Where the goddess reigns in cedar and silver, and the Himalayas bow in reverence
Perched on a ridge in the quaint town of Sarahan, overlooking the Sutlej Valley and framed by the snow-capped Shrikhand Mahadev peaks, the Shree Bhimakali Ji Temple is one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas in India. Dedicated to Goddess Bhimakali, a fierce form of Durga, this temple is not only a spiritual epicenter but also a masterpiece of Himalayan architecture, once serving as the kuldevi (clan goddess) of the Bushahr royal family.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Sarahan, Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh – 172102
- Altitude: ~2,300 meters
- By Road: 165 km from Shimla, 37 km from Rampur; well-connected by buses and taxis
- By Air: Shimla Airport (~180 km)
- By Rail: Shimla (~165 km); further travel by road
- On Foot: The temple is centrally located in Sarahan and easily walkable from nearby accommodations
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhimakali, believed to be an incarnation of Durga and the presiding deity of the Bushahr dynasty. According to legend, this is the spot where the ear of Goddess Sati fell, making it a powerful Shakti Peetha.
The goddess is worshipped in the form of three pindis, representing Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati.
Devotees offer red flags, coconuts, and sweets, and the temple is especially known for fulfilling wishes of childless couples and those seeking justice. Worship rituals include morning and evening aartis, offering of rice, flowers, and ghee lamps, and chanting of Durga Saptashati. The temple also houses shrines to Lord Raghunathji, Narasimha, and Ganesha, reflecting its inclusive spiritual ethos.
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The Bhimakali Temple is a stunning example of Kath-Kuni architecture, blending Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist styles. Key features include:
- Twin towers—one ancient and one newer—constructed of interlocked cedar wood and stone
- Gold- and silver-plated doors, with four intricately carved gateways
- A multi-tiered pagoda roof, crowned with a golden kalash
- A secret underground tunnel, once used by priests and royals during emergencies
The temple complex includes three courtyards, a royal palace, and guest accommodations, all set against the backdrop of deodar forests and Himalayan peaks.
📜 Mythological Significance
According to legend, after Sati’s self-immolation, Lord Shiva wandered the universe in grief, carrying her body. As Vishnu cut her body into pieces to restore cosmic balance, her ear is said to have fallen at Sarahan, sanctifying the site as a Shakti Peetha.
Another tale links the temple to the demon king Banasura, whose daughter Usha’s love for Aniruddha (Krishna’s grandson) led to a divine battle. It is believed that Banasura’s head was buried at the temple’s entrance, marked by a raised platform.
The temple has also withstood earthquakes and invasions, and is said to have miraculously straightened itself after tilting during the 1905 Kangra quake.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Dussehra: Unlike Kullu, where Ravana is burned, Sarahan celebrates Durga’s victory with devta processions and folk performances
- Navratri: Nine nights of Shakti worship, community feasts, and devotional singing
- Fulaich (April) & Sair (September): Seasonal festivals honoring ancestral spirits and harvest blessings
- Daily Worship: Morning (6:30 AM) and evening (6:30 PM) aartis, with darshan timings from 6:00 AM–12:00 PM and 2:00 PM–8:00 PM
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary: A haven for Himalayan flora and fauna
- Sarahan Pheasantry: Home to the endangered Western Tragopan
- Bhaba Valley & Shrikhand Mahadev Trek: For spiritual and adventure seekers
- Rampur’s Padam Palace: A glimpse into the royal heritage of Bushahr
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Shree Bhimakali Ji Temple is not just a place of worship—it is a living fortress of faith, where cedar beams hold centuries of devotion, and the goddess’s gaze watches over the valley like a flame in the snow. As you step through its silver gates, with the wind carrying the scent of incense and pine, you feel the weight of myth, history, and divine presence. It is a temple where Shakti stands eternal, and the **soul finds its fiercest protector.
