Photo spot in Jim Corbett
Garjia Devi Temple
Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand
A Durga temple perched atop a large rock in the middle of the Kosi river near Ramnagar — reached by steps across the water, one of Corbett's most photographed sights.
Best time
Early morning, when the river is calm and the temple is quiet; late afternoon for warm side light on the rock.
Best angle
Stand on the riverbank downstream and take a wide photo of the temple on its rock, with the bridge and the Kosi in front.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
Check before going — closed at times for rock-protection work
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Garjia Devi Temple
Early morning, when the river is calm and the temple is quiet; late afternoon for warm side light on the rock. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Garjia Devi Temple
Stand on the riverbank downstream and take a wide photo of the temple on its rock, with the bridge and the Kosi in front. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
Before the river-rock temple
On the Kosi riverbank
Outfit guide
What to wear at Garjia Devi Temple
For photos at Garjia Devi Temple, saffron, red and cream work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Jim Corbett.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural looks that suit Garjia Devi Temple.
Eat nearby
Food near Garjia Devi Temple
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for tandoori & butter chicken nearby, or settle in at one of the 1 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
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Good to know
Local tips
Check whether the rock is open for darshan before you set out, as repairs have closed it for months at a time.
Go early in the morning to avoid queues on the steps.
Leave your shoes at the stalls near the bridge before you climb.
Stay out of the Kosi in the monsoon or after heavy rain in the hills.
Avoid the Kartik Purnima fair day unless you want the crowds.
Take the steps slowly on the way down, as they are steep and narrow.
Combine the visit with a Garjia zone safari, which starts nearby.
A shrine on a river rock
The Garjia Devi Temple stands on top of a tall rock in the Kosi river at Garjia, about 14 km north of Ramnagar on the road towards Ranikhet. The goddess is a form of Parvati, also known as Girija Devi, and people come from all over Kumaon to pray here. A bridge crosses the river to the foot of the rock, and a steep flight of steps leads up to the small shrine at the top.
Repairs and closures
The rock is fragile. It began to crack after a flood in 2010, and the cracks spread. The state irrigation department finished a first phase of protection work in 2024. A second phase closed the temple completely from March to the end of June 2026. Local reports in early July said it was likely to reopen from 5 July, with the work to start again after the monsoon. During closures, priests have moved the goddess's doli to a place of worship across the bridge so that people can pray from below. Before you drive out, ask your hotel or check local news for the current position.
Festivals
Kartik Purnima, the full moon in October or November, brings the largest fair of the year, with bathing in the Kosi. Navratri and weekends are also busy.
The river
The Kosi looks gentle for most of the year, but it rises fast after rain in the hills. In the monsoon, floods have carried away prasad stalls on the bank below the temple. Do not bathe in the river when it is high, and keep children away from the edge.
At the temple
Take off your shoes before the steps. Cover your shoulders and knees. Photography of the rock from the bank and bridge is fine; ask before taking photos near the shrine itself. The steps are steep and narrow, so go slowly on the way down.
Questions
Garjia Devi Temple — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Garjia Devi Temple?
Early morning, when the river is calm and the temple is quiet; late afternoon for warm side light on the rock. Stand on the riverbank downstream and take a wide photo of the temple on its rock, with the bridge and the Kosi in front.
Is there an entry fee at Garjia Devi Temple?
Entry to Garjia Devi Temple is free.
What are the opening hours of Garjia Devi Temple?
Garjia Devi Temple is open check before going — closed at times for rock-protection work.
What should I wear at Garjia Devi Temple?
Saffron, red and cream photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Garjia Devi Temple get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: early morning, when the river is calm and the temple is quiet; late afternoon for warm side light on the rock.
What food should I try near Garjia Devi Temple?
Try tandoori & butter chicken, available at nearby restaurants.
Is Garjia Devi Temple open to visitors?
It has been closed for long periods during repair work, most recently from March to June 2026. It was expected to reopen in July 2026. Check locally before going.
How do I pray at Garjia while the rock is closed?
During closures, the priests have kept the goddess's doli at a place of worship across the bridge, so darshan can happen without climbing the rock.
How many steps lead up to the Garjia shrine?
There is a steep, narrow flight of steps up the rock. It is short but hard for anyone with knee trouble.
Is it safe to bathe in the Kosi at Garjia?
Only when the river is low and calm. In the monsoon it rises fast and has washed away stalls on the bank. Stay out when it is high.