Location
Maa Baglamukhi Mandir is situated in Bankhandi, a village in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The Temple lies on NH503, Post Office Bankhandi, Kangra 177114. Pin Code: 177114. It is approximately 26 km from Kangra town, along the Ranital–Dehra Road.
History & Spiritual Significance
- Maa Baglamukhi is one of the Ten Mahavidyas, revered as Pitambara Devi — She who wears yellow and is believed to have the power to immobilize enemies, silence speech of adversaries (Stambhan), and remove obstacles.
- The Temple at Bankhandi is considered one of the Siddha Peeths of Maa Baglamukhi, where powerful rituals are known to be performed.
- Color Yellow is sacred here — devotees often wear yellow garments, offer yellow food items, and the Temple architecture and ornamentation heavily feature yellow.
- The legends say that Maa Baglamukhi at Bankhandi manifests powers of protection, supporting devotees in overcoming enemies, legal disputes, speech issues, and mental obstacles.
How To Reach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Gaggal Airport (Kangra Airport), approximately 35-36 km from Bankhandi, Himachal Pradesh.
- By Train: The closest railhead is Kangra Mandir Railway Station (KGMR) in Halehr Khurd, about 40 km from the Temple. Other larger stations include Pathankot (≈ 99 km) which connect to Bankhandi via road transport.
- By Road:
- From Kangra Town, the Temple is about 26-40 km away via the Ranital–Dehra Road.
- From Chandigarh, the drive is approximately 150 km (3-4 hours) depending on route and traffic. Taxis and buses operate this route.
- Buses or shared taxis from Dharamshala, Kangra, and nearby regions are available; last-mile transport via local roads or private vehicles is common.
Temple Timings & Facilities
- Darshan Hours: Morning Aarti around 5:00 AM, Temple opens early; evening timings extend until around 9:30 PM in some reports.
- Weekly / Special Days: Fridays are significant; Navratri is one of the biggest festivals here. Devotees come in large numbers during these periods.
- Temple Management: Managed by Prachin Mandir Mata Shree Bagla Mukhi Devi Trust Bankhandi, under the leadership of Mahant Shri Rajat Giri.