Ghorakhal Golu Devta Temple is a major religious place located in Almora and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand. This temple is dedicated to Golu Devta, the god of justice. Devotees believe that their wishes are fulfilled here, so devotees write their wishes on paper and hang them in the temple. When their wish is fulfilled, they offer bells to the temple as a gift. This unique form of the temple makes it even more popular among the devotees.
There is a popular belief in Ghorakhal temple that if a newly married couple comes to visit here, then their married life remains successful for seven births. Therefore, every year many newly married couples come here to seek blessings for their auspicious beginning.
In the temple, devotees write their wishes on paper and hang them at a special place. It is believed that Golu Devta listens to the problems of his devotees through these letters and provides them solutions. Devotees come here with the hope of justice and their problems are solved.
Golu Devta is worshipped as the god of justice and in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, he is known as Rajvanshi Devta. He is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is believed that no one ever returns disappointed from the court of Golu Devta. With his grace, every wish of the devotees is fulfilled.
The story of Golu Devta is associated with Champawat district of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The Katyuri king Jhalrai there had seven queens, but none of them had children. The king saw a girl named Kalinka doing penance on Neelkanth mountain in his dream. The king married Kalinka and got a son, who was named Golu.
Jealous of Golu's birth, the other queens replaced the newborn with a blood-soaked silbatta (stone) and left him among dangerous cows. But Golu kept growing by drinking the milk of the cows. Later the queens locked the baby in a box and floated it in the river, but fisherman Bhaana saved and raised him.
Golu once spoke of justice in front of the queens with his wooden horse that if a woman can give birth to a silbatta (stone), then a wooden horse can also drink water. This attracted the attention of the king and later Golu revealed the identity of his parents. The king accepted him as his son and made Golu a symbol of justice. For this reason, Golu Devta is considered the god of justice and his vehicle is a horse.
To visit Ghorakhal Golu Devta Temple, you can reach Kathgodam from Delhi by train, and flights are also available to Pantnagar. Taxis or local transport are easily available from Kathgodam to Ghorakhal. After reaching the temple, you will see a huge statue of Golu Devta, in which he is wearing a white turban on his head and riding a white horse.
Ghee, milk, curd, halwa, puri and pakodas are offered for worship at Ghorakhal Temple. Here devotees seek solutions to their problems from Golu Devta through their letters. Thousands of letters and bells are hung on the walls and premises of the temple, which reflect the immense faith and belief of the devotees.
Ghorakhal Golu Devta Temple is not just a religious place, but it is a symbol of faith, belief and justice. Due to the uniqueness of this temple and the justice of Golu Devta, it is one of the most important religious places in Uttarakhand. The traditions and beliefs here attract thousands of devotees every year. If you too want to see your wishes fulfilled in the court of the god of justice, then definitely visit Ghorakhal Golu Devta Temple.