Where devotion slows the wheels and the river listens in silence
Perched on a steep hillside above the Beas River, along the winding Mandi–Manali highway, the Hanogi Mata Temple is a striking blend of spiritual power and natural beauty. Dedicated to Hanogi Mata, a local incarnation of Goddess Saraswati, the temple is revered as a protector of travelers, a grantor of wishes, and a symbol of divine grace in the rugged terrain of Himachal.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Hanogi, near Pandoh, Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh – 175124
- Altitude: ~1,200 meters
- By Road: 41 km from Kullu, 9 km from Pandoh; located directly on NH-3 (Mandi–Manali highway)
- By Air: Bhuntar Airport (~33 km)
- By Rail: Joginder Nagar (~81 km) or Pathankot (~250 km)
- On Foot: A short climb of ~400–500 steps from the roadside parking area
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Hanogi Mata, believed to be a manifestation of Goddess Saraswati, though some also associate her with Durga’s fierce energy. She is worshipped as a guardian deity, especially by travelers and truck drivers who slow down or stop to offer prayers for a safe journey.
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 spring water, and chanting of Saraswati Vandana and Durga Saptashati. The temple is particularly vibrant during Navratri, when thousands gather to seek the goddess’s blessings.
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The Hanogi Mata Temple is built in traditional Himachali style, with a sloping red-and-white roof, wooden carvings, and brightly painted walls. A series of stone steps leads up to the shrine, offering panoramic views of the Beas River, the surrounding pine-covered hills, and the Kalpataru mountain.
A ropeway across the river connects to another temple on the opposite bank, offering a breathtaking aerial view of the valley. The temple’s setting—cliffside, river-facing, and surrounded by forested slopes—makes it one of the most photogenic and spiritually charged spots in the region.
📜 Mythological Significance
According to local lore, the temple was established after a road engineer suggested invoking divine protection to reduce accidents on the treacherous highway. The shrine was later built by Baba Narayan Hari, a saint who also founded the Shri Guru Nanak Ji Gurudwara in Manikaran.
The goddess is believed to have appeared in visions and dreams, guiding the location of the temple. Her presence is said to protect travelers, bless the land with fertility, and ward off misfortune. The temple also houses a stone idol of Tunga Mata, believed to be over 5,000 years old, brought from the Tungadhar mountain range by a Tantric sage named Abhay Ram Guru.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Navratri: The most important festival, marked by devta processions, folk music, and community feasts
- Hanogi Mata Mela: A local fair celebrating the goddess’s blessings and protection
- Daily Worship: Morning and evening aartis, offering of incense, red cloth, and devotional singing
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Pandoh Dam: A scenic reservoir on the Beas River
- Rewalsar Lake: A sacred site for Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs
- Mandi Town: Known for its temples and colonial-era architecture
- Kullu & Manali: Spiritual and adventure hubs further north
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Hanogi Mata Temple is more than a roadside shrine—it is a divine checkpoint, a place where faith slows the wheels, and the river below carries your prayers downstream. As you climb the steps, with the wind whispering through pine trees and the goddess watching from her perch, you feel a protective stillness—a reminder that even in motion, the soul can pause and listen.
