Surkanda Devi Temple: Timings, Ropeway, Snow & How to Reach

Facts checked November 2026.

Surkanda Devi is one of the most loved Devi temples of Garhwal. On a clear morning you can see Dehradun, Rishikesh and the snow peaks from the top, and in winter the whole hill turns white. This guide covers how to get there, the walk and ropeway, the story, the snow season and the nearby Devi temples, so your family can plan the darshan calmly.

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

Where is Surkanda Devi temple and why is it a Shakti Peeth?

The temple stands on Surkanda peak in Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. The motor road ends at Kaddukhal, a small roadside village on the Mussoorie–Chamba road. Kaddukhal is about 8 km from Dhanaulti, on the Chamba side.

The Tehri district administration gives the height of the peak as about 2,750 m. Other sources give a slightly different figure (Wikipedia lists about 2,756 m), so “about 2,750 m” is the safe number to remember. The hilltop is often wrapped in fog.

Devotees count Surkanda Devi among the Shakti Peeths, the shrines linked to Mata Sati. Locally it is also called a Siddh Peeth, a place where prayers are believed to be answered. For a wider list of Devi shrines, see our Shakti Peeth yatra guide.

What is the story of Surkanda Devi temple?

The story is the same one told at every Shakti Peeth. Daksha Prajapati held a great yagya and insulted Lord Shiva, his son-in-law. Unable to bear the insult, his daughter Sati gave up her body in the sacrificial fire. Grieving Shiva carried her body across the worlds. To bring him back to calm, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra, and parts of Sati’s body fell at different places, each becoming a Shakti Peeth.

At Surkanda, the belief is that Sati’s head fell here. Both the Tehri district website and Incredible India say the name grew from “Sirkhanda” (the place of the head) into “Surkanda”. The goddess is worshipped here as a form of Durga, and many families come to offer chunri, coconut and prasad after a wish is fulfilled.

What are the timings of Surkanda Devi temple?

Sources differ, so treat any published timing as a guide only. Incredible India, the Government of India tourism website, lists the temple as open from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Temple and trekking websites give shorter hours with separate summer and winter timings (for example, opening around 5:00 AM in summer and around 7:00 AM in winter, and closing in the early evening). The Tehri district website does not list timings.

In practice, plan to reach the top and come back down in daylight. The path and the hilltop get very cold after sunset, especially in winter. Aarti times can change with the season and on festival days, so ask the priests or the shopkeepers at Kaddukhal on the day.

How far is the walk from Kaddukhal, and is there a ropeway?

Walking path

The Tehri district website gives the walk from Kaddukhal as about 2.5 km on a steep ascent. Some travel sites say 2 km and an older Tribune report said 3 km, so expect roughly 2–3 km. The path climbs steadily all the way up. Most healthy adults take about 1.5 to 2 hours going up, with rests, and about an hour coming down. Elders and anyone with knee, heart or breathing trouble should plan for the ropeway.

Ropeway

The Kaddukhal–Surkanda Devi ropeway was opened by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on 1 May 2022. It was built by the Uttarakhand tourism department. According to news reports from the opening (ThePrint, Outlook):

• Length: 502 m, from Kaddukhal to the temple area
• Ride time: 5–10 minutes (walking used to take about 2 hours)
• Capacity: about 500 people per hour

No official fare or operating schedule is published online, so check the current fare and timings at the counter in Kaddukhal. Like any ropeway, it may stop during strong wind, heavy snow or maintenance. In July 2022 a trolley stopped midway for nearly an hour because of a technical snag; the passengers got down and the service resumed. Keep enough time and energy to walk if needed.

How to reach Surkanda Devi from Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh and Haridwar?

There are two road approaches. From Dehradun and Mussoorie you go up to Mussoorie, then east via Dhanaulti to Kaddukhal. From Rishikesh and Haridwar you climb via Narendra Nagar to Chamba, then turn west towards Dhanaulti and reach Kaddukhal first. Hill roads add time, and published distances differ, so the figures below are approximate.

Why ranges? Sources measure from different points. For example, the Tehri district page puts Dhanaulti 24 km from Mussoorie in one line and 33 km in another. We have not listed Rishikesh or Haridwar because we could not find a reliable published distance to Kaddukhal; ask your driver for the current route via Narendra Nagar and Chamba.

• By air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun is the nearest. The district site gives about 94 km to the temple.
• By train: Dehradun railway station, about 66 km (district site). Rishikesh and Haridwar stations work well if you come via Chamba.
• By bus: Kaddukhal is on the Mussoorie–Chamba road, but public transport here is limited. A taxi from Dehradun, Mussoorie or Rishikesh is the simpler choice for families.

If you are starting from Dehradun, our guide to temples in Dehradun helps you plan the rest of your darshan.

Does it snow at Surkanda Devi, and is the road safe in winter?

Yes. At about 2,750 m, Surkanda usually gets snow in winter, most often from late December to February. Dhanaulti and Mussoorie get heavy snowfall in some winters; in January 2026, for example, news reports listed both among places that received heavy snow. This is why searches for the temple peak in December and January.

