Sidhbari is situated at 17 kms from the district headquarters Kangra, 5 kms east of Dharamshala on the state highway to Palampur, 27 kms from the Palampur via Palampur-Dharamshala Road, 15 kms from McLeodGanj and 225 kms from the state capital city SIMLA via Maranda-Hamirpur-Sujanpur Road and NH-88.
Sidhbari (pronounced as Sidh-badi meaning "The Valley of Sages" or “The abode of the Siddhas or Self-realized masters”) is a scenic village and bazaar on the outskirts of lower Dharamshala along the feet of the Himalayan Dhauladhar mountain range. According to ancient scriptures, Sidhbari has been home to numerous saints and seers which is how it got its name as a place for the Siddhas or those who through their austerities, who are enlightened.
Sidhbari derives its name from a sage, Baba Sidh. It is believed by the locals that the Dhuni (burning piece of wood) here has been burning for centuries and has never been extinguished even once. Hence the Vibhuti (Ash) is said to have the sacred blessings of the Sidh Baba.
Sidhbari is surrounded by picturesque hamlets on all sides inhabited by the semi nomadic Gaddi shepherds who graze their goats on the upper reaches of these mountains. Agriculture on the terrace fields is the main economic activity of the local people. The bazaar stretches for around 600m on both sides of the highway and is the focal point for all commercial activities in Sidhbari. The Chinmaya Ashram is a 15 minute walk downhill from the bazaar. Sidhbari bazaar can be reached by road and is a 5kms drive from Dharamshala town off the Palampur Highway before Yol Cantonment.
The valley of the Siddhas, Sidhbari nestling in the lap of the Himalayas is an awe-inspiring showcase of nature & soul. Swami Chinmayananda chose Sidhbari as a suitable location and established his Chinmaya Mission Ashram here in 1977 called Sandeepany Himalayas and is also the site of his Samadhi (Swami Chinmayananda attained 'Maha Samadhi' in August 1993). He must have felt the divine vibrations of the place where Kapil Muni once lived. Construction of Veer Hanuman idol was began in 1979 and was consecrated on 10th October 1982 by Swami Chinmayananda. Veera Hanumanji is seated at Sidhbari under the milky sky, open to the embrace of his father Vayu, the Wind God. Hanumanji successfully keeps the damaging winds at bay. By worshipping the deity, one gains strength, courage, fame, alertness, eloquence and wisdom. Lord Hanuman is the embodiment of all great divine qualities put together - Devotion, Dedication, Service, Dispassion, Strength, Humility, Knowledge and every other virtue. Once in five years a consecration ceremony (Mahamastaka Abhishekam) of the Veer idol is performed for which devotees from all parts of the world gather in this ashram.
One of the beautiful and serene spots in the Sidhbari ashram is the temple dedicated to Bhagwan Shri Ram, known by all as “Ram Mandir.” Shri Ram Temple’s golden domes glisten from afar, welcoming all devotees. Many consider this temple a place of pilgrimage and visit to pay homage from all corners. At the entrance of the temple on the left is Lord Shiva's statue along with a Shiva Lingam and Nandi.
The construction of Shri Ram Mandir was began in March 1983 and the temple with Vanavasi Lord Ram & Sita was consecrated on 22nd October 1983. The architecture of the temple is unique in style-a Setu (bridge) between North & South Indian Culture. A magnificent mandapam of black polished granite adorns the entrance of the temple. , 40 feet height the Shikara (tower) of the temple is in the shape of a crown with three Kalashas on the top representing the highest truth declared in the scriptures. Three Crore Ram Naam Japa Books, written by devotees of 24 Nations in several languages are deposited at the base of the temple. The black stone idols of Bhagwan Shri Ram and Devi Sita depict the Vanavas aspect of Lord Shri Ram. They are made of special soft stone. This is the first temple in the valley for the worship of God Ram and Goddess Sita in exile in the forests. Through devoted worship of Lord Ram, the devotee's mind gets attuned to the ideal that Shri Ram stands for and is uplifted to receive the showering grace (Amrita) from the Kalashas. A set of Panchaloha or Panchdhatu (5 metals-Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron and Lead) idols of Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman & Hanuman in front of the main idols receive the daily worship. The two elephants in front of Mahamandapam on both the sides are of great attraction to children and visitors.
Veer Hanuman idol's eyes are firmly set on his Lord in the Ram Mandir.
From virtually every corner of the ashram, the snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar are clearly visible. A thick pine forest closes in from one side of the ashram, and the view of magnificent terraced fields & gurgling streams flows in from the other.
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