Purnagiri Temple: Shakti Peeth, Route, Mela & Timings

Facts checked November 2026.

Maa Purnagiri draws devotees from both banks of the Kali, and its spring mela is one of the biggest gatherings in Champawat district. The temple sits on the Annapurna hill, high above the point where the Kali leaves the mountains and becomes the Sharda. This guide explains the belief, the route from Tanakpur, the mela season and what to plan for, with local details marked wherever sources disagree.

This page is part of our 51 Shakti Peeth List guide. Planning the yatra? See our Shakti Peeth yatra packages.

Where is Purnagiri temple and why is it a Shakti Peeth?

Purnagiri (also written Punyagiri) is in Champawat district of Uttarakhand, about 20 km from Tanakpur town. The Champawat district administration describes it as standing about 3,000 feet above sea level, at the spot where the Kali river flows down into the plains and takes the name Sharda. From the top you look down on the river, its islands, Tanakpur town and villages on the Nepal side.

Devotees believe this is one of the Shakti Peeths: when Lord Shiva carried the body of Sati after Daksha’s yagna, her navel (nabhi) is said to have fallen here. Many also count Purnagiri among the 108 Siddha Peeths. If you want the bigger picture of Devi’s seats across India, read our Shakti Peeth yatra guide.

A note on height: one official Kumaon division page writes “3,000 m”, which does not match the hill’s actual setting near the plains. We use the Champawat district figure of about 3,000 feet; confirm locally if you need an exact number.

How to reach Purnagiri temple

All routes meet at Tanakpur, the railhead and bus town at the foot of the hills. From Tanakpur, taxis, jeeps and buses run up the hill road to Thuligad. Beyond Thuligad the last part is on foot, by steps and path.

By train

Tanakpur railway station is the nearest station. The district website says Tanakpur has links towards Lucknow, Delhi, Agra and Kolkata; check current trains on IRCTC before you book, because services change.

By road

Buses run from ISBT Anand Vihar in Delhi to Tanakpur and Lohaghat, according to the district website. From Tanakpur, hire a local cab or take a shared jeep to Thuligad. Champawat town is up the hill on the Tanakpur–Pithoragarh road; the district page itself gives two different figures for Champawat to Purnagiri (60 km and 92 km), so sources differ and you should confirm locally.

By air

Pantnagar airport is about 160 km away, per the district website. Check current flights before you plan around them; from the airport you continue by road to Tanakpur.

How long is the walk to Purnagiri temple?

In the 2026 mela, pilgrims walked about 3 km from the Bhairav temple (where there is parking) to Maa Purnagiri Dham, according to Amar Ujala, 13 April 2026. There is no official step count; one private guide counts around 500 steps. One private guide gives about 3–4 hours for the climb and 1–2 hours for the return; your own time will depend on fitness, age and mela crowds. The official Kumaon division and Champawat district pages say the road is under construction up to Tunyas, so the walking part may be shorter in some years. In March 2025 All India Radio reported that plans for a Purnagiri ropeway were still in progress, so do not plan around it.

Tips for the climb: start early in the morning, wear proper walking shoes, carry water and a light snack, and keep a small torch if you will come down late. Elders with knee or heart trouble should go slowly and rest at each stage.

When is the Purnagiri mela?

The Purnagiri mela traditionally opens around Holi (Nepali press reports it starting on Phagu Purnima, the Holi full moon) and continues through Chaitra Navratri and beyond, lasting about three months. Reports from recent years show the pattern:

• 2023: inaugurated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on 9 March 2023.
• 2025: inaugurated around 15 March 2025 (Holi was 14 March 2025 per Drik Panchang) and formally closed at Thuligad on 15 June 2025 after three months. All India Radio reported more than 20 lakh devotees.
• 2026: inaugurated at Thuligad on 27 February 2026, roughly a week before Holi.

Expected (estimate): the 2027 mela may open in mid to late March 2027, within about a week of Holi, which falls on 22 March 2027 (Holika Dahan 21 March) per Drik Panchang. The basis is the recent pattern: in 2025 it opened the day after Holi, and in 2026 about a week before Holi, so the real date could be a few days either side. This is not confirmed; the official date is announced by the Champawat district administration before the mela opens. The district website has also linked an e-pass facility for the mela; check whether it applies in your year before you travel.

During Chaitra Navratri the queue can stretch along the whole path. If you want a quieter darshan, avoid Navratri weekends and the first days of the mela.

Purnagiri temple timings

Most published guides give the temple’s hours as roughly 5 am to 5 pm in winter and 5 am to 7 pm in summer, but these are not from the temple’s own notice, and hours are often extended in the mela. Sources differ; confirm locally at Tanakpur or Thuligad before you start the climb. Plan to begin walking early so you finish darshan and the descent in daylight.

