Temples in Sirmaur: Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is known as Dev Bhumi which meand the “Land of gods and goddesses.” This feeling is correct to a great extent as there exist many old and famours temples and in almost every village there is one temple of a local deity. Till today the villagers follow the directions of their local god before starting any new work or sowing and harvesting the crops. Even in illness or marriages, they invoke the blessings of their gods. This is the main reason that the people of the state are mostly satisfied with thier lot and doing very well. When they are free during winter, they take their deity to different places and fairs for meeting with other gods and the people. It is very interesting to see them in fairs and festivals. Shiva and Shakti are the main deities of this state. However, there are some old and known monasteries in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur areas where some people practice Buddhism.

In addition there are some well known Sikh Gurudwaras where Guru Gobind Singh had gone or mediated. Since the English have ruled India for a pretty long time and had been visitng and staying in the hills, Himachal has Churches at Shimla, Dharamsala and Dalhousie. From the construction point of view they have different styles like Shikara, Pagoda, mandap, Flat-roofed, Caves and the local types. Some of the following temples, monasteries and gurudwaras are worth visiting when one is visiting Himachal Pradesh.

Temples in Palampur: Himachal Pradesh

Baijnath

It is a Holy pilgrimage center of the Hindus who keep coming to pay their respect to almost 1200 years old Mahadev temple. This temple is among oldest Shiva temples in the country, believed to have been built by the Pandavas. The Lingam (known as Vidyanath), one of the twelve Joytrilingamas in India, is installed in the Adytum.

The Shivratri fair held near this remarkable monument, with the majestic backdrop of the snow covered Dhauladhar range, draws several thousand pilgrims every year. Baijnath is 16 km from Palampur and 132 km from Pathankot and also connected by narrow gauge rail line.

Temples in Manali: Himachal Pradesh

Hadimba Devi - The Supreme Sacrifice

With a four-tiered, pagoda shaped roof and a front doorway carved with figures and symbols, the lovely temple stands as a mute tribute to the supreme artist who sacrificed the very hand with which he carved his paen in wood to the godess of the Dhoongri Temple Hadimba Devi, wife of Bhim - the Pandva. Every year in the month of May there is a major festival. At this very place, aeons ago, Bhim killed the strong and witfully cruel demon, Hadimb and married his sister Hadimba, shortly after. Hadimba expurgated her sins by performing a great ‘tapa’ and consequently began to be worshipped as a goddess. So delighted was the king with the artist, who had built the superb symbol of devotion that he cut off his hand in order to prevent the duplication of the temple elsewhere. Undaunted, the artist trained his left hand at the requets of the people, executed an even finer temole at Trilokinath in Chamba.

The people wer thrilled and as in a democracy, where power turns the head of the people acting as one, went one better thatn the king. They too, thought that such a masterpiece should not be repeated, and so cut off his head. The hapless, but devoted artist, had paid the supreme sacrifice to his art. Here, the valley narrows and the whispering of the deodars mingles with the tumult of the river. This temple is approachable by a foot path close to Hotel Rohtang Manas lu or via Hotel Kalpana, Devei Dyar and Chetna before Log Huts and it is almost 1.5 Km by road. A little higher up and 4 Km from Manali is a small but picturesque lake named after the sage Bhrigu.

Temples in Kasauli: Himachal Pradesh

About Monkey Point

The highest point in Kasauli called Monkey Point is just 4 km from Kasauli bus stand. The Monkey Point commands an excellent view of distant plains of Chandigarh region and the river Satluj tracing a silvery trail through the scene.

A small temple is also situated on the top of the hill which is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. According to legend at the of Ramayana when Lord Hanuman returning from Himalayas after obtaining Sanjivany Booty (Megical Herb) touch the hill by his foot thus top of hill is in foot shape. On a clear and starry night the gorgeous view of Chandigarh can be seen from the Monkey Point.

