Shringa Rishi Temple is situated in Baggi village, Banjar valley, and is believed to be around 60 km from Kullu, 65 km from Mandi, and a short 10-minute walk from the main road.
The temple is dedicated to the sage Rishyasringa, who was born with the horns of a deer. According to Hindu-Buddhist mythology, his father was Vibhandak Rishi, and his mother was a celestial paramour. The story goes that Rishyasringa’s father was seduced by a danseuse named Urvasi, who was sent by Indra, the king of gods, to prevent the yogic powers gained out of penance by the rishi from becoming fatal to the existence of the heavenly world. Rishyasringa was raised by his father in isolation from society, without ever seeing any girls or women, and was endowed with magical and miraculous powers.
The temple houses an idol of Shringa Rishi with goddess Shanta, and the locals consider it to be a sacred place. They believe that this deity protects them and is one of the eighteen chief deities of Kullu valley. The descendants of Shanta and Rishyasringa are Brahmins in Rajasthan state known as Shringi/Sukhwal Brahmins.
Interestingly, there is a sect of Sengar Rajputs who associate their lineage to Shringa Rishi and Mata Shanta and are called the only Rishivanshi Rajputs. In the Ramayana, Shringa Rishi was the chief priest during King Dasharatha’s Putrakameshti Yagna, which resulted in the birth of Rama, Bharata, and the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
The temple has been reconstructed in 2008 and is a must-visit for pilgrims who come every year in May to pay homage to Lord Shringa. However, the place remains inaccessible during the rest of the year due to thick snow cover.
So, what are you waiting for? Take a short walk to the Shringa Rishi Temple and witness the magic of this beautiful temple!