5 Shakti Peethas of Himachal Pradesh (हिमाचल के पाँच शक्तिपीठ): A Darshan Guide

Himachal Pradesh is one place where pilgrimage and nature both blend in perfect combination.

On the one hand, Himachal Pradesh is famous for its hill stations and outdoor activities like Mountain biking, paragliding, rock climbing, heli-skiing, etc.; on the other hand, it is famous for its spiritual and devotions.

How Many Shakti Peethas?

According to Hindu mythology, there are 108 Shakti peeths. Many of these historic places of goddess worship are in India but there are two in Nepal seven in Bangladesh, three in Pakistan, and one each in Sri Lanka and Tibet (2026 note: most texts count 51 Shakti Peethas, some 52, and a few 108. The 51 lie across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet.)

The Five at a Glance

The beliefs below are as devotees hold them; traditions differ on some.

Temple	Hindi	District	Believed to be where	Known for
Naina Devi	नैना देवी	Bilaspur	Sati's eyes fell	A hilltop over the Gobind Sagar lake; a ropeway to the top
Chintpurni	चिंतपूर्णी	Una	Sati's feet fell (some say her forehead)	Mata Chhinnamastika, who frees devotees from worry (chinta)
Jwala Ji	ज्वाला जी	Kangra	Sati's tongue fell	No idol: the Goddess is worshipped in flames that burn without stopping
Bajreshwari (Kangra Devi)	बज्रेश्वरी	Kangra	Sati's left breast fell	The fort-like temple in Kangra town
Chamunda Devi	चामुंडा देवी	Kangra	Not in the classical list of 51; counted among Himachal's five	Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham, near Dharamshala

(2026: the map follows Aastha's order, Chintpurni to Naina Devi; open the route in Google Maps for directions and today's traffic.)

Darshan Timings and Bookings (Checked October 2026)

Times change with the season and on festival days, and every temple closes during an eclipse. Confirm on the temple's own website before you travel.

Temple	Darshan	Aarti	Book online
Naina Devi	4 am to 10 pm; in Navratri, 2 am to midnight	Morning and evening	Rooms at the trust's sarais: srinainadevi.com (helpline 1800 180 80 69)
Chintpurni	About 4 am to 10 pm in summer, 5 am to 9:30 pm in winter	About 5:30 am and 7:30 pm	Sugam Darshan, hawan, langar: matashrichintpurni.com
Jwala Ji	About 5 am to 10 pm in summer, 6 am to 9 pm in winter	Five a day, from the Mangal Aarti at opening to the Shaiyan Aarti at night	Darshan parchi and sarai: kangratemples.hp.gov.in
Bajreshwari	About 5 am to 9 pm, closed briefly at noon for bhog	About 6 am and 6:30 pm	Darshan parchi and sarai: kangratemples.hp.gov.in
Chamunda Devi	About 5 or 6 am to 9 or 10 pm, closed 12 to 1 pm	About 8 am, and 6 pm (winter) or 8 pm (summer)	kangratemples.hp.gov.in

For elders and anyone who cannot climb: at Chintpurni, Sugam Darshan (since August 2023) takes you in through the lift gate: ₹50 for senior citizens, the disabled and the seriously ill, with one attendant and an electric cart; ₹1,100 for a pass for up to five people. At Naina Devi, the ropeway costs ₹130 one way and ₹190 return for adults (₹60 and ₹90 for children) and runs from about 8 am to 6:30 pm in October; palkis are also available.

Story Behind Shakti Peeths

Sati, Daughter of Raja Daksha and first wife of Lord Shiva. The Raja Daksha performed a yagna, in the yagna he invited all the god and goddess except Shiva and Sati. She expressed her wish to attend the yagna to Shiva, who tried his best to dissuade her from going.

Shiva eventually relented and Sati went to the yagna. Sati being an uninvited guest was not given any respect at the yagna. Daksha disrespect Shiva and Sati. Sati was unable to bear her father’s insults toward her husband, so she immolated herself. in that yagna.

Knowing this, Lord Shiva destroys Daksha yagna. and Shiva carries the burnt body of Sati on his shoulders and wanders round the world.

To control Lord Shiva anger Lord Vishnu, followed him and made the body of Sati into pieces with his Chakrayudha. After the whole body disappears from his shoulders Lord Shiva was back to a normal state and blesses the world.

He told that “The places where the body parts of Sati had fallen will become Shakti peeths”

Shakti Peeths in India

(2026 note: this list mixes traditions. Srisailam appears twice, and Amarnath, Vaishno Devi and Mansa Devi are counted as Shakti Peethas only in some of them.)

