Kartik Swami temple, locally called as Kelang temple, is located 6 km from Kugti village at an altitude of 3100m above sea level. Temple complex have two temples one of Kartik and other of Marali. The devotees want to visit this sacred place before attempting Jotnu Pass for Kailash Parikrama and Kugti Pass.
One another place is very near to the Kartik Temple known as Naagheli known for snakes. Visitors will find so many snakes at this particular place. You can view actual temple of Goddess Marali at the top of ridge. As this temple complex falls under the Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary area providing a rare occasion to see and study the customs and rituals of the local people named as Gaddi (shepherd). How shepherd live their tough life along with their flocks and how the Gaddies are dedicated and faithful to their Gods and Goddess like Lord Shiva, Lord Kartik and Goddess Marali Mata. The Gaddies after spending six months in lower reaches of Kangra and Una District of Himachal Pradesh with their flocks comes to Bharmour, stay a while at Bharmour they moves toward Lauhal and Spiti through Kugti and Chobia passes to graze their flocks. Gaddies first take permission to cross the Kugti Pass from Lord Kartik and Goddess Marali Devi.
They scarify their few sheep’s to lord Shiva, Lord Kartik and Goddess Marali Devi at Kartik temple to get permission. If someone is not allowed or permitted to cross the pass, and they will not cross the pass and spent their six month near the Kugti ranges and graze their flock in their allotted ranges. Kugti Pass is very risky at the time of snowfall or over fresh snow for tracking. Gaddies also scarify few sheep’s when they are crossing Kugti Pass to the Goddess Marali for safe and easy crossing. Few of shepherd also cross another Pass in Lauhal known as Baralacha pass. The grass of Lauhal and Spiti is much nutrient than other grasses; this is the main reason to go to Lauhal and Spiti with their flocks. The Gaddies return in the month of September from Lauhal and same as repeated cycle.
Best time to Visit Swami Kartik Temple
If you would like to visit Swami Kartik temple then its Best to visit Bharmour from April to October. Swami Kartik Temple opens every year on 13th April and closes on Diwali.