Tourism - Pilgrims

Raghunath Temple (Kullu)

The chief deity of Kullu is Raghunath Ji. Dussehra festival is held in its name. The idol is same which was used by Lord Rama himself at the time of Ashwamegh Yagya and was brought from Tretnath temple of Ayodhya. The temple was constructed in 1660 AD with a mixed look of Pahari and Pyramidal style. Everyday puja (aarti) is held for five times. Round the year, 45 festivals are held.

It is said that Raja Jagat Singh used charanamrit of the idol for 42 days and was absolved from the evil effect of the curse of a Brahmin Durga Dutt.

Vaishno Devi Temple

The management runs a free 'LUNGER' and a 'SARAYE' is there for night stay also within the temple premises. The atmosphere of this temple is peaceful and calm. Flow of river Beas in front of the temple gives this place a commanding view. In side the temple premises an acupressure treatment centre is also running providing free of cost treatment.

Bhakhali Temple

In the lap of a hill, about 10 km far from Kullu, Bhakhali is a small village of Brahmins. But, on foot it is only 4 km. It is the adobe of Jagannathi mata, also called as Bhuweneshawari, sister of Lord Narayana. The temple is 1500 years old. A fine sample of local art of sculpture, a full sized lion of stone stands in lawn of the temple. Walls have the painting of Durga in various actions.

According to old said, a boy of Palsara family went to graze cattle. He was a good flute player. Once playing on the flute he saw two girls dancing on the his music. But their feet were not touching the earth, they were floating in the air. He caught one of those girls. The girl disclosed her identity and agreed to stay in the village. Then Narayana vacated the temple for the goddess. Three fairs, in APRIL, JUNE and on first day of Kullu Dussehra held here at Bhakhali. On Dussehra day gur-khel is worth to seeing. After the sunset the goddess is taken out on a chariot. The place gives a very beautiful view at a height of 1833 mts.

Bijli Mahadev Temple

Situated at an altitude of 2435 mts on a hill call Mathan 11 km. from Kullu. The temple is ideally located offering a commanding view. The temple is in 'khash' style. 20 mt high wooden pole stands are installed for seeking blessings from the sky in the form of lighting which shatters the temples Shivlinga Ghat which is then rebuilt by the temple priest. All the pieces are joined together with butter as adhesive. A special ceremony is performed in this process. The followers carry a Chariot of Bijli Mahadev where the deity is taken out. The followers invokes his blessing for bringing rain, good crop, help in worldly affairs or birth of a son.

A regular bus goes up to Chansari village, 14 km from Kullu. The remaining three km. are to be traversed on foot. The 2 km road is totally surrounded with pine trees. There is great rush at the temple in the month of July. A visit to this place provides memorable moments and journey through the forest is very enjoyable.

Addi Brahma Temple (Khokhan)

Khokhan is 12 km from Kullu on a link road from Shamshi at 4 km distance from there. The temple of Aadi Brahma is in Pagoda style. Built in 14th century, it has four roofs. There are three other small temples within temple premises.  The door of the temple has nice carving of Puranic Scenes. As temple is situated at a height, it provides an excellent view all around.

Bishweshwer Temple (Bajuara)

Built is 9th century, it was rebuilt in 1673 AD by Raja Shyam Sen of Mandi, this temple is of great architectural value. The style of this temple is pyramidal and is built on shankracharya 'Panch Dev Puja Padhati' that means worship of five gods together at a place. Along with Shiv Linga inside the temple, there are four other gods installed inside the temple. Vishnu, Ganesh and Durga in the West, South and North sides respectively whereas Surya is on the top of the temple. The main door opens in the East. Ganga & Yamuna welcomes every visitor at the gate.

The art of sculpture is also superb and that's why it has been declared as a protected monument. The wall are so thick that this temple with stood the earthquake of 1905.

