Chhatrari is a beautiful little village located at a distance of is 35 km from Bharmour, Himachal Pradesh. Chhatrari is situated at a height of 6,000 feet (1,800 m) and it is famous for its remarkable hill-style temple of Shakti Devi. Chattrari has an ancient township and is surrounded by beautiful Deodar forests. The Chattrari village has a Shakti Devi temple complex which was constructed in 650 AD, around the same period when the Lakshana Temple of Bharmour was constructed. The temple has specific sculpure comprising wood and slate roof. The Idol placed inside the temple is made of Panchloha (An alloy of 5 metals), and is quite lustrous. it is said by the elders of the village that the temple used to be a revolving one on base over a pivot. But, later on it was fixed to the ground. The old idols which were made of stone, are now fixed out side the shrine, having been replaced by a statue made of an alloy.
Just over the entrance of temple a beautiful row of flying figures are present. Four figures each on both sides and two in the center with a crown in hand are present. There are 6 more figures which are accompanied by female characters. Beneath these figures are present thirteen figures which are cross- legged and nine of them are Nava grahas.
As per archaeological experts other four figures, two each and two ends acts as guardian to four regions. Being one of the famous temples of Bharmour, this place became an important pilgrimage center. The other idol figures present inside this temple includes six-faced Karttikeya, four-armed Brahma, three-faced Vishnu, Shiva and Durga.
This temple is also called as “temple of Chhatrari” as is one of the holiest one located in Himachal. Influence of post Gupta period can be noticed in the sculptures of this temple. Ceder columns in this temple are decorated with foliage motifs and pot.
The main Brass image of Shakti Devi is of 8th century period adorned with beautiful jewels and a stunning crown. The outer walls of Sanctum sanctorum, are painted with vegetable dyes mainly dipict of Gods like Vishnu, Narsingh (The God with human body and Lion head, the avtar of Lord Vishnu) and other goddesses. An idol of the sculptor “Gugga” also finds a place in the main shrine on the left corner of the Shakti Mata statue.
Every year in the month of September on the third day of Manimahesh Yatra in Bharmour, water from Manimahesh Lake is brought and the idol of Shakti Mata is performed a holy bath. the masked dances are performed by the local inhabitants, a Hindu Shepherd community locally known as “Gaddi”. On this ocassion, the Gaddis offer many sheep and goat as sacrifice before Mata.
People can reach by trek on a bridal path from Gehra to Chattrari or through a vehicle upto Chattrari village, from Luna and a little walk of less than half a kilo meter.
The village has a Forest Rest House built during 1960 in the Fringes of forest. A recent addition to the township being a double storied PWD Rest House providing facility to the visitors a comfortable stay.