Shakti Peeth Temples in Himachal Padesh

Shakti Peeth Maa Naina Devi Temple

 

Naina Devi Temple, also known as Shri Naina Devi Ji, is a revered pilgrimage site located in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Let me share some fascinating details about this temple:

Location and Significance:

• Naina Devi Temple is situated at an altitude of 1177 meters above sea level.

• It is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths (sacred sites associated with Goddess Shakti) in India.

• According to mythology, Goddess Sati’s eyes (nayan) fell at this spot, making it a powerful center of worship.

Temple Complex:

• The temple complex is adorned with contemporary-style marble.

• Devotees visit to seek blessings from Shri Naina Devi Ji, who is revered as the “Goddess of Light.”

Shakti Peeth Maa Chintpurni Temple

The Chintpurni Devi Temple is a significant pilgrimage site located in Chintpurni village, Amb Tehsil, in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Here are some key details about this temple:

Location and Elevation:

·         • Chintpurni lies about 40 km (25 miles) north of Una, close to the border with Punjab.

·        • The temple is situated at an elevation of approximately 977 meters (about 3,200 feet) above sea level.

·        • The surrounding landscape includes the western Himalayas and the much lower Shiwalik (Shivalik) range.

Shakti Peeth:

·         • The Chintpurni Temple is one of the Shakti Peethas in India.

·         • According to Hindu tradition, it is believed to be the place where the feet of Sati (goddess Parvati) fell after her self-immolation.

·         • The goddess residing here is also known as Chhinnamastika, depicted as the headless goddess holding her severed head and drinking her own blood.

·       •   Chhinnamasta represents the cosmic power that helps sincere yogis dissolve their minds into pure divine consciousness.

Legend:

·       •   When Lord Vishnu severed Sati’s burning body into 51 pieces to calm down Lord Shiva during his Tandava dance, her head fell at Chintpurni.

·        • This makes it one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

·        • Chhinnamasta Devi’s legend is also part of the Shaktism tradition in Chintpurni1.

Devotees’ Visits:

·       •   Devotees have been visiting this Shaktipeeth for centuries, seeking blessings from Mata Shri Chhinnamastika Devi.

• They bring their worldly concerns and pray at the lotus feet of the goddess.

Shakti  Peeth Mata Jwala Devi Temple

Jwala Devi Temple, also known as Jawala Ji Temple, holds immense significance in Hindu mythology. Let me share some intriguing details about this revered temple:

 Location and Belief:

·        • Jwala Ji Temple is situated in the Jawala Mukhi area of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India.

·        • It is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths (sacred sites associated with Goddess Shakti) in India.

·        • According to legend, Goddess Sati’s tongue fell at this very spot, and the temple is dedicated to the “Goddess of Light.”

·         •  The perpetual flames (Jyotis) within the temple symbolize the eternal presence of the goddess.

Historical Significance:

·        • The temple is believed to be over 1000 years old and was constructed by Raja Udit Narayan Singh of Gaharwal.

·        • It stands as an Ashtagrih temple, which means it has eight corners.

Unique Features:

·         • Unlike traditional temples with idols, Jwala Ji Temple has a series of natural flames that have burned since ancient times.

·         • These flames represent the divine energy of Goddess Jwala.

·         • The temple is a center of faith and attracts devotees from all over the world.

Festivals and Celebrations:

·        • Colorful fairs are held during the Navaratri celebrations in March-April and September-October each year.

Shakti Peeth Bajrshwari Temple

Shree Bajreshwari Mata Mandir, also known as Kangra Devi Mandir, is a holy shrine dedicated to the goddess Vajreshvari, a form of Goddess Durga. Here are some interesting details about this sacred temple:

  

Location:

·         • The Vajreshwari temple is situated in the town of Kangra, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India.

·         • It is 3 km away from both the railway stations of Kangra Mandir and Kangra.

·         • Kangra Airport is just 9 kilometers from the temple.

·         • The Kangra Fort is also nearby, and its location on a mountain is approximately 16 km from Nagarkot (Kangra).

Legends:

·         • According to legend, after Goddess Sati sacrificed herself in honor of Lord Shiva, he carried her body on his shoulder and began the cosmic dance known as Tandav.

·         • To prevent him from destroying the world, Lord Vishnu divided Sati’s body into 51 parts using his Chakra. The left breast of Sati fell at this spot, making it a Shakti Peetha.

·        • The Jnanarnava Tantra refers to this Shaktipeeth as “Bhrigupuri Shaktipeeth”, while the Brihad Nila Tantra identifies the goddess as “Vrajeshwari”.

History:

·         • The original temple is said to have been built by the Pandavas during the time of the Mahabharatha.

·         • Legend has it that the Pandavas saw Goddess Durga in a dream, where she instructed them to build a temple in the Nagarkot village for their own security.

·        • In 1905, the temple was destroyed by a powerful earthquake but was subsequently rebuilt by the government.

Temple Structure:

·         • The main gate entrance features a Nagarkhana (drum house) and resembles the entrance of the Bassein fort.

·         • The temple is surrounded by a stone wall like a fort.

·        • Inside the main area, the Goddess Vajreshvari is present in the form of a Pindi.

·         • There is also a small temple dedicated to Bhairav, and an idol of Dhayanu Bhagat, who offered his head to the goddess during the time of Akbar.

Shakti Peeth Chamunda Devi Temple

The Chamunda Devi Temple, also known as Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Shri Chamunda Devi, a form of Goddess Durga. Here are some key details about this temple:

 Location:

·        • The temple is situated approximately 19 km away from Palampur town in the Dharamshala Tehsil of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India.

·        • It lies on the Chamunda Devi Marg along the Mathura-Vrindavan road.

Legend and History:

·        • The temple has considerable spiritual significance and legend attached to it.

·         • According to folklore, in the 16th century, a king and a priest prayed to Goddess Chamunda, seeking her consent to shift the idol to a more accessible location.

·         • The goddess appeared in the priest’s dream, revealing the exact location where the ancient idol would be found.

·         • The king’s men recovered the idol and installed it at the present temple site.

Popularity and Architecture:

·         • The Chamunda Devi Temple is one of the most famous temples in India.

·         • Tourists and devotees alike are drawn to the ancient idol of Shri Chamunda Devi.

·        • The temple’s Himachali architecture adds to its charm.

·         • Local residents consider it one of the holiest places of worship in the area.

Kunal Pathri Temple

The Kunal Pathri Temple is a serene rock temple dedicated to Goddess Kapaleshwari. Here are some key details about this temple:

 

Location:

·        • The temple is situated approximately 6 km from Dharamshala and 11 km from McLeod Ganj in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

·       •   It lies in the town of Kunal Pathri.

Legend and Significance:

·        • According to folklore, a part of Sati’s skull (the companion of Lord Shiva) fell here while Lord Shiva was carrying her charred body.

·        • The temple is surrounded by dense forests and tea gardens, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

Sacred Wet Stone:

·         • Inside the temple, there is a unique stone that always remains wet.

·        • Local legend suggests that when this stone starts drying, it signals imminent rain in the region.

Annual Fair:

·        • An annual fair takes place at the temple during March/April.

  There many more temples in himachal pradesh, visit at Xplore India Holidays for more details.

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