Himachal Pradesh Temples

Naina Devi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

September 23, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 1 Comment Filed Under: Himachal Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples, Shakti Peetha

Naina Devi Temple is located in Himachal Pradesh and is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths. The temple has presiding deities belonging to both Hindu as well as the Sikh community. Naina Devi was named after the famous mythological story about Goddess Sati. As the temple is one of the Shaktipeeths, it signifies the place of strength i.e Shakti in Hindi.

Naina Devi Temple is located on a triangular-shaped hill also known as Naina Dhar hill, which is 3535 feet above the sea level. The temple attracts a large number of worshippers as the place is believed to be the famous shrine of Goddess Sati. One of the popular hill resort located in Himachal Pradesh known by the name of Nainital has been named after the famous Naina Devi temple. This one of the places where the devotees can have a completely spiritual experience, with breathtaking views on the way and at the temple. People from every part of the country come here to seek blessings of Naina Devi Maa. It is situated 20 km from Anandpur Sahib and is surrounded by famous landmarks of Bhakra Dam, Anandpur Sahib, and Govind Sagar Lake.

History of Naina Devi Temple

Naina Devi Temple is based on many mythological stories and one of the interesting stories is of Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati.
Goddess Sati, also known as Goddess Parvati was the wife of Lord Shiva. Goddess Sati burnt herself alive in yagna(sacrificial bonfire) which distressed Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva, therefore, took the corpse of his wife Sati on his shoulder and started his Tandav dance, carrying the corpse across the country,
This angered all the deities in heaven. Lord Vishnu, on seeing this, decided to take action about the ongoing situation, as it would lead to the holocaust, Therefore, Lord Vishnu unleashed his Chakra onto Sati’s body that cut her body into 51 pieces. These pieces fell on different parts of the country and the place where these pieces fell are now known as Shaktipeeths, and that’s why there are in total 51 Shaktipeeths across the entire country. Shri Naina Devi Temple is the place where the eyes of Goddess Sati fell down.
Another story related to this temple is of a Gujjar boy named Naina. Once, he was grazing his cattle where he saw that a cow was showering milk from her udders on a stone. This continued for a few days. One night when he was sleeping, Goddess came in his dreams and told him that the stone is her Pindi. Naina told about the entire situation and his dream to Raja Bir Chand. When Raja saw this happening for real, he built a temple on that spot and named after Naina’s name.
Shri Naina Devi temple is also known as Mahishapeeth temple because of the defeat of demon Mahishasur by the Goddess. According To legends, Mahishasur was immortal by power acquired in him given by Lord Brahma but had one condition that only an unmarried woman would defeat him. Due to this boon, he started spreading terror on Earth and Gods. To cope with the demon, all Gods combined their power an created a Devi (Goddess) to defeat him. When Mahishasur got mesmerized by the immense beauty of Devi, he proposed to marry her. Devi told him that she would marry him if only he overpowers her in a battle. And that’s when Devi defeated demon by taking out both his eyes. As “Naina” means eyes in Hindi, the temple was thus given the name as “Naina Devi”.

One more famous tale is associated with the temple is of the great Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. when he left for his military campaign against Mughals in1756, he performed a sacrificial yagna to seek blessings of the Goddess. After getting the blessings, he eventually defeated the Mughals in the battle and that’s why the place is called the “Temple of Strength”

Significance of Naina Devi Temple

The temple is situated on a triangular hill which offers a great view of the foothills near Naina Dhar hill and also offers the view of beautiful Gobind Sagar lake which was created Bhakra Nangal dam.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Naina, the legend says its a spot where Goddess Sati’s eyes fell and hence the name. It is situated at the end of the Naini Lake and also its surrounding areas is really serene, positive and peaceful,a perfect place to have a getaway with your spiritual side, The moment you enter the vicinity of this temple, a calming aura of the place that takes over your senses and certain lightness and calmness is experienced. Also, the temple compound provides an unobstructed view of the Nainital lake.
The best part of this temple is there are no “holy men” distracting you, no beggars, a very serene environment conducive to meditation and prayer.

