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Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is famous all over the world for its immense natural beauty and supernatural spiritual mysteries. Here at every step there are such ancient temples and shrines, whose traditions are completely beyond ordinary thinking. Generally, Lord Shiva (Mahadev) is worshiped in the form of trident holder, Damru wala Aughadani or Shivalinga. However, Latu Devta Temple, located in the remote Wan village of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, is such a wonderful and mysterious pilgrimage, where the deity considered to be the form of Mahadev is worshiped not in male but in ‘female’ form. The doors of this temple open only for one day in a year and during that time the chief priest also enters the sanctum sanctorum with a blindfold on his eyes and mouth.
Latu Devta is the religious brother of Mother Nanda Devi: Know the mythological story
According to local beliefs and Kedarkhand of Skanda Purana, Latu Devta is considered to be a Gana and form of Lord Shiva and the religious brother of Nanda Devi (Parvati), the Kuldevi mother of Uttarakhand.
According to the legend, when Mother Nanda got married to Lord Shiva and her farewell journey (Rajajat) started, her brother Latu was also accompanying her. On the way, near Van village, Latu Devta felt very thirsty. They went to a nearby house in search of water, where an old woman handed them a vessel of madira (liquor), mistaking it for water in the dark.
As soon as Latu Devta consumed liquor, he became unconscious and furious. When Mata Nanda came to know about this incident, she pacified Latu and ordered that he would reside at this place and become the protector deity of this entire valley. According to the blessing of Mother, the tradition of worshiping her with Ardhanarishwar and female form of the goddess was established.
The biggest secret of the temple: Worship with blindfold on eyes and mouth.
The most shocking thing about Latu Devta Temple is that the entry of common devotees into the sanctum sanctorum of this temple is completely prohibited. only once a year Vaishakh Purnima (month of May) On the auspicious occasion of , the doors of the temple are opened only for a few hours.
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Priest’s blindfold: The chief priest of the temple puts a thick black bandage over his eyes and a cloth over his mouth before opening the door of the sanctum sanctorum.
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Fear of Nagraj’s miraculous gem: It is believed that Latu deity resides in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple along with the real Sheshnag-like Manihadari Nagraj. The shine of that divine gem is so intense and supernatural that if a person looks at it with open eyes, his eyesight can be lost forever.
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Law of Purity: A bandage is tied on the mouth so that the air of the priest’s breath does not directly reach the idol of the deity or Nagraj and the sanctity of the worship is not violated.
Unique tradition of adornment and enjoyment in female form
After the doors are opened, the chief priest bathes the deity by simply putting his hands inside the door of the sanctum sanctorum and does special makeup on him.
Since this form of Mahadev is worshiped here in a goddess form and gentle manner, he is traditionally offered jewelery worn by women, red chunari, fragrant perfumes and flowers. Hundreds of villagers and devotees stand outside the sanctum sanctorum and take darshan with folded hands from a distance. As soon as evening comes, the doors are formally closed again for a year.
12th main stop of Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra
This temple of Latu Devta is the historical and world famous temple of Uttarakhand. ‘Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra’ It is the 12th important milestone. In this historical walking journey, when Maa Nanda’s doli reaches Van village, only after the blessings of Latu Devta, the journey moves towards its most difficult and inaccessible Himalayan route (Rupkund and Homkund).
This temple situated in the lap of Himalayas is still an unsolved puzzle for science and modern thinking, where a unique confluence of faith, mythological mystery and supernatural energy is seen.