TEMPLES

Chamunda Devi Temple

Chamunda Devi Temple

The Chamunda Devi Temple is situated 10 km west of Palampur in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

Standing on the banks of the Ban Ganga river, the temple has an very sacred idol of Chamunda Devi, so much so that the god is wrapped by a red cloth. The location of the temple is also significant since it is believed to be the same spot where Maa Kali assassinated the generals of devil kings Shumbh and Nisumbh. The name of the two general were Chanda and Munda. It is their name that gave Goddess Kali the name of Chamunda.

Within the temple, there is an picture of Chamunda Devi accompanied by the images of Hanuman and Bhairo. The surrounds of the temple is considered just perfect for those who wish to meditate and pray.

Jhakhu Temple

Jhakhu Temple

This Temple is located on the Jhakhu hills which dominate the Shimla town. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanumana, a trusted supporter of Lord Rama.

The legend linked with the temple states that when during the war with the Lankan King Ravana, (to rescue Rama's wife, Sita) Lakshmana (Rama's younger brother) got injured, Hanumna was sent to fetch a medicinal herb from the Himalayas. On his way back, Hanumana rested on the Jhakhu hill. The Jakhu Temple in Shimla is located at an height of 2455 Mts. The temple is dedicated to lord Hanuman, the monkey god in Indian mythology. Hanuman was the most faithful supporter of lord Rama (India’s most revered mythological hero). The temple of Hanuman is in the thick forests of Jakhu hills, and is on top the Jakhu Hill. Jakhu is derived from Hindi word Yakhsa. Yakshas are the mythological character in Hindu mythology, who are a link between human and gods. The Jakhu hill is the highest peak around Shimla, and is famous for its trekking options. The Jakhu hill offers excellent views of sunrise, sunset, mountains and town. The hill is full of narrow paths and roads which are an enjoyable walks.

The temple today stands as a prompt of this legend. The temple preserves what is widely supposed to be the footsteps of Lord Hanuman. Infact, they willingly accept the eatables offered to them. The temple can be accessed through a dense forest of Deodars.

The Legends

The Jakhu temple is said to be formed when lord Hanuman visited Jakhu hill. As per legends, Hanuman visited this place during the famous Rama - Ravana fight. Lakshman, the younger brother of Rama, was critically injured during the fight and the only medicinal herb which could have saved his life was available in the Himalayan range. On his way back, Hanuman rested on the Jakhu hills, and the top of the mountain got flat by his and mountain’s weight. The temple of Jakhu has since been highly revered by the locals. The shrine of the temple is the foot prints of Hanuman. In most of the Hanuman temples in India, one can come across numerous monkeys and Jakhu is no exception. There are hundreds of monkeys in and around the temple. Though mostly very peaceful, they can attack a person, if prorogated. Pilgrims offer them eatables, which they readily accept

Chintapurni Temple

Chintapurni Temple

A revered Shakti Peetha, that is what Chintapurni Temple is. It is the place where the feet of Sati fell after her body was cut off into pieces by the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu to calm the anger of Lord Shiva. The temple is situated on a ridge on the Dharamshala - Hoshiarpur road.The construction of the temple has a legend behind it. After meeting his family, the devotee whose name was Bhagat Mai Dass, came back to the spot and started praying to Goddess Durga. The young girl this time appeared before him in a human form and heading for him to a put where he could find her in the form of a pindi. Bhagat Mai Dass followed the instruction and constructed the temple.

The presiding deity of the temple, Chintpurni Devi, is believed to fulfil the wishes of her devotees. The image of the deity inside the temple is headless. The head, it is said, was cut off to satisfy the blood thirst of her companions. The temple celebrates many fairs and festival, amongst which the most important one is the one celebrated in the month of August during the 10 days of Shukla Paksh.

Naina Devi Temple

Naina Devi Temple

This is one of the 51 Shakti Peetha. It is the place where the eyes of Devi Sati fell. The word Naina is derived from this. The temple is situated a top the Naina hillock in Nanital. After entering the main gate of the temple, devotees first bow their head before the statue of Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanumana. Further, there are two statues of lions at the main entrance of the temple. Within the temple itself, there are three deities - Mata Kali Devi, two eyes of Naina Devi and Lord Ganesha. Devotees of Naina Devi take on a walk of around half an hour up to this temple to have a darshan of their revered deity. 

