The mystical lands of Himachal Pradesh are believed to have their strings attached to several glorious historical events some centuries ago. The mysterious world of rolling terrains, lush forests, and quaint towns and villages shows stories that have remained unravelled ever since. Himachal Pradesh is recognized among the sacred places in India. Himachal Pradesh, full of natural beauty, is such a place whose beauty has attracted God himself. This is the reason why it is also called Devbhoomi “where God resides” and you will see a lot of temples here and in this blog, we will talk about some of the best temples in Himachal Pradesh.
Visit 11 Best Temples in Himachal Pradesh
The temples in Himachal Pradesh are not only symbols of religious importance but also a symbol of many magical legends which are still unheard and untold. The temples and monuments here will take you back to the time of their creation and make you wonder how intricate and advanced our architecture would have been back then. Today in this blog, we will try to tell our readers about some attractive and famous temples in Himachal Pradesh and their legends which are still associated with their glorious past and present.
Let’s quickly dive into the 11 Best Temples in Himachal Pradesh without any further ado.
1. Tara Devi Temple
One of the oldest and most popular temples in Himachal Pradesh, this shrine is dedicated to Mother Goddess. The temple is known to be more than 200 years old and is located on the famous Kalka-Shimla route. The presiding deity over here is Maa Tara Devi. She was considered the family deity or the ‘Kul- Devi’ of the Sen Dynasty. Folklore says that the goddess was brought to Shimla from West Bengal. The temple is situated just 15 km from Shimla, so if you are visiting Shimla take a tour of this wonderful temple.
Story Of Tara Devi Temple
The king of Sen dynasty got an idol ornament as his kul devi, that he used to wear on his upper arm. Once the king went hunting, but forgot his way back home and fell asleep. It was that time when Goddess Tara appeared in his dream along with Lord Hanuman and Bhairav and asked him to construct a temple. Agreeing to her grace, he immediately donated 50 bigha of land for the construction of the temple, which had a wooden idol. Later, another king of the same dynasty rebuilt the temple on a hill top which had an ashtdhatu idol of Maa.
Time : 7a.m. to 6 30 p.m.
2. Jakhoo Temple
This famous temple in Himachal Pradesh is located in Shimla and is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is marked with a remarkably tall, around 108-feet tall Hanuman Idol, which is the main attraction for all the devotees as well as the tourists who flock in huge numbers. The temple is only 45 minutes away from Mall Road.
Story Of Jakhoo Temple
According to mythology, during the Ramayana era, when Meghnath struck Lakshmana with a deadly shot, he fell unconscious. Hanuman was the only person who could help him revive by getting the Sanjeevani Booti. On his way, he met a Sage Yaaku, who told Lord Hanuman the whereabouts of the divine herb. Hence, this temple is believed to be established by Sage Yaaku.
Time : 5:00am to 12:00pm ; 4:00pm to 9:00pm.
3. Hidimba Devi Temple
The Majestic Hidimba Devi Temple is one of the most famous temples in Himachal Pradesh. It is located in the famous hill station of Manali. The place is known for its serene and divine ambiance, perfect for photography and meditation. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar at the foot of the Himalayas. The presiding deity is Goddess Hidimba Devi, who is the wife of Bheem, the mightiest character from the Mahabarata period and the mother of Ghatotkachh. Hidimba is believed to save her children from all calamities and fulfill their desires, and nourish them. This is the place where Hidimba Devi used to meditate in the cave. The footprints of Devi are worshipped, and special puja is observed during Navratri. An annual fair is also organized. People visit this temple not only for its religious significance but for its architectural beauty as well. The temple is only 2 kilometers away from Joginder Nagar Railway Station.
Story of Hidimba Devi Temple
Hidimba was the sister of Hidimb, a powerful warrior, both born in the Rakshas Kula. Hidimba pledged that she would marry the man who would defeat her brother. Bheem killed Hidimb and married Hidimba to whom a brave and kind boy was born named Ghatotkachh.
