Brajeshwari Devi Temple Kangra: Timings, History, Route

Facts checked November 2026.

Brajeshwari Devi, known to most families simply as Kangra Devi or Kangra wali Mata, is one of the main Devi temples of Himachal. It sits in the old town of Kangra, near Kangra Fort. Many pilgrims visit it together with Jwala Ji, Chamunda Devi, Chintpurni and Naina Devi as one Himachal Devi darshan yatra.

This page is part of our 51 Shakti Peeth List guide. Planning the yatra? See our Shakti Peeth yatra packages.

Why is Brajeshwari Devi called a Shakti Peeth?

As per tradition, Sati gave up her life at her father Daksha’s yagya. In grief, Lord Shiva carried her body and began the Tandav. To save the world, Lord Vishnu divided the body into parts with his Sudarshan Chakra. The places where the parts fell became Shakti Peeths. The temple trust and the Kangra district website both say that Sati’s left breast fell at Nagarkot, which is why this temple is counted as a Shakti Peeth.

The Kangra district site speaks of 51 parts and Incredible India counts it among the 51 Shakti Peeths, though other traditions give different counts. To learn how the Shakti Peeths fit together, read our Shakti Peeth yatra guide.

What is the history of the Kangra Devi temple?

As per the temple trust, the first temple was built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata period. Goddess Durga appeared to them in a dream, said she lived in Nagarkot, and asked them to build her a temple. The legend says they built it the same night.

The temple was once known for great wealth, including gold and silver bells. The Kangra district website says it was looted many times, starting with Mahmud of Ghazni from 1009 AD; the temple trust and Incredible India say he plundered it at least five times. The district site also records that Firoz Shah Tughlaq destroyed it in 1360 AD and that Akbar later restored it. The complex has a statue of Dhyanu Bhagat, a devotee remembered in local legend.

The 1905 earthquake: The great Kangra earthquake of 1905 destroyed the temple. All official sources agree on this. They differ on when it was rebuilt. The temple trust says the government rebuilt it within a year. Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism) says it was restored in 1920, and a Kangra district page says it was rebuilt in the 1920s with donations, including from Sikh devotees of Amritsar.

Inside the complex you will also see a nagarkhana (drum house) over the main gate, a stone wall around the temple like a fort, and a small Bhairav temple.

What are the darshan and aarti timings?

These timings are from the official temple trust website. The trust lists separate summer and winter timings but does not give the exact date of change, so confirm at the temple office if you visit around March or October.

During Navratri fairs, the trust says langar is served from afternoon until night. The trust website also offers an online darshan parchi, which needs you to sign up first. Timings can change on festival days and in heavy rush.

What is the Ghrit Mandal (butter) festival at Makar Sankranti?

Every year from Makar Sankranti, the temple holds Ghrit Mandal Parv. The Mata’s pindi is covered with a thick layer of butter. As per The Tribune and ETV Bharat, the butter stays on the pindi for about a week and is then given to devotees as prasad. Many devotees believe it has healing qualities.

Two stories are told about it. One report links it to Goddess Durga soothing her wounds with butter after killing Mahishasura. Another links it to soothing the burns of Sati after the yagya fire. The quantity changes each year: The Tribune reported 21 quintals in January 2025, and ETV Bharat reported 39 quintals in January 2023.

Makar Sankranti 2027: As per Drik Panchang (New Delhi), the Sankranti moment is 9:14 PM on Thursday, 14 January 2027, and the punya kaal is on Friday, 15 January 2027. Makar Sankranti follows the sun’s entry into Makar rashi, not a lunar tithi. Expected (estimate): the butter ritual should begin on the night of 14 January or on 15 January 2027, based on past years when it started on Sankranti night. Check the exact date with the temple office closer to the time.

How do you reach Brajeshwari Devi temple?