Naina Devi Temple Timings

Naina Devi Temple gates remain open all days of the week. The visiting hours of this temple are between 5:00 am and 7:00 pm.
The first-morning aarti is known as the “Mangal aarti” which happens around 4:00 am in the morning when the priests open the temple gates and ring the bell to wake up the deities which are a part of the daily tradition.
The next aarti happens around 6:00 am which is known as the “Shringaar aarti”.
All the rituals and poojas, shanas are done in front of devotees and by the priests who present themselves in the premises without fail every day.
This is then followed by the afternoon aarti which is performed by everyone in the chorus which occurs around 12:00 pm. This aarti is known as the “Madyaanh aarti”
Evening aarti is the best to attend as the surroundings and weather become serene and the worshippers get a spiritual experience and also the temple gets beautifully decorated and lit up during evening and night. There are two bells which are rang by the devotees where the sound of those big bells mesmerizes everyone. The evening aarti occurs around 6:30 pm and is the final aarti of the entire day.

Festivals celebrated at Naina Devi Temple

Navratras: Navratri denotes a 9-day & night festival and gives the opportunity to worship Divine Goddess. Each day of Navratri is celebrated in honor of Nine Goddesses. Different forms of Goddess Durga are as following:
Shailputri
Brahmacharini
Chandraghanta
Kushmanda
Skandamata
Katyayni
Kaalratri
Mahagauri
Siddhidatri

Makar Sakranti: Makar Sakranti is celebrated in almost all states of the country in different cultural forms. People take dips in holy rivers like Ganga Sagar and Prayag to get blessings of Lord Sun. Makar Sakranti is celebrated as Pongal is South India, Maghi in Punjab Uttarayan in Gujarat and Magh Bihu in Assam. The festival falls in January.

Vasant Panchami: Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, Vasant Panchami spreads the yellow color all around. The goddess is dress in yellow and worshipped with Puja and Yajna. People wear yellow clothes and share yellow hue sweets with their friends & relatives. The festival falls in February.

Maha Shivratri: Also known as Great Night of Lord Shiva, Maha Shivratri is dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. Some people fast on this day while others celebrate it by reciting Shlokas and singing bhajans. The celebrations and worship continue till late night when devotees offer fruits, coconut, Ganga Jal and Bilva leaves to Lord and Goddess. The festival falls in February.

Holi: The festival of Holi is to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. According to the legends, the demon Hiranyakaship wanted to kill his son Prahlada because he was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. So, the demon made a plan with his sister Holika to kill the son. Holika tried to kill Prahlada and sat with him in the fire. She died in fire and Prahlada rescued. The festival falls in March.

Ram Navami: This festival celebrates the birth of Seventh Avatar of Lord Vishnu; Shri Rama who was born on the 9th day of Chaitra month. Shri Ramchandra killed the evil king Ravana. The festival falls in April.

Raksha Bandhan: The festival of Raksha Bandhan denotes and further strengthens the bond of brother and sister. Still celebrated in a traditional manner, a sister ties Rakhi on the wrist of her brother and expresses her love. In return, brother promises to protect her forever and offers her gifts. The festival falls in August.

Shri Krishna Janamashtami: Also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Krishnaashtami, this day is celebrated as birthday of Lord Krishna. The festival falls in August.

Ganesh Chaturthi: This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesh, one of the most popular Hindu Gods and a symbol of good luck. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by offering laddoo and milk to the Lord. The festival falls in September.

Dussehra: Also known as Vijaya Dashmi, Dussehra is celebrated as the day of victory of Shri Rama over Ravana in Satya Yug. Demon Mahishasura was also defeated by Goddess Durga on the same day. The festival falls in October.

Karva Chauth Vrat:On Karva Chauth, married ladies observe a rigorous fast without meal and water so as to pray for long lives of their husbands. Nowadays, young girls also observe this fast to get good life-partner. The festival is celebrated mostly by North Indians and falls in October.

Diwali: Diwali or Deepawali signifies the return of Lord Rama after 14-years of exile from Ayodhaya. The night of Deepawali is celebrated by lights and fireworks. The festival falls in November .

New Year Eve: Every year, the New Year Eve is celebrated with great zeal in the temple. The entire complex is decorated combined with special Pooja of Shri Naina Devi Ji.

