Hateshwari Temple, Hatkoti – The Temple Complex

Hateshwari Temple, Hatkoti – The Temple Complex

The temple complex consists of main temple dedicated to Hateshwari, Shiva temple, Pandava Ka Khilona, official buildings, and other minor shrines & structures. The temple is completely enclosed by a 12-foot-high wall on all the three sides. The temple has two doorways. The doorway on the east serves as the main entrance to the temple and the doorway on the north serves as the entrance to the Dharamshala. The entrance gate is made up of walnut wood in a typical Pagoda style architecture, with a slate roof.

The temple follows classical shikara style of architecture. Both the main temple and Shiva temple faces towards east. The slate tiled pyramidal roof of the main temple was adorned with a marble amalaka and a golden kalasha. The original stone shikhara of the temple is now kept at the entrance to the premises. The original structure of the temple is enclosed with wood and stone walls to protect it from the damages of the harsh climate. There are two bronze statues of lions guarding the entrance of the main temple.

The door of the main temple are studded with coins. Many people who come here make a wish and if their wishes are fulfilled, they hammer coins on to the door of the main temple. The sanctum enshrines an image of Hateshwari / Mahishasura Mardini, an incarnation of goddess Durga. The idol is about 1.2 metres high and made of ashtadhatu (eight precious metals). The idol is said to be dated to the 7^th century CE. She is depicted with eight arms holding various weapons. It is unique to note that she holds her chakra in prayoga mudra.

Also, one of her hand holds another demon Raktabija by a lock of his hair. Her left foot stands over the head of the demon Mahishasur while her right foot is said to extend underground. She is shown riding a lion with her spear piercing the heart of the demon Mahishasur. This idol emits a glow because of its metallic composition of eight metals. There are inscriptions on both sides of the idol, but the inscriptions could not be deciphered till date. It is said that the deity changes its expression, sometimes it has a smiling face and sometimes it is has an angry face.

There is a torana around the deity. Navadurga can be seen on the arch of the torana. Veendhari Shiva and devas led by Indra can be seen below the Navadurga. Hayagriva and Airavata can be seen on the two sides of the torana. Ganga and Yamuna are depicted on the left and right side of the arch. There is also a stone sculpture of goddess carrying a thunderbolt in one hand can be seen in the sanctum. The lips of the image are inlaid with copper and the eyes with silver.

A copper pitcher of Parasurama is kept beside the goddess in the sanctum. It is taken out in a procession during the fairs. There is a Shiva temple situated on the left side of the main shrine in the temple complex. This temple enshrines a huge Shiva Linga in its sanctum. The width of the Linga is larger than that of the entry door. The ceiling is carved with figures of Hindu deities, each figure carved out of a square block of wood and then fitted into a carved wooden frame.

There are five stone temples situated to the left side of the Shiva temple. These temples are locally called as  Pandava Ka Khilona (toy houses of the five Pandava brothers). These five temples represent each of the Pandavas. These temples are arranged in the decreasing order of size. These shrines consists of sanctum and pillared mukha mandapa. A huge copper vessel called Charu is found chained to a ring in the niche in the antrala next to an idol of Lord Ganesha.

There were two such vessels on each side of the entrance, but one somehow rolled into the river one day. The second vessel was chained after this incident. There is a huge hall known as yagasala used to perform rituals. Havan Kund can be seen in the centre of the hall where the rituals are performed. The idols of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Ganesha can be seen near Havan Kund. There is a hall named Satsang Bhavan which can accommodate 350 devotees at a time.

There is a rest house (Dharamshala) for pilgrims and saints near Satsang Bhavan. There is a prayer hall named Girtan Ghar in the temple complex. There is a bhandargriha situated between the main shrine and the Shiva temple. It is used to store various objects used during festivals and fairs. It is said that there is a tunnel of about 6 feet high and 3.5 feet wide below the surface of the temple. Sculptures of Vishnu, Lakshmi Narayana, Ganesha, Durga, and other deities can be seen in the temple premises.

Hateshwari Temple, Hatkoti – Legends

Hateshwari Temple, Hatkoti – Legends

Mahishasura Mardini:

A small mountain known as fort of Rambhasur can be seen in front of the temple towards the eastern side. Mahishasur was born to Rambhasur due to his prayers to Lord Agni. Mahishasur performed intense penance on Lord Shiva and had gained the boon that no man could kill him. The devas led by Indra were utterly defeated by the Mahishasur and he conquered the three worlds. The defeated devas took refuge in the cave near Pabbar river. Further, they requested Mata Hateshwari here to protect them from Mahishasur. Acceding their request, Mata Hateshwari annihilated Mahishasur. Thus, she came to be called as Mahishasura Mardini.

