Bhimakali Temple is a Hindu temple at Sarahan in Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhimakali, the presiding deity of the rulers of the former Bushahr state. The temple is situated about 180 kms from Shimla and it is considered as holy as 51 shakti peethas.
HISTORY:
The temple was built in 13th century as a shrine dedicated to goddess Durga, locally known as Bhimakali, and is revered as one of the 51 sacred shakti peethas. She is the kuldevi of the rulers of the erstwhile Bushehr state. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site in Himachal Pradesh. Raja Padam Singh contributed towards rebuilding the temple in the 1920s.
According to one legend, during Daksha Yagna, the Ear of Sati Devi fell here when Lord Vishnu cut the pieces of her body carried by heartbroken Lord Shiva. Other legend states that this area was under the rule of a Demon called Banasura, the great-grandson of king Prahlad an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Due to the Usha-Anirudh affair, Lord Krishna fought here with him, and in this battle, Lord Siva stood against the former. The legend goes that the head of the defeated king Banasura was buried in front of the entry gate now marked as a raised platform to the first courtyard. After Banasura, Pradyumna son of Lord Krishna ruled this area. Then the ruling king constructed this temple recognizing Devi Bhimakali as the presiding deity of this area.