How to reach

By Air: The nearest airport is the Chandigarh International airport which is about 100 km from Naina Devi temple.Domestic flights are available from the main cities i.e Bangalore,Delhi,Mumbai,Bhubaneshwar,Ahmedabad, Hyderabad,Kochi,Shrinagar and Chennai.One can hire taxis directly to Naina Devi Temple or can take trains running between Chandigarh railway station and Anandpur sahib by coming to chandigarh railway station from airport which is 16 kms from the airport.

By Train: Anandpur railway station is at a distance of 30 km which is the nearest railway station to Naina Devi.Devotees can hire taxis from there to reach Naina Devi bus stand where one can take Palkis to reach the destination.

By Road:The temple is connected with national Highway-21.Transport bus services are provided by the government of Punjab and Haryana from all important cities.One can also take bus from delhi which is located about 350 km from the temple.

Delhi to Naina Devi temple

By Air: Connecting flights are available from Delhi where one can reach Chandigarh airport and from there hire taxis directly to the temple.

By Train:There are trains available between Delhi and Anandpur Sahib railway staitions.One can hire taxis from Anandpur station which is situated at a distance of 30 km from the temple

By Road:Naina Devi Temple is located on the National Highway,thats why becomes easy for the worshippers coming by road.Delhi is at a distance of 350 km from the temple and transport buses are available to and fro from Naina Devi and Delhi.

Mumbai to Naina Devi Temple

By Air:Connecting flights are available from Mumbai where one can reach Chandigarh airport and from there, hire taxis directly to the temple.You can take IndiGo (flight) from Mumbai to Chandigarh then take Uhl Janshatabdi(train) from Chandigarh to Anandpur Sahib

By Train:There are no direct trains available between Chatrapati Shivaji Terminas (Mumbai) and Anandpur Sahib railway staitions.There is no direct train between Mumbai and Anandpur Sahib. The cheapest way to reach Anandpur Sahib from Mumbai is to take Swaraj Express (train)from Mumbai to Ambala Cantt then take Koaa Nldm Exp(train) from Ambala Cantt to Anandpur Sahib.

By Road:There is no direct bus between Mumbai and Anandpur Sahib. You can take Paschim Express(train) from Mumbai to Jalandhar then take State Transport Bus from Jalandhar to Anandpur Sahib

Hotels to stay

Free stay maintained by temple trustees:Trust has constructed the Patiala Dharamshala, langar and another motel near langar area that provides free staying facility to 1,000 devotees.

Paid stay maintained by temple trustees:Temple Trust has also constructed Matri Aanchal,Matri Chahya and Matri Sharan staying shelters with a capacity of 45 rooms and 14 dormitories. The cost of staying at these places is very nominal and affordable.

Also,there are lot of Private hotels and lodges available which are at a close proximity to Naina Devi temple.Good rated hotels are available where one can accomodate.

Cuisine

Trust is running the shop no. 1 in the temple complex since 01-03-1994. This shop provides pure ghee sweets to the visitors that include Halwa, Besan Laddoo, Jalebi and Barfi. This shop is running on a no-profit and no-loss basis & also provides other things like coconut, hara meva and dhoop, etc.
There are many restaurants near Naina Devi temple where the food and ambience is good.One can explore visit these restaurants after taking the tour of Naina Devi temple.

Nearby Attractions

Located in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, Naina Devi wildlife sanctuary is one of the most visited sanctuaries by the tourists coming to Himachal. Located at an altitude of around 500-1100 meters above sea level, the sanctuary is situated in the inner hills of Shivaliks harboring a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Bhakra Dam: Bhakra Dam, is situated at a height of 226 m above sea level, stuns the visitor with its sheer height. The 90 km long dam is spread over an area of 168 sq km and is a combination of the Bhakra dam and Nangal dam. Bhakra Dam is 13 km upstream from Nangal city and the Nangal dam, on the other hand, is 13 km down-stream.
Gobind Sagar Lake: Gobind Sagar Lake over the Sutlej River is a huge reservoir and is the result of Bhakra Nangal, the world’s second-highest gravity dam. It is a major landmark of the Bilaspur District. It covers an area of 170 sq km and its length extends up to 90 km. The lake is named in honor of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru of Sikhs.

Hidimba Devi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 7, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Himachal Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples

Hidimba Devi temple (or Hadimba Temple), in honor of Bhima’s wife Hidimba, is in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. It is in the midst of a forest- Dhungri Van Vihar. The sanctuary is over a huge rock jutting out of the ground which the devotees worshipped as an image of the deity.

