Situated amidst the dense deodar forests, The Haat Kalika Temple at Gangolihat in Pithoragarh district boasts an exquisite complex area. It is believed that the Goddess Kali shifted her abode from West Bengal to this place and has been the popular goddess in the area ever since.
This Shakti-Peeth established by Guru Adi Shankaracharya is more than thousand years old. Chamunda temple about 2 km from here is another holy site located in the vicinity of Haat Kalika temple.
It is said that the statue of Mahakali was established by the Kumaon Regiment under the leadership of Subedar Sher Singh after the war with Pakistan in 1971. It is said that this was the first idol installed by the army. After this, the Kumaon Regiment had climbed a big statue in the year 1994. {{keyword}}
The Haat Kalika Temple has utmost religigous significanace for the pepole of kumaon region, especially the brave soldiers of Kumaon Regiment of Indian Army. A popular legend goes by that once a turbulent sea strom blew which caused tremors in the ship that was carrying the soldiers of the Kumaon Regiment.When all the efforts for saving the ship from sinking falied, the soldiers then resorted to Goddess Haat Kali and prayed her.
By the grace of Haat Kalika, the ship miraculously reached the shore safely. Since then the members of Kumaon Regiment consider Haat Kalika as 'Isht Devi' or the patron goddess of Kumaon Regiment. {{keyword}} Many army men visit the Haat Kalika temple and offer their services at the temple.
One can see tha saga of Kumaon Regiment and their accomplishment in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 painted on the temple walls. {{keyword}}
The Kumaon Regiment Regimental Motto: Parakramo Vijayte (Valour Triumphs) War Cry: Kalika Mata ki Jai (Victory to Goddess Kalika Mata) Regimental Center - Ranikhet, Uttarakhand Colonel of the Regiment - Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita, GOC-in-C Eastern Command.