Temples in Kinnaur: Himachal Pradesh

Bhimakali Temple

The Bhimakali temple with its six Silver coated doors is a mixture of both Hindu and Buddhist style of architecture attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. The temple of Bhimakali is situated at Sarahan. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhimakali, there are numerous other deities installed in the complex. One comes to know of the origin of the temple also through the legends in the “Markadya Purana� and Durga Shaptshati. Legends say Goddess Durga had promised the Devtas that she would save them from the atrocities of Asuras by re-incarnation. True to her word she decimated the asuras and became famous by the name of Bhima Devi. The five storey Bhimakali temple is situated on a hillock amongst beautiful scenery of gigantic deodar trees. The exquisitely carved wooden sloped roofs are slanting and slightly and concave. These roofs are reminiscent of the Chinese architecture.

There are two temples of Bhimakali .The original temple got tilted hence the second has been constructed in the same architectural style. The statuettes of Devis were installed in the temple in 1962.The one meter Ashtdhatu (alloys of 8 metals) Deity of Goddess surrounded by Parikrama Path on the four sides. Besides this deity are statuettes of numerous deities like Chamunda, Annpurna, Brajeshwari, Shiv-Parvati, Ganesh, and Buddha.

The Devi decorated with silver plates. The Bimakali temple attracts a stream of visitors during Navratras. Other major fairs celebrated with gaity and fervour are Janamashtami, Ramnavmi, Makar Sakranti, Shivratri and Diwali. Three day Dushehra fair dedicated to Raghunathji is enthusiastically celebrated with a Rath Yatra.

Temples in Kangra: Himachal Pradesh

Brajeshwari Devi Temple

Situated in just outside of the town the beautiful temple dedicated to Brajeshwari Devi. This was once filled with a legendary wealth of diamonds and pearls. Mahmood Ghazni came here in 11th century and took away all the wealth with him. It was rebuilt by a Katoch King in 1043. The temple was again destroyed by an earthquake in 1905. It was rebuilt in its present form in 1920.

Jwalamukhi

One of the sacred and famous shrines of the the Hindus also one of the 51 seats of the Shakti Peeth. An eternally burning flame issuing from a hollow in the rock, is considered the menifestation of the Goddess. The Holy shrine of Jwalamukhi is 30km from Kangra and 56 km from Dharamshala.

Chintpurni Devi

The Chintpurni temple stands on the spot where the charred feet of Sati fell. The ‘Pindi’ or the stone hall symbolises her feet. The Chintpurni ‘mantra’ is very popular with devotees. In recent years the temple has been renovated with the help of major donations from devotees all over the country

Temples in Chamba: Himachal Pradesh

Lakshminarian Temple

There are six ancient Temple the main group of three temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and other three to Lord Shiva. The temples wre built around 8th century AD. The six temples carved in stone with tall vimanas.

Katsan Devi Temple

This is about 30 km from Chamba and offers a great opportunity to picnic lovers. From the premises of this temple, a full view of the Chamba valley is visible. One would miss something, if one does not happen to see the famous temples of Laxna Devi and Shakti temple of Chantrari in between Chamba nad Bharmaur.

Mani-Mahesh Shikara Temple

This is one of the most ancient and beautiful shikhara style temple in Himachal Pradesh. Laxmi Devi is represented here as Mahishasurmardini (slayer of the buffalo demon), her brass statue having been executed by Yugga, the master artisan of Raja Meru Verman. This is a ruin kept in good repair and a place of great pilgrimage.

Hari Rai Temple

The temple of Hari Rai located near the the chougan was built around 11th century with bronze image of Chaturmurti the four armed Lord Vishnu.

Chamunda Devi Temple

The temple of Chamunda Devi is just one Km from Chougan and is dedicated to Goddess Chamunda Devi. The temple is good overlooking view of river Ravi and Chamba town.

Temples in Solan: Himachal Pradesh

Sholoni Devi Temple

The temple of Goddess Sholoni Devi is situated at the southern part of the town. The town named after the Devi Sholoni . The famous fair held here every year which is dedicated to Goddess Sholoni Devi in the month of June