Time: August to July, when the climate is pleasant.
4. Maa Sharvari Temple
Our next popular temple in Himachal Pradesh is located in the famous hill station of Manali. The temple is dedicated to Maa Sharvari, an incarnation of Mother Goddess. The temple is situated at a distance of nearly 5 km. The Goddess was the primordial deity of the kings of Kullu. Special Pija is observed during the Navratri festival and especially Dussehra. The temple boasts panoramic landscapes and a tranquil ambience which is perfect to seek peace from the hustle and bustle of life and resonate from the divine vibrations of grace.
Story Of Maa Sharvari Temple
According to Mythology, during the Mahabharata Kaal, Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati manifested as Sharvar and Sharvari to test the devotion of the great warrior Arjuna. Since then, Maa Sharvari has been worshipped by the localities of Shuru village. On the auspicious day of Dussehra, the image of Maa is taken out to Kullu to eventually meet Lord Raghunath. At a distance in Manali, Arjuna Cave is also situated.
Time -5:00 am to 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm .
5. Shri Naina Devi Ji
Our next temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas. Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple is one of the most popular temples in Himachal Pradesh, situated near Bilaspur. The temple is believed to have been built around the 8th century by Raja Bir Chand. The presiding deity is an incarnation of Mother Goddess Durga/Sati. The temple is situated at a distance of 70 km from Bilaspur. During Navratri, special offerings are made to please Naina Devi.
Story Of Shri Naina Devi Ji
According to mythology, when Sati went uninvited to her father’s special Yagna, her father, Daksha, insulted her and her husband Shiva due to personal grudges against Lord Shiva. The insult was too much for Sati to bear, so she sacrificed herself in the Holy Fire. As Shiva discovered this, his anger raged across three worlds, and he killed Daksha and roamed over three worlds carrying Sati’s corpse. To pacify him, Lord Narayan cut Sati boy into 52 pieces, each one of which fell on the earth. These special sites are called Shaktipeethas. Naina Devi was the place where her eyes fell.
Time- 5:00am- 9:00pm.
6. Baba Balaknath Temple
One of Himachal Pradesh’s most famous temples is Baba Balak Nath Temple. The shrine is located 45 km from the Hamirpur district near the Hamirpur- Bilaspur border. The Shrine is dedicated to Sidhh Baba Balaknath Ji and is a beautiful natural cave temple. Sundays are treated as auspicious days to visit. Special puja is offered during India’s Chaitra Mahina or the Spring season.
Story Of Baba Balaknath Temple
There are several legends that sing the might of Baba Balak Nath ji, who is believed to incarnate in every yuga. In Satyug he took birth as Skanda, in Treta he came as Kaul, in Dwapar Yug as Mahakaul and in Kaliyug as Dev. Owing to his devotion and severe penance, Lord Shiva blessed him with Sidhh-Gyan and that age would never affect him, and he would remain a child; hence will be worshipped as Balak-nath.
Time- 5:00am to 9 pm.
7. Bhootnath Temple
One of the most famous Shiva temples in Himachal Pradesh, Lord Bhoothnath, is Lord Shiva himself, the bestower of all worldly riches, health and eventually moksha. The temple is located in Madi, a famous hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Special puja is observed on Mahashivratri; even a fair is organised where you can witness the uncanny love of his devotees towards him. The temple was supposed to have been built by Raja Ajber Sen in the year 1527. Not only is it of religious importance, but indeed an architectural marvel. It is also a great trekking and angling site.
Story Of Bhootnath Temple
Raja Ajber Sen once heard about a cow offering her own milk on a stone amid the dense forest. It was then, Lord Shiva appeared in the king’s dream and asked him to take out the stone which was his Shiv linga. Thus Raja Ajber Sen extracted the Linga and established this marvellous temple.
Time : 5;00 am- 9;45pm.
