmal Sun Temple In Modern Times

The road looked like a curved serpent. Its black sheen glistened amidst the greenery all around. In the distance, a sea of clouds hovered over the hills. We had taken a vertical path from the road and trekked upwards to the Sun Temple Katarmal Almora Uttarakhand. The view was enchanting and worth the small exertion to our bodies.

The temple stood silhouetted by blooming Bougainvillea flowers. A structure in greyish-brown, blackened by the ravages of nature and time. An iron gate provided entry into the temple complex. There was absolutely no one there except for a lone caretaker employed by the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI). The wind caressed the silent stones of the centuries-old temple as though coaxing it to speak and tell its story. And yes the stones spoke about the times gone by when people flocked to its fold. You only needed to close your eyes and listen! The main structure of the temple seems intact. However, the idols are lost. It was sad to hear that the main idol dating back to the 10th century was stolen and vandalism was rampant, prompting the authorities to remove the door and keep it as an exhibit at the National Museum in Delhi. Along with the door, other exquisite panels from the temple can also be seen at the National Museum.

The miniature temples that dot the area around the main shrine are neat and compact and just empty shells now. The temple is a shadow of its former self but its serene beauty still touches you.

One can see bits and pieces of the temple in the complex, prominent among these are gear shaped objects which probably symbolize the Sun. Similar objects can be seen adorning some of the miniature temples.

Places to Visit Around Katarmal

Almora itself is a picturesque little town with many attractions. Almora to Katarmal distance is about 19 kilometers. Apart from the Katarmal temple, there are many beautiful temples and other places to visit in Almora. The Almora famous temples include Kasar Devi Almora, Nanda Devi temple, and Chitai Golu Devta temple.

Quick Facts About The Katarmal Sun Temple

• The nearest airport to Katarmal is the Pantnagar airport at a distance of about 145 km.
• The nearest railhead is Kathgodam at a distance of about 134 km
• There is no ritual worship at the Katarmal Sun temple
• A visit to the temple would involve moderate walking and climbing.

Check out our Instagram post about Katarmal Surya Temple and follow us on Instagram:

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Our article on Katarmal Sun Temple, Uttarakhand has been published in Sakal Times. Do check it out.

You might be interested in reading our post on Konark Sun Temple.

Konark Sun Temple-An Enduring Enigma on the Sands of Time

A visit to the Katarmal Surya Mandir Almora India is a satisfying experience. It is a walk back in time to a glorious chapter of Indian history. An era where art and architecture flourished and some of the best-known monuments of the world took shape. Have you been to the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand in India? If yes, which place is your favorite and why. Do share in the comments section.

We were hosted by Uttarakhand Tourism. However, the views and opinions expressed here are our own.

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