• By air: Kangra Airport at Gaggal is about 8 km away as per the temple trust (the Kangra district site says about 9 km). Chandigarh airport is the bigger option, with a long road journey after it.
• By narrow-gauge train: The Kangra Valley Railway runs from Pathankot to Jogindernagar on a 2 ft 6 in narrow-gauge line, with Kangra station on the route. Reported: Kangra Mandir station on this line is the closest stop to the temple. Incredible India and the Kangra district site say the temple is about 11 km from “the nearest railway station of Kangra”, so confirm locally. Services were suspended for a long time after floods damaged the Chakki bridge, and resumed on 2 June 2026, as per a News Arena report. Check the current schedule before you plan.
• By broad-gauge train: Pathankot is the nearest big railhead, about 90 km away as per the trust.
• By road: Kangra is linked by road to Dharamshala, Palampur, Pathankot and Chandigarh. As per the trust, McLeodganj is about 30 km and Palampur about 36 km from the temple.

How far is Kangra Devi from Jwala Ji and the other Devi temples?

Distances below are from the official Kangra temple trust website. Road times depend on traffic and weather, so we do not list them.

Read more in our guides to Jwala Ji temple, Chamunda Devi temple, Chintpurni temple and Naina Devi temple.

What is a good 3-day Himachal Devi darshan route?

Most families coming from Delhi or Chandigarh go from south to north, so Naina Devi comes first and Kangra and Chamunda come last. If you fly into Gaggal, simply reverse the order. This is a suggested order only; actual timing depends on queues and roads.

If you start from Delhi or Chandigarh, Day 1 usually has the longest drive. Leave early and keep the evening free for rest.

What should you keep in mind before visiting?

• Go early: Mangal aarti is the calmest time for darshan. Crowds are heavy during both Navratris and Ghrit Mandal.
• Weather: Incredible India records January lows near 2°C and June highs near 40°C. Carry woollens in winter and water in summer.
• Combine nearby places: Kangra Fort is close by. The trust also lists Gupt Ganga, Achhra Kund, Chakkar Kund, Suraj Kund and Jayanti Mata as nearby places.
• Havan: The trust has a yagyashala; havan yagya can be requested through the temple officer.
• Elderly pilgrims: Plan a lighter day after the long Naina Devi drive, and ask at the temple office about the queue during peak days.
• Temple office: The trust lists the Temple Officer’s phone as 01892-265073.

How Yatra To Temples can help

Our Himachal Shakti Peeth Devi Darshan Yatra covers Kangra Devi with the other Devi temples of Himachal. For dates, hotel choices, a Ghrit Mandal visit or a pickup from Gaggal, ask us.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Kangra Devi temple timings?

As per the temple trust, the temple opens at 5:30 AM in winter and 5:00 AM in summer. It closes from 12:00 to 12:30 PM for bhog and shuts at 8:00 PM in winter and 9:00 PM in summer.

Are Brajeshwari, Bajreshwari and Kangra Devi the same temple?

Yes. Brajeshwari, Bajreshwari and Vajreshwari are different spellings of the same name. The temple is also called Kangra Devi and Nagarkot Dham.

Which body part of Sati fell at Kangra?

As per tradition recorded by the temple trust and the Kangra district website, Sati’s left breast fell here. That is why it is counted among the Shakti Peeths.

How far is Kangra Devi from Jwala Ji?

Jwala Ji is about 34 to 35 km from Kangra by road, as per the official temple trust pages. Many families do both on the same day.

Which is the nearest railway station to Kangra Devi temple?

Reported: Kangra Mandir station on the narrow-gauge Pathankot–Jogindernagar line is the closest stop; Kangra station is also on the line. Pathankot, about 90 km away as per the trust, is the nearest broad-gauge station.

When is the Ghrit Mandal festival in 2027?

It begins with Makar Sankranti. As per Drik Panchang, the Sankranti moment is 9:14 PM on 14 January 2027 with punya kaal on 15 January 2027. Confirm the start with the temple office.

Was the temple destroyed in the 1905 earthquake?

Yes. Official sources say the 1905 Kangra earthquake destroyed it. They differ on the rebuilding date: the temple trust says within a year, while Incredible India says 1920.

Is langar available at the temple?

Yes. The trust serves free langar daily from 12:30 to 2:30 PM and from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. During Navratri it runs from afternoon until night.