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Where Draupadi became the goddess, and the Pir Panjal split to reveal her trident
Located in Tundah village, near Bharmour in Chamba district, the Banni Mata Temple—also known as Mahakali Banni Mata Temple or Shakti Devi Temple—is a powerful Shakti shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali, nestled at an altitude of 8,500 feet at the base of the Pir Panjal range, directly opposite the Manimahesh Peak.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Tundah village, Bharmour, Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh
- Altitude: ~8,500 feet
- By Road: Accessible via Chamba–Bharmour road; final stretch to Tundah may require trekking or jeep
- By Rail: Pathankot (~170 km)
- By Air: Gaggal Airport (~32 km from Chamba)
- Trek: Pilgrimage routes also connect to Lyundi and Charola, sacred sites linked to the goddess
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple enshrines Banni Mata, a fierce form of Kali, believed to have emerged from Draupadi’s mortal remains during the Pandavas’ ascent to Swarg (heaven). According to legend:
- As the Pandavas died one by one in the Himalayas, Draupadi’s body became the vessel of Kali
- A rock split at Charola, revealing three tridents, marking the goddess’s arrival
- She first resided at Lyundi, then settled in Banni village, surrounded by oak (ban) trees, which gave the temple its name
Devotees offer goat sacrifices, liquor, and red cloth, and the temple is known for its intense Tantric energy. The Chela (shaman) drinks the blood of sacrificed goats during the annual fair, believed to be in direct communion with the goddess.
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
- A traditional Himachali temple with copper-plated roof, golden finials, and marble flooring
- Surrounded by dense oak forests, with views of Manimahesh Peak and the Chamba Valley
- The temple complex includes shrines to Chamunda Devi, Kelang Wazir, and Digu Wazir
📜 Mythological & Cultural Significance
- The temple is deeply tied to Mahabharata lore, especially the Pandavas’ final journey
- It is a guardian shrine for shepherds crossing the Kali Chho Pass to Lahaul
- Believed to grant children to childless couples, and fulfill wishes made with devotion
- The Chela’s blood-drinking ritual is seen as a manifestation of Kali’s power and presence
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Bhadrapad Fair (August–September):
- Marked by goat sacrifices, blood rituals, and Tantric offerings
- Devotees gather from across Bharmour and Chamba
- Navratri & Kali Puja: Celebrated with bhajans, aartis, and community feasts
- Daily Worship: Morning and evening aartis, lighting of ghee lamps, and chanting of Durga Saptashati
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Manimahesh Lake & Kailash Peak: Sacred pilgrimage site of Lord Shiva
- Bharmani Mata Temple: A must-visit before Manimahesh Yatra
- Chaurasi Temple Complex: 84 shrines built by the Siddhas
- Lyundi & Charola: Sacred sites linked to Banni Mata’s journey
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Banni Mata Temple of Tundah is not just a shrine—it is a forest-born flame, a place where Kali roared through Draupadi’s silence, and the mountains split to reveal her trident. As you stand before her sanctum, with the oak trees whispering and the Chela’s trance echoing through the valley, you feel the presence of a goddess who grants, guards, and devours. It is a temple where faith is fierce, and the **soul finds its vow in the blood and wind.