Sr. NO	Name of Shakti peeths	State
1	Amarnath	Jammu and Kashmir
2	Attahas or Ashtahas	West Bengal
3	Bahula	West Bengal
4	Bakreshwar	West Bengal
5	Bhairavparvat	Madhya Pradesh
6	Biraj Temple	Odisha
7	Saptashrungi	Maharashtra
8	Jwalaji	Himachal Pradesh
9	Kalipeeth	West Bengal
10	Kalmadhav	Madhya Pradesh
11	Kamgiri	Assam
12	Kankalitala	West Bengal
13	Kanyashram	Tamil Nadu
14	Bajreshwari Devi	Himachal Pradesh
15	Kiriteswari Temple	West Bengal
16	Ratnavali	West Bengal
17	Manibandh	Rajasthan
18	Panchsagar	Uttarakhand
19	Prabhas	Gujarat
20	Alopi Devi	Uttar Pradesh
21	Kurukshetra	Haryana
22	Sharda peeth Trikoot hill	Madhya Pradesh
23	Nandikeshwari	West Bengal
24	Kotilingeswar	Andhra Pradesh
25	Naina devi	Himachal Pradesh
26	Shondesh	Madhya Pradesh
27	Srisailam	Andhra Pradesh
28	Sri sailam	Andhra Pradesh
29	Shuchi	Tamil Nadu
30	Danteshwari	Chhattisgarh
31	Jharkhand Shakti jal durga	Jharkhand
32	Ambaji	Gujarat
33	Tripurmalini	Punjab
34	Bhooteswar temple Mathura	Uttar Pradesh
35	Ambika Shakti	Rajasthan
36	Vibash Kapalini Shakti	West Bengal
37	Vishalakshi	Uttar Pradesh
38	Mangal Chandika	West Bengal
39	Tripureshwari or Tripura	Tripura
40	Bhraamari	West Bengal
41	Vaishno Devi	Jammu
42	Dhari Devi	Uttarakhand
43	Sheetla Devi	Himachal Pradesh
44	Chamunda Devi	Himachal Pradesh
45	Chintpurni	Himachal Pradesh
46	Mansa Devi	Haryana

5 Shakti Peethas in Himachal Pradesh

1. Chintpurni
2. Jwala Ji
3. Bajreshwari temple
4. Chamunda Devi
5. Naina Devi.

#1 Chintpurni

Chintpurni is situated in Una district of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is situated on one of the highest hills of the Sola Singhi range. It is about 3km west of Bharwain which is located on the Hoshiarpur-Dharmashala road. (2026: Sugam Darshan, the lift-gate entry for elders and the disabled, is booked at matashrichintpurni.com or at the counter in Baba Mai Das Sadan.)

Private vehicles are not allowed beyond the Chintpurni temple. Bus stand which is about 1.5 km from the Temple. Devotees need to walk this distance. About half of this distance is a gentle uphill incline and through a busy market.

How to Reach

BY AIR

The nearest airport is at Gaggal in Dharmshala, which is in Kangra district. The distance to Chintpurni is about 60 km.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Chintpurni which is about 17km from chintpurni temple. Another nearby station is Una at 50km and Hoshiarpur at 42km. (2026: the Himachal Express from Old Delhi stops at Chintpurni Marg at about 8:20 am. The Vande Bharat from New Delhi ends at Amb Andaura, about 20 km from the temple, in about five and a half hours.)

By Road

Delhi-404.9km

Jalandhar: -92.8km

Accommodations

There is a number of hotels and lodges to stay ranging from budget to luxury.

The Navaratri fairs in Ashwin (September–October) and Chaitra (March–April) are popular with devotees when accommodation is very high. Other popular days are Sankranti, Purnima and Ashtami.

There are a number of Dharamshala, guest houses, and hotels of varying quality in and around Chintpurni. Himachal Tourism runs Hotel Chintpurni Heights (formerly Yatri Niwas) at Bharwain, near Thaneek Pura which is only 3 km from the Chintpurni temple.

It has views of the Swan Valley to the south. At night to the west one can see the bright lights of the Temple and its bazaar. Looking towards the northwest are the shimmering waters of the Maharana Pratap Sagar (Pong Dam lake).

#2 Jwala Ji Temple

Jwala Ji temple is situated 34km from the south of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and 56km from Dharamshala. The temple is dedicated to Jwala Devi a form of the holy goddess herself. Devotees need to walk one kilometer to reach to the temple.

