Tara Devi Temple Shimla Himachal Pradesh Timings, History & Architecture
One of Shimla's religious temples is Tara Devi temple. The temple was built by King Bhupendra sen in 1766. The temple hours are from 7:00 AM to 6:30PM every day. Goddess Tara Devi, an incarnation of Kali matha, is worshipped.
Tara Devi Temple, Shimla:
Shimla is home to many religious sites with diverse cultures and traditions. Here are Hindus and Buddhists, but also people from other religions and cultures.
The temple is situated on Tarav Hill, so visitors and devotees must walk through dense forests to reach it. This temple is a great place to unwind and be in harmony with the natural world.
The Tara Devi temple is a very popular tourist attraction. From the temple, you can see tall mountains and forests filled with pine trees and greenery. It is situated 11km from the city center.
The temple is popular for its culture and traditions. Many believe that the goddess protects Shimla from all evil. Many people visit the temple in fulfillment of the promises they made to the goddess.
History of Tara Devi temple :
The temple, which dates back 250 years ago, has undergone several changes in recent years to draw more people. Nearly ten artisans designed the temple's new structure with stunning work replacing the old one.
In addition to Rohru artisans and Kinnauri craftsmen, the new temple structure was also built by them. Finally, the idol of Tara Devi was reinstalled on July 20, 2018, with many rituals.
A belief states that the idol of tara Devi is originally from West Bengal, and was later brought to Himachal Pradesh. According to legend, King Bhupendra sen brought a small gold locket from his family deity to Shimla when he visited.
The king fell asleep in the forest after he lost his way on his hunt. He woke up to a dream in which goddess tara Devi, Lord Hanuman, and Bhhairav asked him to build a temple.
The king gave 50 bighas of land to the temple construction immediately after his return. The temple was first equipped with a wooden idol representing the goddess tara Devi. Bhupendra sen was another king from the same dynasty. He saw tara Devi asking for permission to move the temple so that she could travel to Parvathy.
The temple was moved to the top of the hill, with an idol made from materials such as 'Astadatu,' which was installed in 1825. Every year since then, the sen dynasty's kings have worshipped the goddess tara on Asthami Day.
Tara Devi temple's architecture:
The temple is Pahar-style. The temple was constructed with wood. Because of the changes in texture caused by long exposure to air, the entire temple was rebuilt using another wood. The reconstruction of the temple cost nearly INR 6 million. The Himachal Pradesh state government owns this temple.
Devotees are welcomed to the temple by the wooden door at its entrance and the red spiritual symbols all around the temple walls.
A miniature of wood art is also found throughout the temple, showcasing the beauty of Indian architecture. The temple was redesigned largely by the Kinnauri and Rohu artisans.
Tara Devi temple timings:
The temple is accessible daily, but it closes on certain days such as solar eclipses or lunar eclipses.
| Day | Timings |
| Monday | 7:00 AM-6:30PM |
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM-6:30PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM-6:30PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM-6:30PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM-6:30PM |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM-6:30PM |
| Sunday | 7:00 AM-6:30PM |
Pooja timings:
Here Are Tara Devi Pooja Timings:
| Pooja | Timings |
| Mangala aarti | 8:00 AM |
| Bhog aarti | 12:00 PM |
| Shayana Aarti | 5:00 PM |
| Bhog | 5:30 PM |
The best time to visit:
Shimla can be visited at any time throughout the year. Visitors say that the best time to visit Shimla is between June-October.
It is situated on top of Tara Hill so it can be very cold in winter for people from other areas. The temple also hosts many festive events.
Accommodation:
Sukh Sagar Regency: This luxury hotel is located in Kacchi Gatti which is approximately 15 km from Shimla Airport.
Love Kush Cottage: The cottage is located 10.9 km from the city center and 16 kilometers from Shimla Airport.
Snow valley Heights is located in Upper Chakker. It is located 2.8km from Tara Devi temple. Shimla airport, 16.4 km, and Shimla’s old bus stand, 4.6 km are also within reach.
Larisa Shivamla It is located in Kachi Gatti, which lies just 2.7km from Tara Devi temple.
Other places near tara Devi temple
- Jahoo temple
- Hanuman Temple
- Chamunda Devi Temple
- Sankat mochan mandir
- Christ Church
- Mall Road
How do I reach Tara Devi temple?
By air, There are many flights to Shimla. The closest airport to Shimla has located 21km from Tara Devi temple.
By train At a distance of 34 km, Kalka Railway Station is the closest station.
By road, There are many private cars in the city. There are many public transport options as Shimla connects with other cities. Many tourists walk or trek to the temple.
Address:
NH.22. Kachi Ghati. Bagh. Shimla. Himachal Pradesh. 171001.
Tara Devi temple contact number:
Phone: 0177 2002150
FAQs
What's the purpose of Tara?
It is a single point-of-light that one can use to navigate, as the name suggests. It is both a Buddhist and Hindu temple.
Is goddess Durga identical to Tara Devi?
Some believe that she is Durga's form.
Whose wife, goddess Tara Devi, is it?
She is Brihaspathi's wife and the guru of devas.
When was the tara Devi temple constructed?
The temple was constructed in 1766 A.D.
