Kathla Mata temple stands on top of a cliff near Salol, on the Lanj road, and you reach it from Gaggal by way of Tiara. People come all year. It is busiest at Navratri, Shivratri and Janmashtami, and every 16 March it holds a chhinj, a wrestling fair.
It is on our side of Kangra, close to the village of Gawalnu. Here is what to expect, and how to get there.
Where is Kathla Mata temple?
Near Salol, on the road towards Lanj, close to Gawalnu. From Gaggal the way in is through Tiara and on towards Salol.
Be careful with maps. Type "Kathla" on its own and a map may send you to a hamlet of the same name in Chamba district, which is somewhere else entirely. Search for Kathla Mata Mandir instead, or ask us.
What is it like?
The temple is at the top of a cliff, and from up there you look out over the hills and the forest around it. Give yourself a few minutes for it before you leave.
When is the Kathla Mata chhinj?
Every year on 16 March. A chhinj is a Kangra fair built around a dangal — wrestling bouts, and a crowd to watch them. Temples all over the district hold one in spring, and wrestlers come to them from well beyond the valley.
If you want the fair, 16 March is the day. If you want the temple quiet, pick another.
When is it busiest?
- Both Navratris, in spring and in autumn
- Shivratri
- Janmashtami
The rest of the year people still come every day, just fewer of them.
How to reach Kathla Mata temple
From Gaggal, through Tiara and on towards Salol. We are near Tiara, so from us it is the same road. Your own car or a taxi is the easy way. The last part is on narrow village roads, so ask us the morning you go and we will tell you which way is in better shape.
The temple's timings are not published anywhere. If you are going early, ask us the evening before.
What else is near Kathla Mata
- Kalka Mata at Samirpur is the other temple on this side. See Kalka Mata temple.
- Tattapani, the hot spring on the Gaj khad, is further out past Salol. The two temples and the spring make one easy day — see Kalka Mata, Kathla Mata and Tattapani in one day.
- Brajeshwari and the Devi circuit start in Kangra town, the other way. See the Devi darshan circuit.
Where to stay
Kathla Mata is on our side of Kangra, so the morning run is short. Rooms are ₹999 a night, or ₹1,699 with air conditioning. If you are coming for the chhinj or for Navratri, send us your dates early — there is more on staying for Kathla Mata.