A Huge Copper Vessel:

There is a huge copper vessel chained to a ring in the niche beside the entrance of the sanctum of Hateshwari Mata. As per local folklore, once, a priest decided to stay in the temple itself due to the heavy torrential rain. He went to sleep in the premises. He got up from his sleep due to a huge noise. He noticed two big copper vessels floating in the river. The priest picked the vessels from the river and offered the vessels to the goddess. During the next rain, one of the vessels floated away on the river. Due to this incident, the remaining vessel has been kept chained. Locals believe that they will be blessed with an abundant harvest if they spot the lost vessel while sowing their crops.

Feet of the deity:

Locals believe that no one has been able to view the feet of the deity, as they believe it touches the river Pabbar. It is said Gurkhas had established their stronghold in parts of Himachal Pradesh in the early 19^th century CE. They wanted to move the deity to another place. The Gurkhas dug for days to uproot the deity, but they could not be able to locate the feet of the deity. Finally, they cancelled their plan and left the deity as it is.

Five Stone Temples:

There are about five stone temples in a row in the temple complex. These temples are in the decreasing order of size. It is believed that the Pandavas used to worship the goddess Hateshwari while sitting inside them. It is also said that the Pandavas spent considerable amount of time at Hatkoti, the capital of King Virata of Matsya Kingdom during their exile.

 A chaste girl turning into an idol:

Once, a chaste girl performed meditation at this place and vanished with the intensity of her meditation. A stone idol was found at the spot where she performed meditation. Locals believed that the girl might have been an incarnation of goddess Durga. The villagers built a temple for the idol and named the deity as Hateshwari.

References in Bhagavat Gita:

As per fifth Kandh of Bhagavat Gita, the goddess Hateshwari is described as Shakti of Hateshwar and hence the place came to be called as Hateshwari, one of the main residences of Shiva and Shakthi. 

Manifestation of the Goddess Hateshwari Devi:

As per legend, two sisters from Jubbal Valley together renounced the materialistic world and devoted their lives to the service of the mankind. The elder sister was accepted as a manifestation of the Goddess Hateshwari Devi and a temple built in her honour.

Charu:

There is a large metal pot tied with chains at the antrala of the Hateshwari temple. As per locals, a demon named Charu tried to escape from the valley in the form of a vessel. To stop him from escaping, the goddess tied him with the chain in the temple.

Adi Shankaracharya:

It is believed that Sri Adi Shankaracharya had established the temples of Hatkoti.

Hateshwari Temple, Hatkoti, Himachal Pradesh

Hateshwari Temple, Hatkoti, Himachal Pradesh

Hateshwari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Durga located in Hatkoti Village in Jubbal Tehsil in Shimla District in Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is situated at an altitude of about 1,442 metres. The temple is situated on the banks of Pabbar river.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/06/hateshwari-temple-hatkoti-legends.html

History

The temples might have been constructed during the reign of Later Guptas between 6^th century CE to 9^th century CE.

The Temple Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/06/hateshwari-temple-hatkoti-temple-complex.html

Festivals

Fairs are organized during Chaitra Navratra (Apr) and Aswin Navratra (Oct). Devotees sacrifice goats / sheep at this temple during these occasions.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Hatkoti Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Jubbal, 13 Kms from Rohru, 22 Kms from Kharapathar, 39 Kms from Kotkhai, 67 Kms from Theog, 94 Kms from Shimla, 96 Kms from Shimla Railway Station and 111 Kms from Shimla Airport. The temple is situated on Shimla to Rohru route. Hatkoti is well connected to Himachal and rest of India through National Highway 707 and National Highway 705.

Location

Dwat Mahadev Temple, Mani, Himachal Pradesh

Dwat Mahadev Temple, Mani, Himachal Pradesh

Dwat Mahadev Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located near Mani Village in Chamba Tehsil in Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is situated at an elevation of 2300 metres.

Legends

As per legend, Pandavas built this temple in one night during their exile.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east overlooking the wooded valley. The temple is surrounded by dense forest of deodar trees. Nandi can be found facing towards the sanctum. The temple consists of sanctum and entrance porch. The entrance porch is supported by two pillars. The entrance porch has a superstructure called sukanasi. The sanctum enshrines a Shiva Linga in it. The shikara over the sanctum is of pyramidal style. The magnificent view of the Chamba valley, Dhauladhar range and Pir Panjal range can be seen from this temple.

Connectivity

Mani is located at about 21 Kms from Chamba New Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Chamba, 22 Kms from Chamba Old Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Koti, 61 Kms from Dalhousie, 82 Kms from Bharmour, 122 Kms from Pathankot Junction Railway Station and 126 Kms from Pathankot Airport. Mani is situated at about 22 Kms to the north of Chamba on Chamba to Koti route. The temple can reached from Mani village after trekking of about 3.5 Kms or through vehicle from Mani village.

