Where the goddess chose her ground, and the palanquin stood still
Located just 6 km from Hamirpur town on the Hamirpur–Nadaun road, the Jhanyari Devi Temple is a 200-year-old Shakti shrine dedicated to Maa Jhanyari, the kuldevi (patron goddess) of the Katoch dynasty of Kangra. This temple is steeped in royal legend, spiritual devotion, and a mystical origin story that continues to draw pilgrims from across the region.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Jhanyari Village, Hamirpur District, Himachal Pradesh – 177001
- By Road: 6 km from Hamirpur town, 25 km from Nadaun
- By Rail: Una Railway Station (~70 km), Pathankot (~120 km)
- By Air: Gaggal Airport (~85 km)
- On Foot: A short walk from the main road through village lanes
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Maa Jhanyari, a form of Durga revered for her protective and wish-fulfilling powers. According to legend:
- A Katoch king received a divine vision in a dream, instructing him to build a temple for the goddess
- He set out with a royal palanquin to bring her idol back to the capital, but when the idol was placed in the palanquin, it became impossibly heavy
- That night, the goddess appeared again and told him she wished to reside at that very spot—and so the temple was built there
Devotees offer red cloth, coconuts, and ghee lamps, and the temple is especially visited during Jyeshtha Shukla Ashtami, when a grand fair is held.
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The temple is a modest stone structure, featuring:
- A sanctum with the idol of the goddess, adorned in red and gold
- A courtyard shaded by trees, ideal for community gatherings
- A peaceful rural setting, surrounded by fields and forested slopes
Though the royal grandeur has faded, the devotion remains strong, and the temple is now managed by a local committee elected by the villagers.
📜 Cultural & Historical Significance
- The temple is a symbol of divine will, built not by royal decree but by the goddess’s own choosing
- It is a kuldevi shrine for the Katoch lineage, and holds deep emotional and spiritual value for families across Kangra and Hamirpur
- The annual Ashtami fair draws pilgrims, folk performers, and local deities in a celebration of faith and folklore
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Jyeshtha Shukla Ashtami: The main festival, celebrated with devta processions, bhajans, and community feasts
- Navratri: Marked by special pujas, aartis, and offerings
- Daily Worship: Morning and evening aartis, lighting of ghee lamps, and chanting of Durga hymns
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Tauni Devi Temple: A unique shrine where wishes are made by striking stones
- Awah Devi Temple: A hilltop Shaktipeeth with panoramic views
- Nadaun Fort & River Beas: Scenic and historic sites
- Sujanpur Tira: A heritage town with temples and royal ruins
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Jhanyari Devi Temple is not just a shrine—it is a dream fulfilled in stone, a place where the goddess chose her ground, and the palanquin stood still in reverence. As you step into her sanctum, with the echo of ancient vows and the scent of incense in the air, you feel the presence of a mother who listens not to command—but to the heart. It is a temple where faith found its place, and the **soul finds its home in the stillness of devotion.
