Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India that is known for its scenic beauty, rich culture and spiritual heritage. With pine trees and towering peaks lie the Shakti peeths, which are holy shrines dedicated to the goddess Shakti or Sati, who was the first wife of Lord Shiva. These holy sites are deeply resembled with devotion and have drawn seekers, saints, and pilgrims for centuries. Here each temple carries a unique story of love, sacrifice, and divine strength. Embarking a journey through Shakti Peeths is not just a pilgrimage but a path to connect with an experience. Let us give you a closer look at Shakti Peeth in Himachal.
What is the story behind Shakti peeth?
These Shakti Peeths trace back to the ancient tale of Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva. Goddess Shakti was born as Sati and then married to Lord Shiva. Father of Sati, King Daksha Prajapati, performed a yajna and did not invite Lord Shiva. Yet Mata Sati asked Lord Shiva to join the Yajna, but he refused to join. Mata Sati went anyway and asked her father why he didn’t call Shiva, instead of telling her that he started using derogatory words. Mata Sati could not take this insult about her husband and jumped into fire and sacrificed her life. When Lord Shiva got to know about this, he opened his third eye in anger.
In a way of mourning, Lord Shiva started Tandav, and then to save the universe, Lord Vishnu cut the lifeless body of Sati into 51 pieces with his Sudarshan chakra, and the pieces fell on different parts of Earth, which came to be known as Shakti Peeths. However, some legends claim that there are 108 pieces, which are found in different parts of India and neighboring countries.
How many Shakti Peeth are in Himachal Pradesh?
With so many wonders, there are 5 Shakti peeths in Himachal Pradesh. Here are all of them:
Jwala Ji or Jwalamukhi Temple
Located in the Kangra Valley, which is also known as ‘Kalidhar’, this is one of the 51 Shakti Peeth in India where Mata Sati’s tongue fell. This temple has no idol; here the goddess is represented by the eternally burning holy flames. A story that connects with this temple is of King of Kangra, Raja Bhumi Chand, who had a dream in which Goddess revealed herself. After this, the king set out to find the temple. The rich history, the beauty of the mountains, and the everlasting flame make this place more mesmerizing.
Timings of Jwala ji Temple: Open daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
How to Reach: Jwalamukhi is around 50 km from Dharamshala, so you can take a bus or taxi to reach the temple.
Tour tip: Whenever you plan a visit to these Shakti peeth, you can also plan a Nau Devi Darshan Tour. For a better experience, you can go with a tour package that would include both.
Naina Devi Shakti peeth
Located in Bilaspur District, this is the place where Mata Sati’s eye had fallen. Here she is worshipped as Pindi with gold eyes. The temple was built by Raja Bir Chand after he had a dream about it. There are several stories connected to this temple that enhance its significance. The premises of this temple are well connected through a ropeway, which offers an extended view of Gobind Sagar Lake.
Timings of Naina Devi Temple: in normal days: 4 am to 10 pm; in Navratra: 2 am to 12 am
How to reach Naina Devi Temple: To reach here faster, you can take a flight and reach Chandigarh airport. If you are going by train, then you can take a train from Anandpur Sahib, after which you can book a car on rent with driver to reach each temple. Anandpur Sahib to Naina Devi distance is 22 km, which will take you around an hour to reach.
Chintpurni Temple
Chintpurni Temple is dedicated to Chinnamastika Devi, a form of Goddess Shakti. This temple is located in Bharwai in Una District. Chintpurni Temple is where Mata Sati’s feet fell, a place where it is said that prayers come true. Moreover, this temple was known after the goddess revealed herself to a passionate devotee, Maya Dass. This holy place attracts lots of devotees from different parts of the country.
Timings: Open from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
How to Reach Chintpurni Temple: Located in Una district, which is around 100 km from Dharamshala, it is easily accessible by road. If you are going from Delhi, then you can book a Delhi to Una Bus that will be an affordable yet comfortable option for you.
Chamunda Devi Temple
This is another temple located in the Kangra District, on the banks of the Ganga River, which is located 10 km west of Palampur. The story of this temple is of a priest who prayed to Goddess Chamunda. One day, people tried to move the idol to another accessible location, but they were unable to move it. The devotee priest started praying and then the goddess instructed him to take a bath before dawn and wear new clothes. After following the instructions given, they were able to move it.
Timings: 6 am to 8 pm every day.
How to reach: This temple is located near Palampur so it can be easily reached by road from Dharamshala.
Also read – Some Hidden Paradise in Himachal Pradesh
Brajeshwari Devi Temple
This temple is located in the Nagarkot in Kangra District. This temple is also known as Vajreshwari Mata Mandir or Kagra Devi Mandir. This is a Shakti peeth in Himachal where Mata Sati’s left breast fell. At this temple, you will find Pindi of Mata with a silver umbrella over it, decorated with jewelry and flowers. According to mythology, it is said that the Pandavas built the original temple.
Timings: Open from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
How to Reach: As it is located near Kangra, it is accessible by road from Dharamshala.
How to Reach Shakti Peeth in Himachal?
As all of these Shakti peeths are located in Himachal, reaching to them is easy. Here are a few ways by which you can reach easily
By Road: You can take a bus as Himachal Pradesh has a good road network. After reaching Dharamshala or Kangra, you can take taxis to these temples.
By Train: The closest railway stations are Pathankot for Kangra and Una for Naina Devi.
By Air: Gaggal Airport in Kangra is the nearest airport that will provide you easy access to reach Dharamshala and areas surrounding.
Conclusion
Whenever you plan a tour to these Shakti peeth, it is not just a spiritual trip but a journey to the spiritual and cultural heritage of India. Whether you are visiting Himachal Pradesh just for a fun trip or you are planning this tour for your grandparents, this is going to be a filling experience. With all the amazing locations and unbelievable spiritual aura, the Shakti peeths in Himachal await those who seek a soulful journey.