Hanol

Situated on the eastern bank of the Tons River at an elevation of 1,050 meters on the border of Dehradun and Uttarkashi districts, Hanol is the supreme pilgrimage center of the Jaunsar Bawar and Rawain regions in Uttarakhand. Located approximately 60 kilometers from Purola and 180 kilometers from Dehradun, the village is renowned for the ninth century Mahasu Devta Temple, protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Constructed in the classical Kath Kuni and Shikhara architectural style combining interlocked deodar wood beams and dressed stones, the shrine is dedicated to Botha Mahasu, the principal deity among the four divine Mahasu brothers (Botha, Pavasi, Vasik, and Chalda) who delivered the valley from the demon Kirmir Danu.

Inside the sanctum, an eternal sacred flame burns alongside ancient brass water vessels (Garas) that hold deep mythological significance. The annual Shaant and Jaagda festivals in late August draw thousands of devotees from Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh for night long traditional Harul folk songs and sacred drum dances.