Maa Baglamukhi Temple: Powerful Tantrik Siddhapeeth in Kangra, near Dharamshala

Surrounded by the scenic Himalayan foothills in Bankhandi, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, Maa Baglamukhi Temple is a powerful Siddhapeeth that has continued to attract devotees through the ages. The beautiful temple complex pulsates with an energy that is difficult to describe.

​

Maa Baglamukhi is one of the ten Mahavidyas, an immensely powerful Tantrik goddess who is known to paralyse the enemies of her devotees and protect them from evil forces. People come here from far-flung places to perform rituals and seek her blessings, particularly for resolving legal disputes and winning court cases. The temple is known to attract politicians, film stars, and other celebrities, who visit here to take part in havans and special Tantrik rituals.

The goddess is known as Pitambara (clothed in yellow). And, as one steps into the temple precincts, one is greeted by a sea of yellow. As I joined the queue to enter the temple, it was fascinating to see almost everyone dressed in bright yellow, from elderly devotees to the Gen Z to little children. Yellow being the favourite colour of the goddess, most pilgrims who come here to seek her blessings wear the same coloured clothes. Even the temple structure is in striking yellow, and the sweets offered to the goddess are the ubiquitous yellow laddoos.

It took us quite some time to reach the sanctum sanctorum as the queue was long, but even standing for a long time, I could feel as if I was participating in a special festival among brightly dressed devotees who all seemed so excited and keen to have a darshan of the goddess.

Inside, we were allowed only a quick darshan of the beautiful dark vigraha of Maa Baglamukhi, with Maa Lakshmi and Maa Saraswati on either side. But even those few minutes were enough – I felt wonderfully blessed and fulfilled.

After exiting from the main temple building, we walked towards the huge havan kunds where large groups of people were sitting and following the rituals guided by the priests. They would have come from far and near to appease the goddess and seek her blessings to be free from many challenging situations in life – whether a tough court case, constant trouble being caused by enemies, or protection from negative forces, and other insurmountable problems.

​

According to local beliefs, it was the Pandavas who built this temple in Dwapar Yuga during their exile. The Bankhandi (Kangra) Siddhapeeth is among the three most important Maa Baglamukhi temples in the country. The other two are located in Datia and Nalkheda, in Madhya Pradesh.

​

How to reach: The temple is about an hour’s drive from Dharamshala. Kangra Airport, also known as Gaggal Airport, is the nearest. Chandigarh is about 5 hours drive away.

​

Accommodation: Different categories of hotels are available in Dharamshala, as per one’s budget.

​

​

​