Where the goddess watches over Shimla, and every step is a prayer in the pines
Perched atop Prospect Hill, just west of Shimla’s city center, the Kamna Devi Temple—also known as Creeda Devi Temple—is a serene shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali, revered here as a wish-fulfilling mother. Surrounded by deodar and pine forests, this temple offers not only spiritual solace but also breathtaking views of southern Shimla and the Tara Devi ridgeline.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Prospect Hill, Boileauganj, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – 171005
- Altitude: ~2,200 meters
- By Road: 3 km from Shimla Railway Station, 4.2 km from Old Bus Stand
- By Rail: Shimla Railway Station (~3 km)
- By Air: Jubbarhatti Airport (~23 km)
- On Foot: A scenic 10-minute uphill walk from Boileauganj, along the Shimla–Bilaspur highway
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, a fierce and protective form of Durga, worshipped here as Kamna Devi, the fulfiller of heartfelt wishes. Locals and pilgrims alike visit to seek her blessings for strength, protection, and the fulfillment of desires.
- The idol is carved from wood, painted in traditional hues
- Rituals include lighting of ghee lamps, offering of red cloth, coconuts, and sweets, and chanting of Durga Saptashati
- The temple is especially vibrant during Navratri and Durga Puja, when devotees gather for aartis and community feasts
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
Built by the Rana of Junga, the temple is a modest yet spiritually charged structure, featuring:
- A stone sanctum with a sloping roof and carved wooden panels
- A courtyard shaded by rhododendron and oak trees
- Panoramic views of Tara Devi, southern Shimla, and the surrounding valleys
- A peaceful ambiance, ideal for meditation, photography, and quiet reflection
The temple is also a popular picnic and trekking spot, with trails leading through lush Himalayan forests.
📜 Mythological & Cultural Significance
The name “Kamna” comes from the Sanskrit word for desire or wish, and the goddess is believed to grant the heartfelt prayers of her devotees. The temple’s location on Prospect Hill—a site once revered by sages—is considered energetically potent, making it a favorite for spiritual seekers and nature lovers alike.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Navratri (twice a year): Marked by devta processions, bhajans, and special pujas
- Durga Puja (October): Celebrated with sindoor khela, aartis, and community feasts
- Daily Worship: Morning aarti at 6:00 AM, evening aarti at 6:00 PM
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Tara Devi Temple: Another Shakti shrine with panoramic views
- Jakhoo Temple: A Hanuman shrine atop Shimla’s highest peak
- Kali Bari Temple: Dedicated to Shyamala Mata, Shimla’s namesake
- Indian Institute of Advanced Study: A colonial-era marvel nearby
- Manorville Mansion: Where Mahatma Gandhi once stayed
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Kamna Devi Temple is not just a shrine—it is a hilltop whisper of grace, a place where Kali’s fierce love meets the stillness of the forest. As you climb the trail, with the wind rustling through deodars and the scent of incense in the air, you feel the goddess’s presence in every breath and every step. It is a temple where wishes rise like smoke, and the **soul finds its voice in the silence of the hills.
