Banni Mata Temple, Chamba – Legends

Banni Mata Temple, Chamba – Legends

As per legend, the Pandavas ruled Hastinapur for 36 years and established a righteous kingdom. Shortly after Lord Krishna left the Earth, they all decided that the time had come for them to renounce the world, as the age of Kali had started. Pandavas decided to seek liberation from their earthly lives and set out to Himalayas to reach Swarga Loka (Hindu Heaven). While roaming in the Himalayas in search of Swarga, they reached somewhere near the Pir Panjal range.

Spring was setting in and they decided it was time to go a little higher and start farming for food. So, they headed towards Charola (near Kali Chho Pass). While on their way up, they encountered multiple obstacles. The mountains were difficult to walk on, snow was all over. There were treacherous slopes and crevices. Suddenly, it started snowing.

On their way, all except Yudhishthira slipped and died one by one. Yudhishthira was accompanied by a dog who was none other than God Yama himself. The first to die was Draupadi; she was imperfect because she loved Arjuna more than her other husbands. Then it was Sahadeva, imperfect because he was overconfident about his knowledge in science.

He was followed by Nakula, imperfect because he was over-enthusiastic about his good looks. Then fell Arjuna, imperfect because he was proud of his skills- he challenged Hanuman and Shiva. Next was Bhima, imperfect because he killed his enemies brutally- thus enjoyed their sufferings. Only the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira, reached the door of Swarga Loka (heaven), carried on Indra's chariot.

Draupadi, whose mortal flesh is believed to have been inhabited by Goddess Kali at times, appeared in the incarnation of goddess Kali. It is believed a huge rock in high Pir Panjal at Charola split vertically to reveal 3 Trishuls, which can still be seen there. After this, the goddess found her next home at Lyundi, at the base of the Pir Panjal and finally settled in the village of Banni. Since then, there has been a temple dedicated to Banni Mata (an incarnation of Kali) at this village.