Shakumbari Devi Temple is situated 40 km north of
Saharanpur in
Uttar Pradesh. The presiding deity is
Goddess Durga in the form of Shakumbari Devi, who killed Mahishasur Maha Daitya - the demon king. A major draw is Shakumbari Mela, which is held here during
Navratri.
This temple is believed to have been built during the rule of the Marathas. There is also a belief that
Sankaracharya meditated here, and the idols found here were installed by him. Legend is that Shakumbari Devi performed meditation for 100 years and had vegetarian meal only once every month end. The great saints who came for her darshan (Sanskrit term meaning sight or a glimpse of the deity) were welcomed and given the vegetarian meal, hence the name 'Shakumbari'.
Bhura Dev (Bhairav Temple), which is regarded as the guard of Shakumbari Devi, is one km east of this shrine.