Why do pilgrims visit Siddha Baba after Purnagiri?

A strong local tradition says the Purnagiri yatra is complete only after you also take darshan of Siddha Baba, whose temple is at Brahmadev, across the Sharda river in Nepal. Nepali press reports describe the Purnagiri fair bringing large crowds to the Siddha Baba temple at Brahmadev in Sudurpaschim Province. Many devotees also stop at the small Bhairav (Bhairon Baba) shrine on the way up, believing Bhairav gives permission to proceed, and at the “Jhutha Mandir” on the way down, linked to a story of a trader who broke his vow to the Devi.

Crossing into Nepal: carry a valid Indian passport or your original Indian voter ID card with photo, and do not rely on Aadhaar. The Embassy of India in Kathmandu lists only these two as valid travel documents for Indians travelling by air between India and Nepal, and says Aadhaar, PAN card and driving licence are not accepted. It does not publish a separate list for the land border, so carrying one of these two is the safe choice for the Brahmadev crossing. Check with border officials on the day, as practice can change.

What is the best time to visit Purnagiri?

The temple is visited all year. For most families, October–November and the early weeks of the mela (before Navratri rush) give the best balance of weather and space. If you go during the monsoon, check IMD alerts for Champawat district before setting out.

Can you visit Purnagiri in winter?

Yes. Purnagiri is a low hill shrine, not a high Himalayan dham, so it does not close for winter. Days are usually sunny and cool and the path is far less crowded than in March. Carry a sweater or jacket for the early start and the evening descent, and note that many seasonal shops along the path open only in mela months, so keep water and snacks with you. Winter is also a good time to plan and book for the coming mela season.

Places to visit near Purnagiri

• Tanakpur: the base town on the Sharda, with the barrage road and riverside ghats.
• Champawat: the district town up the hill road, home to the stone Baleshwar temple group (Baleshwar, Ratneshwar and Champawati Durga), which the district website links to the early Chand kings.
• Siddha Baba, Brahmadev (Nepal): see the ID note above.
• Further into Kumaon: combine Purnagiri with Jageshwar Dham, the Golu Devta temple at Chitai, Patal Bhuvaneshwar cave temple, Naina Devi in Nainital or Kainchi Dham; our guides to each explain the details.

How Yatra To Temples can help

Our Kumaon Mandir Devi Darshan Yatra covers Varahi Devi at Devidhura, Jageshwar Dham, Chitai Golu Devta and the Almora temples by private vehicle with an experienced hill driver and a yatra coordinator on call. Purnagiri is not part of that set itinerary, so if you want Maa Purnagiri, Tanakpur or Siddha Baba added, ask us and our yatra team will tell you what can be planned for your dates. You can also browse all Shakti Peeth yatras. Call or WhatsApp +91 78178 98687, email shiva@yatratotemples.in, or use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Which part of Sati fell at Purnagiri?

Devotees believe Sati’s navel (nabhi) fell at Purnagiri, which is why it is worshipped as a Shakti Peeth. It is also counted among the 108 Siddha Peeths.

How far is Purnagiri temple from Tanakpur?

About 20 km, according to the Champawat district website. You drive most of it up to Thuligad and walk the last stretch.

How many steps are there to Purnagiri temple?

There is no official step count; one guide mentions about 500 steps. The walk itself is about 3 km from the Bhairav temple parking to the temple, as reported by Amar Ujala during the 2026 mela.

When does the Purnagiri mela start in 2027?

It has not been announced yet. Expected (estimate): within about a week of Holi, which is on 22 March 2027 per Drik Panchang, based on 2025 (opened the day after Holi) and 2026 (opened 27 February, about a week before Holi). The Champawat district administration announces the official date.

Is Purnagiri open in winter?

Yes, the temple is visited all year and does not close for winter. Mornings are cold, so carry warm clothes and start the climb after sunrise.

Can I visit Siddha Baba temple in Nepal with Aadhaar?

Do not rely on Aadhaar. The Embassy of India in Kathmandu lists only a valid Indian passport or original Indian voter ID as valid for Indians travelling by air to Nepal and says Aadhaar is not accepted. Carry one of these two for the Brahmadev land crossing as well, and check with border officials on the day.

What is the nearest railway station to Purnagiri?

Tanakpur railway station. From there, taxis, jeeps and buses go to Thuligad, where the walk starts.

Is there a ropeway to Purnagiri?

Not yet. In March 2025 All India Radio reported that plans for a Purnagiri ropeway were in progress. Do not plan your visit around it until it actually opens.