Temple Tales : Where a Regiment Prays
- Shikhar Sumeru
- Apr 16, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 27, 2021
Nestled amidst a thick cloud of centuries-old deodars, lies the "Haat Kalika" Temple in the small town of Gangolihat. The temple traces its history to more than a millennium back when Adi Sankaracharya worshipped here. Considered a Shakti Peeth, the temple is the sacred seat and resting abode of Goddess Mahakali.
'Kalika Mata ki Jai'
"Kalika Mata ki Jai" or "Grace to the Great Goddess Mahakali" is the war-cry of the Kumaon Regiment, the highest decorated regiment of the Indian Army. As the Goddess is considered the protector of the regiment, the "Isht Devi" there are several offerings, poojas, constructions etc. at the temple, offered by the regiment.
The exit gate of the temple bears inscription of '4 Kumaon'.
Inscription under an arch offered by the 12th battalion of the regiment.
Before every major military movement (e.g. war) and even after, the regiment offers prayers at the temple. The legend also tells the story of how prayers offered to the Mother Goddess saved a sinking ship containing troops from the regiment.
Plaques installed narrate the heroics of the 12th battalion of the regiment in the "Daudkandi' deep operation during the 1971 war.
Plaques honoring the martyrs of 1971 Indo-Pak war and of the Mizo conflict.
A bit on mother nature's soldiers as well - the Deodars.
Apart from the Shakti-Peeth, the sanctum-sanctorum or "Garbhagriha" of the temple contains the resting paraphernalia in the form of bed and mattresse for the Goddess. A tale about the temple goes that the Goddess often chooses the sacred site as her resting abode, hence the bed and mattress.
In a nutshell
Location - Gangolihat, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
GPS Coordinates - https://goo.gl/maps/QkhRphrD2kPmrbVs5
Uniqueness - A Shakti-Peeth with a history of more than a millennium. As Goddess Mahakali is the patron Goddess of the Kumaon regiment, several artefacts in the temple are offered by and tell the tales of the regiments heroics.
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