Where the palanquin never rests, and the devta walks with his people
Set amidst the dense deodar and pine forests of Jubbal, the Devta Banad Temple in Pujarli village (Mandal area, Shimla district) is a revered folk shrine dedicated to a local guardian deity. Like many such temples in Himachal, it is not just a place of worship—it is the spiritual and administrative heart of the community, where the devta is believed to actively guide and protect his people.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Village: Pujarli, Mandal, Jubbal Tehsil, Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh
- By Road: ~125 km from Shimla via Theog → Khara Pathar → Hatkoti → Jubbal → Pujarli
- Nearby Landmarks: Hatkoti Shaktipeeth, Jubbal Palace, Rohru town, Pabbar River Valley
- Setting: Surrounded by forests, terraced fields, and high ridgelines, the temple sits in a serene rural landscape.
🕉️ Deity & Worship
- Dedicated to Banad Devta Maharaj, a local guardian deity associated with agriculture, justice, and protection of livestock.
- In Himachali folk tradition, the devta is considered a living entity, consulted through oracles (gurs) and palanquin processions (rath yatra).
- Rituals include offerings of red cloth, rice, ghee lamps, and in some traditions, animal sacrifices.
- The devta is invoked for rainfall, harvest prosperity, and resolution of disputes among villagers.
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
- Built in traditional Kath-Kuni style (wood and stone interlocking), with slate roofs and intricate wooden carvings.
- The sanctum houses the palanquin (rath) of the deity, decorated with bells, silver masks, and colorful fabrics.
- The temple courtyard doubles as a community space for festivals, rituals, and village councils.
📜 Cultural & Mythological Significance
- Devta Banad is part of the network of local deities in Shimla, each village having its own guardian.
- The deity is believed to travel to neighboring villages during festivals, and his palanquin is never placed on the ground during journeys—a sign of divine presence.
- Oral traditions link Banad Devta to Mahasu Devta and other regional folk gods, showing the interconnected pantheon of Himachal.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Annual Rath Yatra: The deity is carried in procession with drums, trumpets, and folk dances.
- Navratri & Local Fairs: Devta processions, animal offerings, and night-long bhajans.
- Community Bhoj (feasts): Organized after major rituals, reinforcing social bonds.
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Hatkoti Temple (Jubbal): A major Shaktipeeth of Goddess Mahishasura Mardini.
- Chanshal Pass: Scenic high-altitude trek route connecting Rohru to Dodra Kwar.
- Jubbal Palace: A heritage site reflecting Himachali royal architecture.
- Pabbar River Valley: Known for angling, trekking, and natural beauty.
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Devta Banad Temple of Pujarli is not just a shrine—it is a living tradition, a place where the deity is believed to walk with his people, protect their fields, and preside over justice. Standing before the palanquin, with bells chiming and drums echoing through cedar forests, one feels the presence of a god who listens, protects, and leads. It is a temple where faith is embodied in community life, and the soul finds its rhythm in the heartbeat of the hills.
