Khallari Mata Temple

Khallari Mata Temple is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Durga located atop Khallari Hill in Khallari village, Bagbahara tehsil, Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh. Perched at about 600 meters elevation, the temple offers panoramic views of surrounding plains and forests. Believed to date to the Kalchuri period, it is known for its hilltop setting, stone steps, ancient idols and annual Navratri fair attracting devotees from across the region.

Visitors can expect a climb of approximately 400-500 stone steps to reach the hilltop temple complex. The temple is a small stone shrine with idols of the goddess, surrounded by open courtyard and hilltop plateau offering wide views of fields, forests and villages below. The setting is natural and quiet, with rocky terrain, scattered remains of an old fort wall on the hill, small shops at the foothill, and a peaceful pilgrimage atmosphere especially during Navratri.

The temple is believed to have ancient origins associated with the Kalchuri dynasty and the former Khallari fort that once stood on the hill. Local tradition links the site to the legend of Khallari and the goddess as protector of the area. Stone idols and fort ruins on the hill indicate its long-standing religious and strategic importance.

Revered as a prominent Shakti shrine in Chhattisgarh, the temple is a major centre of devotion to Maa Khallari, considered a form of Durga. It hosts large gatherings during Navratri (Chaitra and Sharad) with special pujas, fairs and cultural programs, drawing devotees from Mahasamund, Raipur and neighboring Odisha.