The Haat Kalika temple is situated at Gangolihat in Pithoragarh district and boasts an exquisite complex area. It is believed that the Goddess Kali shifted her abode from West Bengal to this place and has been the popular goddess in the area ever since.
The Haat Kalika temple is situated at Gangolihat in Pithoragarh district and boasts an exquisite complex area. It is believed that the Goddess Kali shifted her abode from West Bengal to this place and has been the popular goddess in the area ever since.
The Abode of Haat Kalika at Gangolihat finds its mention in the Puranas, the ancient religious texts of Hindus as Guru Adi Shankaracharya chose this place to install the Mahakali Shakti Peeth. A perpetual holy fire burns at the temple site since time immemorial which is considered to be the power of the goddess.
In the modern times, Saint Jangam Baba offered prayers at the temple site for years and one day the Goddess appeared in his dream and asked him to construct a temple here. Therefore, the present temple owes the credit of its formation to Jangam Baba.
It is alleged that during the reign of the Chand rajas, human beings were, at times, offered in sacrifice at this temple, but the practice was stopped in the last century. Goats and buffaloes still continue to be sacrificed, particularly during the Navratri of Chaitra and Asvina.
