Banni Mata Temple, Chamba

Banni Mata Temple, also known as the Mahakali Banni Mata Temple, is an ancient shrine to Kali at a height of 2,600 metres, at the base of the Pir Panjal Range in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh. Deep forest surrounds it. It is near Tundah village, opposite Manimahesh Peak, and takes its name from the ban, or oak trees, found here.

The goddess matters greatly across the Bharmour region. Shepherds crossing the Kali Chho pass to Lahaul stop to ask for a safe journey, and pilgrims come believing she grants wishes and gives children to childless couples. A fair in Bhadrapad, sometime around August, follows the Kali Puja tradition with goat sacrifice and liquor offerings to the temple shaman, or Chela. A road to Tundah has made the pilgrimage easier, leaving only a 4 km walk, and a further road to Banni has been proposed.