Bajreshwari Temple, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

Bajreshwari Temple, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

Bajreshwari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Shakthi, located in Kangra Town in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh, India. The Temple is also called as Kangra Devi Temple / Nagarkot Devi Temple. The Temple is situated at an altitude of about 2400 feet high. The temple is considered as one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in India subcontinent. Being one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of Hindu Mythology, this temple is one of the holiest sites for devotees of the Shakti sect of Hinduism.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/05/bajreshwari-temple-kangra-legends.html

History

The temple was sacked by Mohammad Ghazni, the Islamic invader, in 1009 AD. He looted this temple at least 5 times in the past. A mosque was built on the ruins and a garrison was left behind. The local king regained its possession after 35 years and repaired the temple. A replica of the idol was enshrined in the temple. The temple was again ransacked in 1360 by Firoz Tughlaq.

Later Emperor Akbar visited the shrine with his Dewan, Todar Mal and restored it to its former grandeur. Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited and under his orders the domes of the temples here and at Jwalamukhi were gilded during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The temple was destroyed by a powerful earthquake in1905 AD and was subsequently rebuilt by the government. The temple was reopened to the public in 1920.

The Temple

The main gate entrance has a Nagarkhana or drum house and is built similar to fort entrance. The temple is also surrounded by a stone wall like a fort. Presiding Deity is called as Bajreshwari / Vajreshvari. She is housed in the sanctum in the form of Pindi. There are four idols of the lions in the front of the sanctum. The Sanctum is crowned with a tall Shikara.

There is an idol of Dhayanu Bhagat in front of the sanctum. He had offered his head to the Goddess during the reign of Akbar. There is a small shrine for Bhairava in the temple complex. Sculptures of  four-armed Durga, seated on a lion, and Lord Vishnu in his abode Vaikuntha can be found in the external walls. There is a huge tree of Bargad. Devotees tie a Chunni on it to fulfil their desires.

Temple Opening Time

The temple opened for visitors every morning at 5.00 a.m. and close 9.00 p.m. in summer. The winter timing is 6.30 a.m to 8.00 p.m.

Pooja Timings

·        Morning Aarti (Summer) – 5.30 a.m.

·        Evening Aarti (Summer) – 8.30 p.m.

·        Morning Aarti (Winter) – 7.00 a.m.

·        Evening Aarti (Winter) – 7.00 p.m

Festivals

Makar Sankranti, Deepawali, Navaratri, Holi, Kojagiri Poornima, Datta Jayanti and Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated in the temple. A huge fair is also organized as reverence to Goddess on Amavasya in the month of Chaitra. Next day, a ceremonial event with a procession carrying an idol of Goddess Durga in a Palki is observed.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Kangra Bus Stand, 2.5 Kms from Kangra Railway Station, 10 Kms from Kangra Airport, 14 Kms from Nagarkot, 33 Kms from Palampur, 85 Kms from Pathankot and 217 Kms from Shimla. Kangra is well connected by road to the major cities of North India.

Location