Religious

Naina Devi

Naina Devi is the first in the list of most popular pilgrimage sites in Himachal Pradesh .This temple located in Bilaspur district at an altitude of 1177 meters. It is said Goddess Sati burnt herself, this made Lord Shiva furious. When Lord Shiva gets enraged he performs his Tandav Dance, and so he did holding Goddess Sati on his shoulders.

This further led Lord Vishnu to strike his Chakra cutting the body parts of Goddess Sati in several pieces; and her eyes fell to this temple. Pilgrims visit Naina Devi Mandir carrying faith in their hearts that Mata Naina Devi will eradicate all the problems from their life and bestow prosperity upon them.

Jwalamukhi Temple

The temple lies in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and counted in most visited pilgrimage sites of Himachal Pradesh. Jwalamukhi got its name from Jwala (flame) and mukhi (mouth). The idol of this temple is one of its kind; an eternal flame in the rocks.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Jwala and it is believed that here is Goddess Sati's tongue fell after being struck by Vishnu’s Chakra. The flame is covered with a dome made of gold, and the gold was gifted by Akbar. The gold turned into an unknown metal later and people said that the goddess did not accept his offering.

Baijnath Temple

Baijnath temple lies in a small town in Dhauladhar Range and one of the most religious pilgrimage site in Himachal Pradesh. This one thousand year old temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. A great throng of pilgrims visit Baijnath temple especially in Shivratri festival.

There are inscriptions on the wall interpreting the story of Baijnath temple. It is believed that Devil Ravana worshipped the lord here. This temple is made of Nagri style of architecture. After being dilapidated because of an earthquake, it was renovated by Raja Sansar Chand.

Hadimba Devi

Hadimba Devi temple is the most popular temple in Manali and has triangular top divided into three segments. The temple has four storeys and is made up of wood. Hadimba was mother of Ghatotkach and used to come here to meditate and escape from the misdeeds of his brother who was a devil. The main thing for which this 500 year old temple is revered is the footprint of Mata Hadimba.

The temple was built by Raja Bahadur Singh and receives even higher number of pilgrims during the fair or mela “Saroohni” in his remembrance. On the birthday of Mata Hadimba Devi, ladies come from nearby and faraway towns to celebrate this day by worshipping her with even higher zeal.

Baba Balaknath

This caved temple in the border of Hamirpur and Bilaspur is believed to be home of Baba Balaknath with his idol in it. His shrine is also known as Deotsingh. Pilgrims come from different corners and offer him gud ki roti and goats (they are not slaughtered but fed).

Though women are not allowed near the deity but the can have darshan from a distance. Looking at the increasing number of crowd, government has put efforts to provide them with lodge, transport and other facilities.

Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara

This is the most sanctified shrines of Sikhs; the Gurudwara was built to commemorate the visit of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. In 1574, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was on a tour with his disciple Bhai Mardana to different places where he preached life lessons and Manikaran was his last stopover. Manikaran Gurudwara is also known for its hot spring.

This was the spot where Nanak ji sat, upon a stone, and later asked his disciple to lift it. And when it was removed, hot spring emerged. It is believed that dipping one’s body in the hot water from the spring makes them attain a place in heaven and have a prosperous life.