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Shimla, the beautiful hill station has a lot of enthusiasm packed in its name. Be it the magnificent landscape, or the beautiful weather or the spectacular nature Shimla offers a lot to its visitors. As popular as Shimla is regarding the tourist places here one thing is common in many of these locations. And that is the beauty that it offers. And if you are searching for a temple in Shimla to visit you cannot miss out on visiting the Kali Bari Temple Shimla. The Kali Bari Temple Shimla is one of the most revered Shakti temples in Shimla.
Furthermore a lot of historical as well as cultural relevance is attached to this temple. The location of this temple is surely an added bonus. It is a majestic, breathtakingly beautiful and culturally significant location. Moreover the devotees of this temple have a lot of faith in this ancient temple that further makes this a must visit spot in Shimla. In this article I will mention everything that you need to know about the Kali Bari Temple Shimla. Keep on reading this article and you will know exactly why this place is a must visit in your itinerary.
Kali Bari Temple Shimla
Address of Kali Bari Temple Shimla: Kali Bari Road, Fingask Estate, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Kali Bari Temple Shimla timings: 6 am to 7 pm on all days
Entry fee of Kali Bari Temple Shimla: No entry fee
How to reach Kali Bari Temple Shimla
The Kali Bari Temple is located very close to the Mall road in Shimla and you can easily access the location. However there are various modes of transport that you can avail to reach here.
By air
If you wish to travel by air the Jubbarhatti Airport is the nearest airport and from there you can take a cab or a car to reach the temple. Also the Chandigarh airport is the nearest airport. You can also travel via the Delhi International airport as well. Local buses and shared cabs are also available here to reach the temple from the airport.
By road
Local transport is one of the best options available here to travel within the city. You can easily get auto rickshaws here to travel to the temple. And if you are travelling from a far then local private buses are also available which you can opt for. Even cabs and shared taxis are available as well. The nearest bus stop to reach the temple is Shimla Old Bus Stand which is 1 km away from the temple.
By train
The Shimla Railway Station is only 1.5 km from the temple. So you can even walk on your feet to reach the temple from there.
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Best time to visit Kali Bari Temple Shimla
According to the weather it would be great if you visit here during the summer months. The summer time is the time when the weather of this location is very pleasant with mild cold. So you would be able to explore the area well. However in terms of festivals the best time to visit here would be between October to May. During this time most of the festivals happen here in full swing. Major festivals of a Kali temple are obviously Navratri and Diwali. According to popular beliefs the Goddess visits her own home Himalayas during this time with her full family during Navratri. Therefore Navratri is one of the festivals that witness a huge number of visitors every year. Many people from all over visit the temple during this time to offer their prayer to Maa Kali. The temple is at its fullest grandeur during this time.
Another special festival is obviously the festival of Deepawali. This is the time when the temple celebrates the win of the Goddess Kali over evil. Therefore this time also the temple gets engrossed in grand celebrations. Also the Special Aartis in the evening at 7 pm is one of the major attractions here. You can avoid visiting here during monsoon and snowfall season though. Both the times the road conditions worsen and that can be a dampener in your trip. So plan your visit accordingly.
Overview of Kali Bari Temple
Located on top of a hill the Shimla Kali Bari Temple is one of the most revered temples in Shimla. Other than that this is also a major sightseeing spot as well as a popular tourist destination. What makes this temple more alluring and attractive is the location of the temple. As it is located on a higher altitude it offers a gorgeous view of the whole area. You can enjoy an all encompassing view from the top of the hill. From valleys to mountain ranges to lush greenery the place offers a soothing landscape.
Additionally here the Goddess is extremely powerful according to the devotees. They are of the opinion that the Goddess used to reside in the Jakhoo Hill before she shifted her abode to the present location. Here the Goddess is a fiery reincarnation and is fierce and powerful. The people worship the Goddess as Maa Shyamala. Also it is from her name Shyamala that the city got its name Shimla. The significance of this temple therefore makes it a major site of pilgrimage for the devotees. You can get a lot of positive vibes by visiting the temple. Many people choose to sit over here or indulge in chanting. The atmosphere is serene and holy and it can refresh your mind.
Moreover the location is picturesque which you can further explore as well. You can also click some beautiful pictures here. However there is no permission for clicking photographs inside the temple though. So keep that in mind. It can be one of the most beautiful temples that you need to visit in Shimla.
Kali Bari Temple Shimla History
The origin of this temple goes back to 100 years ago. Ram Charan Brahmachari a Bengali Brahmin built this temple in Rothney Castle or Jakhoo Hill. This temple is one of the ancient temples in the city and a distinct Hindu architectural style is evident in the formation of the temple. Here the idol of Goddess Kali is blue in colour and it is a wooden idol. The idol here resembles the idol of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple to a lot of extent. However, that was the previous location of this temple. Later in time the British shifted this temple to a new location, Bantony Hill. In 1902 the Bengali people formed a trust for this temple with a majority of Bengali members.
Here the Goddess is someone that the devotees look up to. According to their belief the Goddess listens to everyone who visits here with a pure heart. One who visits here with utmost faith and belief, will get the blessings of the Goddess. The idol of the Goddess looks captivating adorning heavy jewellery. People visit here to gather strength and power from the Goddess to fight with problems in their lives.
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Things to remember before visiting Kali Bari Temple
There are a lot of monkeys here and most often they are very naughty. So take care of your belongings as they do have a habit of snatching things.
You can click photographs around the temple but once you are inside you cannot click any pictures. Refrain from clicking any pictures there as that is strictly prohibited.
If you are travelling with old people then reconsider visiting here as a short climb is necessary to reach the top of the temple. While it is not a very hard climb, people who are aged might have a problem. Also people with ailments like heart diseases or breathing trouble need to take care.
You will get a guest house inside the temple premise that you can opt for staying in. Also the place comes with its own canteen that serves delicious Bengali food. You can surely opt to have lunch or dinner from there if you want. The food is simple and tasty.
Wrapping Up!
Few temples hold a lot of importance for the devotees. And it is the faith that makes these temples such important temples as well. The faith, devotion and trust that the devotees have on the presiding deity makes these temples all the way more important. And the Kali Bari Temple Shimla is undoubtedly one such temple for the devotees. It is a popular sightseeing spot that a lot of tourists include in their itinerary, the whole ambience, location as well as the relevance of this temple attracts a lot of visitors here. Also for both locals as well as the tourists this is an important site of pilgrimage as well.
Moreover that is the reason why so many people visit this temple on a daily basis to pay their visit to the Goddess. So if you ever plan to visit the Shimla Kali Bari Temple you will understand how pure and serene the surroundings there are. Do let me know if this article is helpful for you in planning a visit to this majestic temple in Shimla.
