Mountain Peaks of India

Dunagiri

Dunagiri is one of the historical areas that belong to the district of Almora in Uttarakhand state. This place is at a distance of 400 kms from Delhi that is formed by group of six other villages. The other names with which this place is referred as are Dunagiri, Doonagiri or Drongiri. This place is majorly known for the Shakti temples that arefamous in the region of Kumaon. This temple is also referred as Dunagiri Devi temple.

History

As per the belief of the people belonging to this region the place has been visited by many savants who later built their respective ashrams at this place. Few of these sages can be named as Garg Muni, Sukhdev Muni etc. It is after the name of Garg Muni that river Gagas has been given while a place named Sukh Devi also belonged to this region where the ashram of Sukhdev muni was located.When Lakshman was bowed down by arrow shot by Indrajit during the period of Ramayana, Hanuman Ji brought the Sanjivani herb from Dronagiri or DronagiriMountainto save Lakshman’s life.Pandavas also has stayed at this place for sometime during their unspecified travel movement. Guru Dronacharya one of the gurus of Pandava’s also devoted his time to practice his tapasya at this place. In SkandaPuranaDunagiri has also been referred as ManasKhand.

Ancient History

The place Dunagiri has been also known as Drongiri and Dronagiri over the period of ages.

Dunagiri is the place that has been visited by many spiritual and known people. This place has been adored by the ashrams that were built by the various sages who have stayed over this place for their devotion. This place has the spiritual importance from the period of four yugas.

Dunagiri during Satya Yuga The place has an historic Vaishnavi Shakti Peeth and is famous because spouse of Lord Shiva or Bhairav had taken the look of Vaishnavi Mata. The country has just two Vaishnavi Shakti Peeths that are situated in Jammu and Kashmir and other in Dunagiri.

Dunagiri during Treta Yuga It was during the tretayuga that Sanjeevani Booti used to get back the unconscious Lakshman back to his senses after he was shot down by the arrow of Indrajit. Hanuman Ji carried the entire mountain that had Sanjeevani Booti and this mountain was named Dunagiri. Dunagiri is also famous for the different types of medical herbs that can be found all over the mountain.

Dunagiri during Dwapara Yug The place has always been an attraction for those who had inclination towards the spiritual side and considered this place to be a place where they could peacefully mediate. Many sages who belonged to the era of Mahabharata like Bharatmuni, Guru Dronacharya, Garg Muni etc. have been to the Dunagiri to practice their mediation.

Dunagiri during Kali Yuga This place has been known for the instigation of Kriya Yoga that was brought into existence by Mahavatar Babaji. The other forms of Yoga that were initiated here are Manas Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Pashupat Yoga by Haidakhan Baba, Neem Karoli Baba and Sombari Baba respectively.

Medieval History

During the medieval times in 9th century CE Adi Shankaracharya moved to this place to begin monastic orders.

This place is also known for the political history. The reigns of Katyuri were always the believers of Dunagiri Devi. The architectural similarity of the temples located in Dwarahat is that of the temples in Dunagiri. The folk-culture that belonged to the Kumaon region makes it prominent that the area has the temples built at Dunagiri and Dwarahat.

During the period in 1318 CE, Raja Sudhar Dev who belonged to Katyuri’s dynasty built Devi’s idol. The some inscription at the temple indicates the history of the place and the inscription displays the date that belonged to the period 1181 CE.

Places Near By

Sukhdevi This temple is very near to Dunagiri. The temple gives the overlook of peaks of Kedarnath, Shivling, Trisul, Nanda Devi, Badrinath, Chaukhamba and Nanda Kot. The place is very picturesqueand gives a mesmerizing view during sunrise and sunset. This is an ideal place for practice mediation.
The other places that are near to Dunagiri are Kukuchina, Pandukholi and Bhatkot.

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