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Siyahi Devi Mandir | panoramic view, hindu temple, hilltop

India / Uttaranchal / Rudrapur /
 panoramic view, hindu temple, hilltop
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   29°34'34"N   79°33'26"E

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  • Re-Present (guest)
    SHRI SIYAHI DEVI MANDIR (Temple) at SITLAKHET (Shitlaket - Sheetlakhet) - Siyahi (Shiyahi) Devi also revered as Shyama Devi, and or Sitla Mata, said to be more than 700 years old, this Temple dedicated to the Godess is an ancient and famous pilgrim center looked upon as one of the 9 Commanding Godess Deities Presiding over Almora's Kingdom. Bhagwati' s worship was traditionally conducted there according to tantrik system. - Situated on a hilltop at the very summit of the mountain this Temple is at an elevation of approximately 2400 meters (about 8000 feet) above see level, directly overlooking Almora City above the Koshi' s River Valley. - - The location at this place offers a 360° panoramic view over this Whole central Kumaoni Area of Almora District, comprising a wide wide view of scenic beauty on the Highest Snowy Peaks of the Kumaoni' s Himalayan Range. - Nearby is the natural water spring where the first water scheme for Almora initiated some seventy years ago. Several fresh water springs(nowadays mostly seasonal) can be found at different places over Siyahi Devi Mountain. - It was reported in some writings (Shri Mahendra Baba' s book: Anupam Kripa*) that when he visited the place (1949) at the summit of the mountain nearby the Temple, there use to be previously a Pond which seemed to contain very little water but whose water never seems to diminished even in hot weather or if large amount of people where using it. (Nowadays there is no evidence of this Pond). - From Siyahi Devi ("Shyahidevi" / "Shyama Devi") Mandir spreads "Sit-La" Mata Ka Khet - SITLAKHET (also known as Sheetlakhet). - Sitlakhet - Sitlakhet is a scenic spot commanding a view of majestic Himalayas. The near by Oak & Pine trees forest abounds in fruit orchards and herbal plants used in medicines. - Just about 10 kms by Road (4 to 6 km by walking pathways) from Sitlakhet is the famous temple of Siyahi Devi.
  • Etymological Notes (guest)
    Siyahi Devi Sanskrit interesting, surprising but uncertain Etymology: -Origins of Siyahi Dei (also pronounced Shiyahi Devi) Etymological composition are uncertain as understanding may have change with time, it may refer to: -1/ Shyama: Dark, Obscured ; Shyamala: of Dark Color (Shyama-mahi[Earth]-Devi = the Dark Earth(Territory-Soil) Protecting Godess. - 2/ Shyama[Dark]-Mahidhra[mountain]-Devi: Godess of the Dark Mountain. - 3/ Shiyati: to freeze, being cold - (Shyayati-Mayi[mother]-Devi) (from root Shita [Shya]= cold, fresh,frozen-solidified,winter)Mother Godess of Cold (may be Winter Season) or may also denote Godess of Freezing Process. - 4/ Shi-ya-hi as: Shit [var] - Ya[one] - Hi: that One Godess who' s breath is cooling, passionless soothing and derived from bliss (Sit- Sheet- Shit) - (n.: hathayoga: Sheetali Pranayama). - 5/ Shi-ya-hi as: Shit [kara] - Ya[dwelling] - Hi: (for sure) the dwelling place of that Godess of hissing sound (Sit- Sheet- Shit) expressing pleasure (n.: hathayoga: Sheetkari Pranayama). - 6/ Syanda: to run, to stream, to spout out, to precipitate (Syanda Mayi[mother] Devi) Mother Godess of Streams. - 7/ Syanda: to run, to stream, to spout out, to precipitate (Syanda Mahi[earth] Devi) The Godess who streams over the Land. - 8/ Syanda: to run, to stream, to spout out, to precipitate (Syanda Mahidhra[mountain] Devi) The Godess who streams from the Mountai. - 9/ Samya (Sama-ya-Mayi[mother]-Devi) : Equality, Identity, Impartial Equity, Equanimity > The Mother Godess of Justice and Identity. - 10/ Samya (Sama-ya-Mahi[Earth]-Devi) : Equality, Impartial Equity, Equanimity > The Godess Determining Identity, Dispelling Justice to the land. - 11/ Samya (Saman-ya[Self Alleviation]-Mayi[Mother]-Devi) : Mother Godess of Suffering Alleviation - Mother Godess of Self Alleviation. - 11/ Some other meaning ???
