Padhai Kali Mata Temple of Shimla

 Padhai Mata

New Padhai Mata temple complex

 The temple of Kali Mata Padhai is situated on a rugged stony hilly terrain with densely grown cedar trees. This is four and half kilometres from Shimla.  From main town Shimla either you can decide to walk on foot or take buses or taxis from Lakkar Bazar or Auckland tunnel. There are several pedestrian approach roads to reach the temple. One is through Elysium, Auckland, Longwood, Bharari old bazaar. Walk up hill from Bharari bazaar, take left pedestrian forest path about 500 mts and reach the temple. Second option is to take pucka road on the left from Auckland tunnel and reach Dudhli. From Dudhli it is again about 500 mts uphill forest area but enjoyable walk to the temple. Another  option is, if you are going through own vehicle or taxi, to drive about one kilometer from Dudhli, but little short of Kamyana, you will find a board indicating uphill turn to right which is about 500 mts again. You will find another board to your left where you can park your car and walk a little distance of about 50 mts trail to the temple. A walk of about an hour is certainly the best option if you want to enjoy the forest rich in flora and cedar.

Temple among cedar trees

 

Once you reach the top of the hill, where Padhai temple is situated, you will definitely forget all your exertions and sweat.  The all round views of Shimla, Summerhill, Mashobra, Craignano etc are breathtaking. The temple complex is quietly spread over the length of this beautiful hill top. Beside the main sacrosanct of Siddhida Kali Mata, there are temples dedicated to Siddheshwar Mahadev Shiv, Satya Narayan Bhagwan Vishnu & Lakshmi, Durga, Bhairo, Lord Hanumana and other Hindu deities. 

Shiva temple in complex

The Oak tree and the niche

The temple was renovated in 1988 from the public collection and the offerings from the believers in Padhai Mata. It seems the place was consecrated to goddess Kali in early 19^th century. In 1979 when I visited this place, the temple looked like a simple rustic mud hut, with kucha floor inside, having sculptural bas-reliefs all around it, inside and outside. The motifs were from religious and puranic iconography, depicting various versions and postures of 4 armed (chaturbhuj), 8 armed (ashthabhuja) and even 16 armed Kali in garbhgriha, Narsimha (avtar of Vishnu) killing Hrinyakshipu, the father of Prahlad, Bhairon, Shiva and Vasuki Naag, the celestial serpent. Inside hut, on a raised platform, were bas-relief torso sculptures of Chaturbhuj Vishnu with Vasuki serpent to the left and 16 armed Kali to the right. On the left inside wall was depicted four armed Kali and on the right inside wall were depicted two sculptures of four armed and 8 armed Kali respectively. The whole atmosphere seemed to be charged with awe, wonder, fear and mysticism. All the sculptural bas-reliefs were executed with the mixture of cement and sand by local non-professionals craftsmen.

old temple of Padhai Mata 1979

Idols of Vishnu and Kali inside old temple

Ashthabhuja Kali

Main sacrosanct of old temple

The niche by the side of oak tree

To the North-West of main temple of Padhai mata there is an oak tree, it is said that a cow used to come and offer her milk here. The milk would itself flow from her udders as the offerings. It is here that Mata first appeared in the shape of pindi. The niche is still here where the first worship started. The story goes that some resident living around this place had a dream of Mata in the shape of pindi under a tree and was also ordered in the dream to dig at a place, lying some distance to the North of this, for getting water for the ritual jal-abhishek (water holy-cleanse) of pindi of Mata. The residents did as commanded in the dream and the results was the outcome in the shape of this wonderful and wish fulfilling worshiping place of divine form of celestial feminine power.* 

Now many religious festivals and fair are being celebrated here regularly with all zeal, fervor and dedication. The fair is held here in the days of Sharad Navratras and people throng here from all over Himachal, from far off places of India and even from foreign countries. Maha Shivratri, Ram Navmi and Krishan Janamashtmi are also celebrated here. Every year Sriamad Bhagvatta katha is also being performed here for the benefits of devotees in Navratras. 

(*Based on the information as imparted by Pt. Devinder Sharma and Pt Lalit Mohan.)