Mostamanu Temple

Situated in the scenic Chandak area of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, this ancient pilgrimage centre is deeply rooted in the local community’s folklore and oral traditions.

The temple is perched on the slopes of the Chandak Hills, offering devotees and visitors a tranquil setting for spiritual reflection and worship.

Apart from Lord Shiva, the temple also enshrines Lord Mosta (Mosta Devta), Goddess Kali, and Goddess Chandi, making it a significant site for devotees seeking blessings from multiple deities.

The temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the best times to visit being early morning, during morning hours, or at evening aarti. The summer and monsoon months, as well as festival seasons, are particularly popular among pilgrims. Darshan at Mostamanu Temple is free for all visitors.

Worship rituals include general offerings such as milk and kheer, while special havana (yagna) or individual rituals can also be performed. Poojas are conducted in Sanskrit and Hindi, accommodating the linguistic preferences of the region’s devotees.

During major festivals, such as the Mostamanu Fair (Mostamanu Mela) in August–September, Nag Panchami in July–August, and Maha Shivaratri in February–March, the temple comes alive with vibrant celebrations, community feasts (bhandaras), and the distribution of prasadam like milk, kheer, dry sweets, and fruits.

Reaching Mostamanu Temple involves a scenic journey: arrive at Pithoragarh town by road from Tanakpur, Haldwani, or Delhi, then head north towards Chandak.

After a 6–7 km drive to the Chandak area, visitors must walk or trek the final 2 km uphill to the temple, as there is no dedicated parking lot and the approach is not fully wheelchair accessible. Roadside parking is available near the approach paths.

The nearest railway stations are Tanakpur (138 km) and Haldwani (185 km), while Naini Saini Airport in Pithoragarh is just 5 km away. For accommodation, options include KMVN Tourist Rest House, Hotel Sigma, Hotel Mountain View, and local homestays in Chandak and Pithoragarh.

Visitors can also explore nearby attractions such as Pithoragarh Fort, Chandak Hills, Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple, Dhwaj Temple, and the Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple.

Photography is permitted in the temple’s outer grounds and landscape, but capturing images of the main deity or rituals requires prior permission from the priests or caretakers. The temple maintains a modest dress code, encouraging respectful attire for both men and women.