Bhimakali Temple

Bhimakali Temple

Situated in Sarahan in Himachal Pradesh, the Bhimakali Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. The architecture of the temple is its prime highlight. The temple is wooden and presents a superb mixture of the Hindu and Buddhist Temple style.

An interesting story is linked with this temple. The old temple, during the earthquake of 1905, got a bit skewed. However, with another following tremor, the temple straightened on its own! By the side of the old temple, a new one was constructed in the year 1927, and now it houses a two centuries old picture of goddess Bhimakali at its first floor. The other temples in the complex are dedicated to Lord Narsingha and Lord Raghunath.

Hadimba Devi Temple

Hadimba Devi Temple

This temple is dedicated to Hadimba, wife of one of the Pandava brother, Bhim. Hadimba was the sister of a demon Hadimb before she got married to Bhim. There is a tragic story attached with the temple. The temple was constructed by Raja Bahadur Singh in 1533 AD in Dungri, Manali. The king was so pleased with the carvings in the temple that he cut off the hand of the artist who carried out the job so as to stop him to repeat his work of art. The artists was unmoved by this and continued his work with his left hand and displayed his art once again in the Trilokinath Temple in Chamba. The people this time were more strong in their view that the exemplary art should not be repeated. The temple has a four tired pagoda shaped roof and a carved doorway.

Bijli Mahadev Temple

Bijli Mahadev Temple

Bijli Mahadev is one of the most legendary temples in the Kullu region and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is quiet known for the high staff that infrequently draws lightening to it.
The lightening destroy the Shivalinga here. However, the priests rejoin it with the help of butter. Devotees need to take a scale up to the temple. Two statues of the bull, nandi (Lord Shiva's vehicle) adorn the door of the temple. The door frames themselves have superb carvings.

Hatkoti Temples

Hatkoti Temples

Hatkoti Temple, situated at a distance of 105 km east of Shimla, is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The main temple has a figure image of eight armed Goddess Durga riding a lion with her spear piercing the heart of the fiend Mahishasur. There is another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the complex. The architecture of both the temple is quiet similar and appear to be a work of the Gupta period. During the month of April and November every year a fair is held. At this point of time, the temple, which is typically very quiet, becomes a centre of attraction.

Brajeshwari Devi Temple

Brajeshwari Devi Temple

The Brajeshwari Devi Temple was once recognized for its great wealth. So much so that it attracted the awareness of invaders time and again. Mahmud of Ghazni was the first of these raider who approved away the treasures in the year 1009 AD. The temple was destroyed and a mosque came up in its position.

 

Jawalamukhi Temple

Jawalamukhi Temple

30 km south of Kangra valley in the lap of Shivalik range and 56 kms from Dharamshala, the Jwalamukhi temple is dedicated to the "GODDESS OF LIGHT." One of its own kinds of temples, there is no idol in it. An eternally burning and shining blue blaze emanating from a rock sanctum is only worshipped here as a demonstration of the goddess.
Dedicated to the deity of Flaming Mouth or goddess Jwalamukhi, the temple is one of the 51 power spots or Shaktipeethas of India. One of the most revered temples of the Hindus, the temple possesses a golden dome, gifted by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The temple is at its best during Navratri festival in early April and mid October.

 

Baba balak Nath

Baba balak Nath 

A cave temple of Baba Balak Nath is situated in Deothsidh , in the Dhaulagiri Hills of Hamirpur, is a renowned place of pilgrimage. Pepole come here to seek the blessings of Baba Balak Nath all the year round. It is placed on the border of Bilaspur (70 Kms), Hamirpur (30 Kms) and is well linked by roads from all sides.

The temple of Baba Balak Nath is an important Pilgrim Center in Himachal Pradesh. The temple is situated in the district of Deothsidh in Himachal Pradesh. The tourists as well as the followers of Baba Balak Nath visits this Temple of Himachal Pradesh for the all year round.

The Baba Balak Nath temple is situated inside a cave in Himachal Pradesh. It is situated in the Dhaulagiri Hills, located in the Hamirpur. Since the powers of Baba Balak Nath is known among his followers, the temple in Himachal Pradesh has become a crucial center of pilgrimage.

The Baba Balak Nath temple is placed at a distance of 70 km from Bilaspur and at a distance of 30 km from Hamirpur. The visitors to this temple can avail the bus services in the district. There is an image of Baba Balak Nath that is placed inside the cave temple.

The Baba Balak Nath in Himachal Pradesh also attracts a number of tourists by the nearby rope way facility to Shah-Talai.