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Surkanda Devi is a Hindu temple situated close to the small resort hamlet of Dhanaulti in the village Uniyal goan of Tehri District. It is at an altitude of about 2,757 metres, or 9976 ft; lies close to nearby hill stations of Dhanaulti (8 km) and Chamba (22 km)& walking distance of approx 3 km from Kaddukhal, the place where vehicles are parked.

It is surrounded by dense forests and affords a scenic view of the surrounding region including the Himalayas to the north, and certain cities to the south (e.g., Dehradun, Rishikesh) The Ganga Dussera festival is celebrated every year between May and June and attracts a lot of people. This is a temple which is situated among the trees of rounslii it is mostly. Covered With fog Surkanada Devi temple is at a distance of8 kms from Dhanaulti. This temple is dedicated to the famous Parvati Devi who is revered in the region by the locals. This temple is located at a height of about 10,000 feet and requires a trek of about 1.5 kms from the base of the hill. Tourists can also reach the temple by walking along an 8 kms trek path amidst the forest from Dhanaulti or can take the road from Dhanaulti towards Chamba.

This temple is a part of the Devi Darshan triangle, which also includes Chandrabadni and Kunjapuri. Atop the hill where Surkanda Devi temple is located, the tourists can get a 360 degree view of the Garhwal region of the Himalayas, the Dehradun valley and other peaks. Tourists usually trek along the route to the temple, but, those who cannot; there are ponies and horse rides available

One of the most persistent mythologies concerning the origin of worship at the site is associated with the legend of Sati, who was the wife of the ascetic god Shivaand daughter of the Puranic god-king Daksha. Daksha was unhappy with his daughter's choice of husband, and when he performed a grand Vedic sacrifice for all the deities, he did not invite Shiva or Sati. In a rage, Sati threw herself onto the fire, knowing that this would make the sacrifice impure. Because she was the all-powerful mother goddess, Sati left her body in that moment to be reborn as the goddess Parvati. Meanwhile, Shiva was stricken with grief and rage at the loss of his wife. He put Sati's body over his shoulder and began his tandava (dance of cosmic destruction) throughout the heavens, and vowed not to stop until the body was completely rotted away. The other Gods, afraid of their annihilation, implored Vishnu to pacify Shiva. Thus, wherever Shiva wandered while dancing, Vishnu followed. He sent his discus Sudarshana to destroy the corpse of Sati. Pieces of her body fell until Shiva was left without a body to carry. 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. the body was separated part by part. Shiva passed through this place on his way back to Kailashwith the dead body of Sati whose head fell at the spot where the modern temple of Surkhanda Devi stands.due to fall of head part of sati its name became sirkhanda which in the passage of time called surkanda.