Ancient Faith Crosses State Borders: Chalda Mahasu Maharaj’s Historic Pilgrimage from Uttarakhand to Himachal

The journey began on December 8, 2025, from the temple town of Hanol in Uttarakhand, a region long regarded as the spiritual seat of Mahasu Devta. Covering a distance of nearly 70 kilometres, the pilgrimage moved on foot through rugged mountain trails, dense forests and river crossings before reaching the Shillai region of Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district. Conducted strictly in accordance with traditional customs, the procession signifies a year-long divine sojourn, locally known as a “dev pravas.”

The Mahasu deity holds a unique position in the religious life of the trans-Himalayan region, worshipped in four distinct forms—Basik, Botha, Pavasi and Chalda—across parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The Hanol temple, considered the principal shrine, continues to be a powerful symbol of justice and authority. Even today, a ceremonial supply of salt is sent annually from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the temple, a legacy practice viewed by followers as an emblem of honor and moral order.

Adding to the spiritual narrative of this year’s pilgrimage is an episode that began five years earlier. In 2020, a large goat—referred to locally as a “Ghandua”—was taken from the Jaunsar region to Himachal Pradesh’s Pashmi village. For nearly two years, villagers treated it as an ordinary animal. In 2022, however, a divine oracle, known as a “dev vakta,” declared the goat to be a sacred messenger of the deity, a revelation that reinforced the spiritual significance of the ongoing traditions linked to the pilgrimage.

The Hanol temple itself remains a focal point of mysticism and devotion, with an eternal flame burning uninterrupted and a continuous, unexplained stream of water flowing within the temple complex. These elements have long reinforced the site’s reputation as a center of faith, strength and divine justice.

This year’s procession holds particular importance as it marks the first time the Chalda Mahasu Maharaj’s pilgrimage has formally crossed from Uttarakhand into Himachal Pradesh. The arrival of the deity in Shillai was witnessed by large gatherings of local residents and devotees, many of whom described the moment as both emotional and celebratory.

Beyond its religious dimension, the pilgrimage underscores the shared cultural heritage of the hill communities spanning state boundaries. As the year-long divine stay begins in Himachal Pradesh, the journey stands as a reminder of how ancient traditions continue to shape collective identity and social cohesion in the Himalayan region.