📍 Location: Bala Sundari Temple, Trilokpur, Sirmaur District
📅 Season: Twice a year – Chaitra Navratri (March–April) and Ashwin Navratri (September–October)
A sacred fair where thousands gather to honor the child goddess and seek blessings with folded palms and open hearts
🕉️ The Temple of the Child Goddess
The Bala Sundari Temple is believed to be the northern counterpart of Vaishno Devi, dedicated to Bala Sundari—an incarnation of Goddess Durga as a child. According to legend, the temple was established when a pindi (stone manifestation of the goddess) miraculously appeared in the rice bag of a local trader centuries ago. The royal family of Sirmaur patronized the temple, and it became a powerful Shaktipeeth in the region.
🔱 Worshippers say that Bala Sundari grants quick blessings, especially during Navratri, when the goddess is said to be most active and responsive.
🌺 Rituals that Radiate Devotion
During the fair, the temple becomes the heart of spiritual Himachal:
- Morning Aartis and Special Pujas: Held each day of Navratri, with sacred chants and offerings of flowers, sweets, and red cloth
- Akhand Jyot (eternal lamp): Lit throughout the fair, symbolizing unbroken devotion
- Kanya Pujan: On the eighth and ninth days, young girls representing the goddess are worshipped with gifts and respect
- Prasad Distribution: The famous batasha (sugar drops) and halwa-puri are offered to devotees
Crowds walk barefoot, hands folded, and voices raised in bhajans echoing through the hills.
🎶 A Fair of Faith and Folk
The Trilokpur Fair isn’t just devotional—it’s a community carnival:
- Bhajan Mandalis: From Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal perform nonstop devotional songs
- Folk Performances: Local artists present nati, jagrate, and spiritual skits
- Craft Bazaars: Stalls selling incense, rudraksha beads, woolens, religious art, and regional snacks line the temple pathway
It’s devotional vibrance mingled with cultural pride.
🍛 Sacred Meals and Shared Blessings
Langars and food stalls play a major role:
- Sattvik Dishes: Kadhi-chawal, aloo sabzi, singhare atta puris, and navratri sweets served in eco-friendly leaf plates
- Temple Prasad Packs: Include batasha, coconut pieces, and sacred ash (bhabhuti)
- Community Kitchens: Run by volunteers—seva in its purest form
Visitors come not just to eat, but to feel included in the goddess’s grace.
✨ Why Trilokpur Fair Matters
This fair remains significant because:
- It reinforces female divinity in youthful form
- Blends regional unity—devotees come from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal, and beyond
- Preserves royal patronage and folk continuity
- Celebrates faith in movement—walking, singing, eating, offering
It’s where maternal myth meets community spirit, flowing from stone to soul.
🧭 Plan Your Visit
To experience Trilokpur Fair fully:
- Best Time: Chaitra and Ashwin Navratri (consult lunar calendar)
- Getting There: Trilokpur is ~24 km from Nahan and ~6 km from Kala Amb; buses and taxis from Chandigarh, Ambala, and Shimla available
- Stay Options: Guesthouses near the temple, HPTDC hotels in Nahan, and homestays in surrounding villages
- Travel Tip: Visit early morning for temple darshan and stay for bhajan evenings—the atmosphere glows with devotion
