History:
Dunagiri has been known over millennia as Drongiri. Dunagiri is the modern apbhransh or the colloquial version of original name Drongiri or Dronagiri.
Dunagiri has a distinctive importance in cultural history of our nation. Ancient history related to Dunagiri tells us right from very early times it was the favorite spot of Rishi-Munis of India who had established their ashrams here. Ashram of Garg Muni was at Dunagiri after whom river Gagas is named. It is said the river Gagas originated due to the effects of the austerities of Garg Muni. Sukhdev Muni’s (son of sage Ved Vyasa) ashram was also here, now known as Sukhdevi (within walking distance of Dunagiri Retreat). In the epic Ramayan, during Treta Yuga (prior to 3100 BC), when Lakshman was hit by the arrow of Ravan's son Meghnad (celestial arrows even had names - this one was called shakti-baan) , Hanuman saved his life by bringing divine herbs from this mountain which was then known as Drongiri or Dronagiri. During their period of anonymous travel, the Pandavas of Mahabharata took shelter at Dunagiri. Pandukholi is the place at Dunagiri where they stayed for a period of time. Pandav’s Guru Dronacharya did tapasya (devout austerity) at Dunagiri. Kalanemi rakshas (a malignant spirit) tried to terrorize the Rishis-Munis here.
Dunagiri is mentioned in Manaskhand of Skandpuran. Dunagiri Devi is described as Mahamaya Harpriya (Manaskhand, 36.17-18). The distinctive qualities of Durga at Dunagiri as shul-hasta, mahishasur-ghatini, sinh-vahini are described. In Manaskhand, Dunagiri Devi is also referred to as Vahyamati which identifies it with its Vedic roots. In Vedic times Durga was known to be a form of Agni.
In Creation, one can wonder if the element of Shakti is primary or that of Shiva? Is it right to emphazie Prakrati or should it be Purusha? Is it to be known as feminine or masculine? Questions of such nature are answered in Shwetashwetupanishad in the context of Dunagiri’s twin peak-heads. In fact, this Upanishad is believed to have been inspired/composed at Dunagiri itself. The fourth chapter of Shwetashwetupanishad, pondering on divinity, takes inspiration from Dunagiri’s twin natural peaks (one can see the twin rock pieces inside Dunagiri temple as well). Hence Manaskhand of Skandpuran bestows Dunagiri with the title of Brahm-parvat (Divine Mountain).
Among all the Shakti temples of Kumaon, Dunagiri is counted amid the most ancient ‘Sidh Shaktipeeth’. It is counted amongst the primary ‘ugra’ (intense) ‘peeths’. This shaktipeeth in its essence has been influenced over time by Shaiva, Vaishnav and Shakt practices.
Dunagiri has been known over millennia as Drongiri. Dunagiri is the modern apbhransh or the colloquial version of original name Drongiri or Dronagiri.
Dunagiri has a distinctive importance in cultural history of our nation. Ancient history related to Dunagiri tells us right from very early times it was the favorite spot of Rishi-Munis of India who had established their ashrams here. Ashram of Garg Muni was at Dunagiri after whom river Gagas is named. It is said the river Gagas originated due to the effects of the austerities of Garg Muni. Sukhdev Muni’s (son of sage Ved Vyasa) ashram was also here, now known as Sukhdevi (within walking distance of Dunagiri Retreat). In the epic Ramayan, during Treta Yuga (prior to 3100 BC), when Lakshman was hit by the arrow of Ravan's son Meghnad (celestial arrows even had names - this one was called shakti-baan) , Hanuman saved his life by bringing divine herbs from this mountain which was then known as Drongiri or Dronagiri. During their period of anonymous travel, the Pandavas of Mahabharata took shelter at Dunagiri. Pandukholi is the place at Dunagiri where they stayed for a period of time. Pandav’s Guru Dronacharya did tapasya (devout austerity) at Dunagiri. Kalanemi rakshas (a malignant spirit) tried to terrorize the Rishis-Munis here.
Dunagiri is mentioned in Manaskhand of Skandpuran. Dunagiri Devi is described as Mahamaya Harpriya (Manaskhand, 36.17-18). The distinctive qualities of Durga at Dunagiri as shul-hasta, mahishasur-ghatini, sinh-vahini are described. In Manaskhand, Dunagiri Devi is also referred to as Vahyamati which identifies it with its Vedic roots. In Vedic times Durga was known to be a form of Agni.
In Creation, one can wonder if the element of Shakti is primary or that of Shiva? Is it right to emphazie Prakrati or should it be Purusha? Is it to be known as feminine or masculine? Questions of such nature are answered in Shwetashwetupanishad in the context of Dunagiri’s twin peak-heads. In fact, this Upanishad is believed to have been inspired/composed at Dunagiri itself. The fourth chapter of Shwetashwetupanishad, pondering on divinity, takes inspiration from Dunagiri’s twin natural peaks (one can see the twin rock pieces inside Dunagiri temple as well). Hence Manaskhand of Skandpuran bestows Dunagiri with the title of Brahm-parvat (Divine Mountain).
Among all the Shakti temples of Kumaon, Dunagiri is counted amid the most ancient ‘Sidh Shaktipeeth’. It is counted amongst the primary ‘ugra’ (intense) ‘peeths’. This shaktipeeth in its essence has been influenced over time by Shaiva, Vaishnav and Shakt practices.
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