Location

Devi Docha Mocha Temple, Karjan, Himachal Pradesh

Devi Docha Mocha Temple, Karjan, Himachal Pradesh

Devi Docha Mocha Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddesses Docha and Mocha located in Karjan Village near Manali Town in Manali Tehsil in Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the banks of Beas river.

History

The temple is believed to be built during later Guptas period. It is said that the idols of Docha and Mocha represent Scythian donors but currently worshipped as goddesses in the temple. The two tankri inscriptions on the masks from Karjan confirm the name of goddesses as Docha and Mocha.

The Temple

This temple is single storied and constructed in alternate courses of stone and deodar beams on a rectangular ground plan. The vehicle of goddess Durga, lion is kept in the courtyard of the temple. The sanctum enshrines stone sculptures of goddesses Docha and Mocha. The temple has six ancient wooden sculptures. The largest sculpture has been identified as Surya and the other male sculpture is Kuber. Both the male sculptures are carved as stand-alone statues.

These male sculptures are dated to seventh century CE. The balance four are female sculptures identified as Yakshis. These sculptures appear to be part of a pillar or wall of the temple. These female sculptures are dated to 10^th century CE. A new temple has been constructed recently near to the Docha Mocha temple. These wooden sculptures have been placed in this temple in a glass enclosure. There are four ancient stone idols kept in the new temple.

Festivals

A village fair known aa Chacholi Mela is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) during Chaitra month.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 8 Kms from Naggar, 14 Kms from Manali, 14 Kms from Manali Bus Stand, 30 Kms from Kullu, 40 Kms from Kullu Manali Airport, 137 Kms from Joginder Nagar Railway Station and 237 Kms from Shimla. The temple is situated on Kullu to Manali route.

Location

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Connectivity

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – Connectivity

The temple is located at about 2 Kms from Lingaraj Temple, 4 Kms from Bhubaneswar Railway Station, 5 Kms from Bhubaneswar Airport, 5 Kms from Lingaraj Temple Road Railway Station, 9 Kms from Baramunda Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Bhubaneswar New Railway Station, 29 Kms from Cuttack and 54 Kms from Puri. The temple is situated close to Kedara Gouri Temple and Parasurameswara Temple on Bhubaneswar to Puri road. Bhubaneswar is well connected to rest of India by Train, Air and Land.

By Road:

Bhubaneswar is connected to the rest of Odisha and India by National Highway-NH 16, NH 203, State Highway 13 (Odisha) and State Highway 27 (Odisha). Asian Highway – AH 45 passes through the city. Baramunda Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is the major bus terminus in the city from where buses ply to all the districts in Odisha as well as to neighboring state's cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Raipur and Ranchi. City bus service (Mo Bus) runs across Bhubaneswar by Capital Region Urban Transport Authority run by Bhubaneswar Development Authority.

Nowadays popular online cab or auto transport system provided by Jugnoo, Ola, uber are widely used. Auto rickshaws are available for hire and on a share basis throughout the city. In parts of the city, cycle rickshaws offer short trips. Also, CRUT recently has launched Mo Cycle, a public bicycle Sharing platform to curb traffic, reducing pollution in city and providing last mile connectivity in city.

By Train:

Bhubaneswar railway station is one of the main stations of the Indian railway network. It is connected to major cities by daily express and passenger trains and daily service to all metro cities is available from here.

By Air:

Biju Patnaik International Airport, also known as Bhubaneswar Airport, located to the south of the city Centre, is the major and sole international airport in Odisha. There are daily domestic flights from Bhubaneswar to Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai and Bangalore. There are international flights from Bhubaneswar to Bangkok, Dubai and Kualalumpur thrice a week.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – The Temple Complex

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar – The Temple Complex

The temple is situated in a garden complex known as Siddharanya (forest of siddhas) and is situated on the southeast corner of the garden. This temple is facing towards west and stands on a low platform. The temple is enclosed within a low octagonal compound wall. The compound wall is built with four courses of stones. The bottom-most course contains plain stones with gavaksha (window) design, many of these windows have standing figures.

The next course has niches set within two flanking pilasters. These niches have a male face or a lotus. The third course has plain stones with a small standing or seated figure at its top. The last course is plain and simple, curved at the top. There are thirty corner niches on this compound wall. These niches are decorated with images of  Avalokiteshvara, Lakulisa, Buddha, Surya, Vishnu, Ganesha, Sarasvati, Varahi, Kartikeya, Chamunda and Parvati. The enclosure wall is plain from inside.

The space between the temple and the wall serves as the circumambulatory path. The temple has a torana (the arched gateway) at the entrance of the octagonal compound. The torana is heavily influenced by the Buddhist architecture style. The torana has two heavy pillars supporting a rounded arch on top. The pillars are square at base, consisting of two courses. These are decorated with miniature temple carvings. The square base is followed by a sixteen faceted shaft with its top and bottom decorated course.

