|
September-October every year, colorful fairs are held during
the Navratra celebration.
Chamunda Devi Temple
Chamunda Devi Temple is located in Dharamshala (Kangra). It is
an enchanting spot with glorious views of the mountains, the
Baner Khud, Pathiar and Lahla forest.
Lakshmi Narayan Temple
The Lakshminarayan group of temples in the town of Chamba are
of great archaeological importance. Six stone temples
dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu with tall shikaras, finely
carved, date from the 8th century AD. The Lakshminarayan
Temple is the oldest in this group. Other temples around
Chamba town include, those dedicated to Hari Rai, Champavati,
Bansigopal, Ram Chandra, Brijeshwari, Chamunda, Narsingh, and
Yogi Charpat Nath.
Chaurasi Temples
The 9th century temples at Bharmaur are among the most
important early Hindu temples in the Chamba Valley. According
to legend, 84 (chaurasi) yogi's visited Bharmaur, capital of
King Sahil Varma. They were so pleased with the king's
humility and hospitality that they blessed him with ten sons
and a daughter, Champavati. A cluster of shrines commemorates
that visit. The temple square is the Centre of all activities
in the little town of Bharmaur and the Lakshmi, Ganesh,
Manimahesh and Narsing temples, the main shrines, are
splendidly set off by the dramatic mountainscape.
Chattari Temples
Not far from Bharmaur (Chamba) is the Chattari Temple with
early examples of carved wood and an 8th century brass image
of Shakti.
Mani Mahesh
The Manimahesh Lake, high up in the mountains near Bharmaur,
is an important place of pilgrimage. The solitary Manimahesh
Kailash Peak- the legendary abode of Shiva, is reflected in
its still waters. A little temple in the shikhara style with
an exquisite brass image of Lakshmi Devi as Mahishasuramardini
stands near-by. Every year, following Janmashtami, the annual
Manimahesh Yatra is undertaken. The pilgrimage starts from
Chamba from the Lakshaminarayan Temple and devotees wend their
way up the arduous track from Bharmaur to take a sacred dip in
the waters of the lake.
Mandi
Mandi has a picturesque group of ancient stone temples with
tall vimanas, splendidly located below the town on the banks
of the foaming river. The Tarna Devi Temple (Mandi), a new
shrine up on a hill, overlooks the town and valley.
Rewalsar
In Rewalsar, around a natural lake with a floating island are
a Shiva temple - the Lomesh Rishi Temple, Guru Govind Singh's
gurdwara and a Buddhist monastery founded by Guru
Padmasambhava. This place is visited by people of three
faiths.
Prashar Temple
Prashar Temple, built in the 14th century, is a shrine where
the rulers of Mandionce worshipped. The pagoda-style temple
stands in the little green hollow around the Prashar lake,
above the town of Pandoh. The views of the mountains are
spectacular.
Shikari Devi
It is possible to trek up to Shikari Devi from Janjheli and
Karsog (Mandi). Through the forests of assorted trees and
shrubs - which include several medicinal herbs - two separate
trek routes lead up to this ancient shrine located at the
crown of the hill. Hunters in the area once prayed to the
Goddess for success in their hunt - and here, perhaps, lies
the origin of the name 'Shikari Devi'. The Goddess is
worshipped in the form of a stone image. Interestingly, the
temple which is said to have been in existence since the time
of the Pandavas, has no roof - for local legend has it, that
all attempts to build one have been unsuccessful.
Raghunathji Temple
Raghunathji Temple was built in 1651 by the Raja of Kullu. The
temple has an image of Raghunathji that was brought from
Ayodhya. During the Kullu Dussehra, all the temples in the
area send their deities to pay homage to Raghunathji at Kullu.
Bijli Mahadev Temple
Bijli Mahadev Temple is an unusual temple dedicated to Shiva,
the Lord of lightning. This temple is located on a height
overlooking the Kullu and Parvati valleys. A 60 feet staff
above the temple attracts divine blessing in the form of
lightning and breaks the stone linga in the sanctum.
Dhoongri Temple
Dhoongri Temple or Hadimba Temple stands sheltered in grove of
tall deodar at Manali (Kullu). This four tiered pagoda temple,
is embellished in finely carved wood. It is dedicated to
Hadimba Devi, wife of the Pandava, Bhim.
Bhimkali Temple
Bhimkali Temple is a marvelous example of hill architecture.
The temple complex at Sarahan is set against the incredibly
beautiful backdrop of high ranges and forested slopes. Built
in a mixture of the Hindu and Budhists styles, it was the
temple of Bushair rulers of Rampur (Shimla). The palaces of
the royal family are adjacent to the temple. From Sarahan
there is a view of the Srikhand Peak, revered as the home of
goddess Lakshmi.
Hatkoti
Along the River Pabbar, in Hatkoti, about 104 km from Shimla,
is the temple dedicated to Durga and Shiva. The gods are said
to have fought a pitched battled at this spot.
Jakhu and Sankat Mochan
Jakhu and Sankat Mochan temples, which are close to Shimla
offers a commanding views of the hills.
Naina Devi Temple
Naina Devi Temple is located on a hill, close to Bilaspur and
Kiratpur (34 km). A colourful fair, the Shravana Astami Mela
is held in July-August.
Chintpurni
A popular place of pilgrimage, Chintpurni is about 75 km from
the town of Una and 100 km from Jalandhar. A winding road goes
up to the temple dedicated to Bhagwati Chinmastika or
Chinpurni - the goddess who grants all wishes.
Renuka
The Renuka temple, dedicated to the immortal Renuka, stands
near the picturesque Renuka Lake in Sirmour.
Trilokpur
About 25 km from Nurpur (Kangra), at the confluence of the
Bohar and Bhali streams, is another sacred spot popular with
pilgrims of various faiths. There is a Hindu temple, a
Buddhist monastery, a gurdwara and a mosque at Trilokpur.
Baba Balak Nath Temple
Baba Balak Nath Temple is a cave temple located in Deothsidth,
in the Dhaulagiri Hills of Hamirpur. This is a noted place of
pilgrimage. People come here to seek the blessing of Baba
Balak Nath whose image is located in the cave.
|