What is the history of the Hidimba Devi Temple?

According to the history of Hidimba Devi Temple, the complex was built in 1553. There are also a few local folktales that go around. One of them says that after Pandavas, along with Kunti Devi escaped the fire in the Lakh palace, they came to this area (current temple area).

At that time the rakhshasa king whose sister was Hidimba, ruled the place.

Bhima fell in love with her and married her. They eventually giving birth to their son Ghatotkacha. Hadmiba meditated in Dhungri region near Manali. She gained supernatural powers after her tapasya. She was very kind and thus became quite popular amid the locals. They erected a ‘pagoda’ style temple and dedicated it to her, Hadmiba Devi. Another legend says that Maharaja Bahadur Singh during 1552.

What is the significance of Hidimba Devi Temple?

The significance of the Hidimba Devi Temple is that it has a 24 m high tower. The three tiers of its square roofs are covered with timber tiles, while the conical roof is clad in metal. Moreover, Devi Durga forms the theme of the main doors carvings.

Further, the temple base consists of whitewashed, mud-covered stonework. An enormous rock occupies the inside of the temple, only a 7.5 cm (3 inch) tall brass image representing goddess Hidimba Devi.

According to a legend, in bygone days religious zealots would tie the hands of “sinners” by the rope and then swing them against the rock- thus a rope hangs against the rock.

70 m away a shrine exists dedicated to Ghatotkacha.

One of the prominent features of the temple is that inside the temple complex there lies the imprint of the feet of the Goddess on a block of stone. Also, when zooming into the area where the temple is present via Google Satellite, the imprint of a giant foot spans across the valley in the area near the temple.

What are the timings at Hidimba Devi Temple?

Here are the timings of Hidimba Devi Temple:

Timings	From	To
Open	8:00 a.m.	6:00 p.m.

What festivals are celebrated at Hidimba Devi Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Hidimba Devi Temple are:

During the Hindi month of Shravan, a grand festival is organized. This festival is in the memory of the person who constructed it, Raja Bahadur Singh. Locals also know it as Bahadur Singh Re Jatar.
Another important festival or event held is the celebration of the birthday of Hadmiba Devi, on the 14^th of May, every year. At this time, the local women visit the Dungri forest area and celebrate with music and dance.

How to reach Hidimba Devi Temple?

Here’s how to reach Hidimba Devi Temple:

Air: The Bhuntar Airport at Kullu which is 10 km from Manali.
Rail: The closest narrow gauge railhead is at Jogindernagar. Also, the closest broad gauge railheads are Chandigarh and Ambala.
Road: Kullu and Manali both the places are on the National Highway No. 21.

Where to stay in Manali?

Some places where one can stay near temple are:

Khushboo Resorts at Manali is a famous place to stay. It has got excellent room services and suitable amenities. It is present at Border Road Officers Mess.
Hotel Hadimba Heights at Dhungri near Ghatotkach & Hadimba Temple is another grand place to check in. It has a wonderful homely atmosphere with serene natural surroundings.

What are some places to visit nearby?

Some of the places that one can visit nearby are:

Malana – Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India, Malana is an ancient solitary Indian village to the north-east of Kullu Valley. Three mountain passes connect the village to Kullu. The majestic peaks of Deo Tibba and Chandrakhani shadow the village.
Kullu is at a height of 1,230 meters above the level of the sea in the state of Himachal Pradesh and is also popular as the ‘Valley of Gods’. The scenic views, towering jungles, blue water rivers, apple orchards, and snow-kissed mountains are some of the major pointers which attract tourists to this location.

Laxmi Narayan Temple Chamba Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 7, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Himachal Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Vishnu Temples

Laxmi Narayan Temple Chamba is one of the oldest and largest temples in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. It has six different temples in its complex. Laxmi Narayan Temple Chamba was built in the 10th century. The temples in the complex are arranged from north to south dedicated to Lord Shiva or Vishnu. There are other temples housed in the complex including Radha Krishna Temple, Shiva Temple of Chandragupta and Gauri Shankar Temple.

