Katarmal Sun Temple: The real name of Katarmal Sun Temple is ‘Bada Aditya Sun Temple’. In this temple, the idol of Lord Aditya, i.e. Sun, is not made of any stone or metal, but made of Bad, i.e. banyan wood. This east facing temple was built by the medieval Katyuri king Katarmal.
Convoys of tourists towards the mountains
As soon as the summer begins, convoys of tourists leave the plains towards the mountains. Due to its climate and natural views, a large number of tourists travel towards Uttarakhand. But most of these tourists return via Haridwar-Rishikesh. A large number of tourists reach Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri these days due to the hustle and bustle of Char Dham Yatra.
Katarmal Sun Temple is 1200 years old
If Uttarakhand is broadly divided into two parts – Garhwal and Kumaon – then most of the activities related to tourism happen towards Garhwal only. In which areas like Dehradun, Mussoorie also come. People going towards Kumaon also reach Nainital only. Only the tourists who are fond of traveling more have the guts to go to areas like Ranikhet, Almora, Kausani. But if asked how many of them know about the 1200 years old Katarmal Sun Temple situated in this area and they go there intentionally, then very few hands will raise their hands in the answer.
How to reach Katarmal Sun Temple
On the way from Ranikhet to Almora-Kausani, when your car moves on the spiral roads, then the surrounding views are enough to make you intoxicated. A large number of tourists pass through here everyday, but very few of them are aware that they are passing very close to a temple which is famous for being the largest, tallest and unique temple in the entire Kumaon region. Also it is one of the very ancient sun temples of India. On the Ranikhet-Almora road, about 12-13 kilometers before Almora, if you do not ignore a small path going uphill on the right, you can see the name of Katarmal Sun Temple on a board there. After walking about two and a half to three kilometers on this road, Katarmal village comes. This Sun Temple is clearly visible from here. You have to walk a little to reach here.
Surya idol made of banyan wood
Being located in Katarmal village, it is known as Katarmal Sun Temple, but its real name is ‘Bada Aditya Sun Temple’. In fact, its specialty is hidden in the name of this temple itself. In this temple, the idol of Lord Aditya, i.e. the sun, is not made of any stone or metal, but of banyan wood. This east-facing temple was built by the medieval Katyuri king Katarmal, who was ruling the central Himalayan region at that time. The structure of the main temple is Triratha, which is built with a square sanctum with a curved spire of Nagara style. On the basis of architectural features and inscriptions engraved on the pillars, the Archaeological Department tells the time of construction of this temple in the thirteenth century. Some part of this temple and about 44 other temples dedicated to Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Lakshmi-Narayan, Narasimha, Kartikeya and other deities located in this complex were built in different periods.
The vastness of the temple will take your mind
As soon as you reach the temple, its vastness and architecture fascinate your mind. Once in a while this thought also comes to mind that how and why such a big temple would have been constructed at such a remote place. Being located in a sparsely populated area, many idols and other heritage items have been stolen from the temples here. Very little attention has been given to their maintenance. However, now this temple complex has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India, due to which it is being taken care of adequately. The entrance to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was also of wood engraved earlier, which is currently kept in the gallery of the National Museum of Delhi.
There is an experience of peace in the temple, the surrounding natural scenery also fascinates the mind. Due to the arrival of less tourists, this place has saved its dignity. This much is certain that after seeing this temple from the front, it will not be easy for anyone to erase its memories from their mind.