text: Seeing this, Shiva sat down to do Mahatapasya (great penance).Despite the similarity in name, scholars do not generally believe that this legend gave rise to the practice of sati, or widow burning. According to various myths and traditions, there are 51 pieces of Sati's body scattered across the Indian subcontinent. These places are called shakti peethas and are dedicated to various powerful goddesses. When Shiva was passing over this place on his way back to Kailash carrying Sati's body, her head fell at the spot where the modern temple of Sarkunda Devi or Surkhanda Devi stands and due to which the temple's got its name as sirkhanda which in the passage of time is now called sarkunda. Reaching there
  The route from Dehradun goes via Mussoorie. The motorable road ends in Kaddukhal village. Car Parking service is available in Kaddukhal. From there, this temple is reached by a 1.5 km trek. Trek is quite steep and takes about two hours to complete. Horses are also available in case walking is not possible. The ropeway service has also been started from April 2022. The ticket price for ropeway service is Rs. 205 (two-way journey) per person. 