This is a novel temple that does not have an idol. It is believed the Goddess resides in the holy flames of the temple which miraculously burn day and night without any fuel from outside.

Science believes that the fires burn due to some natural jets of combustible gas from the fissures of the rocks. However, the heart of devotees still nurses the belief of the Goddess residing in these flames.

Every day five arties and one hawan are performed by the priests (2026: from the Mangal Aarti at opening to the Shaiyan Aarti at night, when the Goddess's bed is decorated with flowers) which are also the main attraction of Jwala Ji temple. The devotees offer flowers, fruits, chunri, misri, milk, and rabri to the goddess as a sign of their devotion.

Best time to visit Jwala Devi temple

Navaratri is a popular time to visit this holy pilgrimage. The temple has colorful fairs in the months of March-April and September-October

How to Reach Jwala Devi Temple, Kangra

From Chintpurni to Jwala ji is 35 km. It takes 1hr 30 mins to reach by bus. Frequently Himachal road transport corporation buses running on this route.

#3 Bajreshwari Temple, Kangra

Bajreshwari temple is also known as Kangra Devi dedicated to the goddess Vajreshvari, a form of Durga located in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh behind the crowded market of Kangra Town in Himachal Pradesh, India.

The main gate entrance has a Nagarkhana and is built similar to the Bassein fort entrance. The temple is also surrounded by a stone wall like a fort.

Time to visit

The climate is similar to other hill stations in the Himalayan region. September to June are the best months to visit Kangra.

Places to visit in Kangra

1. Kangra Fort
2. Bajnath temple
3. Kareri lake
4. Dhauladhar Range

How to Reach

From Jwala Ji to Bajreshwari temple is 32km it takes 1hr  by bus.

1. Chandigarh -226 km
2. Delhi-455km
3. Amritsar-203km
4. Shimla -218km
5. Manali-235km

By Train

The nearest railway station to Kangra is Pathankot railway station which lies 87 km away from Kangra. From Pathankot, the best way to reach Kangra is by hiring a taxi. (2026: the narrow-gauge Kangra Valley line from Pathankot has not run through since August 2022, when a flood washed away a bridge, so come by road. Kangra airport at Gaggal, with flights from Delhi, is close by.)

#4 Chamunda Devi

Chamunda Devi temple is located on the bank of the Ban Ganga river which is 10 km west from Palampur in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. (2026: it is about 15 km from Dharamshala. It is not in the classical list of 51 Shakti Peethas, but devotees count it among the five great Devi temples of Himachal.)

This ancient temple dates back to the 16th century. The temple is dedicated to Chamunda Devi, who is a form of Durga / Shakti. Chamunda Devi Temple is believed to be the abode of ‘Shiva and Shakti’. Due to this reason, it is also known as ‘Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham’.

The temple is situated in the picturesque beauty of lush green mountains. Many saints can be seen here involved in meditation and penance.

The temple complex includes a handicraft center that has various items like woodcarvings, wooden toys, honey, black pottery, Kangra tea, and world popular Kangra Paintings. The interior of the sanctum is embellished with carved silver sheets The architecture of the shrine is quite simple but the religious influence is simply overwhelming. The temple has beautiful carvings rendering floral themes and different idols, overlooks enchanting views of the Chamba Valley and Himalayan range.

How to Reach

The Temple is easily accessible via road from Dharamshala, Palampur, Kangra, and other major cities of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists have the option to hire taxis from Dharamsala or Palampur. Besides the Himachal state transport buses are also available

It is 23 km from Bajreshwari temple and 55 km from the Jwala Ji temple.

Nearest airport-Gaggal

Attractive place near Chamunda Devi temple

1. Chamba
2. Dharamshala
3. Jodhpur
4. Pithoragarh

(2026 note: Jodhpur and Pithoragarh are far away, in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Closer to Chamunda are Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, Palampur's tea gardens and the Baijnath temple.)

#5 Naina Devi Temple

Naina Devi is located at the top of the hill in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh.

The temple at the top of the hill can be reached via road (that curves round the hill up to a certain point) and then by concrete steps (that finally reach the top). There is also a cable car facility that moves pilgrims from the base of the hill all the way to the top.

The hills of Naina Devi overlook the Gobind Sagar lake. The lake was created by the Dam. A special fair is organized during Chaitra, Shravan, and Ashwin Navratri, where millions of visitors from nearby states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, visit Sri Naina Devi Ji Temple to attend the festivities.

