Baijnath Temple, Himachal Pradesh, Kangra: History, Timings & Visitor Guide

Baijnath Temple, Himachal Pradesh is open every day, usually from early morning to late evening with a break in the afternoon. Darshan and aarti timings change with the season and on festival days.

• MorningOpens early morning (around 5 to 6 AM)
• AfternoonShort break around midday at many temples
• EveningEvening aarti around sunset, closes by about 8 to 9 PM

Ask the temple office on arrival for the day's aarti schedule.

Dress Code & Temple Rules

• DressModest, traditional clothes covering shoulders and knees
• FootwearRemove before entering; use the shoe stand
• PhotographyNot allowed inside the sanctum
• Not AllowedLeather items, tobacco, alcohol, non-veg food
• QueueFollow queue lines and staff instructions on festival days

According to the inscriptions on the present day Baijnath temple structure, a temple of Shiva had existed before construction of present-day structure. The inner sanctum houses a Shiva lingam. Further images are carved in the walls and in niches on the exterior.

In 1786, ruler Sansar Chand took control of the Kangra Fort and he undertook the renovation and restoration of the temple. An inscription in the temple mentions that the family priest of Sansar Chand named Ganga Ram led the repair works of the temple, which involved reconstructing the spire of the shrine and the outer roof.

The 1905 earthquake created massive destruction in the Kangra valley. The temple survived the earthquake with minor damages; the smaller temples of Jamadagni, Bhairava, Narmadeshwar, and Murlimanohar situated within the temple yard and the roof of the main temple sustained some damages.