Overview
Himachal's Devi darshan links five of north India's most visited Shakti Peeths: Naina Devi above the Govind Sagar, Chintpurni in Una district, the eternal flames of Jwalamukhi, Brajeshwari Devi in Kangra and Chamunda Devi near Dharamshala. This three-day plan does them in the order most pilgrims follow, from the Punjab side inwards, so each day's drive is short and each temple visit is unhurried. One car and driver stay with you throughout; the driver waits at every temple, knows the parking areas and walking distances, and keeps your luggage safe. The trip ends in Dharamshala, close to Kangra airport for a flight home, or you can extend it to McLeod Ganj, Palampur or Bir. Delhi and Amritsar pickups are easy to add at the start.
Best for: Families, elderly parents and pilgrim groups who want all five Devi temples without long days in the car
- Chandigarhstart
- Chintpurni1 night
- Kangra1 night
- Dharamshalaend
- Five Shakti Peeths in three days: Naina Devi, Chintpurni, Jwalamukhi, Brajeshwari Devi and Chamunda Devi
- Overnights close to the temples, for early-morning darshan before the queues
- The same driver throughout, who waits at each temple and handles parking
- Ends near Kangra airport, so you can fly back to Delhi instead of driving
- Easy to extend to McLeod Ganj, Palampur's tea gardens or Bir
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to Naina Devi and Chintpurni
Chandigarh → Chintpurni~222 km · 6–7 hours plus darshanOvernight: Chintpurni
Leave Chandigarh early and drive via Ropar and Kiratpur Sahib to Naina Devi, about 2½–3 hours. Take the ropeway or the stepped path up for darshan, then continue via Nangal and Una to Chintpurni, roughly 110–115 km, for the night. Stay close to the bus stand so you can walk up for the evening aarti or keep darshan for the quieter early morning.
Road guide: Chandigarh to Naina Devi → - Day2
Chintpurni and Jwalamukhi, on to Kangra
Chintpurni → Kangra~70 km · About 2–3 hours of drivingOvernight: Kangra
Walk up for early darshan at Chintpurni, then drive about 35 km to Jwalamukhi and reach before its short midday closure. After darshan and lunch in town, continue to Kangra for the night. If there's time, see Kangra Fort in the late afternoon; Brajeshwari Devi is best kept for the next morning.
Road guide: Chintpurni to Jwalamukhi → - Day3
Brajeshwari Devi and Chamunda Devi, end in Dharamshala
Kangra → Dharamshala~40 km · 2–3 hours with temple stops
Start with morning darshan at Brajeshwari Devi in Kangra's old town, then drive to Chamunda Devi on the Baner river, about 15–17 km from Dharamshala. Finish in Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj in the afternoon, or ask us to drop you at Kangra airport for an evening flight. With an extra day, add McLeod Ganj, Palampur or Bir.
Temple etiquette and practical tips
All five temples are busy, working places of worship, and a little preparation makes each visit smoother. Shoes are left outside the shrines, usually at paid shoe stands near the entrance, so wear footwear you can slip off easily. Leather belts and bags are best left in the car. Carry some cash for prasad, offerings, parking, shoe stands and the Naina Devi ropeway; card payments aren't always accepted at small stalls.
Queues move fastest early in the morning and on weekdays. Photography inside the sanctums is often not allowed; follow the instructions of the temple staff. Keep a small bag with water, a shawl for the breezy ridges, and any medicines elderly family members need, and leave everything else with the driver.
- Wear easy slip-on shoes.
- Carry small notes for offerings and stands.
- Dress modestly; a scarf or chunni is useful.
- Leave large bags and valuables in the car.
Where to stay on the yatra
The plan uses three overnights chosen for early darshan. At Chintpurni, dharamshalas and simple hotels near the bus stand let you walk up for the morning aarti. In Kangra, hotels in and around the town are close to Brajeshwari Devi and Kangra Fort, and a short drive from the airport. The last night can be in Dharamshala or McLeod Ganj, which have the widest choice of hotels and cooler weather, or skipped altogether if you're flying home from Gaggal on day three.
Rooms near the temples fill quickly during the Navratris and on long weekends, so book those dates early. If you'd like suggestions that suit elderly travellers, such as rooms with lifts or ground-floor access, ask us when you book.
Making the yatra easier for elderly travellers
Many families do this trip with grandparents, and the pace is designed for them: no day has more than about seven hours on the road, and the longest drive is on the first day. The main effort is on foot at Chintpurni, where the walk from the bus stand is about 1.5 km, and at Naina Devi, where the ropeway saves the climb. Tell us in advance about mobility needs, and the driver will use the closest permitted drop points and plan rest stops.
Tour price by vehicle
Starting prices for the whole 3-day tour (car, driver, fuel, tolls, state taxes and the driver's night allowance). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book.
42
₹18,100
starting · full tour
63
₹22,600
starting · full tour
₹24,800
starting · full tour
₹39,800
starting · full tour
Included
- Same car and driver for all days
- Fuel, tolls and state entry taxes
- Driver's food, stay and night allowance
- Local sightseeing on the days shown
Not included
- ×Hotels and meals (we can suggest stays near each temple)
- ×Ropeway tickets at Naina Devi, temple offerings and parking
- ×Flights from Kangra airport
When to go
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chintpurni | January: Fine, check weather | February: Fine, check weather | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Fine, check weather |
| Kangra | January: Fine, check weather | February: Fine, check weather | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Best time | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Best time | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Fine, check weather |
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • October to March is the most comfortable time, with clear days and shorter queues outside festival weeks.
- • The Navratris (around March–April and September–October) bring very large crowds; start each day earlier and allow more time.
- • July–August is monsoon: hill roads are slower and Gaggal flights are more often delayed.
Frequently asked questions
Can we start this yatra from Delhi?+
Yes. Add a Delhi pickup and either drive straight to Naina Devi with a very early start, or spend the first night in Chandigarh.
Which vehicle is best for a family yatra?+
An Innova Crysta for up to six with luggage, or a 12-seat Tempo Traveller for larger family groups.
Can elderly parents manage the temple visits?+
Yes, with planning. Naina Devi has a ropeway, Chintpurni involves a walk of about 1.5 km through the bazaar, and the others are short walks. Tell us about mobility needs and we'll plan the closest drop points.
Can we add Baglamukhi or Baba Balak Nath?+
Yes. Both are in the region; we'll add a day or rearrange the plan.
Can we fly home at the end?+
Yes. Kangra airport at Gaggal is close to Kangra and Dharamshala; we'll drop you for your flight on day three.
When are the temples busiest?+
Sundays, festival days and the Navratris. Weekday mornings are the calmest.
