Mata Hatketswari | Hatkoti Temple, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Hatkoti Temple

Hatkoti Temple is Famous as “Dev Bhoomi” or land of gods. The hill station Shimla has got many spiritual and the religious spots and most of them date back to the ancient time. The popular Hatkoti Temple of Shimla is situated in the mysterious valley of Hatkoti. This old temple is made up of stones which is very unique and unusually remarkable than any other temples of this region. According to legends, Sri Adi Shankaracharya established the temples of Hatkoti. However, according to some others, the temples are constructed during 3rd Century AD while others believe that they were built after 3^rd century. People believe that Mata Hatketswari is one of the most divine and the powerful Goddesses of the Hindu Religion and the temple gets adorned by the locals of Himachal Pradesh as well as by the people who come to visit Shimla.

How to Reach:

Hatkoti temple is easily accessible via road routes as visitors can take Shimla-Rohru road route that passes through places like Theog, Khara, Patthar, and Kotkhai. Thousand of devotees come to the temple by private and public buses run on this road. Cab and Taxi services are also available. However, many tourists and the travellers prefer to take private cars to reach the temple premise.

By Air: The nearest airport is Shimla airport.

By Rail: The nearest rail station is the Shimla Railway Station that is connected to Kalka is called Toy Train, which goes via a narrow gauge.

History

In the temple complex, there are some five stone temples scattered inside. And these temples are in the decreasing order of size. Devotees believe that these temples were pre-owned by Pancha Pandavas as their toy houses. It is also believed by some that these temples have connection with the great Hindu Epic “the Mahabharata”. A tunnel is there just below the surface of the temple, at a height of about 6 ft high and 3 and half ft wide. According to some legend, It is a belief that at this place a battle were fought between the gods and the demons. Historians conclude this temple to be constructed based on the architectural styles and designs, during the Gupta Era. People believe that Guru Shankaracharya built the Hatkoti Temple.