Chitai Golu Devta temple is one of the highly revered temples dedicated to Lord Golu or Golu Devta incarnation of Gaur Bhairav (Shiva). The temple is situated in Almora. The God of Justice, Golu Devta holds a special place in the heart of people. It is believed that the Lord serves all who come to his temple and ask for wishes with a good conscience.
Devotees ask for the wishes in a very unusual way. They write the wishes on paper and pin it on the temple wall with the belief that their wishes will be heard and fulfilled by Golu Devta. Such strong spiritual faith people have in the Lord Golu. When the wishes get granted people offer bells in return.
The thick forest of chir pines and encompassing Garhwal Himalayas adds aura to the arena of the temple. Temple of Chitai Almora, glorifies the greatness of ‘Dispenser of Justice’ -Golu Devta.
Golu Devta temple is located 9 km away from Almora on Jageshwar Dham Road. People perform pujas and offer White Shawl, Pagri and White cloth to Golu Devta deity. In eastern Garhwal people very piously worship him as Goril Devta. He is also one of the highly respected God of Kumaon region. Main highlight of the temple is the large number of bells that hang in the temple premises. The other popular temple of Golu Devta is located in Champawat, Ghorakhal and Chamarkhan.
According to a popular story, king once went to the forest for hunting. On being thirsty, he sent his servants to fetch water for him. The servants disturbed a woman who was seated in deep meditation. King liked the woman and married her. When the queen gave birth to a son, the other queens being jealous took away the new born child and replaced it with a stone. They threw the kid in a lake. A fisherman found the kid and brought him up.
When the child grew up he took a wooden horse to the river to drink water. King saw this and on being questioned the kid replied that if a queen can give birth to a stone then a wooden horse can also drink water. The king realized his mistake and injustice done by him. King accepted him as his son and he was popular as Gwalla Devta.
Legends say that Golu Devta is the son of King Katyuri, Jhal Rai and Kalinka and grandson of Hal Rai. Another legend has it that he was a general in the army of Chand king Baz Bhadur.
Golu Devta is regarded as key deity (Kul Devta/Ishta) in Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand. People very devotionally perform three days pooja or nine days pooja to the Lord Golu in which they offer Ghee, Curd, Milk, Halwa, Puri and Pakauri. People of the neighboring villages participate in the pujas and temple gets lighted up with religious joy.