Rama temple built by Raja Jagat Singh in the place of two Shiva temples, is in pyramidal style. The idol of Rama was brought from Ayodhya. The idol was kept here till 1661 AD, thereafter it was shifted to Kullu. The temple was repaired by Raja Dilip Singh in 1889 AD. Since 1981, a trust is looking after the temple. A free lunger also runs here. Private & government accommodation is also available here, where hot bath's facility has been extended.

The other temples at Manikaran are Bhagwati temple, Krishna temple of Bairagis and Vishnu temple known as Raghunath temple.

Gurudwara Shri Narayan Hari (Manikaran)

Saint Shri Narayan Hari came to Kullu in 1940 from his native place Kamalpur (Pakistan) and settled in Manikaran. Initially there was nothing except two hot water springs. He worked on the Gurudwara building and the 50 years long service bore fruit in the shape of present Gurudwara. And, now this Gurudwara can accommodate more than 4000 people with free 'Lunger' facility.

There is an artificial cave near the Gurudwara built by the saint where he used to meditate for 40 days or so in a year. He died in 1991. At present his daughter and his son-in-law look after the Gurudwara management.

This temple constructed in pagoda style displays the finest example of wood carving on it. It's sanctuary is built over a rocky crevice covered by a large rock that is worshipped as a manifestation of  Durga, an image of the goddess is also enshrined here. The divinity is popularly worshipped throughout the region during the festivals and the goddess is transported to Kullu to visit the Lord Raghunathji during Dussehra.

Inside the temple, stone idol of Hadimba has been installed, which is about 60 cm. On the left side of the entrance there are 10 cm. feet (Charan Paduka) of the Goddess Durga. The temple was built by Raja Bahadur Singh in 1553 AD. Hadimba was a giantess who meditated at his place. She married to Bhima, one of the five Pandavas who visited here during their exile (Mahabharata Period). Because of her penance, she attained the position of Durga. There is a rock inside the temple about which it is believed that Hadimba meditated on this rock. In local dialect, a rock is called 'Dhoonger'. The temple and place is named after it.

The temple of Manu Maharaj is located in Manali village, which is about1 1.5 km from the main town. The idol was found in the court yard of the house of a person, named Gauri of Dhauni Chauni. The present temple has been constructed on the said spot. On the 6th day of Phalgun, the famous Phagli fair is held here in honor of Manu Maharaj, every year. It marks the beginning of the spree of fairs in the valley.

The temples of Manu Maharaj found very rare in India. Manu Smriti was written by him.

There is a 4000 year old temple of Guru Vashishtha on the right side of the springs, built by the king Janamjaya. Inside it, there is a black stone statue of the Rishi Vashishtha, clad in dhoti. The village Vashishtha is famous for hot water springs.

There is Rama temple on the left side of the spring in which the idols of Rama, Sita and Laxmana have been installed. Dussehra festival is held here every year for seven days. The village was the centre of vaishnava cult for a long time. People making visit to the village also make a pilgrimage to this temple.

Gauri Shankar Temple (Left Bank)

This temple is about 40 mt. from the main road. The temple was built in 8th century and is in a pyramid style.. The idols of Parbati and Shankar have been installed inside the temple. A fair, locally called as Chachohli fair is held in March/ April for three days.

Sandhya Devi Temple (Left Bank)

Originally this temple was built in vallabhi style architecture and rebuilt by Raja Urdhanpal in 1428 AD according to one inscription. For the third time, it was rebuilt in 19th century. And, now the temple is in pahari style having sloppy roof and square at the bottom. The idol of Ganesh installed in the temple is a master piece of sculpture. The wood work is also notable. There is a 120 cm stone idol of Sandhya inside the temple.

About 30 km from Kullu, on the left bank there is village named Sarsai. Dashal village is about 1/2 km from Sarsai village. The temple here is of Gauri-Shankar which is very famous for its architecture. Built in 14th century it is in pyramid style. The temple is built on a raised platform. The outer walls bear some sex-scenes like those Kahrao, under the philosophy that one must leave sex aside to attain God. Shiva-linga has been installed inside the temple.

