Where the daughter of Banasura guards the valley with fire and grace
Tucked in the quiet hamlet of Kothi, just outside Kalpa in the Kinnaur district, the Chandika Devi Temple is a powerful Shakti shrine dedicated to Chandika Devi, the fierce daughter of the demon king Banasura. Revered as a protector of the region and its people, this temple is a cornerstone of Kinnauri spiritual life, blending myth, ritual, and regal tradition in a setting of apple orchards and snow-capped peaks.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Kothi Village, ~3 km from Reckong Peo, near Kalpa, Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh – 172108
- Altitude: ~2,800 meters
- By Road: Easily accessible by taxi or local bus from Reckong Peo
- By Air: Shimla Airport (Jubbarhatti) (~267 km)
- By Rail: Shimla (~244 km); further travel by road
- On Foot: A short walk from the village center through traditional slate-roofed homes
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Chandika Devi, a form of Durga and the eldest daughter of Banasura, known for her fierce protection and justice. She is worshipped as the kuldevi (clan goddess) of many Kinnauri families and is believed to guard the valley from evil and misfortune.
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. Rituals include lighting of ghee lamps, offering of local grains and flowers, and chanting of Durga Saptashati. A massive wooden chariot (rath) of the goddess is housed inside the temple and is used during seasonal processions.
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The Chandika Devi Temple is a striking example of Kinnauri wooden architecture, featuring:
- A multi-tiered slate roof with golden finials
- Intricately carved cedar wood panels depicting deities, serpents, and floral motifs
- A stone base and elevated wooden sanctum with a covered veranda
- A sacred courtyard where rituals and festivals are held
The temple is surrounded by apple orchards, prayer flags, and views of the Kinnaur Kailash range, creating a setting that is both majestic and intimate.
📜 Mythological Significance
According to legend, Chandika Devi was born to Banasura, a powerful demon king, and was blessed with divine strength and wisdom. She is said to have defeated many asuras and became the guardian of the Kinnaur region. Her temple in Kothi is believed to be one of the oldest Shakti shrines in the area, and her chariot is never taken out without divine permission, as it is said to shake the earth when moved.
The temple is also a spiritual seat of justice, where disputes were once settled in the goddess’s name, and oracles (gurs) still interpret her will during festivals.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Fulaich (September): A flower festival honoring ancestral spirits and the goddess’s blessings
- Navratri: Celebrated with devta processions, folk dances, and community feasts
- Seasonal Rath Yatra: The goddess’s chariot is paraded through the village with drums, horns, and hymns
- Daily Worship: Morning and evening aartis, incense offerings, and recitation of Shakta hymns
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Narayan-Nagini Temple, Kalpa: A Vishnu-Nagini shrine with panoramic views
- Kinnaur Kailash Viewpoint: A sacred peak believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva
- Roghi & Chini Villages: Traditional Kinnauri settlements with rich folklore
- Suicide Point: A dramatic cliffside viewpoint with sweeping valley vistas
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Chandika Devi Temple is not just a shrine—it is a throne of divine justice, a place where Shakti roars through cedar beams and mountain winds. As you stand before her sanctum, with the chariot looming in silence and the valley stretching below, you feel the goddess’s gaze—fierce, protective, and eternal. It is a temple where power meets compassion, and the soul finds both courage and calm.
