Himachal Pradesh Government Temple Trusts
Government department · Shimla (Language, Art and Culture Department); individual trusts at district headquarters
Under the 1984 Act, the Himachal government has notified and taken over major temples since 1984–85. Each is run by a trust chaired by the local Deputy Commissioner, with a temple officer handling daily administration while hereditary pujaris carry on worship. The best known are the Shakti shrines of Chintpurni, Jwalamukhi, Naina Devi, Brajeshwari and Chamunda, plus Baba Balak Nath at Deotsidh. Shimla-area temples such as Tara Devi, Jakhoo, Bhima Kali (Sarahan) and Hatkoti are also included. Temple funds go to pilgrim facilities, religious and charitable work, and sometimes state relief funds.
How it is run
Each government-controlled temple has its own trust, chaired by the district's Deputy Commissioner (District Magistrate) as temple commissioner; trustees (up to 25, for five-year terms) are appointed by the state Commissioner (Temples), and the temples fall under the Language, Art and Culture Department.
Tips for pilgrims
- Each temple trust runs its own website or counters; check the trust site or the district administration for timings and any online booking.
- Navratri (Chaitra and Ashwin) brings very large crowds to the Shakti temples.
- Many devotees do the five-temple Shakti circuit of Chintpurni, Jwalamukhi, Brajeshwari, Chamunda and Naina Devi.
Temples it runs
- Mata Shri Chintpurni Temple – Chintpurni, Una district
- Shri Jawalamukhi Temple – Jawalamukhi, Kangra district
- Shri Naina Devi Temple – Naina Devi, Bilaspur district
- Shri Brajeshwari (Vajreshwari) Devi Temple – Kangra town, Kangra district
- Shri Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham – Near Palampur, Kangra district
- Baba Balak Nath Temple, Deotsidh – Chakmoh, Hamirpur district
- Aadi Himani Chamunda – Hilltop above Chamunda, Kangra district
- Bhima Kali Temple – Sarahan, Shimla district
- Durga (Hateshwari) Mata Temple – Hatkoti, Jubbal, Shimla district
- Hanuman Temple, Jakhoo – Jakhoo hill, Shimla
- Lakshmi Narayan Temple – Chamba town, Chamba district
- Mahamaya Bala Sundari Temple – Trilokpur, Sirmaur district
- Shulini Mata Mandir – Solan, Solan district
- Tara Devi Temple – Tara Devi hill, Shimla district
- Trilokinath Temple – Trilokinath, Udaipur, Lahaul and Spiti district