Pokhara & Annapurnaबागलुङ कालिका भगवती मन्दिर

Baglung Kalika Bhagawati Temple

A revered Kalika shrine in a grove of trees at the edge of Baglung bazaar, busiest during Dashain.

This is the Kalika Bhagawati temple in Baglung bazaar, not the many other Kalika temples in Nepal such as Maula Kalika at Gaindakot.

Plan a trip here

Altitude: -*
Best months: Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
Type: Temple, monastery or heritage site
District: Baglung, Gandaki
Permit: None needed

Why go

The Kalika Bhagawati temple stands at the edge of Baglung bazaar, enclosed by a grove of mature trees that gives the compound a shaded, quiet feel compared with the busy market streets nearby. It is the most important shrine in Baglung district and one of the best-known Kalika temples in western Nepal, drawing worshippers from Baglung, Myagdi, Parbat and further afield.

Kalika is a fierce form of the mother goddess, and devotees come to make offerings, ask for blessings before journeys, exams or new ventures, and give thanks afterwards. The temple compound includes the main shrine, smaller subsidiary shrines, bells and spaces for rituals. Mornings are the most atmospheric time to visit, when local people stop on their way to work and the courtyard fills with the sound of bells.

For travellers on the road between Pokhara, Beni and Mustang, the temple is an easy and rewarding stop. It takes no more than an hour to see, and it gives a window onto the religious life of a western hill town that most visitors only pass through.

History and culture

Local tradition links the founding of the temple to the rulers of the old Parbat kingdom, who controlled this stretch of the Kali Gandaki before the unification of Nepal, and the goddess is regarded as a guardian of the town. The present structures have been renovated and extended over time, so the compound mixes older elements with newer building work.

Dashain is the high point of the temple's year, when crowds of pilgrims arrive and animal sacrifices are offered in keeping with Shakta practice. Navaratri, the nine nights of the goddess during Dashain, sees the heaviest attendance, and the bazaar around the temple becomes a fair. Visitors who are uncomfortable with sacrifice may prefer to come outside the festival days.

Things to do in Baglung Kalika Bhagawati Temple

Morning visit
Come early to watch daily worship and walk around the compound before the bazaar gets busy.
Dashain festival
Visit during Navaratri for the full festival atmosphere, accepting the crowds and sacrifices that come with it.
Combine with the bazaar
Pair the temple with a walk through Baglung bazaar and out onto a suspension bridge over the Kali Gandaki.

Weather and the best time to visit Baglung Kalika Bhagawati Temple

Weather in Baglung Kalika Bhagawati Temple

Conditions change fast in the mountains.

Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.

Best time to visit

Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec

Jan
Good month: Feb
Good month: Mar
Good month: Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Good month: Oct
Good month: Nov
Good month: Dec

Autumn (Sep-Nov): October brings Dashain, the busiest and most colourful time at the temple, with clear post-monsoon weather.
Winter (Dec-Feb): December to February is cool and quieter, a calm time for an unhurried visit.
Spring (Mar-May): March and April are warm and generally pleasant, with some haze.
Monsoon (Jun-Aug): June to September is wet; the temple is open, but road travel to Baglung can be slow because of landslides.

Where to stay

HotelsGuesthouses

Stay in Baglung bazaar, which has simple hotels and guesthouses within reach of the temple.

No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.

Getting there

The temple is in Baglung bazaar, reached from Pokhara along the highway through Nayapul and Kusma; from the bus park it is a short walk or taxi ride.

Nearest hub: Pokhara

roadPokhara to Baglung by bus, jeep or car via Nayapul and Kusma, usually a few hours.
walkFrom the centre of Baglung bazaar the temple is within easy walking distance.

Boundary: Government of Nepal, Survey Department (2020). Peak data: Wikidata.

Permits and fees

None needed

No permit or entry ticket is normally needed to visit the temple.

Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.

Risks and conditions

Seasonal risks around Baglung Kalika Bhagawati Temple

What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.

Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon landslides regularly affect the hill highway between Pokhara and Baglung, delaying travel to the temple.
Climate of Nepal, Wikipedia
Otherlow in a typical yearSep-Oct
Dashain brings very large crowds to the temple and heavy demand for transport; plan travel and accommodation in advance.
Dashain, Wikipedia

Check current conditions before you travel

Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.

Practical tips

Remove shoes before entering the inner shrine area and avoid wearing leather inside.
Ask before photographing worshippers or rituals; some areas may be closed to non-Hindus or to cameras.
Expect animal sacrifices during Dashain and on certain auspicious days.

Questions about Baglung Kalika Bhagawati Temple

Where is the Kalika temple in Baglung?

It stands at the edge of Baglung bazaar, in a grove of trees within walking distance of the town centre.

When is the temple busiest?

During Dashain, especially the nine nights of Navaratri, when pilgrims arrive from across the region.

Is there an entry fee?

No entry ticket is normally charged; donations are welcome.

Nearby

Town or village