Where the goddess watches from the clouds, and the pine forests echo with her name
Perched atop Tara Parvat, between Shimla and Shoghi, the Tara Devi Temple is one of the most revered Shakti shrines in Himachal Pradesh. Dedicated to Goddess Tara, a form of Durga and Mahavidya, this temple is a spiritual and scenic jewel, offering both divine blessings and panoramic views of the Shivalik ranges.
🌄 Location & Accessibility
- Location: Tara Parvat, near Shoghi, Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh – 171001
- Altitude: ~1,851 meters (6,076 feet)
- By Road: 8 km from Shoghi, 17 km from Shimla Railway Station; accessible via NH-22
- By Rail: Shimla or Shoghi Railway Station
- By Air: Jubbarhatti Airport, Shimla (~23 km) or Chandigarh Airport (~120 km)
- On Foot: A scenic uphill trek through pine forests, or by road via Tara Devi station
🕉️ Deity & Worship
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Tara, one of the ten Mahavidyas in Tantric tradition, revered here as a compassionate protector and granter of wisdom. She is also considered the kuldevi (family deity) of the Sen dynasty, who ruled the region centuries ago.
- The original idol was carved from wood, later replaced by an ashtadhatu (eight-metal) murti
- Flanked by Lakshmi and Saraswati, the goddess is worshipped as the embodiment of Shakti’s threefold power
- Rituals include Durga Saptashati recitations, lighting of ghee lamps, and offering of red cloth and flowers
The temple is especially visited by those seeking mental peace, protection from evil, and spiritual clarity.
🏛️ Architecture & Setting
The temple is a classic example of Himachali wooden architecture, featuring:
- Intricate wood carvings, floral motifs, and colorful murals
- A white marble sanctum with a golden kalash atop the spire
- A spacious courtyard with panoramic views of Shimla, Kufri, and the surrounding valleys
- A langar hall serving consecrated food on Tuesdays and Sundays
The setting is serene, surrounded by cedar and pine forests, making it a favorite for pilgrims, photographers, and nature lovers alike.
📜 Mythological & Historical Significance
The temple’s origins trace back over 250 years, when Raja Bhupendra Sen of the Keonthal dynasty had a vision of the goddess while hunting in the forests of Juggar. He donated land and built the temple, which was later expanded by Raja Balbir Sen, who installed the ashtadhatu idol in 1825.
The name “Tara” means star, and the goddess is believed to guide devotees through darkness, both literal and spiritual.
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
- Navratri (twice a year): Marked by devta processions, folk dances, and community feasts
- Ashtami Fair (Shardiya Navratri): Features wrestling matches, a tradition upheld for centuries
- Daily Worship: Morning and evening aartis, incense offerings, and chanting of Shakta hymns
🏞️ Nearby Attractions
- Jakhoo Temple: A Hanuman shrine atop Shimla’s highest peak
- Shoolini Mata Temple, Solan: Another powerful Shakti site
- Kali Bari Temple, Shimla: A Bengali-style shrine to Goddess Kali
- Viceregal Lodge & Mall Road: Colonial-era landmarks in Shimla
🙏 Spiritual Experience
The Tara Devi Temple is not just a shrine—it is a celestial watchtower, a place where the goddess gazes across the valleys, and devotion rises with the mist. As you stand before her sanctum, with the wind whispering through deodars and the sky glowing with Himalayan light, you feel the presence of a mother who guides, guards, and grants grace. It is a temple where stars descend, and the **soul finds its compass in the goddess’s gaze.