While a lot of people prefer to trek to the top of this hill, chanting Jai Mata Di, many simply take Palkis for a comfortable ride. Resting facilities are also available on the way, (2026: the ropeway costs ₹130 one way and ₹190 return for adults; on normal days the temple is open from 4 am to 10 pm, and in Navratri from 2 am to midnight)

How to Reach

From Chamunda Devi to Naina Devi is 179.1 km via NH503

The Naina Devi Temple is connected by National Highway no. 21 and the nearest airport from here is Chandigarh, the distance between Bilaspur and Chandigarh is approximately 100 km (2026: the Vande Bharat from New Delhi stops at Anandpur Sahib, about 22 km from the temple)

Plan the Darshan (2 to 3 Days)

Most devotees take the five in a loop, the way Aastha did. From Delhi or Punjab, start at Naina Devi or at Chintpurni.

Leg	By road	About
Naina Devi → Chintpurni	105 to 130 km, by route	3 hours
Chintpurni → Jwala Ji	35 km	1½ hours by bus
Jwala Ji → Kangra (Bajreshwari)	32 to 35 km	1 hour
Kangra → Chamunda Devi	25 to 30 km	1 hour

• Day 1: Naina Devi in the morning (the ropeway saves the climb), then on to Chintpurni or stay near it.
• Day 2: Chintpurni early, Jwala Ji by noon, Kangra Devi by evening; stay in Kangra.
• Day 3: Chamunda Devi in the morning, then Dharamshala, or home.

Getting there: the Vande Bharat from New Delhi (about 5½ hours to Amb Andaura) stops at Anandpur Sahib for Naina Devi and ends at Amb Andaura for Chintpurni; the overnight Himachal Express from Old Delhi stops at Chintpurni Marg in the morning. HRTC buses join all five temples, as Aastha found. For Kangra, Jwala Ji and Chamunda, the nearest airport is Kangra (Gaggal); for Naina Devi, Chandigarh. In Navratri the roads and temples are at their fullest: start before dawn and keep a day spare.

My Experience & Tips

I started my journey with my aunt and it was very smooth and pleasant. We had the Himachal Express train from Delhi at 10 pm but due to some technical issue. the train was delayed by 6 hours. After reaching Chintpurni station we covered 3 places on the same day chintpurni , Jwala Ji and kangra Devi .and 2nd day we went Chamunda Devi and Naina Devi.

From Chintpurni to Jwala Ji and from Jwala Ji to Kangra Devi we opt for HRTC buses total fare of the bus was 180 rupees only.

Things to know before starting your journey

1. Don’t go for the private vehicle from Chintpurni marg station to Chintpurni temple. They will charge  500 to 1000 rupees and will manipulate. Private vehicles are usually not allowed beyond the Chintpurni bus stand which is about 1.5 km from the temple.
2. Photography is strictly prohibited inside chamunda Devi and Naina Devi temple
3. On Public Holidays HRTC buses are not available

Questions People Ask Us

How many Shakti Peethas are in Himachal Pradesh? (हिमाचल में कितने शक्तिपीठ हैं?) Devotees count five: Naina Devi, Chintpurni, Jwala Ji, Bajreshwari (Kangra Devi) and Chamunda Devi. Four of them are in the classical lists of Shakti Peethas; Chamunda is counted for its standing in Himachal.

How many Shakti Peethas are there in all? Most texts count 51; some count 52, and a few 108.

Where should we stay? Kangra town sits between Jwala Ji and Chamunda, which makes it the easiest base, as Aastha found. The temple trusts run sarais you can book online (Naina Devi, and the Kangra temples), and Himachal Tourism's Hotel Chintpurni Heights is 3 km from Chintpurni.

Can elderly parents do this darshan? Yes, with planning: the Naina Devi ropeway, Chintpurni's Sugam Darshan with its electric cart, and palkis where there are steps. Avoid the Navratri weekends if crowds are hard for them.

Does the Himachal Express stop at Chintpurni Marg? Yes, at about 8:20 am on its way to Daulatpur Chowk; check the timetable before you book.

When is Navratri? Shardiya Navratri: 11 to 20 October 2026. Chaitra Navratri: 7 to 15 April 2027. Also on the Devi circuit: our Vaishno Devi guide.

---

Hey before you go– I hope the blog post answered some of the questions about 5 Shakti Peethas. Do you still have a question? Feel free to comment or rate us by clicking the 5 stars. You are welcome to join our vibrant Facebook group