Chandika Devi Temple is located 3 km from Reckong Peo in Kothi in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Goddess Chandika is an incarnation of Durga Devi, and this temple is deeply rooted in the local culture and spirituality of the Kinnauri people. The goddess is worshiped as a fierce protector and is revered for her power to safeguard her devotees from evil.
The temple is located on a hill near Reckong Peo. Its architecture reflects traditional Kinnauri styles, and its wooden carvings and detailed sculptures add to its charm. The new and main temple contains a golden image of the goddess sitting on an arc. At the time of worship, four persons dance up and down on the palanquin.
According to legend, Chandika Devi was the daughter of the demon king Banasur, who ruled over Kinnaur. He had 18 children, and Chandika was the eldest. She ruled over Sairag, the heart of Kinnaur, but gaining control of the area was not easy. The Thakur of Chini held power in Sairag with the help of a powerful demon.
To defeat this demon, Chandika sought the help of a clever relative named Byche. Byche tricked the demon into placing his long hair between the grinding stones of a water mill. When the demon was trapped, Chandika attacked and cut off his head with her sword. But each time she cut off his head, a new one appeared, laughing at her. Exhausted and overwhelmed by the growing sea of blood, Chandika was in danger.
In desperation, she called on her brothers for help. Chagaon Maheshwar answered, advising her to kill the life-sustaining beetle hovering over the demon’s head. With this advice, Chandika finally defeated the demon. Today, she is worshiped at her main temple in Kothi, in the middle of Sairag.
Navratri and Dussehra are the most significant festivals, drawing many devotees.