Chamunda Devi Temple

Chamunda Devi Temple situated in the laps of the great Dhauladhar, in Kangra District, 15 Km from Dharamshala, on the banks of river Ban Ganga at a height of 1000 mt above sea level. Being the holy abode of, “Shiva and Shakti” the shrine came to be known as, “Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham”. The temple is devoted to Devi Chamunda, the Shakti swaropa of Goddess Ambika and Lord Shiva, the god of death and destruction. As per the legend Devi Chamunda emerged from the eyebrow of Goddess Ambika to destroy the notorious demons “Chand’ and “Mund”. To honour the victory of Devi Chamunda the place was named after the goddess.

The original temple was built 700 years ago on a remote hill and was not easily accessible hence 400 years ago the King of Kangra along with the royal priest relocated the temple to the present location. The Goddess herself directed the priest to dig out the ancient idol and install her in the new temple. The priest followed the instructions and since then idol is kept safe, draped in a red cloth in the temple. Besides the main temple, there is a ancient cave where Shiva Lingam is placed and the Lord is worshiped with great devotion. Images of Lord Hanuman and Lord Bhairav are installed on either side of the temple as they are considered the guards of the Goddess. Adjacent to the temple there is a kund filled with the fresh water of river Baner where the devotees follow the ritual of taking holy dip. Nearby temple there is a cremation ground and people can perform ancestral worship near the bank of river Ban Ganga. For the benefit of the pilgrims there is an Ayurveda dispensary, a library and a Sanskrit College in the temple complex. The temple trust organizes free classes on Vedas and Puranas.

To reach this holy place the nearest airport is in Gaggal and nearest railway station is in Pathankot. The temple is well connected by road to Palampur and Dharamshala. Frequent state transport bus services are available and taxes can be hired easily from these places. Proper lodging facilities are available, free accommodation is provided to the devotees in the temple sarai and Yatri Niwas run by Himachal Tourism also facilitates accommodation to the pilgrims. To seek the blessings of the goddess people from all over the country come to Chamunda Devi Temple making it one of the most visited temples in Himachal.