Siddhbali Temple Kotdwar: Timings, How to Reach and Where to Stay
Ask anyone in Kotdwar for directions and sooner or later they'll use Siddhbali as a landmark. The temple is the town's pride, and on a Sunday or Tuesday you'll see families from Delhi, Meerut and every corner of Garhwal climbing the steps together.
Here is what you need to know before you go.
The story behind the temple
Siddhbali Dham is a Hanuman temple on a small hill beside the Khoh river. The river curves around the hillock, which gives the place its calm, almost island-like feel.
Local belief connects the spot with Guru Gorakhnath, who is said to have meditated here. The word "Siddh" in the name comes from that link with a perfected saint, and "Bali" refers to Hanuman. Two natural pindis are worshipped inside.
Siddhbali temple timings
The Google listing shows the temple open from about 5 am to 2 pm, and again from 3 pm to 8 pm. Timings shift a little for festivals and aarti, so treat these as a guide.
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Shri Sidhbali Baba Dham Mandir, Kotdwara
Shri Sidhbali Marg · QG5Q+6GX, Shri Sidhbali Marg, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
Best time to go: early morning on a weekday. By 10 am on Sundays and Tuesdays the queue can stretch down the steps.
The bhandara tradition
Devotees whose wishes come true often sponsor a bhandara, a free community meal for everyone at the temple. Weekends and Tuesdays are the most popular days, and these slots get booked a long way ahead. If you want to sponsor one, ask at the temple office in person. Don't pay anyone online who claims to sell bhandara dates.
How to reach Siddhbali
The temple is a few kilometres from the Kotdwar main market, towards the Dugadda road.
- From Kotdwar railway station or the roadways bus stand: take a shared auto or e-rickshaw towards Siddhbali. It's a short ride.
- By car: follow the Kotdwar to Lansdowne road. You'll cross the red Sidhbali Lal Pul just before the temple approach. Parking fills up quickly on Sundays.
- From Delhi: the Siddhbali Jan Shatabdi runs daily between Old Delhi and Kotdwar. More options in our Delhi to Kotdwar guide.
What to carry
- Small change for prasad and the shoe stand.
- Comfortable footwear for the steps, since you'll leave it at the bottom anyway.
- Water in summer. Kotdwar is low enough to get properly hot from April to June.
Phones and cameras are fine on the steps and outside, but please don't film inside during aarti.
Shopping near the temple
Small stalls around the approach sell prasad, sindoor, chunri and pictures of Bajrangbali. Sidhbali Gem Shop, right at the temple, is well reviewed and closed on Wednesdays.
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Sidhbali Gem Shop
Sidhbali Mandir · Sidhbali Gemshop, Sidhbali Temple, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
Where to stay near Siddhbali
Most visitors base themselves in town. These are the best-rated hotels and guest houses in and around Kotdwar right now:
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Gharonda homestay
Chopra Laga Bhadali · Sunar Gaon, Chopra Laga Bhadali, Uttarakhand 246127
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SB Mount Resort
Lansdowne · Post Office-Fatehpur, District - Pauri, Village-Rauthan Bilangi, Lansdowne, Uttarakhand 246155
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Salberry Resort
Ramri · Charekh, Lansdowne road, Ramri, Uttarakhand 246127
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Hotel Grand Nitara
Badrinath Marg · Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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THE SHALAM RESORT
Bilasu · Tushrani, Lansdowne, Bilasu, Uttarakhand 246155
See all hotels and guest houses in Kotdwar.
Where to eat after darshan
Many people eat the bhandara prasad at the temple itself. For a proper meal, here are the top-rated restaurants in town:
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Nikhil Ninety Six
Kumbhichaur · Jeetpur, Kumbhichaur, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
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DHARAVA JUICE & DOSA POINT
Shivpur · Shivpur Rd, near hotel crown residency, Kotdwar, Shivpur, Uttarakhand 246150
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THE TERRACE A FAMILY RESTORENT
Kura Range · Kura Range, Uttarakhand 246155
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Ghar Ki Rasoi
Gadighat · near laxmi wedding point, Vikas Nagar, garighat, Kotdwar, Uttarakhand 246149
We've written a separate post on where locals eat in Kotdwar.
Common questions about Siddhbali temple
Which god is worshipped at Siddhbali temple?
Hanuman (Bajrangbali) is the main deity. The temple is also linked with Guru Gorakhnath, who is believed to have done penance at this spot.
What is the best day to visit Siddhbali temple?
Tuesday and Saturday are Hanuman's days, and Sunday draws the most families. For a quieter visit, go on any other weekday morning.
How far is Siddhbali temple from Kotdwar railway station?
It is a few kilometres away, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by auto or taxi depending on traffic in the main bazaar.
Is there parking at Siddhbali temple?
There is parking near the approach, but it fills up fast on Sundays and festival days. Come early or take an auto from town.
Planning a longer trip? Our list of things to do in Kotdwar covers 15 places nearby.
Spotted a wrong number or a place we missed? Email kotdwarauk15@zohomail.in and we will fix it.