Mundeshwar Mahadev Temple, Pithoni Almora, Thana Matena, Uttarakhand

The Mundeshwar Mahadev temple group was built around the 12th century between Pithuni and Thada-Mathena villages at the confluence of Suwal and Supai rivers in the south-east direction near the ancient city of Almora in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. These temple groups were built by the Katyuri kings. But historians believe that they were built by Katyuri and Chand rulers. There are a total of 6 temples in Mundeshwar Mahadev Temple. In which two temples are prominent. And worship is done as per the rituals. All the temples of Mundeshwar Mahadev temple group are built in Kedarnath and Jageshwar Dham style. This temple is quite famous for its architecture. This temple built with big stones is very grand and beautiful.

Mundeshwar Mahadev Temple is a holy religious center of devotees who have immense reverence, faith and belief in Lord Shiva. Here, along with Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, there are four small gods Kulika and Maa Mansa Devi is seated on the Gaj mountain in front. Every year devotees come to this holy place for the whole month of Shravan. Devotees come here from different areas and perform Rudrabhishek of Lord Shankar. Here, apart from Rudrabhishek, the mortal remains worship, chanting, worship of Kalsarp Yoga, Mahamrityunjaya chanting, Shiv Puran, Akhand Ramayana, story recitation etc. continue throughout the month of Shravan. According to beliefs, by chanting Mahamrityunjaya, even sufferings like death can be averted.

In the lush green valley of Mundeshwar Mahadev Temple, the two rivers Supai and Suwal, chirping and flowing peacefully, meet in the courtyard of this holy place. The hill in front on the other side of Suwal river is also called Gaja Dhar or Gaja Parvat. When you look towards the front from the courtyard of the temple, you see the shape of a giant elephant in front. Many legends of the Pandavas and Mahabharata period are associated with this Gaj mountain.

There is a legend that there was a cave at the bottom of this Gaj mountain, adjacent to the river bank. In which Maa Mansa Devi was considered to reside. Over time, many caves have ceased to exist due to geological movements. It is said that similarly this cave also no longer exists, but Maa Mansa Devi has been established at the entrance of this cave itself.

It is also believed that the continuous water stream from the lower part of this closed cave originates from the sacred Jata Ganga of Jageshwar Dham and meets the pond of Maa Mansa Devi here. This belief persists even today that taking a bath in this holy water stream cures all skin related diseases. In the month of Magh, from Makar Sankranti to Mahashivratri, many devotees come to take bath in this holy pond.

This holy place of Maa Mansa Debi along with Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati on the picturesque confluence of two rivers is originally dedicated to Lord Shiva. The people of the area have immense reverence and faith in this temple. The people of the area celebrate two main festivals related to Lord Shiva here with great pomp and show. Mahashivratri fair in the month of Phalgun and Shravani festival in the month of Shravan.

On one hand, this historical, mythological, cultural and religious place is a sacred center of unwavering devotion, boundless faith and reverence, while on the other hand its natural beauty fascinates the mind. This lush green valley surrounded by high and low hills, terraced fields at the foothills and forests of Baaj, Buras, Kafal and Pine in the hills, Hisalu, Kilmodi and many multi-purpose medicinal plants, is the beauty of this Dham situated on the banks of the confluence of two rivers. It just pulls towards itself.

how to reach here
However, this religious place is not yet fully connected by road (road construction work is in progress). Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport here. Which is about 125 kilometers from here.

Kathgodam is the nearest railway station here which is about 105 kilometers from here. From Kathgodam, private buses and Uttarakhand government buses regularly run to Almonda, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar. If you want, you can also take a taxi. Which is always available for booking and daily service.

You can reach Almora district headquarters by road. To reach here from Almora city, you can take a taxi, which will take you to the said place from near Uday Shankar Natya Academy, at a distance of just 10 kilometers from Tatik-Birauda-Pithoni motor road.