Where the goddess chose her ground, and the blind found their sight
Perched atop the highest hill in Hamirpur district, the Awah Devi Temple—also known as the Jalpa Devi Temple—is a 275-year-old Shakti shrine revered for its miraculous origin, panoramic views, and wish-fulfilling power. Dedicated to Maa Jalpa Devi, this temple is a spiritual beacon for locals and pilgrims alike, especially those seeking divine intervention and protection.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Awah Village, Bhoranj Tehsil, Hamirpur District, Himachal Pradesh – 177024
- Altitude: ~1,200 meters
- By Road: 24 km from Hamirpur town on the Sarkaghat road; accessible by bus or taxi
- By Rail: Una Railway Station (~70 km), Pathankot (~120 km)
- By Air: Gaggal Airport (~85 km)
- On Foot: A short uphill walk from the parking area through pine-covered slopes
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Maa Jalpa Devi, a form of Durga worshipped as the kuldevi (clan deity) by many local families. According to legend:
- Devotees from Mandi district once tried to relocate the idol to their region
- As they carried it away, they were struck blind
- Their vision was restored only when they returned the idol to its original spot, where the temple now stands
This divine intervention is seen as a sign of the goddess’s will, and the temple is revered as a site of miracles and fulfilled vows.
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The temple is a stone-and-brick structure, featuring:
- A colorful sanctum with the idol of Jalpa Devi adorned in red and gold
- A courtyard with panoramic views of the Hamirpur hills and Sarkaghat valley
- A peaceful forested setting, ideal for meditation and spiritual reflection
The hilltop location makes it a natural watchtower, where the sky feels close and the wind carries your prayers.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Navratri (Spring & Autumn): Celebrated with bhajans, aartis, and community feasts
- Ashtami & Ram Navami: Marked by special pujas and offerings
- Daily Worship: Morning and evening aartis, lighting of ghee lamps, and chanting of Durga Saptashati
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Tauni Devi Temple: A unique shrine where wishes are made by striking stones
- Jhanyari Devi Temple: A kuldevi shrine of the Katoch dynasty
- Gasota Mahadev Temple: A pastoral Shiva shrine with a cattle fair
- Sujanpur Tira: A heritage town with temples, murals, and royal ruins
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Awah Devi Temple is not just a shrine—it is a hilltop miracle, a place where the goddess chose to stay, and the blind were given sight to see her will. As you stand before her sanctum, with the wind brushing your face and the valley stretching below, you feel the presence of a mother who guards, grants, and guides. It is a temple where faith is rooted in legend, and the **soul finds its vision in the gaze of Jalpa Shakti.