Above is the capital of the column in form of a ribbed cushion topped with an abacus. The torana arch is formed by two makaras, extending on opposite ends. At the bottom ends and at apex are three gavaksha (windows) or chaitya decoration. These chaityas have a male head inside. The torana is dominated by four, two on front and two at back side, reclining female figures, resembling voluptuous yakshis.

Such toranas were erected to facilitate dola-utsava ceremony where a movable image of the deity is placed over a swing for rituals. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The temple consists of a rekha vimana, pidha jagamohana and a shallow frontal porch. The vimana is square on plan and the jagamohana is rectangular on plan. The jagamohana is triratha on plan. The superstructure over the jagamohana is of pidha (pyramidal style).

The pyramidal roof of the jagamohana was the first of its kind over the conventional two-tier structure. The roof is built with twelve tiers of pidhas topped with a kalasa. The northern and southern walls of the jagamohana has lattice windows of diamond patterns. The recess between the kanika and anuratha is decorated with naga pilasters. It has six pabhaga mouldings topped with a slim shaft entwined with a naga or nagini figure at the bottom.

These naga nagini pillars are said to have been introduced first in this temple, later became a norm in the Odishan temple art. The pillars are arranged in alternate manner. The mandapa ceiling has five receding stone courses of different shapes, and is heavily adorned with carvings of deities, dancers, musicians, heavenly beings, warriors, flying figures, floral motifs and geometrical patterns.

The entrance is preceded by a large Chandra shila (moonstone) followed by a doorway guarded by two dvarapalas. The figure of Lakulisa, seated in bhumispara mudra and holding a lakuta is present on the lintel of the jagamohana. A small extension from the side roof of the jagamohana has the image of a lion sitting on its hind legs. The exterior walls of the structure are decorated with pilasters with nagas and naginis.

The dedicatory block of the sanctum doorway has Gajalakshmi. Navagraha panel can be seen above the lintel. The base of the doorjamb has dvarapalas. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Muktesvara, in the form of Shiva Linga within a circular yonipitha. All the niches around the sanctum are empty. The shikara over the sanctum follows rekha nagara style of architecture.

The shikara is about 34 feet tall and intricately carved with sculptures, decorative patters and architectural patterns. It has four Natarajas and four kirtimukhas on the four faces. It is a highly ornate chaitya window crowned by masked demon head and dwarf figures. The shikara is crowned with amalaka and kalasa on top of it. 

The exterior of the temple is decorated with various deities, salabhanjikas, alasa kanyas, nayikas, ascetics in emaciated form, pancha tantra stories, animals, social scenes, chaitya motifs, scroll works, architectural motifs, floral motifs and geometrical patterns. There is a small tank called as Marichi Kunda, situated to the south of the main temple.

It is said that a dip in this kunda will cure infertility in women. The entrance doorway of the tank is carved with Ganga and Yamuna at the doorjambs and Lakulisa seated with his four disciples in the center of its lintel. There is a large tank situated on the eastern side of the temple. It is fed by a natural spring and might be the principal tank of the temple.

There is a raised terrace with six miniature temples in a row situated to the west of the main temple. These temples are arranged in two group, containing three temples each, and the space between the groups is aligned with the main entrance of the temple. There are four miniature temples situated on the south eastern side of the main temple. All these shrines are facing towards west.

Banesvara Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-banesvara-temple.html

Khakhara Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-khakhara-temple.html

Pidha Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-pidha-temple.html

Twin Pidha Temple:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-twin-pidha-temple.html

Shiva Temple No I:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-i.html

Shiva Temple No II:

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. This temple is considered as the parivara shrine of Muktesvara. The temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and square on plan. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum enshrines a broken image of Ganesha. The exterior is devoid of any decoration except the chaitya medallion on the frontal raha projection.

Shiva Temple No III:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-iii.html

Shiva Temple No IV:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-iv.html

Shiva Temple No VI:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-vi.html

Shiva Temple No VII:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-vii.html

Shiva Temple No VIII:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/05/mukteshvara-temple-bhubaneswar-shiva-temple-viii.html

Vishnu Temple No I:

This temple is situated within the Muktesvara Temple Complex. The temple was constructed in 10^th century CE by Somavamsis. The temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of a rekha vimana and a shallow frontal porch. The temple is pancharatha on plan and triangabada in elevation. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines an image of Lord Vishnu with serpent hood as umbrella and holding nectar pot in his hands. The exterior is devoid of any decoration except the chaitya medallion at the central raha above the parsvadevta niches and series of chaitya medallion at the base of the gandi.