Laxmi Narayan Temple Chamba, which is the main temple of Chamba town was built by Sahil Varman in the 10th century AD. The temple has been built in the Shikhara style. The temple consists of Bimana i.e. Shikhara and GarbhGriha with a small antralya. Laxmi Narayana Temple has a mandapa like structure also. The wooden Chhattries, the shell roof, atop the temple were in response to the local climatic conditions as a protection against snowfall.

History of Laxmi Narayan Temple Chamba

Legend states that the image of Lord Vishnu present in this temple was made of a rare marble imported from Vindhyachal Mountains. The erstwhile king of the region, Sahil Verma, who constructed this temple, sacrificed eight of his sons to get the marble. And finally, his eldest son, Yugkara succeeded to fetch the marble.
He was also attacked by the robbers, but with the help of a saint, he managed to save himself. Thus with great effort, the idol of the Lord could be made which is the most revered one here.
The legend of the Laxmi Narayan Temple has the history that Raja Sahil Verma, who constructed this temple, sent nine of his sons to the Vindhyas mountains to get marble which was suitable for the construction of the Vishnu Idol.
A variation of this origin of Chamba is that it originated as a hermitage which Champavati, a devout Hindu, used to frequent. The king, being suspicious of his daughter’s fidelity, one day investigated and followed her to the hermitage, but surprisingly he found neither his daughter nor the hermit there. Suddenly he was said to have heard a voice which informed him that his suspicions were ill-founded, admonishing him and informing him that his daughter had been taken away from him permanently as a punishment of his lack of trust in her morals. The King, fully chastened, sought redemption for his sin by expanding the hermitage into a temple, named in his daughter’s honor and built a city around the temple. Today this temple, called the Champavati Temple, belongs to the Royal family and the King’s daughter is venerated as a goddess. Every year, since 935, the Minjar festival or fair has been held. It lasts for 21 days, coinciding with the first day of Baisakhi.
The remoteness and ruggedness of the Ravi River valley secured Chamba from successful invasions for around 1,000 years.
Since Raja Sahil Varman, the dynasty ruled without a successful invasion for around a millennium, until the British gained power. The isolation of the town and its rugged hilly terrain is believed to have been a contributing factor to this unusual state of security. Later, Mughal emperors, Akbar and Aurangzeb did attempt to annex Chamba but were unsuccessful in subjugating this territory into their kingdoms. Raja Prithvi Singh (1641-1664 AD), who was on amicable terms with Emperor Shahjahan was instrumental in introducing the court lifestyles of the Mughals.

Significance of Laxmi Narayan Temple Chamba

Laxmi Narayan Temple is the most famous temple of Chamba. It is both an architectural marvel as well as a place of great historical significance. Built by Raja Sahil Varman in the Shikhara style, it was first erected in the 10th Century.
Wooden Chhatris or umbrella-like structures are built to keep the snowfall off the roofs. There is also a wheel-shaped roof that staves off the cold. Every following ruler of Chamba added to the temple. A Radha-Krishnan temple was built by Rani Sarda, the wife of Raja Jit Singh in 1825.
A Shiva Temple in the temple complex was built by Sahil Varman and the Gauri-Shankar Temple is said to have been made by his son Yugkar Varman. A Garuda (the mythical eagle) statue in metal watches over the main gate, placed there by Raja Balabhadra Verma.
The latest addition to the temple in historic times was in answer to the Mughal threat. Apparently Aurangzeb the Emperor ordered that the temple be demolished and Raja Chhatra Singh, to prove that he wasn’t afraid, added gilded pinnacles to the temple in 1678. There were also some shrines built in the temple complex. All of which you will see when you visit this most revered temple in what is known as Himachals Holy Valley.
The Lakshmi Narayan Temple complex is opened first between 6 am to 12.30 pm and then from 2.30 to 8.30 pm.
The ‘garbhagriha’ or the innermost shrine houses a mandapa (altar) that is prohibited to the public. It also has idols of several other deities.
The entire complex consists of six temples in a row from the north to south direction. They are mostly dedicated to Lord Shiva or Vishnu. The other important ones here are of the Gauri Shankar Temple, Shiva Temple of Chandergupta and the temple of Radha and Lord Krishna. Divine symbols and images of deities adorn the outer walls of these temples.
The shell roofs or the umbrella-like structures made of wood was built keeping in mind the climate of the place. Snowfall is inevitable in this part of the state.

