Katarmal Sun Temple

Katarmal Sun Temple, situated 16 km northwest of Almora, is one of the famous historical places of Kumaon hills in Uttaranchal. Dating back 800 years, this temple is second in importance, the first being the Sun Temple of Konark in Orissa. Noted for its magnificent architecture, this temple is devoted to deity Burhadita or Vraddhaditya (the old Sun God). The idols of Shiva-Parvati and Lakshmi-Narayana can also be spotted in this temple.

Built in the 9th century by Katarmala, a Katyuri king, this temple is perched at an altitude of 2116 m. The building faces the east in a way such that the first rays of the sun fall on the idol of Lord Shiva Lingam. Stone-built walls, intricate metal figurines, beautiful pillar carvings and exquisitely cut out wooden doors are among the distinctive features of this temple. The old, main temple within the complex is surrounded by 45 smaller shrines.

After the presiding deity was stolen in the 10th century, the intricately carved doors and panels of this temple were removed to the National Museum in Delhi. Though the temple is in a decaying state at the present time, it is visited by many devotees who come here to offer prayer to the Sun God. There is no means of transport available after the Kosi River, and thus visitors are needed to walk on foot in order to reach the temple complex.