Dhwaja Mandir is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Jayanti. It is located near Pithoragarh and is situated at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level. The temple is easily accessible as it is at a short distance from Pithoragarh by road.
At a distance of 20 kilometers from Pithoragarh district, four kilometers from a place called Satraj, “Dhavaj Mandir ” is situated on the summit of the mountain top in the lap of the Himalayas. This place is known as the home of snow leopards and Himalayan black bears. Devotees can visit this temple and enjoy the mesmerizing views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
Many stories are told about the establishment of this temple. One of them is the story that the place was named ‘Dhavaja’ after the name of Shiva, and this name was kept by the ancestors of the ‘Kappadi’ clan. There is also a 50 feet deep cave on this hill. It is believed that Lord Shiva’s presence has been here for a very long time. Hence this land is also known as Khandnath.
Situated on top of a hill on the highest mountain of Pithoragarh city, this temple is popular among devotees. Travelers can reach there by trekking for just two hours. Dhwaja Mandir Pithoragarh is located at a distance of 10 km from the main town. Devotees and tourists also need to walk 5 km amidst dense forests to reach the temple, which is situated on top of a hill and offers a mesmerizing view of the Himalayas.
The weather here is very pleasant in summer. However, in winter, it becomes extremely cold. People can also come here to take a view of the snowfall. Devotees engrossed in the devotion of Lord Shiva come here from every corner of the country to visit here in summer and winter. The faith and loyalty of the devotees towards Lord Shiva bring them here from the corners of the country. If one comes to Uttarakhand, one must visit this famous flag temple of Lord Shiva once and enjoy nature’s wonderful beauty.