Frequently Asked Questions

The temple is in Jayanti Majri village, Kharar tehsil, Mohali (SAS Nagar) district, Punjab — about 12–15 km north-west of Chandigarh, 6 km past the Mullanpur / New Chandigarh township, in the foothills of the Shivalik range. Coordinates approximately 30.81° N, 76.78° E. Postal pincode 140901. Search “Jayanti Devi Temple Jayanti Majri” on Google Maps for live navigation.

Chandigarh is the closest major city, about 15 km away. The smaller township of Mullanpur (also called Mullanpur Garibdas / New Chandigarh) is just 6 km from the temple and is the practical landmark used by most navigation apps and bus drivers.

Chandigarh International Airport (IXC) is about 25 km away — roughly an hour’s drive. Chandigarh Junction Railway Station (CDG) is about 22 km — about 45–55 minutes by road. For a full transport guide see our how to reach page.

Yes. Buses from ISBT 43 (Chandigarh) heading towards Kurali, Anandpur Sahib or Una pass through Mullanpur. Get off at the ST Barrier (Mullanpur) and take a shared auto for the remaining 6 km to Jayanti Majri (₹30–₹50 per seat). During festivals, special direct buses are also run by the Punjab Roadways and CTU.

The temple opens at 4:30 AM and closes after the Shayan aarti at around 9:30 PM, with a one-hour midday closure (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM) for raj-bhog. Aarti times: Mangala 5:00 AM, Shringar 8:30 AM, Sandhya around 7:00 PM in winter and 7:30 PM in summer. See the full timings page for details. During festivals the sanctum may stay open through the night.

Yes — every single day of the year, including all national holidays, Sundays, and during festivals. The temple has never been closed except briefly during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020–21.

The Sandhya (twilight) aarti is the most loved and the most spiritually charged. The Mangala (dawn) aarti is also extraordinary if you can reach the temple before 5 AM. During Navratri, every aarti is intensified.

Tuesdays and Sundays year-round; the nine days of Chaitra Navratri (March-April) and Sharadiya Navratri (Sept-Oct); the Phalgun Purnima Mela in February (the largest fair, 1.5 lakh devotees in 24 hours); and the Sawan Mela in August.

Weekday mornings between 9:00 AM and 12:00 noon, outside of festival periods and outside Tuesdays. The climb is cool, the queues are short, and you can sit on the platform without any sense of crowd.

Approximately 380 stone steps from the parking area to the sanctum platform. Some sources count only the steeper sections and give the figure as 100 — both are correct in their own way; what matters is that the climb takes between 25 and 45 minutes depending on your pace and fitness.

For most adults of average fitness, no. The steps are wide and well-maintained, with railings on the steeper parts. There are several natural rest stops, including a beautiful water tank halfway up. Children manage the climb easily; many elderly devotees climb up slowly with frequent stops. Carry water.

Unfortunately, the steps cannot be retro-fitted with a ramp and there is no lift at present. For elderly pilgrims and those with mobility difficulties, the committee can arrange a doli (palki) carried by porters from the foot of the hill to the platform and back, for a nominal charge. Ask at the parking-level information counter on arrival, or call ahead through our contact page during festival periods.

Yes — and most devotees do. You are required to leave your shoes at the foot of the hill at the free shoe-storage facility. The stone steps are well-swept; in summer some devotees wear cotton socks for comfort.

There is no strict rule, but modest traditional clothing is expected. Salwar-kameez, saree, kurta-pyjama or trousers with a covering top are all welcome. Avoid sleeveless tops, short skirts and excessively tight clothing. See our visitor guide for details.

Photography of the temple exterior, the platform, the staircase and the surrounding landscape is freely permitted. Photography and videography inside the sanctum, however, are not allowed — this is strictly enforced. Drone photography and commercial film shoots require advance written permission from the temple committee.

No. There is no entry fee, no compulsory donation and no required offering. Simple folded hands and a silent prayer are the most welcome of all offerings. If you wish to offer something, the traditional thali (chunni, garland, coconut, mishri, agarbatti) is available at stalls at the foot of the hill from ₹50–₹150.

Whatever you can. There is no fixed amount, no suggested amount, no expected amount. Place the donation in the daan-patra inside the sanctum or hand it to a committee member; receipts are issued on request. The temple is sustained entirely by goodwill — small gifts from many devotees keep the lamps burning and the langar going.

No. Darshan, prasad, aarti participation, parking, and the langar (community meal) are all completely free. The temple does not charge for any service.

