Bhimakali Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Bhuntar Airport and Chandigarh Airport are the nearest airports to Sarahan. Incredible India also lists Shimla Airport.

• By train

  The nearest railway station is Chandigarh Junction. Incredible India also lists Shimla Railway Station.

• By road

  Private buses and Himachal Tourism buses run daily from New Delhi and other nearby cities. From Shimla, a taxi covers the 180 km journey and is the more comfortable choice.

Why devotees come here

Bhimakali Temple stands in Sarahan, about 180 km from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. It is dedicated to Bhimakali, a local form of Durga, and is counted among the 51 Shakti peethas. Its tower and courtyards blend Hindu and Buddhist building styles.

Bhimakali is the family deity of the rulers of the former Bushahr state, and the temple is counted among the 51 sacred Shakti peethas. Legend says Sati's ear fell here during Daksha Yagna. Another legend says Krishna fought Banasura here over the Usha-Anirudh affair, with Shiva standing against Krishna. A disused tunnel is also said to run from the temple to Ranwin village, about a kilometre away. The village of Sarahan was once the summer capital of the Bushahr rulers.

The temple was built in the 13th century as a shrine to Durga, known locally as Bhimakali. A new temple replaced the old one in 1927, with Raja Padam Singh helping in the rebuilding during the 1920s. The 1905 Kangra earthquake tilted the main tower, which later straightened during a tremor. In 2022 part of the foundation collapsed.

The building follows tower temple design in kath-kuni style, built of stone and deodar wood. Three courtyards surround the main complex, and the twin towers in the third hold the idol of Bhimakali. Four carved gateways lead in, the first gold-plated and the second silver-foiled. Wooden chimes hang in the open areas and hum when they sway.

Tips for your visit

• The temple is within walking distance of the Sarahan market area.
• Look for the four carved gateways, the first gold-plated and the second silver-foiled.
• The open areas have wooden chimes that hum when they sway.

Questions people ask