Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple
Also known as Badol Devi Temple, Maa Badol Devi Mandir, Badoli Devi Mandir, Baba Badol Dev Mandir, Mata Badoli Devi, Shri Badoli Devi
Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple on a Sivalik hilltop near Gehrwin, Bilaspur, is a mother-goddess shrine drawing devotees for child protection and vows.
Photos of Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple
- Presiding Deity
- Devi
- Established
- Ancient / undated (legendary founding; no inscribed date)
- Architecture
- Pahari hilltop Devi shrine (whitewashed village mandir; small-scale)
- Address
- Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple, Badol village, Gehrwin, Jhanduta Tehsil, Bilaspur District, Himachal Pradesh 174034
- Timings
- Open daily, morning to evening (typical Pahari village-temple schedule, ~6:00 AM – 9:00 PM with a brief midday closure). No official printed schedule — confirm locally in Gehrwin or with the Jhanduta SDM office.
History of Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple
According to local founding legend, an elderly villager named Bhura kept a cowshed at the present temple site. One day his cow began shedding milk by herself onto a particular stone — a sign taken to indicate the Devi had chosen her seat (pindi) there. When this omen reached the Raja of Bilaspur, the king sent his two queens to investigate; the legend says the queens each built a shrine at the spot, and only the one built with pure faith endured as the present temple. The temple's deity is venerated as a form of Durga / Devi and is linked in oral tradition with Sheetla Devi (the small-pox / child-protection goddess) as her younger sister. The present structure is a modest whitewashed village mandir that has been repaired and repainted by the community over time; no original construction date is recorded in any public source. It draws a steady stream of regional pilgrims, especially during the two Navratris and the local Chaitra mela.
Festivals Celebrated at Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple
- Chaitra Navratri
- Sharad Navratri
- Local Chaitra Mela (March–April)
- Sheetla Ashtami
How to Reach Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple
Nearest airports: Shimla / Jubbarhatti ~80-90 km and Chandigarh ~130 km. Nearest broad-gauge railhead: Kiratpur Sahib / Anandpur Sahib ~50-60 km, with Una as a secondary option. By road: take the Gehrwin-Dhanthar road; the temple is ~3 km from Gehrwin village, in Jhanduta tehsil. Approach from Bilaspur town (~25-35 km) via NH-205 and state highway to Jhanduta, then local road to Gehrwin. HRTC buses and shared taxis run from Bilaspur to Jhanduta/Gehrwin.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple
Where is Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple located?
- Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple is located at Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple, Badol village, Gehrwin, Jhanduta Tehsil, Bilaspur District, Himachal Pradesh 174034, in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Who is the presiding deity at Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple?
- The presiding deity at Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple is Devi (also known as Shakti, Durga), worshipped in the Shakta tradition.
What are the timings of Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple?
- Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple is generally open Open daily, morning to evening (typical Pahari village-temple schedule, ~6:00 AM – 9:00 PM with a brief midday closure). No official printed schedule — confirm locally in Gehrwin or with the Jhanduta SDM office.. Timings can vary on festival days and special occasions — verify with the temple before your visit.
When was Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple built?
- Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple was established Ancient / undated (legendary founding; no inscribed date). Portions of the structure have been added and renovated by successive dynasties over the centuries.
What is the architectural style of Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple?
- Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple is built in the Pahari hilltop Devi shrine (whitewashed village mandir; small-scale) style, characteristic of Devi shrines of this region.
Which festivals are celebrated at Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple?
- The principal festivals celebrated at Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple include Chaitra Navratri, Sharad Navratri, Local Chaitra Mela (March–April), Sheetla Ashtami. These draw large crowds of pilgrims from across Himachal Pradesh and beyond.
How can I reach Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple?
- Nearest airports: Shimla / Jubbarhatti ~80-90 km and Chandigarh ~130 km. Nearest broad-gauge railhead: Kiratpur Sahib / Anandpur Sahib ~50-60 km, with Una as a secondary option. By road: take the Gehrwin-Dhanthar road; the temple is ~3 km from Gehrwin village, in Jhanduta tehsil. Approach from Bilaspur town (~25-35 km) via NH-205 and state highway to Jhanduta, then local road to Gehrwin. HRTC buses and shared taxis run from Bilaspur to Jhanduta/Gehrwin.
Why is Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple significant?
- Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple on a Sivalik hilltop near Gehrwin, Bilaspur, is a mother-goddess shrine drawing devotees for child protection and vows.
Is there an entry fee at Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple?
- Entry to the main shrine of Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple 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 Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple?
- Shri Badoli Devi Ji Temple 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.