Holding a great religious and historical significance that are as old as 1,400 years, this temple is a must-visit for any spiritual sadhak (seeker). It is situated on the pious Devbhoomi of Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh and has been dedicated to Mahadev, Lord Shiva.
Because of its rich heritage, the vibrant life in this adorable town majorly revolves around the Chaurasi temple complex, as one can see a lot of devotees flocking the temple premises to seek the blessings of the Lord.
The word Chaurasi in Hindi means 84 and as the name suggests, there are 84 small and big shrines built in periphery of the Chaurasi Temple.
This region is known for the lush beauty of nature and is mostly known for the milky snowfall during the month of January, though, summers are great to explore it to the fullest. So, depending upon your taste you can pick the season in which you want to experience this place.
Located at an approximate distance of 650-700 km from the capital of our country, many prominent local beliefs are associated with this temple. According to one such belief, it is said that after a person dies, their soul has to visit the temple so that their worth can be measured based on their life karmas. And the God who is responsible for calculating the karma of dead is Lord Chitragupta.
It is a belief of many that he has been given a room of his own within the temple from where he operates his Godly activities even until today.
History of Chaurasi Temple
The Legend of Raja Sahil Verman
It is believed that the temple was built by Raja Sahil Verman of Bharmour about 1,400 years ago. He had built the temple honouring the 84 Yogis and Siddhas who had specifically come from Kurukshetra and had to meditate here while on their way to the beautiful Manimahesh Lake. It is said that these spiritual beings, the yogis had blessed the king with a boon of ten sons and a daughter, as he had no heir. As a result of the boon, the king was soon blessed with 10 sons and a daughter named Champavati. It is believed that the town of Chamba has been named after her.
The Legend of Lord Shiva
According to the folklore, there was a time when Bharmour was known as Brahmpura and was the abode of Goddess Brahmani Devi. According to the legend, it is believed that once she went away to complete some chores, when Lord Shiva, the Adiyogi graced the region with other 84 Yogis and Siddhas. The troop of these spiritual beings was going towards Manimahesh Kailash. However, in the middle of their journey, they spotted this place and decided to rest a little.
When the Goddess came back, she saw the smoke lit by the saints who were cooking some food. Seeing her abode used against her wish, she got furious and in anger asked all the Yogis and Siddhas to leave.
However, Lord Shiva requested her to let them stay for one night and assured that they all would leave first thing in the morning. But for some unknown reason, Lord Shiva left for Kailash alone the next day leaving the 84 Yogis behind. Now, unable to leave, they transformed themselves into 84 Shivalingas.
Major Attractions in and Around Chaurasi Temple
1. Chamera Lake
The Lake is a really fascinating tourist attraction in the region. You will feel like you just cannot get a hold of its beauty, such is the charm of Chamera Lake. Even during the monsoons, when it is pouring heavily, the overall exuberance of the lake increases by manifolds. On a normal bright sunny day, the best thing would be to explore the lake on a boat.
This is yet another interesting travel destination to visit along with your loved ones. One can witness a lot of Hindu devotees flocking around the lake. The major reason for this is that the lake is considered second to Lake Mansarovar in terms of spiritual significance. The name of the lake literally translates into Shiva’s Jewels. However, due to snow, the lake is closed most of the time.
3. Lakshmi Narayan Temple
In the Chamba region, this temple is considered to be one of the oldest spiritual places. It is said that the temple is home to some of the most beautiful idols of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Apart from the statues, the whole vibe around the temple too is a sight to behold.
How to Reach Chaurasi Temple
Chaurasi Temple is located in Bharmour, an adorable town of Dev Bhoomi Himachal Pradesh. It is located at an approximate distance of 650, 2,823, 986, 2,049 km from Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kolkata respectively. Here is how you can reach Chaurasi Temple, Bharmour via the following means of transportation.
By Air
The nearest airport is Kangra Airport situated at an approximate distance of 180-200 km. After reaching the airport, you can take a local cab, bus towards Chaurasi Temple.
By Train
The nearest railway stations are the Pathankot Railway Station and Chakki Bank Railway Station. According to your convenience, you can choose to deboard at one of these and from there take a cab or some other means of public transportation to reach the temple.
By Road
Depending upon your location, you can also travel here by a well-maintained road network. For this, you will need to hire a cab, a bus, or you can also consider travelling by your own vehicle.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
