Kasar Devi Temple
About
In an Almora travel guide, the Kasar Devi Temple, 8 kilometres from Almora, sits on a 2,116-metre ridge famous for the 'Crank's Ridge' community — the hippie-era artists, writers, and seekers (including Timothy Leary, Alfred Sorensen, and Bob Dylan briefly) who lived here in the 1960s–70s. It is one of the most remarkable places to visit in Almora and holds a special place in Almora tourism for its rare mix of spirituality, history, and cultural legacy. Swami Vivekananda meditated here in 1890 before his famous speeches in the West. The temple is 2,200 years old and sits in what NASA has identified as a Van Allen belt anomaly — one of only three places on earth with a distinctive magnetic signature, making it a memorable stop for those on an Almora trip or those who visit Almora seeking deeper spiritual experiences.
Highlights
What makes this place special
Ancient Temple
A small 2nd-century BCE stone shrine dedicated to the mother goddess Kasar — continuously worshipped for over two thousand years, and one of the ancient places to visit in Almora.
Crank's Ridge Cafes
The ridge below the temple has a handful of cafes serving specialty coffee and pancakes — the last remnant of the 1960s–70s bohemian community, and a unique stop for Almora sightseeing.
Things to Know
- •Open from dawn to dusk
- •Free entry
- •Short climb from parking
- •Cafes at Crank's Ridge serve great coffee
- •Clear mornings give the best Himalaya views
