01After Raktabija
The Durga Saptashati tells how every drop of Raktabija’s blood that fell on the ground rose as another asura, until Kali spread her tongue and drank it all. Kalimath’s tradition says that after that battle the Devi went into the earth at this spot. The shrine has no image: a silver Shri Yantra covers the kund, and worship is offered to it. On the night of Ashtami in Ashwin Navratri the kund is opened for a special puja. Beside Kali’s shrine stand those of Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati, and a Bhairav shrine. Shaktas count Kalimath among the most powerful siddha peethas of the Himalaya.
02Kalidas’s village
The village of Kaviltha, on the hill above, is held by local tradition to be the birthplace of the poet Kalidasa, who is said to have received the Devi’s grace at Kalimath; scholars place Kalidasa elsewhere, and the claim is the valley’s own. A short climb up the opposite slope leads to Kalishila, a rock where the Devi is believed to have first appeared, carved with yantras. The temple is about 8 km off the Guptkashi road.
About 8 km from Guptkashi. Kalishila is a separate steep walk of a few hours. Open all year.
