Daat Kali Temple

A Kali shrine at the forested mouth of the old highway tunnel, fourteen kilometres out on the Saharanpur road, and one of the busiest places of worship in the valley. It is revered as a manokamna siddh peeth (a seat where wishes are granted), and it is where the Doon blesses what it drives: for generations, owners have brought a new car or scooter for a coconut, a black thread and a protective yantra tied on by the priests, while drivers passing by slow down to salute the goddess. Mornings are the liveliest hours; weekends and Navratri mean queues. Shoes come off at the steps.

Where the valley brings its new vehicles to be blessed, thread and yantra included