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Temples in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh pilgrimage guide

Temples in Shimla — Famous Temples & Complete Darshan Guide

Plan a practical Shimla temple trip with 2 important temples, darshan-friendly routing, local travel tips and the best season for a peaceful pilgrimage.

2 curated temples Himachal Pradesh View map & route →

Last updated July 2026 · Curated by the Temples.bio editorial team

Quick answers

Which is the most famous temple in Shimla?
Jwala Devi Temple Jwalamukhi is the most prominent temple in Shimla. This guide covers 2 notable temples in and around Shimla with timings, distances and a darshan route.
What are the famous temples in Shimla?
The most famous temples in Shimla include Jwala Devi Temple Jwalamukhi and Jakhu Hanuman Temple. See the table below for the primary deity, location and darshan timings of all 2 temples.
How many days do you need to visit Shimla temples?
You can cover the main temples of Shimla in about 1 day. Use the 1-day essential circuit for the key shrines, or the 2-day plan to include temples within 100 km.
What is the best time to visit Shimla temples?
October to March is the most comfortable season for temple visits in Shimla. Summer afternoons can be tiring, so plan early morning darshan and keep a lighter second half of the day. Festival days are spiritually rewarding but busier; confirm timings, parking and local transport
How do you reach Shimla?
Reach Shimla by the nearest major railway station or state highway links, then keep the temple circuit local for the first day. For families and senior citizens, a hired cab or auto-rickshaw is easier than changing transport repeatedly. Start with the main temple before the crowd builds, pause for l

Temples in Shimla at a glance

Primary deity, location or distance, and darshan timings for the key temples — see full details with photos below.

# Temple Primary deity Location / distance Darshan timings
1 Jwala Devi Temple Jwalamukhi Goddess Jwala Devi (Parvati) 179 km from Shimla 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
2 Jakhu Hanuman Temple Lord Hanuman Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (in city) 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Why Shimla is a major temple destination

Shimla is one of Himachal Pradesh's useful temple bases, combining well-known shrines with smaller neighbourhood temples that locals still visit for daily worship. The guide below is arranged for real travel: start with the most important temple, then add nearby shrines in an order that keeps the route simple.

Even when a city is not marketed only as a pilgrimage destination, its temples often hold the memory of older neighbourhoods, local festivals and family vows. Devotees usually come here for blessings of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Devi, family welfare, ancestral prayers and a quieter connection with the region's sacred geography. The city also works well as a base for first-time visitors who want a balanced mix of famous temples and reachable local shrines.

Curated pilgrimage circuit

Temples to Visit Near Shimla

Ordered by pilgrimage importance and practical travel distance from Shimla.

Jwala Devi Temple Jwalamukhi — Goddess Jwala Devi (Parvati) temple in Shimla Same Day

Goddess Jwala Devi (Parvati)

  • Jwalamukhi, Himachal Pradesh
  • 179.5 km from Shimla
  • 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Jwalamukhi, Himachal Pradesh. Shakti Peetha famous for eternal natural flames. Himachal Pradesh government manages.)

Jwala Devi Temple Jwalamukhi

Jwala Devi Temple, also known as Jwalamukhi Temple, is located in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, and is one of the most unique Shakti Peethas in India. The temple is famous for its natural eternal flame that burns continuously from a rock crevice without any fuel. According to legend, this is where Sati's tongue fell, and the goddess manifests as eternal fire (Jwala). The temple has no traditional deity idol; instead, the natural flames are worshipped as the goddess herself. The mysterious blue flames have been burning for centuries and represent the eternal energy of the divine mother.

Travel Tip: By Road: Connected from Dharamshala, Kangra, and major Himachal cities. By Train: Una is nearest station. Mountain roads.

Jakhu Hanuman Temple — Lord Hanuman temple in Shimla Within City

Lord Hanuman

  • Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
  • Within Shimla (Shimla, Himachal Pradesh)
  • 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Jakhu Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Highest point in Shimla at 2,455 m. Ancient temple mentioned in Ramayana — Hanuman rested here while searching for Sanjeevani herb. 108-foot Hanuman statue visible from across Shimla. Resident monkeys (langurs and rhesus) are sacred here.)

Jakhu Hanuman Temple

Jakhu Hanuman Temple is one of the most sacred and ancient temples in Himachal Pradesh, perched atop Jakhu Hill at an altitude of approximately 2455 meters above sea level — the highest point in Shimla. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and holds deep roots in the Ramayana. According to legend, Hanuman paused at this very hill during his search for the Sanjeevani herb to revive Lakshmana, and his divine footprints are said to be preserved near the shrine. The temple complex is surrounded by dense forests of oak and rhododendron, inhabited by a large population of rhesus macaques considered sacred by devotees. The 108-foot-tall (33 meters) statue of Lord Hanuman, one of the tallest in India, is a major landmark visible from much of Shimla. The main sanctum enshrines an ancient self-manifested (swayambhu) idol of Hanuman believed to be thousands of years old. The temple is managed by the Jakhu Temple Trust and attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year. A ropeway from near the Ridge makes the temple accessible to all visitors.

Travel Tip: Visit early morning or evening for pleasant weather; beware of monkeys and avoid carrying food openly.

How to Reach Shimla

Reach Shimla by the nearest major railway station or state highway links, then keep the temple circuit local for the first day. For families and senior citizens, a hired cab or auto-rickshaw is easier than changing transport repeatedly. Start with the main temple before the crowd builds, pause for lunch near the city centre, and keep outer temples for the afternoon.

Best Time to Visit Shimla Temples

October to March is the most comfortable season for temple visits in Shimla. Summer afternoons can be tiring, so plan early morning darshan and keep a lighter second half of the day. Festival days are spiritually rewarding but busier; confirm timings, parking and local transport before starting.

Suggested trip plan

Shimla Temple Darshan Itinerary

A curated day-wise route designed for optimal travel times and darshan timings. Adjust around your bookings.

Shimla Temple FAQs

How many temples can I visit in Shimla in one day?
Most visitors can cover 4 to 6 temples in one day if they start early and keep the route within the city or nearby areas.
What is the best time to visit Shimla temples?
The cooler months from October to March are best. For daily darshan, early morning and evening are usually more comfortable than afternoon.
Is Shimla suitable for a family temple trip?
Yes. Keep the first day focused on the main city temples, use local transport, and avoid packing too many distant temples into one day.

Interactive Route Planner

Shimla Temple Locations

Tap any temple to center the map, view driving routes, and get key details.

1

Jwala Devi Temple Jwalamukhi

Day 1 · 179 km

2

Jakhu Hanuman Temple

Day 1 · 6 km

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3