The varioua temples of the Devis or Goddesses doffing the Garhwal, represent the obiding faith the people of the region have in them, the reverence with which they look up to them, and the obeisance they pay in the temples constructed in their names.

There are temples of Uma representing ‘ divine knowledge’, Durga, the Agni (Fire) form of Lord Shiva, Kali- the "Goddess par excellence" , Chandika, representing Kali in her most terrible forms has nine temple in Garhwal and two in Kumaon, Sitala, the Goddess of small pox has temples dedicated to her in Almora Srinagar, Jageshwar and other places Among the female forms bearing local names Hariyall Devi, Chandrabadni, Surkanda, Kunjapuri and Syahi Devi are most prominent

The forms of Shaktis of the delties known collectively as Matris have a temple dedicated to them at Badrinath.

Neither here nor in any other part of Upper India is the Separate worship of the Vaishnai Shakti in common practice. Lakshmi has a separate temple at Badrinath, but as a rule, is worshipped with Vishnu. There are temples dedicatd to Sita, Bhagwati, Gauri and Syahi Devi among others.

The following pages take youj on the holy trail of the temples where the Goddesses are worshipped.