8. Jwala Devi Temple
Popularly known as the Jwalamukhi Shaktipeeth, our next famous temple of Himachal Pradesh is located in the Kangra district of the state. It is among the 52 Shaktipeethas, the holy shrines dedicated to Mother Goddess. The temple is known for the mysteriously magical flames of fire that never extinguish. This is the place where the tongue of Mata Sati fell. It is believed that once a shepherd saw a flame on the hilltop and told the king; later this holy temple was built in her honour. Jwala Devi is the bestower of protection and fulfils all the desires of her true devotees.
Story Of Jwala Devi Temple
King Akbar also tested her by several means such as covering the holy flames with iron sheets called ‘tawa’, smothering it with canal water, and finally the devotion of Dhyanu Bhagat, a great devotee to Maa. While Dhyanu bhagat was on his way to the temple with his fellow yatris, Akbar captured him and called to his court. Upon knowing the uncanny devotion of Dhyanu, Akbar tested him by cutting off a horse’s neck and demanded Dhaynu to pray and entreat to the goddess to revive it back, and to Maa Jwala’s miracle, the horse was brought back to life. King Akbar went barefooted to the temple to offer Devi Ji a huge Gold ‘Chhattar’. Goddess turned it into a mysterious metal as Akbar was still filled with pride. He apologized, and the Goddess blessed him. The Chhattar can be seen there along with the Maa Jwala’s invincible flames.
Time: 5am-12pm and then 4pm- 8 pm.
9. Chintpurni Temple
Another very famous temple in Himachal Pradesh is among the 51 Shaktipeethas of Mata Sati, Chintapurni is believed to be the presiding deity of this temple. The Goddess is said to be healer of all sorts of problems of her children and the bestower of good fortune. Maa Chintapurni is said to be the beheaded Goddess Chinnmasta Mata, who represents selflessness and sacrifice. Navratris is celebrated with huge pomp and splendour and their grandeur must be witnessed.
Story Of Chintpurni Temple
When the thirst for the blood of her two companions outraged their will, Jaya and Vijaya pleaded Mata to provide them with food but nothing except blood. To fulfil their desire, and so as not to harm any other being, Devi beheaded herself and fed her companions. Mother is believed to be the protector and is identified by the loving and nurturing nature. Mata Chintapurni justifies her name and teaches all her children the lesson of selflessness.
Time: As per Covid norms- 9am to 7 pm.
10. Shri Chamunda Devi Temple
Our next temple is dedicated to Maa Chamunda, a fierce Goddess who is an incarnation of the many forms of Maa Durga. The temple is located at a distance of 10 km from Palampur in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is believed to be magical not only due to its divine presence but also its scenic beauty.
Story Of Shri Chamunda Devi Temple
Chamunda Devi is Goddess in her fierce form who killed the mighty demons Chand and Mund. According to folklore, the King of Kangra prayed to the Goddess to let them shift the temple to a more conveniently located place. Goddess agreed to their plea and told them the place to transfer it. She also told them about her hidden unextracted idol form, which shall be used as the presiding deity of the temple.
Time: summers- 5am- 12pm then 1pm to 10pm; winters- 6am-12pm then 1pm to 9pm.
11. Bhimakali Temple
Himachal Pradesh is indeed the land of Gods. Bhimkali Temple is one of the 52 Shaktipeethas and is presided over by Mata Bhimkali one of the incarnations of Maa Durga. It is believed that Mata Sati’s ear fell. The temple boasts intricate wooden carvings and a serene ambiance with snow-covered mountains in the backdrop. The temple is located 180 km from Shimla, a famous hill station in Himachal Pradesh.
Story Of Bhimakali Temple
Banasur, son of the demon Bali, was once the ruler of this area. His Daughter Usha had an affair with Anirudh, the Grandson of Lord Krishna. When Banasur came to know about it, he broke a war against the Yadhuvanshis but was ultimately defeated and killed by Krishna. Pradyumna, son of Krishna, became the ruler thence. It is said that Banasur’s head was buried at the entrance of the temple.
Time: 6am- 5:30 pm