Baglamukhi Temple, Kangra (Bankhandi): Story, Timings & How to Reach
माँ बगलामुखीA goddess dressed in yellow, a lake of turmeric in the old stories, and havan fires that burn late into the night.
Maa Baglamukhi — Pitambara Maa, the goddess in yellow — has one of her three great shrines at Bankhandi in Kangra district, right on the Chandigarh–Dharamshala highway. Here is her story, the yellow offerings and night havans, darshan timings, festival days and the easiest ways to reach the temple.
- NH503 roadside on the Chandigarh–Dharamshala highway
- ~5 am–9:30 pm usual darshan hours
- ~24 km from Jwala Ji
- 8th Mahavidya of the ten wisdom goddesses
Where is Baglamukhi temple in Kangra and why do people visit?
Baglamukhi temple stands at Bankhandi, near Dehra in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, on the Chandigarh–Dharamshala highway (NH503) — about 24 km from Jwala Ji. Devotees come to the yellow-robed goddess, the eighth Mahavidya, for her protection, offering yellow flowers and sweets and performing havans. Darshan is generally about 5 am – 9:30 pm.
Maa Baglamukhi — also written Bagalamukhi, and called Pitambara Maa, the goddess clad in yellow — is the eighth of the ten Mahavidyas, the wisdom goddesses of the Shakta tradition. She is linked with stambhana, the power to halt and to silence: devotees ask her to still false speech, quarrels and obstacles. She is often shown holding a club. At Bankhandi her sanctum is bright yellow, and shrines of Shiva, Bhairava and Hanuman stand close by.
Not the Datia or Nalkheda temple. India has three famous Baglamukhi shrines: this one at Bankhandi in Kangra, Himachal, the Pitambara Peeth at Datia and the temple at Nalkheda — both in Madhya Pradesh. There is also a smaller Baglamukhi temple in Una district. Bankhandi is revered as a Siddha Peeth, but it is not one of the classical 51 Shakti Peeths; many families still visit it on the Himachal Devi circuit, between Jwala Ji, Kangra Devi and Chintpurni.
The story of Baglamukhi temple, Kangra
Retold in our own words from the traditions the Kangra district and temple keep — told as belief, not history.
- A storm over the worldLong ago, it is said, a terrible storm rose that threatened to destroy all of creation, and even the gods could not calm it.
- The lake of turmericAt Vishnu’s prayer the goddess rose from a lake of turmeric, dressed in yellow, and stilled the storm. That is why everything at her temple is yellow.
- Rama's havanLocal tradition holds that Rama, guided by Hanuman, worshipped Baglamukhi here before the war with Ravana and received the Brahmastra. A havan kund is pointed out as the place of his havan.
- Raised in one nightAnother local belief says the Pandavas built a temple here in a single night during their exile. Devotees still come to her for protection and strength.
The recorded story is younger. The present shrine is believed to have been built in the early 1800s by the former rulers of Guler, devotees of the goddess, after they lost Kotla fort to Maharaja Ranjit Singh (The Tribune, 2026). Today it is listed on the Himachal government’s Kangra Temples portal and draws its biggest crowds on Baglamukhi Jayanti and in Navratri.
Baglamukhi temple Kangra timings and darshan
| Darshan | Generally about 5 am – 9:30 pm (Kangra district) — confirm locally |
| Aarti | Times not published officially — confirm locally. Special prayers at Brahma Muhurta and an evening aarti |
| Colour of the day | Yellow — devotees wear yellow and offer yellow flowers, turmeric garlands, yellow mustard (peeli sarson) and besan laddoos |
| Havan | Havans and yajnas, often at night, are offered at the havan kunds for protection and for success in disputes — a matter of faith. Arrange them only through the temple counter |
| Busiest days | Baglamukhi Jayanti, Navratri, Guru Purnima and Vasant Panchami |
Based on the Kangra district and Kangra Temples (HP government) pages and The Tribune’s 2026 Jayanti report, checked 22 Oct 2026. Hours are ‘generally’ — please confirm locally, especially for night havans.
Festival days at Baglamukhi temple
| What | Date | Status / source |
|---|---|---|
| Baglamukhi Jayanti | Vaishakh Shukla Ashtami (April–May) | A 3-day festival with the year’s biggest crowds; in 2026 it fell in late April (The Tribune). 2027 date: confirm with the temple or a panchang |
| Chaitra Navratri 2027 | From 7 Apr 2027 | Very crowded; book stays early |
| Sharad Navratri 2027 | Not announced yet | Usually Sept–Oct |
| Guru Purnima, Vasant Panchami | Every year | Crowded festival days (Kangra district) |
Festival dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar. We print a date only once it is confirmed.
