Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli
Also known as Bekhli Mata Temple, Bhekhli Devi Temple, Bhekhlasan Devi Temple, Mata Bhekhli, Jagannathi Mandir Bhekhli, Bhuvaneshwari Temple Bhekhli
Jagannathi Devi Temple in Bhekhli, Kullu, ranks among the valley's oldest Devi shrines, whose blessing opens the Kullu Dussehra Rath Yatra of Raghunath.
Photos of Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli
Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli at a Glance
| Location | Kullu, Himachal Pradesh |
|---|---|
| Presiding deity | Devi |
| Established | c. 6th century CE (approx. 1,500 years old; some estimates place construction in the 12th century CE) |
| Architecture | Pahari (Himachali) wooden hill-temple with Kath-Kuni elements; stone-and-deodar walls with carvings of Durga avatars |
| Timings | 06:00-21:00 daily |
| Address | Bhekhli Village, Bhekhli Road, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh 175101 |
History of Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli
Per local tradition, a shepherd boy once saw two girls dancing to the music of his flute; he caught one, who revealed herself as Devi Bhuvaneshwari and chose to settle in the village, after which the shrine was built. Archaeological estimates place the temple at roughly 1,500 years old, making it one of the oldest in the Kullu Valley. The temple walls carry carved images of various incarnations of Devi Parvati / Durga, and the murti is said to combine Gaddi-tribal and Rajasthani stylistic features. A unique local legend holds that when the Kullu royal family once tried to carry the deity's idol down to the Dussehra grounds at Kullu, iron hailstorms forced them to turn back, and her "chariot limps" as a reminder of that celestial conflict. Two annual fairs (April and June) and a Dussehra procession in which Mata Bhekhli joins the night-time "gur-khel" chariot ritual continue to be held.
Festivals Celebrated at Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli
- Kullu Dussehra (Rath Yatra)
- Baisakhi fair (April)
- Summer fair (June)
- Navratri
How to Reach Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli
Nearest airport: Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali) Airport, ~10-20 km. Nearest railhead: Joginder Nagar narrow-gauge (~110 km) or Chandigarh broad-gauge (~250 km). By road: Bhekhli village is ~8-14 km from Kullu town via Kullu-Bhekhli Road; accessible by local bus, taxi or shared jeep. The final approach is a stiff uphill trek of about 90 minutes from the road head.
Temples Near Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli
- Shani Deva Temple, KharalHimachal Pradesh · about 1 km in a straight line
- Sheetla Mata Mandir, KulluHimachal Pradesh · about 1 km in a straight line
- Maa Vaishno Devi Temple (Kullu)Himachal Pradesh · about 2 km in a straight line
- Shri Raghunath Temple, KulluHimachal Pradesh · about 2 km in a straight line
- Bijli Mahadev TempleHimachal Pradesh · about 7 km in a straight line
- Shri Basheshwar Mahadev Temple (Bishweshwar Temple)Himachal Pradesh · about 15 km in a straight line
More Devi Temples to Visit
- Tripura Sundari Mandir, NaggarHimachal Pradesh
- Hidimba Devi TempleHimachal Pradesh
- Shri Hanogi Mata TempleHimachal Pradesh
- Chaturbhuja Mata TempleHimachal Pradesh
- Mahishasurmardini Mata Temple, DhangsidharHimachal Pradesh
- Ancient Maa Sheetla MandirHimachal Pradesh
Frequently Asked Questions about Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli
Where is Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli located?
- Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli is located at Bhekhli Village, Bhekhli Road, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh 175101, in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Who is the presiding deity at Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli?
- The presiding deity at Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli is Devi (also known as Shakti, Durga), worshipped in the Shakta tradition.
What are the timings of Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli?
- Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli is generally open 06:00-21:00 daily. Timings can vary on festival days and special occasions — verify with the temple before your visit.
When was Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli built?
- Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli was established c. 6th century CE (approx. 1,500 years old; some estimates place construction in the 12th century CE). Portions of the structure have been added and renovated by successive dynasties over the centuries.
What is the architectural style of Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli?
- Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli is built in the Pahari (Himachali) wooden hill-temple with Kath-Kuni elements; stone-and-deodar walls with carvings of Durga avatars style, characteristic of Devi shrines of this region.
Which festivals are celebrated at Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli?
- The principal festivals celebrated at Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli include Kullu Dussehra (Rath Yatra), Baisakhi fair (April), Summer fair (June), Navratri. These draw large crowds of pilgrims from across Himachal Pradesh and beyond.
How can I reach Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli?
- Nearest airport: Bhuntar (Kullu-Manali) Airport, ~10-20 km. Nearest railhead: Joginder Nagar narrow-gauge (~110 km) or Chandigarh broad-gauge (~250 km). By road: Bhekhli village is ~8-14 km from Kullu town via Kullu-Bhekhli Road; accessible by local bus, taxi or shared jeep. The final approach is a stiff uphill trek of about 90 minutes from the road head.
Why is Jagannathi Devi Temple, Bhekhli significant?
- Jagannathi Devi Temple in Bhekhli, Kullu, ranks among the valley's oldest Devi shrines, whose blessing opens the Kullu Dussehra Rath Yatra of Raghunath.