How to Reach Laxmi Narayan Temple Chamba

Lakshmi Narayan temples is situated in the main market. You can reach this place by bus or taxi. So when you reached in the Chamba district then it is 200 meter from the bus stand. Its distance from various places is mainly in km are given which is approximated but not exact. From Kangra it is mainly 100 km, from Hamirpur it is 210 km, from Shimla it is nearly 350 km and from Mandi it is about 295 km.

Laxmi Narayan Temple Chamba Timings

The Lakshmi Narayan Temple opens up twice a day for the devotees in two halves. The Lakshmi Narayan Temple Complex is opened first between 6am to 12:30pm and then from 2:30pm to 8:30pm.

In between these periods the deities are supposed to be taking rest and at night they retire to the interiors of the temple for rest. The best season to visit Chamba for the temple would be from between April and October.

Places to stay nearby

There are various dharamshala facility provided fo the devotees. The Temple Trust has themselves made dharamshalas for the devotees as well as tourists. Apart from dharamashalas, there are many hotels as well as private organizations that provide dwelling facilities to the people. The hotels have nominal charge keeping the need and budget of the devotees and the tourists. The hotels provide clean and hygiene environment to the tourists as well has good and hygienic food. Many hotels provide wifi facilities to the tourists so that they keep themselves connected to the whole world.

Places to eat nearby

Laxmi Narayan Temple provides food to its devotees. They are free of cost and all the expenses incurred are borne by the Trustees. Once the daily Puja is over, devotees are allowed to move for food. These food are made in a very hygienic condition maintaining the dignity of the Temple. The food includes three main course and are given in plenty. All the expenses incurred are borne by the temple trust. Apart from the prasad provided in the temple, one can also have food from hotels outside the campus. These hotels provide clean and hygienic food. There are various other places to eat food. There are many hotels and cafe which provide food keeping the taste and needs of the devotees. They cost very nominal keeping the needs and budget of the tourists.

There are a lot of dishes which are given to the devotees. There are one-time free prasads served to the devotees. There are many other dishes that are served to the devotees for which they need to spend money. The food is prepared in a very hygienic conditions. All the eatables are taken good care while preparing food. Foods are prepared in a very hygienic atmosphere.

Apart from the food we get in the temple, there are many other hotels and places where one can have food. In Chamba, we can find food stalls everywhere. There are hotels and cafes like Cafe Coffee Day, Pind Balluchi, The First Floor Restaurant and many more. There are many other hotels which have nominal charges keeping the taste of the consumer in mind. They prepare food in a very clean and hygienic environment.

Festivals celebrated in Laxmi Narayan Temple Chamba

Chamba is one of those places where Basohli effect actually reached. Two melas or fairs, also known as Jatras, are of particular note in Chamba; “Suhi Mata Mela” and “Minjar Mela”. A notable event of such fairs is when the ‘chela’. a subordinate of the deity who is being worshipped goes into a trance and answers the queries and prayers of the devotees.

An important festival held in Chamba is known as the “Suhi Mata Mela”. It is held annually in March–April for four days to commemorate the sacrifice made by the queen of Chamba with her life, to bring water to the town. The legend associated with this festival and the Sui Mata temple, built in memory of the queen (wife of Raja Sahil Varman), relates to the sacrifice she made to fulfill a prophecy in a dream, which said that water from the Sarota stream could only be accessed through an aqueduct if the queen or her son was sacrificed. Rather than kill her own son she sacrificed her own life for the town. To commemorate this event, women and children take a lead role in the festival. An image of Champavati, with banners of the Rajput solar emblem, are taken by them in a procession, dancing and singing, through the Chaugan to the Suhi Mata temple.

Another popular festival held in Chamba is the “Minjar Mela”, held on the second Sunday of the Shravana month, corresponding to the month of August in the Gregorian calendar. It marks the triumph of the Raja of Chamba over the ruler of Trigarta (now called as Kangra), in 935 AD and also celebrates the paddy and maize crops grown at this time of the year. The festival commences with offerings of ‘minjar’, consisting of a bunch of paddy plant and golden silk wrapped in red fabric. The offerings also include a rupee, a seasonal fruit, and a coconut. This occasion is also celebrated with a flag hoisting ceremony at the Chaugan that initiates a week of cultural and social programmes. The image of the deity, Lord Raghuvira, and more than 200 other deities, are taken in a procession, in a chariot pulled by ropes. Folk dances and music performances known as ‘Kunjari Malhar’ are part of the festivities. On the last day of the festival, a parade is held from the Akhand Chandi Palace to Ravi River, where offerings are made to the river. This commemorates an event in which Raja Sahil Verman changed the course of the river, to make the Hari Rai temple accessible to all devotees.

