Raghunath Temple, Kullu: Timings, Aarti, Entry Fee & How to Reach

Raghunath Temple Kullu at a Glance

Raghunath Temple Timings & Aarti

The temple keeps a split schedule. It opens early for the morning darshan and aarti, closes through the middle of the day, then reopens in the late afternoon and stays open for the evening aarti. In summer the morning aarti is at 7:00 AM and the evening aarti at 8:30 PM. In winter these shift to 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM. The midday closure runs roughly 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM in summer and 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM in winter, so time your visit for the morning or after the temple reopens. On festival days, especially during Kullu Dussehra, the hours change, so confirm locally before you go.

Entry Fee & Dress Code

There is no entry fee. The temple is free for everyone and there is no separate darshan ticket; you only pay for anything you choose to offer, plus parking or taxis. As a working temple it asks for modest dress: cover your shoulders and knees, and remove footwear before entering the sanctum. Photography can be restricted inside the inner shrine, so check the boards or ask a priest before taking pictures.

How to Reach Raghunath Temple

By air. The nearest airport is Bhuntar, also called Kullu-Manali Airport, about 11 km from the temple and around 20 minutes by cab. Bhuntar has limited flights, so many travellers fly into Chandigarh (about 240 km) and drive the rest of the way up.

By road. Kullu lies on NH3 and is well connected by HRTC and private Volvo buses from Delhi, Chandigarh and Shimla. From the Kullu bus stand the temple is only about 1.5 km, a 10 to 20 minute taxi ride, and an easy walk if you are staying in Dhalpur or Sultanpur. Popular starting points include Delhi to Kullu and Chandigarh to Kullu.

By train. There is no broad-gauge line into Kullu. The nearest narrow-gauge railhead is Joginder Nagar (about 100 km) and the most-used major railhead is Chandigarh (about 240 km); from either you continue by road.

Distances from the temple:

Kullu Dussehra & the Raghunath Rath Yatra

Raghunath Temple is the heart of Kullu Dussehra, the valley’s biggest festival and one of the few in India with international status. Where most of the country finishes Dussehra on Vijayadashami, Kullu begins its seven-day celebration the day after. The idol of Lord Raghunath is carried in a grand rath (chariot) procession at Dhalpur Maidan, joined by more than 200 village deities brought on wooden palanquins from across the district. In 2026 the festival runs from about 20 to 26 October. If you visit then, expect big crowds, road closures around Dhalpur and very different temple hours, so book your stay and transport well ahead.

History & Significance

The temple was built in 1660 by Raja Jagat Singh, the ruler of Kullu. Local tradition holds that he installed an idol of Lord Raghunath (Rama), said to have been brought from Ayodhya, and made the deity the presiding god of his kingdom. That is why the whole valley still gathers here every Dussehra. The building follows the Pahari style with a pyramidal roof, and it is regarded as the oldest and most revered temple in the Kullu valley. For the full story and photos, see our Raghunath Temple, Kullu overview.

Best Time to Visit

May to October is the most comfortable window, with mild days and clear valley views. October is special because of Kullu Dussehra, though it is also the busiest week of the year. Winters (December to February) are cold and higher routes can see snow, but the temple stays open and darshan is quieter. If you are driving in, avoid peak monsoon (July and August), when landslides can slow the Chandigarh to Kullu road. Planning the wider trip? Use our Kullu travel guide to pair the temple with the rest of the valley.

Plan Your Kullu Trip

Raghunath Temple pairs naturally with Dhalpur, the riverside walks and the Dussehra week. If you would rather have the routing, stays and timings handled for you, browse our customisable Himachal tour packages, which can fold Kullu, Manali and the Dussehra dates into one itinerary.

By the TravelTriangle Editorial Team. Last updated September 2026.

Reviewed for accuracy by our Himachal desk against Kullu itineraries we plan year round.