The temple is in Pagoda style with three roofs. The design of the temple is in the shape of a web and made by goddess herself after turning herself a spider. Raja Yashodhapal built the temple. Sharhi Jatra, a popular fair is held here every year in honor of the goddess in the month of May. The temple consists of stone idols of Ganesh, Vishnu, Brahma, Laxmi Narayan and Shiv Parvati. A 30 cm idol of Tripura Rrakshisha of Asht-dhatu (a mixture of eight metals) is also there.

The temple is in a pyramidal style on a raised platform, with square at the base and a dome above. The stones used are richly engraved. The temple consists of the idol of Gauri-Shankar installed inside it. In the front portion of the Garbh-Grih, the figures of Ganesh, flowers, a musician and a dancer have been engraved on stones. The temple is a protected monument.

Thawa is situated at a small distance from Naggar. The temple is in pyramid style, inside it a beautiful idols of Radha-Krishna have been installed. It enjoyed royal patronage for a long time. Dussehra festival is held here for one day. The temple also consists of the idols of Laxmi-Narayan and Padam Sambhav.

There are two Vishnu Temples at Naggar. One is on the way to the village on the right side of the road. This is temple has small pyramid type shape and is of great archeological importance. The festival 'Ganer' starts from here.

The other Vishnu Temple is near the castle on the eastern side, a few steps down from the main road towards the village. The temple has pyramid shape with a slatty roof. No 'Mandap' is there infront of it. There is an idol of Vishnu about 4ft. height of 'Asht-Dhatu' (A misture of Eight Metals). The idol is standing on the pedestal (Kamalasan) and has Chaturbhuj figure. The pedestal is itself of stone square and about a foot high. Petals of kamal have been carved round it.

Rishi Shringa is the chief deity of Banjar valley. This valley is Rishi's 'Tapo Bhoomi'. According to a legend, there was a 'Pindi' (A sacred stone) in the forest at Skeeran. The Pindi asked every passer by for its installation in a temple. The people built a temple in the forest at Skeeran. But then they found it difficult to go there for worship. So they built another temple of the Rishi the Bagi village. The new temple is 12 km from the original one. Every year in the month of May, Rishi makes a visit to this place.

The deity is kept in its chariot all the time. The new temple is in Pagoda and Pahari style with four roofs. The wooden work is marvelous. The idols inside the temple are of stone and brass. The temple remains closed during winter.

This temple is like a fort. Inside is a statue of Parshuram having three heads. The statue was presented by Rani Agartala of Kashmir in 900 AD. There is a diamond eye in the central forehead. There are other idols too kept in other room.

It is believed that the temple was built by Parshuram in the memory of his mother Renuka. The idol of Ambika is about 0.75 mt in height. In front of it there is pair of lions. There is figure of fighting animals on the entrance. Copper sheets presented by the 'Rana of Khanertu' have been used on the roof of the temple.

Shrikhand Mahadev is considered to be the adobe of Lord Shiva. Its peak is 5155 mt. high. So it is a place of great attraction for the religious people as well as for climbers. To reach to this place one has to reach Jaon village of Nirmand. The Shrikhand peak is visible on the eastern side of the village. There is a miracle known about the Shiva-linga here. Round the year the snow falls here, but it does not stay at the Shiva-linga and melts down soon thereafter.

This cave is 3 km from Nirmand towards south. A narrow defile leads to the place. The cave is quite deep and about 6 ft. in height. A Shiva-linga is there inside the cave. On it, water oozing from the roof falls drop by drop. This is a miracle of the nature, otherwise there is no water on that rock hill. There is a grove of sacred trees out side the cave and under these grove idols of some other gods are kept. The entrance of the cave has shape of Lord Ganesha. The local people consider it to be a very sacred shrine. The temple is worth to visit.