Chamba and the surrounding district have many local customs in dancing, illustrating the differences in geographical, anthropological and social cultures and religious beliefs in the area. A solo dance or a dance of two people such as the Pharati or Khad-dumbi is commonly performed during the Nuwala ceremony and other important occasions, such as marriages etc. and the Dangri and Sikri are said to be of note. Notable male dances include the Gaddi and Gujjar dances, Dandaras, Nat, Ghorda, Nachan, Dharumsde, the Khad-dumbi and the Chhinjhati. Notable female dances include the Ghurei, Dangi and Kikli, whilst dances such as the Shain, Dhamal, Sohal, Sal Kukdi Nachan, Ratege and Til-Chauti are performed by both sexes. Several forms of masked dance are also performed in Chamba, such as the Chhatradhi Jatar.

Tara Devi Temple Shimla Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 7, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Himachal Pradesh Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples

Tara Devi Temple Shimla is a place famous for its Devi Ma’s power and strength. Present on top of a hill, lush green surroundings engulf the temple, giving it a peaceful atmosphere. At the background also lie the snowy white Himalayas whose majestic view enthralls all.

What is the history of Tara Devi Temple Shimla?

According to the history of Tara Devi temple, once a king, Bhupendra Singh of the Sen Dynasty came here. He always wore an armlet that had the image of the goddess he worshipped encased in gold. One day while hunting the king had a vision of Tara ma along with Hanuman.

In it, they wanted the public to know her so that they can also worship her. So the king built her a shrine. Hence he built a temple and placed a wooden idol. Later after some generations, King Balbir Sen had a vision in which the Goddess wished that her idol should be installed at the top of a hill – Tarav Parvat. The Maharaja got a temple built at the top of the hill and got a beautiful idol made out of “Ashtadhatu”, a rare combination of eight elements.

What is the significance of Tara Devi Temple Shimla?

The significance of Tara Devi Temple is that it has tranquility and a sense of peace and relaxation. There is a “langar” at the temple where distribution of food amongst the people takes place on Sundays. There is a huge fair held at the temple during the Navratri and Ashthami.

What are the timings of Tara Devi Temple Shimla?

Here are the timings of Tara Devi Temple Shimla:

Timings	From	To
open	7:00 a.m.	6:30 p.m.

What are the festivals celebrated at Tara Devi Temple Shimla?

Tara Devi Temple celebrates festivals such as Shardiya Navaratras and Ashthami that take place during Dussehra, during which there are celebrations in honor of Goddess Tara.

How to reach Tara Devi Temple Shimla?

Here’s how to reach Tara Devi Temple:

Air: The nearest airport to Tara Devi Temple is Chandigarh air force base airport , which is 82 km away from Tara Devi Temple.
Rail: Shimla Train station is the nearest station from where one can avail regular trains.
road: Tara Devi Temple is accessible via the Kalka-Shimla Highway.

Where to stay nearby?

Located on the Anandpur Road, just 5 minutes drive from the Shoghi Railway Station, Sunrise Villa offers facilities of free internet and travel desk. Sunrise Villa is situated within 10 minutes drive from the Tara Devi Temple in Shoghi, where travellers can stay.

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Tara Devi Temple are:

The Sankat Mochan Temple lies at a distance of 5 Km from Shimla. In 1950 the efforts of a saintly figure- Baba Neeb Karoriji Maharaj led to the foundation of the temple.
The Hatkoti Temple is not a single temple. Rather, it is a temple which consists of a group of various temples that are in the vicinity of Jabbar River. The most prominent temple in the group is of Goddess Durga accompanied by another temple whose deity is Lord Shiva.
Jakhu Temple– This is another pious temple lying at an altitude of 2500 meters and one can view it from the Jakhu Hill in Shimla. The temple is primitive and the deity here is of Lord Hanuman.