Yes. A free langar is served on all Sundays from approximately 12:00 noon to 3:00 PM, and continuously during major festivals (Phalgun Mela, Navratri, Sawan Mela, Annakut). The food is simple, hot and made with great care — typically dal, rice, roti, sabzi and sometimes kheer. All visitors are warmly welcomed, regardless of background.

Yes, several small chai, water, packaged-snack and prasad stalls are spaced along the steps, with a particular concentration at the foot of the hill, the halfway water tank, and the platform itself. Carry your own water bottle as well, especially in summer.

No. Non-vegetarian food, alcohol and tobacco are strictly prohibited anywhere on the temple premises and on the steps. The entire hillock is treated as sacred ground.

Yes. Public toilets are provided near the parking area and a smaller set on the platform. They are maintained by the temple committee. During festivals, additional temporary facilities are arranged.

Yes — a small committee-run dharamshala near the temple offers basic rooms at a nominal charge, primarily intended for pilgrims during festivals. Rooms are allotted on a first-come-first-served basis. For more comfortable accommodation, hotels in Mullanpur (6 km) and Chandigarh (15 km) cover the full range from budget guest-houses to five-star options.

Absolutely — and most visitors do. A typical visit takes 4–5 hours including travel, the climb, darshan and the climb back. Many Chandigarh families do darshan on a weekend afternoon and are home by evening.

Yes. Devotees may sponsor a Sankalp Pooja, Chola Chadhana (offering a new dress for the murti), Akhand Jyot, Saptashati Path, Mundan Sanskar (first head-shaving of an infant), Kanya Pujan or Annadan (sponsoring the day’s langar). Arrangements are made directly with the head pujari at the sanctum. There are no fixed rates; you contribute what you can.

Yes. The mundan sanskar — the first ritual head-shaving of an infant — is traditionally performed at Jayanti Devi Temple by many local families. Please coordinate in advance with the head pujari through our contact form.

The temple is not formally a venue for weddings, but many couples come for darshan and a blessing on the morning before or the morning after their wedding. Pre-wedding sankalp poojas and post-wedding blessings are very common and warmly accommodated.

Not yet. The temple committee is exploring options for a live aarti webcast, particularly during festivals, but as of now darshan is in person only. Devotees living abroad sometimes ask family members to visit on their behalf and bring back a chunni that has touched the murti.

The Phalgun Purnima Mela (February full moon) — approximately 1.5 lakh devotees attend over a 24-hour period. The two Navratris (March-April and September-October) are also of equal devotional intensity but distributed over nine days. See our full festival calendar.

Both have their charm. Festivals — particularly the night of Phalgun Purnima or the evenings of Ashtami and Navami during Navratri — are unforgettable. A quiet weekday morning, by contrast, lets you sit with the goddess in genuine solitude. If this is your first visit, consider a quiet day; if you are a regular devotee, definitely come for at least one festival in your lifetime.

Entirely by the donations of devotees. The temple does not receive government aid or grants. It is managed by two voluntary committees — the Jayanti Majri village committee and the Mullanpur committee — and is sustained by the offerings, dakshina, sponsored bhandaras and occasional larger donations of pilgrims.

Yes — particularly during festivals when the committees mobilise large numbers of volunteers. Common seva opportunities include helping in the langar kitchen, distributing water on the climb, assisting with crowd management, helping elderly pilgrims, cleaning the steps and platform, and book-keeping. If you wish to offer seva, please get in touch with the committee.

The temple is exploring digital donation options including UPI and bank transfer. For now, donations are best made in person at the daan-patra in the sanctum, or handed to a committee member with a request for a receipt. Please contact us for the latest options.

Please contact the temple committee for the current tax-exemption (80G) status of donations to the trust managing the temple. Receipts are issued for all donations made in person.

Yes — a free parking area at the foot of the hill, with overflow parking along the approach road during festivals.

Punjabi, Hindi and Pahari, primarily. Younger volunteers often speak good English. There is no language barrier in performing darshan; the rituals are gestural and the priest will guide you wordlessly if needed.

Pets are not customarily brought into the temple. Local stray cows and the occasional monkey are part of the hill’s natural life, but visitor pets are politely discouraged from the platform itself.

The platform itself is safe and well-lit during festival nights. Outside festival periods the temple closes after the Shayan aarti and the descent in the dark, while not unsafe, is lonely; carry a torch and walk with care.

Carry only essentials. There is no formal cloakroom; the shoe-storage at the foot of the hill is for shoes only. Leather items (belts, wallets, large bags) should not be carried into the sanctum — keep them at the parking-level shoe counter or in your vehicle.

Please use our contact form — the committee responds to most queries within 1–2 working days. For urgent matters during festivals, the temple’s phone numbers are listed on the contact page.