Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour
Also known as Lakshna Devi Temple, Oldest Wooden Temple in India
Lakshana Devi Temple in Bharmour, Chamba, dating to around 700 CE, is widely cited as India's oldest surviving wooden temple, with a bronze Durga icon.
Photos of Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour
- Presiding Deity
- Devi
- Established
- c. 700 CE (built by Raja Meruvarman)
- Architecture
- Wooden pagoda-style Pahari temple, among the oldest surviving wooden structures in the Himalayas
- Address
- Bharmour, Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh 176315
- Timings
- Open daily, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
History of Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour
Raja Meruvarman commissioned the temple during his reign at Bharmour, then the capital of the Chamba hill state, and its bronze Durga image is considered one of the finest and earliest surviving examples of Himalayan bronze-casting, comparable in importance to the Narasimha and Ganesha bronzes attributed to the same sculptor elsewhere in Chamba. The temple's wooden shikhara and carved doorframe have survived for over 1,300 years despite the region's heavy monsoon and snow, making it a site of major importance to historians of early Himalayan wood architecture. It is protected as a monument of national importance.
Festivals Celebrated at Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour
- Manimahesh Yatra (August-September)
- Navratri
How to Reach Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour
Nearest airport: Kangra (Gaggal) Airport (~180 km). Nearest railhead: Pathankot (~120 km). By road: within the Chaurasi temple courtyard at Bharmour, 65 km from Chamba town.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour
Where is Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour located?
- Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour is located at Bharmour, Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh 176315, in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Who is the presiding deity at Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour?
- The presiding deity at Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour is Devi (also known as Shakti, Durga), worshipped in the Shakta tradition.
What are the timings of Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour?
- Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour is generally open Open daily, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Timings can vary on festival days and special occasions — verify with the temple before your visit.
When was Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour built?
- Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour was established c. 700 CE (built by Raja Meruvarman). Portions of the structure have been added and renovated by successive dynasties over the centuries.
What is the architectural style of Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour?
- Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour is built in the Wooden pagoda-style Pahari temple, among the oldest surviving wooden structures in the Himalayas style, characteristic of Devi shrines of this region.
Which festivals are celebrated at Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour?
- The principal festivals celebrated at Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour include Manimahesh Yatra (August-September), Navratri. These draw large crowds of pilgrims from across Himachal Pradesh and beyond.
How can I reach Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour?
- Nearest airport: Kangra (Gaggal) Airport (~180 km). Nearest railhead: Pathankot (~120 km). By road: within the Chaurasi temple courtyard at Bharmour, 65 km from Chamba town.
Why is Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour significant?
- Lakshana Devi Temple in Bharmour, Chamba, dating to around 700 CE, is widely cited as India's oldest surviving wooden temple, with a bronze Durga icon.
Is there an entry fee at Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour?
- Entry to the main shrine of Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour is generally free for darshan. Special sevas, abhishekams and priority queues may carry a nominal fee — check with the temple office on arrival.
What is the dress code at Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour?
- Lakshana Devi Temple, Bharmour follows the traditional dress code observed at Himachal Pradesh temples — modest attire covering shoulders and knees. Many shrines in the region also expect men to remove upper garments before entering the sanctum.