Where dreams climb with every step, and the goddess watches over Shimla’s eastern sky
Perched on a ridge above Sanjauli, just beneath Jakhoo Hill, the Dhingu Mata Temple is a beloved shrine dedicated to Goddess Durga, revered here as Dhingu Devi—the wish-fulfilling mother of the hills. With its distinctive pink staircase, panoramic views, and deep-rooted local legends, this temple is both a spiritual sanctuary and a cultural landmark of Shimla.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Dhingu Road, Sanjauli, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – 171006
- Altitude: ~2,300 meters
- By Road: 6 km from Shimla city center; accessible via Sanjauli–Dhalli tunnel
- By Rail: Shimla Railway Station (~7 km)
- By Air: Jubbarhatti Airport (~25 km)
- On Foot: A scenic uphill walk from Sanjauli market via the iconic pink staircase
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga, worshipped here as Dhingu Mata, a local guardian deity believed to fulfill heartfelt wishes and protect the region. According to legend, the goddess appeared in the dream of Raja Dhingu, a local ruler, and requested a temple be built in her honor.
- The sanctum houses a beautiful idol of the goddess, flanked by shrines of Lord Shiva (Shivlinga) and other deities
- Devotees offer red flags, coconuts, and sweets, and tie chunris on sacred trees as symbols of their prayers
- Rituals include Durga Saptashati recitations, lighting of ghee lamps, and Navratri aartis
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The temple is known for its:
- Striking pink staircase, winding up the hill like a ribbon of devotion
- A stone-and-wood sanctum with floral carvings and colorful murals
- A courtyard with panoramic views of Shimla town, Naldehra valley, and distant Himalayan peaks
- A peaceful forested setting, surrounded by localities like HB Colony, Cemetery Road, Dhingu Dhar, and Chaulanti
The temple is a favorite for morning walkers, photographers, and spiritual seekers, especially at sunrise.
📜 Mythological & Cultural Significance
The temple’s origin is tied to Raja Dhingu, who is said to have received a divine vision from the goddess. Honoring her wish, he built this temple, which has since become a pillar of faith for the Sanjauli community.
Locals believe that Dhingu Mata watches over the eastern flank of Shimla, and her blessings are invoked during festivals, exams, marriages, and new ventures.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Navratri (twice a year): Marked by devta processions, bhajans, and community feasts
- Durga Ashtami & Vijayadashami: Celebrated with special pujas and aartis
- Daily Worship: Morning and evening aartis, incense offerings, and chanting of Shakta hymns
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Jakhoo Temple: A Hanuman shrine atop Shimla’s highest peak
- Kali Bari Temple: Dedicated to Shyamala Mata, Shimla’s namesake
- Kamna Devi Temple: A wish-fulfilling shrine on Prospect Hill
- The Ridge & Mall Road: Shimla’s cultural and colonial heart
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Dhingu Mata Temple is not just a shrine—it is a stairway of faith, a place where every step carries a prayer, and the goddess listens from her hilltop throne. As you climb the pink stairs, with the wind brushing your face and the town unfolding below, you feel the presence of a mother who grants, guards, and guides. It is a temple where wishes rise like incense, and the **soul finds its voice in the silence of the sky.