  • Historical Account Notes (guest)
    Geographical Strategic Importance and Historical Account: -Though there is no Fort but a Temple at this place, the spot had been long sought after by the different ruler of the region. - It has been reported that in the year 1815 the place had witnessed suddenly interest over it's strategic location during dispute for control of the region between British Forces and Gorkhalis (of Nepal). - On the 22nd March, a detachment consisting of twelve hundred men was sent off from Kumpur (Ranikhet)towards Siyahi Devi. - The Gorkhalis (estimated to be about 1000 in number) had neglected the importance of this place and installed their camps in the vicinity of Katarmal Surya Temple (near Koshi). - From Siyahi Devi, the british force marched on and rapidly took over the Gorkhalis cantonment forcing them to retire. - On the 26th Eight hundred men were left 'at Siyahi Devi, and the rest of the detachment was recalled to head-quarters. - (note: from 1815, the duration of British forces onward occupation at Siyahi Devi remains uncertain as well as the importance of people then cantoned at this place.) - for further information on this historical account one may refer to: "North-western Provinces (India); Atkinson, Edwin T. (Edwin Thomas), 1840-1890" from Cornell University Library at: http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924023947751/cu31924023947751_djvu.txt
  • Pride of the Land (guest)
    Pride of the Land: - "Bhârat Ratna" (Jewel of India) Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant' s Birth Place: - Renowned freedom fighter and first chief minister of the province of Uttar Pradesh, later as India's Home minister his most recognized achievement was the establishment of Hindi as an official language of the central government. - Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant's birth place is at a place called Khunt (or Khoont) situated near by Siyahi Devi. Some years back a centenary memorial has been built at this place to commemorate the memory of this great son of the soil. - Early Life : Govind Ballabh Pant was born on September 10, 1887 in Khoont village of Shyahi Devi hills in District Almora. - His mother's name was Govindi. His father, Manorath Pant, was constantly on the road. Govind was brought up by his grandfather, Bandri Dutt Joshi, who played a significant part in molding his political views. - As a lawyer in Kashipur, Pant began his active work against the British Raj in 1914, when he helped a local parishad, or village council, in their successful challenge of a law requiring locals to provide free transportation of the luggage of traveling British officials. - In 1921, he entered politics and was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. - (extract from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Govind_Ballabh_Pant )
  • Anupam Kripa (guest)
    * Shri Mahendra Baba' s book: Anupam Kripa: - This Renowned Saint (????-1969) and Siddha Yogi of India gives clear narration of his 1949 travel trough the area ( Patal Devi in Almora - Katarmal at Koshi - ShatRudra near Siyahi Devi [Possibly nowadays Khunt (or Khoont) and denoting Khund)] - Siyahi Devi Temple and finally Shitlakhet) in quest of his guru long sought after but not meet since his childhood, this quest was surprisingly rewarded after a few days of travel with his guru (Famous ageless Saint of Kumaon: Shri 1008 Hairakhan Baba) darshan (in the form of appearance) at Sitlakhet in a small Kutir of "Siddhashram" (name given to this Ashram founded by Shri Hairakhan Baba around the end of 19th century) after a local man (Shiromani Pathak) offered Him a vast piece of land for His stay in the area. - "Siddhashram" regarded as Shri Hairakhan Baba' s Tapasya Asthan (Place of penance and Austerity, where Maharaj used regularly to live and sport, practicing panch agni tapasya and conducting many yagna) is still today considered as one of Baba Hairakhan main "Siddhi Dham". - Shiromani Pathak' s narration of his experience with Shri Hairakhan Baba at that time as well as his later encounter with Mahendra Baba is related in the same book. - Here is a small extract of Shiromanjee narration taken from the english version of the book: "There was no fixed program for Shri Maharaj wherever He went, there without any effort or call, thousands of men and women assembled. Hearing of His coming, there was seldom anyone who should stay at home. There was no questions and answers, but people experienced peace at mere sight of His presence. Many learned Sanskrit scholars, ministers, social reformers and workers, and rajas and nawabs used to come to see Him. In the presence of this Great one, the guidance to final goal of all teachings, the problems of self-realization, the ways and practices of mutual discourses and the mode of achieving tranquility through the realization of Brahman, was available to all in equal measure. Always of sweet countenance, compassionate eyes, benevolent behavior, slender of body, child like gestures, dressed in shirt and cap (kantopi topa), these physical features were a source of supernatural attraction to all...."
  • Sumiron Pawan Kumar (guest)
    Sukshma Roop "Siyahi" Dikava - You Reduced your form to a size as tiny & subtle as an atom to appear before "Siyahi" (Sita) - Extract of Hanuman Chalisa (Verse 9) - Jai Jai Sri Ram ! Jai Jai Hanuman ! Jai Sankat Mochan Kripa Nidhan ! Jai Sita Ram !
  • vijay kanwal (guest)
    jay mata sera wali
  • radha rajpal (guest)
    where the book ANUPAM KRIPA ? Iwant to read .
  • MUKESH SINGH BOHARA (guest)
    THE SYAHI DEVI TEMPLE IS GODS HOME....
  • DAYA KISHAN JOSHI (guest)
    WE CAN GO TO SHAHI DEVI TEMPLE OUR 10 YEARS AGE TO CONTU.. TO 18 YEARS AGE. WE LIVED IN ALSO NEAR BY TEMPLE JOLSWAR KHUNT DHAMAS WE CAN INJOING THIS PLACE TO MUCH WETHER YOU CAN GO THIS TEMPLE ALMORA TO SITLAKHET BY CAR BUS ETC. YOU CAN SEE VERY BEAUTY FULL PLACE AND SEEN VERY NATURLA SEEN IN THIS PLACE. IN HOLI FESTIVLE ALL NEAR VILLAGERS COME TO THIS TEMPLE OUR TEAM AND SING OUR FLOCK HOLI SONG. TI IS ALSO A COLD PLACE WE CAN GO THIS PLACE FEB.. TO NOV. WE CAN TAKE ALSO FRESH APPLE IS AUGU. TO SEPT MONTH THIS PLACE
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This article was last modified 14 years ago