Bhimakali Temple Timings, Sarahan

Bhimakali Temple stands in Sarahan, Himachal Pradesh, honours Bhimakali, a form of Kali/Durga. It is also known as Bhimakali Mandir, Sarahan Temple.

The temple is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, sites where, according to legend, parts of the body of the goddess Sati fell as Vishnu's discus cut her body while Shiva carried it in grief; local tradition holds that her ear fell at this spot during the Daksha Yagna. Bhimakali Temple was long the seat of worship for the rulers of the Bushahr princely state, whose capital was Sarahan.

Himachal Pradesh carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Devbhoomi, the 'Land of the Gods', where a cluster of powerful Shakti Peethas, from the eternal flames of Jwala Ji to hilltop Naina Devi, draw pilgrims through the year.

Darshan hours and daily worship

Session	Timing (as published)
Morning	6:00 AM
Evening	7:00 PM

The temple is generally open through the day between these hours

Festivals and special-day timings

Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.

Festival	Period	What happens
Dussehra	Ashwin (September-October)	Celebrated at the temple with major festivities, historically including animal sacrifice

History and architecture

Built or establishedThe present temple structure was built in 1927; the site and an earlier temple are considerably older, with the temple traditionally described as around 800 years old and long associated with the former Bushahr princely state

Architecture

A distinctive fusion of Hindu hill-temple and Tibetan/Himalayan pagoda styles, with slanted slate roofs, gold-topped towers, carved wooden and silver doors, and bronze imagery reflecting both Buddhist and Hindu influence. The goddess's image is enshrined on the topmost storey, with a shrine to Parvati below, and additional shrines to Raghunathji, Narsingh and Patal Bhairava within the complex.

History

Bhimakali Temple was long the seat of worship for the rulers of the Bushahr princely state, whose capital was Sarahan. The original temple structure was damaged when it tilted in the powerful 1905 Kangra earthquake, and reports describe it as having straightened somewhat in a later tremor before the current structure was rebuilt in 1927.

Planning your visit

Entry feeNo entry fee; donations are accepted for temple upkeep

Dress codeFootwear and leather items must be left outside the main entrance (Simha Dwar); head covering is expected; photography is not permitted inside the main sanctum

NearbySarahan Palace complex, views toward the Shrikhand Mahadev peak, and the route onward to the Sangla and Kinnaur valleys

How to reach

Sarahan is about 165 km from Shimla, which has the nearest railway station and airport (Jubbarhatti); the town lies along the Hindustan-Tibet road in Shimla district and is typically reached by bus or hired taxi.

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Where this information comes from

Confidence: Medium. Non-Hindu entry policy could not be confirmed, and some historical details such as the exact original founding date vary across sources

Frequently asked questions about Bhimakali Temple

What is the timing of Bhimakali Temple?

Bhimakali Temple: 6:00 AM; 7:00 PM. The temple is generally open through the day between these hours

What are the darshan (visiting) hours at Bhimakali Temple?

As published, morning darshan runs 6:00 AM and evening darshan runs 7:00 PM. The temple is generally open through the day between these hours

Is there an entry fee at Bhimakali Temple?

No entry fee; donations are accepted for temple upkeep

What is the dress code at Bhimakali Temple?

Footwear and leather items must be left outside the main entrance (Simha Dwar); head covering is expected; photography is not permitted inside the main sanctum

Which festivals are celebrated at Bhimakali Temple?

The main ones documented for this temple are Dussehra. See the festival table above for dates and what each involves.

How do I reach Bhimakali Temple?

Who is the presiding deity at Bhimakali Temple?

Bhimakali, a form of Kali/Durga

What is the history of Bhimakali Temple?

Bhimakali Temple was long the seat of worship for the rulers of the Bushahr princely state, whose capital was Sarahan.

What else is worth seeing near Bhimakali Temple?

Sarahan Palace complex, views toward the Shrikhand Mahadev peak, and the route onward to the Sangla and Kinnaur valleys

How reliable is the information on this Bhimakali Temple page?

This listing's confidence is rated medium. Non-Hindu entry policy could not be confirmed, and some historical details such as the exact original founding date vary across sources

Bhimakali Temple Timings