Kasar Devi Temple
An ancient hilltop temple above Almora, known for the unusual geomagnetic field along its ridge and a long line of seekers drawn to it — from Swami Vivekananda, who meditated here, to the artists and wanderers of the 1960s 'Crank's Ridge'.
A ridge of strange magnetism and long views
The Kasar Devi temple dates back well over a thousand years and sits on a pine ridge with a wide view of the snow peaks. The ridge is one of a handful of places on earth associated with a Van Allen-belt geomagnetic anomaly, which many visitors link to the deep calm they feel here.
Swami Vivekananda meditated at Kasar Devi in the 1890s, and in the mid-20th century the ridge — nicknamed Crank's Ridge — drew writers, mystics and musicians to Almora. The small shrine and the woods around it remain a quietly powerful place to sit.
At Kasar Devi and around Almora
The hilltop shrine
A small ancient temple reached by a short walk up through the pines — still and unhurried.
Himalayan viewpoint
The ridge opens to a long line of snow peaks — superb at sunrise and sunset.
Crank's Ridge
The bohemian trail below the temple, where seekers and artists settled from the 1960s.
Almora town
Kumaon's cultural heart, 8 km on — its stepped bazaar, Kumaoni food and craft.
Nanda Devi Temple
Almora's presiding goddess temple, centre of the great September Nanda Devi fair.
Jageshwar Dham
A valley of over a hundred stone Shiva temples in a deodar forest, about 35 km away.
Getting there
About 90 km via Almora — roughly three hours, then a short walk up to the temple. Best as a longer day or an overnight around Almora.
Best time to visit
October to June for clear peaks and pleasant walking. Sunrise and sunset from the ridge are the highlights — time your visit for the light.
Good to know
The final stretch to the shrine is on foot through the forest. Carry water and a layer; the ridge is breezy and cool even in summer.
Make Blessed Aura your base
Fold Kasar Devi into an Almora–Binsar–Kausani loop — plan the trip from your base with us at Blessed Aura.