Golu Devta: Uttarakhand, known as the Land of Gods, is famous for its deep-rooted faith and religious traditions. Among its sacred sites, the Golu Devta Mandir holds a special place. Golu Devta is considered the deity of justice and is worshiped as a folk god in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Devotees also know him by various names, including Gwela, Golu Raja, Bala Goria, and Gaur Bhairav.
Who is Golu Devta?
Golu Devta is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna. He is considered a symbol of truth and justice. Devotees seeking justice write petitions (Arji) and offer them at the temple. It is believed that Golu Devta ensures justice for his true devotees.
Famous Golu Devta Temples in Uttarakhand
There are three major temples dedicated to Golu Devta in Uttarakhand:
- Chitai Golu Devta Temple (Almora) – Known as the temple of justice, thousands of devotees tie petitions here, seeking divine intervention in their legal and personal matters.
- Ghorakhal Golu Devta Temple (Nainital) – Established for the purpose of justice, this temple is located near Ghorakhal Sainik School.
- Golu Devta Temple (Champawat) – This temple is considered the original place of Golu Devta, from where other temples were later established.
The Legend of Golu Devta: A Tale of Justice
The legend of Golu Devta is deeply embedded in the hills of Uttarakhand. It is a story of faith, deceit, struggle, and ultimate justice. Many centuries ago, King Jhalurai of the Katyuri dynasty was known for his just rule and kindness toward his people. His kingdom flourished, but he had no heir despite having seven queens. This sorrow troubled him deeply.
One day, a saint arrived at his court and advised him, "If you desire a child, worship Lord Bhairav with devotion." The king followed the saint’s advice and began rigorous penance. After several months, Lord Bhairav appeared before him and said, "I will be born as your son, but there is one condition. You must marry an eighth wife, as none of your seven queens can bear me in their womb."
Obeying Lord Bhairav's command, the king married Kalinga, the sister of Panchdev. Soon, Queen Kalinga conceived, bringing immense joy to the kingdom. However, the seven queens were filled with envy. Fearing that the child would inherit the throne, they conspired against Queen Kalinga.
When the time of childbirth arrived, the queens took her to a dark chamber and blindfolded her. As soon as the baby was born, they took him away and placed him under the hooves of cows, hoping he would be trampled to death. But the child miraculously survived and started drinking milk while laughing. The queens, terrified by his divine powers, made several more attempts to kill him.
They threw him into thorny bushes, but he remained unharmed and smiled. They buried him in a pile of salt, but the salt turned into sugar. Finally, they locked him in a wooden chest and set it adrift in the Kali River.
For seven nights, the chest floated down the river. On the eighth day, it was caught in the fishing net of a fisherman named Bhana in Gaurihat. When Bhana opened the chest, he found a radiant child inside. "God has blessed me with a son," he exclaimed and took the child home.
As the boy grew, his divine powers became evident. When he asked for a horse, the fisherman carved a wooden horse for him. However, the extraordinary boy breathed life into the wooden horse and rode it far and wide.
One day, he arrived at the palace's water source, where the seven queens were drawing water. He asked them to move aside so his horse could drink. The queens laughed, saying, "Foolish boy! A wooden horse cannot drink water!" The boy smiled and replied, "In a kingdom where a grinding stone can give birth, a wooden horse can surely drink water!"
Hearing this, the queens turned pale with fear. They rushed to the palace and complained to King Jhalurai that the boy was speaking disrespectfully. The king summoned the boy to his court and asked him to explain.
The boy narrated the entire story of his birth and the queens' betrayal. Enraged, the king ordered the seven queens to be imprisoned. However, at the boy's request, they were spared execution and instead sentenced to live as servants.
When the boy grew up, he ascended the throne after King Jhalurai. He became renowned for his quick and fair justice. People started worshiping him as Golu Devta, calling him Gwela, Bala Goria, and other revered names. Today, he is venerated as the God of Justice in Uttarakhand. Devotees write letters to his idol, believing that he ensures justice for the innocent.
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Golu Devta: The Symbol of Justice and Devotion
The story of Golu Devta did not end with his reign; rather, it marked the beginning of a tradition of faith, justice, and devotion. Under his rule, every person received fair justice, and even after his departure, people continued to regard him as the God of Justice.
Famous Temples and Miracles of Golu Devta
Over time, many temples were built in his honor, but the Chitai Temple in Almora remains the most famous. Devotees visit this temple with their grievances, writing petitions and placing them before Golu Devta. It is believed that those who pray with sincerity have their wishes fulfilled.
Inside the temple premises, thousands of letters can be seen hanging—some written on plain paper, while others are on stamped legal documents. People often seek divine justice from Golu Devta before approaching the courts.
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Miraculous Justice Stories
- A businessman’s goods were stolen. He wrote a petition to Golu Devta, vowing to light an eternal lamp for 11 hours if his goods were recovered. A few days later, the thief had a vision of Golu Devta commanding him to return the stolen items. The next day, the thief confessed and returned everything.
- A man’s land was illegally occupied. He wrote a letter to Golu Devta and tied a bell in the temple. Within days, the court ruled in his favor.
- A woman’s husband had left for a foreign land without informing her. She prayed to Golu Devta and offered prasad at the temple. Within weeks, her husband returned home.
How is Golu Devta Worshiped?
Golu Devta is offered white cloth, rice, milk, and Bel leaves. It is believed that devotees who light a lamp at the temple for three consecutive Thursdays have their wishes fulfilled. Worship is particularly special during Navratri when devotees offer bells, red cloth, milk, and sacred rice. After the prayers, they write their requests on paper and tie them in the temple premises, seeking divine intervention.
How to Reach Golu Devta Temples?
- Chitai Golu Devta Temple (Almora) – Located 8 km from Almora city.
- Ghorakhal Golu Devta Temple (Nainital) – Located near Bhowali, around 15 km from Nainital.
- Golu Devta Temple (Champawat) – The original temple of Golu Devta, located in Champawat district.
Golu Devta continues to be a symbol of unwavering faith and divine justice. His devotees believe that no matter how complex a problem may be, justice will always be served in his court.
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