How to reach Baglamukhi temple, Bankhandi
By road
The temple is right on NH503 (Chandigarh–Dharamshala). About 16 km from Dehra, about 23 km from Kangra town, about 24 km from Jwala Ji and about 36 km from Chintpurni. Buses and taxis run from Kangra, Dharamshala and Pathankot.
By air
Gaggal (Kangra) airport is about 35–40 km by road.
By rail
Kangra Mandir on the narrow-gauge Pathankot–Joginder Nagar line is about 25–40 km away (confirm the route). The nearest broad-gauge station is Pathankot, about 98 km.
From our office
Ghumarwin, where our office is, is about 102 km away — an easy day on a Himachal Devi yatra.
A simple Baglamukhi and Kangra Devi trip
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Day 1Baglamukhi and Jwala Ji
Morning darshan at Baglamukhi, Bankhandi; drive about 24 km to Jwala Ji for the evening aarti. Night at Jwalamukhi.
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Day 2Kangra Devi and Chamunda
Darshan at Brajeshwari (Kangra Devi), then on to Chamunda Devi near Dharamshala.
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Day 3Chintpurni or home
Return via Chintpurni (about 36 km from Bankhandi), or head home via Pathankot or Chandigarh.
Every yatra is planned for your dates, group and pace — Price: Get Quote.
Before you go
- Wear something yellowNot required, but most devotees do — and yellow flowers and besan laddoos are the usual offering.
- Havans through the templeIf you want a havan, book it only at the temple counter. Be wary of anyone promising results or quoting prices on the roadside or online.
- Beat the crowdsJayanti and Navratri bring very long queues. A weekday morning is the calmest darshan, especially with elders.
- Easy for eldersIt is a roadside temple on the highway with a short walk from parking — one of the easier Devi darshans in Kangra.
Plan your Baglamukhi darshan with Suzu
Kangra is in our home hills. We can plan a calm weekday darshan, a Navratri or Jayanti visit, or add Baglamukhi to your Jwala Ji, Kangra Devi, Chamunda and Chintpurni yatra.
Questions pilgrims ask
Where is Baglamukhi temple in Himachal?
At Bankhandi near Dehra in Kangra district, right on the Chandigarh–Dharamshala highway (NH503) — about 23 km from Kangra town.
What are Baglamukhi temple Kangra timings?
Generally about 5 am to 9:30 pm, according to the Kangra district site. Aarti times are not published officially, so please confirm locally.
Why is everything yellow at Baglamukhi temple?
Yellow — pitambara — is the goddess’s colour. In tradition she rose from a lake of turmeric dressed in yellow, so devotees wear yellow and offer yellow flowers, turmeric and besan laddoos.
Why do people perform havan at Baglamukhi?
Devotees perform havans, often at night, seeking the goddess’s protection and success in disputes and court cases. It is a matter of faith; book a havan only through the temple.
Is Baglamukhi Kangra a Shakti Peeth?
It is revered as a Siddha Peeth of one of the ten Mahavidyas, but it is not in the classical 51 Shakti Peeth lists. It is also not one of the traditional nine Devis, though many 9-Devi trips add it.
How far is Baglamukhi temple from Jwala Ji?
About 24 km by road. Kangra town and Brajeshwari (Kangra Devi) are about 23 km away and Chintpurni about 36 km.
Which are the three main Baglamukhi temples in India?
Bankhandi in Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), the Pitambara Peeth at Datia and the temple at Nalkheda — both in Madhya Pradesh.
When is Baglamukhi Jayanti?
On Vaishakh Shukla Ashtami, in April–May; in 2026 it fell in late April. Check the 2027 date with the temple or a panchang.
Keep exploring
Jwala Ji, KangraThe Devi as living flame, with no idol
Kangra Devi (Brajeshwari)Shakti Peeth of Nagarkot, clad in butter
Chintpurni, UnaChhinnamastika, ringed by four Shiva shrinesAll pilgrimage toursJyotirlingas, Shakti Peeths, Char Dham & moreYatras & circuits
Seasonal yatras
Temple guides
Planning guides
Sources
- Kangra district (official) — Shri Bagalamukhi Mata Temple
- Kangra Temples, HP government — Bagalamukhi Temple
- The Tribune — Tide of faith sweeps Baglamukhi shrine on Jayanti (24 Apr 2026)
- Wikipedia — Bagalamukhi Temple, Bankhandi
- Wikipedia — Bagalamukhi
- Wikipedia — Bagalamukhi Temple, Nalkheda
Photo credits
Golden domes of Jwala Ji over the temple courtyard — Photo: Ms Sarah Welch, CC0 · The Dhauladhar above the Kangra valley — Photo: Aaryan.kumar.rana, CC0 · The wish-thread tree in the Chintpurni temple — Photo: Guptaele, CC BY-SA 4.0
Legends are retold in our own words as traditions. Animations are original artwork by Suzu Travels.
