Where wooden lanterns chime with the breeze, and the goddess watches over the valleys
Perched atop the Saroa ridge at an altitude of 2,230 meters, the Jalpa Mata Temple—also known as Saroa Devi Temple—is a hidden jewel of Mandi district, dedicated to Goddess Jalpa, a local form of Durga. Surrounded by apple orchards, cedar forests, and panoramic Himalayan views, this temple is a spiritual sanctuary and scenic escape, where devotion dances with the wind.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Saroa Village, near Chail Chowk, Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh – 175028
- Altitude: ~2,230 meters
- By Road: 45 km from Mandi, 15 km uphill from Chail Chowk; accessible by car or taxi
- By Rail: Joginder Nagar (~90 km) or Shimla (~120 km)
- By Air: Bhuntar Airport (~100 km) or Chandigarh Airport (~200 km)
- On Foot: A short walk from the parking area through pine-lined trails
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Jalpa Mata, a wish-fulfilling form of Durga, revered as the guardian of the Saroa ridge. Locals believe she protects the region from natural calamities and blesses devotees with peace, fertility, and fulfillment of vows.
- Offerings include red cloth, coconuts, sweets, and ghee lamps
- Devotees tie chunris on sacred trees as symbols of their prayers
- The temple is especially visited during Navratri, when the goddess is honored with bhajans and community feasts
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The Jalpa Mata Temple is a wooden marvel, designed to suit the climatic conditions of the high-altitude environment, featuring:
- Traditional Himachali wooden architecture, with sloped roofs and carved panels
- Wooden kandeels (lanterns) that create a melodic chime when the wind blows
- A courtyard with panoramic views of Karsog, Janjehli, Kamrunag, Sundernagar, Balh, and Gohar
- A helipad nearby, and a trek route to Kamrunag Lake, making it a hub for both pilgrims and trekkers
Even in the heat of June, the temple remains cool and breezy, offering a refreshing retreat for body and soul.
📜 Mythological & Cultural Significance
While the temple’s exact origin is unclear, it is deeply rooted in local oral traditions. The goddess is believed to have chosen this ridge as her abode, and the temple is considered a spiritual watchtower, guarding the valleys below.
The site is also a starting point for treks to Kamrunag, and is revered by devtas from nearby villages, who visit during seasonal festivals.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Navratri (Spring & Autumn): Celebrated with devta processions, folk dances, and night-long bhajans
- Local Fairs: Held during summer, featuring community feasts and traditional music
- Daily Worship: Morning and evening aartis, incense offerings, and chanting of Durga Saptashati
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Kamrunag Temple & Lake: A sacred site of sacrifice and rain worship
- Shikari Devi Temple: A roofless Shakti shrine atop Mandi’s highest peak
- Janjehli Valley: A pristine Himalayan hamlet with trekking trails
- Karsog Valley: Known for ancient temples and Pandava legends
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Jalpa Mata Temple of Saroa is not just a shrine—it is a wind-sung sanctuary, a place where the goddess listens through cedar leaves, and the soul finds its breath in the rhythm of the hills. As you stand before her sanctum, with the wooden lanterns chiming and the valleys unfolding below, you feel the presence of a mother who whispers blessings on the breeze. It is a temple where devotion floats like mist, and the **spirit soars with the scent of pine.