Snow makes darshan very special, but plan for it:

• Road: The Mussoorie–Dhanaulti–Chamba road can become slippery or be blocked for hours after fresh snow. Heavy snow in past winters has left tourists stranded around Mussoorie and Dhanaulti. Check the weather forecast and local news the evening before, and leave early.
• Vehicle and driver: Use a driver who knows hill roads in snow. Do not drive yourself on ice if you are not used to it. Carry snow chains if your driver advises.
• Path: The walk from Kaddukhal can be icy. Wear shoes with a good grip and take it slowly. If the ropeway is closed due to weather, decide honestly whether elders can manage the walk.
• Daylight: Winter days are short. Aim to start back down by early afternoon.

What is the best time to visit Surkanda Devi temple?

For most families, October–November and March–June are the easiest. Choose December–February if you want to see the temple in snow and can keep a spare day for weather.

When is the Ganga Dussehra mela at Surkanda Devi?

The Tehri district administration says a big mela is held every year at Surkanda Devi on Ganga Dussehra, which falls between May and June. Thousands of devotees climb to the temple that day, so expect long queues, packed parking at Kaddukhal and a slow ropeway line. The exact date follows the Hindu calendar (Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami) and changes each year. Navratri is also a busy time.

Which temples are near Surkanda Devi?

The Tehri district administration describes Surkanda Devi, Kunjapuri and Chandrabadni as the three Devi shrines of Tehri district that together form a holy triangle. Many families try to do all three.

• Kunjapuri Devi: On a hilltop above Narendra Nagar, close to Rishikesh, famous for sunrise views. See our Kunjapuri Devi temple guide.
• Chandrabadni Devi: The third Devi shrine of Tehri district, further away from Surkanda. It is a longer drive, so plan it as a separate day.
• Dhanaulti: A quiet forested hill area about 8 km from Kaddukhal.
• Mussoorie: The nearest big hill town, good for a night stop on the Dehradun side.

Where to stay near Surkanda Devi?

Kaddukhal has only small shops and dhabas. Most families stay in Dhanaulti (tourist rest house, forest rest house and guest houses, as listed by the district), Kanatal or Chamba on the Tehri side, or Mussoorie if they want more choice. In winter, book a room with proper heating and check whether the road to the property stays open after snow.

What should I wear and carry for Surkanda Devi darshan?

• Warm layers all year: the hilltop is windy. In winter carry a thermal inner, jacket, cap, gloves and woollen socks.
• Comfortable shoes with good grip; you will leave them at the shoe stand near the temple.
• About 2 litres of water per person if you walk; there is no natural water source on the path.
• Enough cash, as trekking guides report no ATM near Kaddukhal.
• A rain jacket in monsoon, and sunglasses and sunscreen on snow days.
• Any personal medicines. Elders with heart or breathing conditions should ask their doctor before the climb.
• Modest, traditional clothing is respectful at the temple. Carry back all plastic and wrappers.

Related guides: Chandrabadni temple guide

How Yatra To Temples can help

We do not have a separate Surkanda Devi package. If you are coming on our Haridwar Rishikesh Ganga Darshan Yatra, ask us whether Surkanda Devi darshan can be added to your plan. You can also browse our Shakti Peeth yatras. Tell us your dates and group size on the contact page or email shiva@yatratotemples.in, and our yatra team will tell you what is possible.

Frequently asked questions

How many steps or how long is the climb to Surkanda Devi?

It is mainly an uphill path rather than a long staircase, about 2.5 km from Kaddukhal according to the Tehri district website. Most people take 1.5 to 2 hours to go up. The ropeway cuts this to 5–10 minutes.

Is the Surkanda Devi ropeway open in winter?

No official winter schedule is published, and like any ropeway it can stop during heavy snow, strong wind or maintenance, so check at Kaddukhal or call a local hotel before you set out.

Can elderly people visit Surkanda Devi temple?

Yes, most elders manage comfortably with the ropeway. The walk is steep, so for those with knee, heart or breathing problems the ropeway is the safer choice. Keep a light woollen layer handy because the top is windy.

Which body part of Sati fell at Surkanda Devi?

The belief is that Mata Sati’s head fell here. That is why the place was called “Sirkhanda”, which later became Surkanda.

Is Surkanda Devi near Mussoorie or Dhanaulti?

It is closer to Dhanaulti, about 8 km away at Kaddukhal. From Mussoorie it is roughly 35–40 km depending on where in town you start. It is in Tehri Garhwal district, not Dehradun district.

Can we do Surkanda Devi and Kunjapuri in one day?

It is possible from Rishikesh by going up via Narendra Nagar and Chamba, but it is a long day on hill roads. Start very early and avoid it in heavy snow or monsoon. Two easier days are better for elders.

Is there any entry fee at Surkanda Devi temple?

No official source lists an entry fee, and travel websites describe darshan as free. The ropeway is paid, and parking at Kaddukhal may be charged; check current rates on the spot.