What is Chitai Golu Devta Temple?
Chitai Golu Devta Temple — popularly known as the Temple of Bells — is one of the most visually striking and culturally unique Hindu shrines in the Kumaon Himalayas. Located at Chitai, approximately 8 km from Almora town in Uttarakhand, the temple is dedicated to Golu Devta (also spelled Golu Dev, Gollu Devta), the revered Kumaoni God of Justice. The deity is famed for granting the wishes of sincere petitioners and ensuring justice for those wronged — and in return, devotees traditionally hang a brass bell at the temple as a thanksgiving offering. Over centuries, this tradition has resulted in the temple's trees, walls, rafters, and every available surface being covered with thousands of jingling brass bells of all sizes — creating a visual and auditory spectacle unique in all of India.
Beyond bells, devotees write their petitions and wishes on stamped letter papers and post them directly to "Golu Devta" at the temple address — a tradition that fills postal bags at the local post office. The temple walls are covered in these handwritten letters, giving the shrine the appearance of a court of divine justice.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Location | Chitai village, 8 km from Almora town, Uttarakhand |
| Altitude | Approx. 1,650 metres above sea level |
| Deity | Golu Devta — Kumaoni God of Justice |
| Unique Feature | Thousands of brass bells hung by grateful devotees |
| Postal Tradition | Devotees write petition letters to the deity |
| Temple Timings | 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM (daily) |
| Entry Fee | Free (donations and bells as offering) |
| Yatra Visit | Day 6 return route on all 6-day packages |
History & Spiritual Significance
Golu Devta is the most popular local deity of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. According to legend, Golu Devta was a historical warrior prince of the Chand dynasty who was renowned for his exceptional sense of justice and his protection of the weak. After his death, he was deified and worshipped as the divine arbiter of justice across Kumaon's hills and valleys. The tradition of praying to Golu Devta for justice in personal disputes — ranging from legal cases to family conflicts — has made him one of the most actively worshipped folk deities in Uttarakhand.
The Chitai temple is the most famous of many Golu Devta shrines across Kumaon. The bell-hanging tradition began as a simple votive offering — a bell rung to awaken the deity's attention and a second bell hung as a thank-you upon receiving divine favour. Over centuries, this tradition escalated to the extraordinary spectacle visible today: a temple shrine and its surrounding trees festooned with thousands of bells ranging from tiny temple bells to enormous brass specimens weighing several kilograms.
The postal letter tradition is particularly remarkable: the local Almora post office accepts letters addressed simply to "Golu Devta, Chitai, Almora" — and these are delivered to the temple by the postman. Temple priests read the letters aloud before the deity and then paste them on the temple walls. This unique fusion of traditional faith and modern postal infrastructure is found nowhere else in India.
How to Reach
- From Almora: Chitai Golu Devta Temple is 8 km from Almora town on the Almora-Pithoragarh highway. Take any local taxi or shared jeep heading towards Pithoragarh — the temple is clearly visible from the main road.
- Via Adi Kailash Return Route: On Day 6 of the return journey, Rudraansh Yatra vehicles travelling from Pithoragarh to Kathgodam or Delhi pass through the Almora region. A 45-minute stop at Chitai Golu Devta is included in the itinerary.
- From Kathgodam: Drive via Bhimtal to Almora (80 km, approx. 2 hours), then continue 8 km to Chitai.
- Best Combined Visit: Chitai Golu Devta is ideally combined with a same-day visit to Jageshwar Dham (34 km from Almora) and Kainchi Dham (30 km from Almora towards Bhowali).
Best Time to Visit
Chitai Golu Devta Temple is open year-round. The most atmospheric visits are in the early morning when thousands of bells chime in the mountain breeze. The temple is busiest on Ashtami (8th day of the lunar fortnight) and during Kumaoni festivals like Ghee Sankranti. The Adi Kailash Yatra months of May–June and September–October are when the temple is visited on the Day 6 return journey.