DEVI DHARA

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 27/03/2016

Two boulders forming a dwar stand close to the temple sacred to Varahi Devi, Shiva (Mahadeo) and Bhim Sen (Bhimsen) erected between two groups of colossal blocks of white granite. SITUATION: At the village of Devidhura (India Road Atlas, Eicher Goodearth 2006: 12 C4) or Devi Dhura (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 11: 275), which lies at a travelling distance of 46 km along the road from Almora (N29°37': E079°40': 1650 m asl) south-west past Devidhura and via Dhunaghat (N29°23': E079°58') to Lohaghat (N29°25': E080°06'). CULTURAL HISTORY - human sacrifice: The many goats and buffaloes offered during the mela (a religious fair, kermis) in June or July (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 11: 275) are probably a modern surrogate for more traditional sacrifices.