Kumaon Pilgrimage Tour (2 Night / 3 Days)

Kumaon & Its Spiritual Significance

Kumaon is not only about mountains and scenic beauty. It carries stories—old ones, whispered through temples, caves, and sacred rivers. From the distant presence of Nanda Devi and Panchachuli peaks to the mystical silence of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat, this region has long been seen as a doorway between the earthly and the divine.

Deeply respected in Shakti and Tantric traditions, Shri Varahi Shakti Peeth is dedicated to Maa Varahi, the boar-headed goddess who is one of the Sapta Matrikas (seven mother goddesses). According to local lore and the Skanda Purana, this is a spot of immense cosmic power.

The most famous legend associated with this temple is the Bagwal (stone-pelting) festival. It is believed that in ancient times, the region was terrorized by demons. To please Maa Varahi and seek her protection, the local clans agreed to offer a human sacrifice every year. Legend says that when it was the turn of an old woman’s only grandson, she prayed fervently to the Mother. Moved by her devotion, Maa Varahi appeared and instructed the clans to stop human sacrifice and instead play a game of "Bagwal" (stone-pelting) where the blood shed during the ritual would suffice as an offering. Today, this tradition continues during Raksha Bandhan, though it has evolved into a symbolic floral celebration. Devotees believe prayers offered here bring immense inner courage and protection.

Then comes Jageshwar Dham, hidden within dense deodar forests. It is believed to be the site of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas—the Nagesh Jyotirlinga. Mythologically, Jageshwar is the place where Lord Shiva came to meditate after the death of Sati. The legends say that the sages of the Darukavanam forest initially misunderstood Shiva's presence, leading to a series of divine events that eventually established this as a center of Lakulisha Shaivism. Walking through these 124 stone temples, one feels as if time has slowed down, held still by the ancient deodar trees that stand like silent sentinels of faith.