Chandika Devi Temple

Kalpa is a small village at a height of 2960 meter in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Chandika Devi Kothi Kalpa-Kothi village is situated between Rekong-Pio and Kalpa. The main attraction of the temple is the huge chariot of the goddess. This chariot remains inside the temple. On this, the gold idols of the mother are furnished. Another name for Chandika Devi is also Shuvang Chandika. Chandika is the powerful and wealthy goddess of Kinnaur. It is believed that it is one of the eighteen sons and daughters of Goddess Banasura. Banasura married Hiram Rakshasi.

The architecture of this temple is unique with a shikhara or the superstructure made of slate stone in an inverted cone fashion. The temple has an unusual architectural style and fine sculpture. Seated in an ark, there is an image of gold. By four persons at the time of worship, it is danced up and down.

Dakreini– This is the second major fair held every year in the month of Sawan. Animal sacrifice is prohibited here. Devi Chandika is cast out as Rathang and the people of the village dance around her. Flowers are offered to the goddess from the kanda. Those who have died in the house within a year go to the tomb and give fruits and food to the shepherds in memory of the fathers. The dead soul bears a white flag for peace.

Best time to visit

During summer, it will be the pleasant kind of cold. In winter season, it starts to snow here and temperature remains below 0 degrees Celsius. Monsoon arrives towards late July and remains until late August during which, it can rain here anytime. We suggest plan in summer months only.

How to reach ?

By Road: Once you reach Shimla it will take 9 hours to reach Sangla which is approximately 267 km. Cab will pass through Fagu, Theog, Narkanda and Rampur.

By train: The nearest Railway station is in Shimla and it is 267 km from Kalpa.

By Air: The nearest airport is at Shimla,267 km. from Kalpa

Narayan Nagini Temple

Narayan Nagini Temple is situated on the top of a hill at Chini Village in Kinnaur District. The Temple Located quite close to the Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar monastery. This temple is supposed to be 5000 yrs old and carries significant importance to Indian mythology of Mahabharata. According to the local folklore. Like most other villages of the Kinnaur, Hinduism had co-existed with Buddhism. People of Kalpa were no exception to the common tradition of the Kinnauri’s. The view of Kinnaur Kailash snow caped mountain is memorizing. It’s must visit place in Kalpa.

You can reach the temple by going further inside the hamlet from Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar Monastery. It’s hardly at a walk of 5 minutes from the monastery.

Best time to visit

During summer, it will be the pleasant kind of cold. In winter season, it starts to snow here and temperature remains below 0 degrees Celsius. Monsoon arrives towards late July and remains until late August during which, it can rain here anytime. We suggest plan in summer months only.

How to reach ?

By Air: The nearest airport is at Shimla,267 km. from Kalpa.

By road: Once you reach Shimla it will take 9 hours to reach Sangla which is approximately 267 km. Cab will pass through Fagu, Theog, Narkanda and Rampur.

By train: The nearest Railway station is in Shimla and it is 267 km from Kalpa.

Temples in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh, which is often described as the abode of the Gods, is dotted with temples, literally one in every hamlet. The splendid heights of the Himalayan ranges, with its great scenic beauty and aura of spiritual calm seem the natural home of the Gods. Two thousands or more temples all over the State, reiterate this fact. Most of the temples have legends dating back to centuries, some as old as mankind itself. Almost every temple has some kind of fair or festival connected with it.

Himachal Pradesh is one place where pilgrimage and nature both blend in perfect harmony. With some world known temples and monasteries, pilgrimage is a natural tourism attraction here. The legends and mysteries of the pilgrimages here just go deeper than one can expect. The temples here turn into centers of huge gatherings and attraction during festivals and fairs.

Plan a vacation tour to Himachal Pradesh and discover the legends and mysteries behind the century old temples and religious places of Himachal Pradesh so you can enjoy the trip.

The temples are not merely the religious shrines but are also the centers of vibrant social life resulting in peace, harmony and exalted spiritual life. The People of Himachal are Very religious-minded and have great faith in their gods and deities.

Almost every village in Himachal Pradesh has its own temple. Himachal Pradesh witness as many Gods as there are villages. It is believed that there are around two thousands or more temples all over the state.

Baijnath Temple, Jwalaji Temple, Chintpurni Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, Naina Devi Temple and  Baba Balak Nath Temple are some of the famous temples of Himachal Pradesh, which are known for their dignity.

Himachal Pradesh is the meeting point of many religions, be it Hinduism Sikhism or Buddhism.

The Manikaran Gurudwara and Paonta Sahib Gurudwara are the famous Gurudwara’s in Himachal Pradesh.

The monasteries of Lahaul and Spiti, the epicenter of Buddhism, are world known. Tabo Monastery is one of them

Architecture

Himachal Pradesh has many interesting and architecturally very diverse ones. In the Kangra and Chamba valleys there are several 8th to 10th- century temples in the Indo-Aryan shikhar style. Pagoda style temple with multi-tiered roof are found in the Kullu Valley. There are many temples of purely local design, often with interesting woodcarvings, particularly in the Chamba region.

In the south of the state there are numerous temples with elements of Mughal and Sikh design, while in several locations there are cave temples. Finally the Tibetans who came to the state following the Chinese invasion of their country brought their own designs of gompas (monasteries) and temples.

Tabo Monastery in Himachal Pradesh

For centuries the trans Himalayan tracts of Spiti, Lahaul and Ladakh have been enveloped by a grand mystic aura. Behind this veil of geographical isolation and mystery lay wonders, that are unfathomable even today.

Tabo is a small town in the Lahul and Spiti district on the banks of the Spiti River in Himachal Pradesh, India. The town lies on the road between Rekong Peo and Kaza the sub-divisional headquarters of Spiti.

In the insurmountable heights of Spiti, lies the Buddhist gompa, monastery of Tabo, established in 996 A.D.

The Tabo monastery (also referred to as Tabo Chos-hKhor – ‘doctrinal circle’ or ‘doctrinal enclave’) is a complex that holds nine temples, 23 chortens, a monks’ chamber and an extension that houses the nuns’ chamber.

On the sheer cliff-face above the enclave are a series of caves which were used as dwellings by the monks and includes an ‘assembly hall’. Faint traces of the paintings that once embellished the rock face can be discerned. Even today, Tabo holds the distinction of being the largest monastic complex in Spiti. Constructed in 996 AD, Tabo was the brainchild of the great translator and teacher, Rinchensang Po.

Location of Tabo Monstry

Upto Shimla by air, rail or road. By road from Shimla to Tabo the distance is 365 kms. This is via Narkanda, Rampur, Jeori, Wnagtu, Karcham, Powari, Jangi, Puh, Khab, Chango and Hurling.

Upto Kullu by air or road. By road from Kullu to Tabo the distance is 295 km via rohtang Pass, Gramphoo, Batal, Kunzam Pass and Kaza. This happens to be a more demanding route.

Climate

Extremely cold during winter and difficult to approach, temperature drops well below even – 20 degrees, cold during summer. Rainfall is almost zero. Heavy Woolens are required, both in summer and winter months like shawls, sweater etc.