History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Activities, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Tara Devi Temple, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
The Tara Devi Temple is situated in Shimla, which boasts of an excellent location with beautiful valleys around the hill making it a picturesque pilgrim destination. It is one of the most famous sightseeing places in Shimla and has a divine atmosphere to attract locals as well as tourists during festive seasons.
The tranquil setting of the temple makes one forget everything about your day-to-day worries of life with serene landscapes and ambience and is a place not less than a paradise for experience seekers. It is also widely acclaimed for its rich heritage and spiritual value. The temple undoubtedly offers vibes full of piety and devotion to the believers of Goddess Tara.
Architecture of Tara Devi Temple, Shimla
Featuring a Pahari-style architectural, the masterpiece the Tara Devi Temple, has been rebuilt entirely as the wood used in the construction had changed its textured due to the long exposure in the air. Inside the temple, the doors and the wooden structures have been carefully designed with the miniatures of different gods and Goddesses. Heavy usage of gold and silver can also be seen in the sacred place.
History of Tara Devi Temple, Shimla
Located at an altitude of 1,851 above sea level, the temple has recently regained its old charm and glory after great hard work of nearly three years. More than one and a half dozen artisans used to work day and night to replace the old structure and add beauty to its marvel. The Rohru artisans, using the ancient technique, worked on the woodcarving while the Kinnauri artisans contributed to the silver work.
The statue of Ma Tara was reinstalled on 20 July 2018, with due rituals elaborately performed by ninety priests. Presently, the temple also features the idols of Maa Saraswati, Maa Kali and Maa Bhagwati.
Legend behind Tara Devi Temple, Shimla
Dating its history back to around two hundred fifty years, the temple has an interesting mythological story behind its origination. According to the popular belief among the natives, the idol of Goddess Tara was brought from West Bengal to Himachal Pradesh by a King from the Sen dynasty, who had once come here. He brought along with him a small idol of his family deity in the form of a gold locket, which he used to wear as an ornament in his upper arm. While hunting in the dense jungle of Juggar, he forgot his path to go back home and fell asleep there. While sleeping, he dreamt that Goddess Tara and her gatekeepers, Lord Hanuman and Lord Bhairav requested him to unveil them to the locals. The Maharaja immediately decided to fulfil the desires of Maa Tara and donated about fifty bighas of land to construct this temple and a wooden idol of the deity was installed here for people to pray and seek blessings. Later, another king belonging to the same dynasty also had a vision in which Maa Tara wished to be on the hill top of Tarav Parvat. The temple was soon shifted there and a magnificent idol, made of Ashtadhatu was then installed in a grand ceremony. Since then, the members of Sen Dynasty follow the old traditions and worship their family Goddess on the Asthami day every year.
Festivals celebrated at Tara Devi Temple, Shimla
The festivals celebrated here are Navratri, Diwali and Dussehra. Fairs are being organised around the temple with a number of cultural programmes that mesmerises a devotee of the rich Hindu tradition since the ancient times.
Tara Devi Temple, Shimla Daily Temple Timings
The temple sis remained open on all days of the week from 7 am in the morning till 6:30 pm in the evening.
How to Reach Tara Devi Temple, Shimla, Capital of Himachal Pradesh, India
Shimla being one of the major tourist center along with capital, important district and city of Himachal Pradesh, it is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Millions of tourist across the world visits here throughout the year which makes Shimla more convenient in terms of travel, accommodation and other services. By road is the most common and easy way of transport to reach Shimla as highway from Delhi and Chandigarh are good in condition. The nearest major airport from Shimla is Chandigarh airport which is located just at a distance of around 110 km from the city. Kalka railway station is the nearest major rail junction which is at around 90 km from city. Shimla is located at 238 km from Manali, 112 km from Chandigarh, 200 km from Kullu, 340 km from Delhi, 485 km from Vaishnodevi, 205 km from Palampur, 115 km from Mandi and 186 km from Joginder nagar.
