Gauri Shankar Temple, Nagar, Himachal Pradesh

Gauri Shankar Temple, Nagar, Himachal Pradesh

Gauri Shankar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Nagar Village in Kullu Tehsil in Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh, India. The Temple is situated immediately below the Nagar Castle on the main road before the Nagar Castle. The temple is situated on the banks of Beas river. 

History

The Temple was built in 12^th century CE and is considered as the last great monument of the Gurjara Pratihara traditions which flourished in Kullu-Manali valley. It was renovated by Seth Jaipura in the year 1959. It is one of the protected monuments under the control Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

The temple is situated amidst lush greenery overlooking the Beas River and can have magnificent view of snow-covered peaks of Kullu valley. The temple consists of sanctum and a porch like projection with two pillars. The sanctum is square and pancharatha in plan. The sanctum is triangabada in elevation and has bhadra, pratiratha and karna projection. The door jambs has five bands of decorations.

A carving of Ganesha can be seen on the lalatabimba of the door jamb. The lower portion of the doorjamb has carvings of river goddess Ganga & Yamuna and dvarapalas on either sides. The sanctum enshrines the Lingam and images of Gauri and Shankar seated over Nandi on a pedestal. The shikara is of nine tiers and decorated with ardha ratna motifs and ornamentations.

The curvilinear shikhara is topped by an amalaka is decorated with chaitya windows. The walls contains bhadra niches on the east, north and south. The walls are decorated with square and rectangular recesses containing dancers and musician ,birds, purnakumbha and purvaratans. An image of Nandi can be seen in front of the sanctum.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 metres from Nagar Bus Stop, 21 Kms from Manali, 21 Kms from Manali Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Kullu Bus Stand, 23 Kms from Kullu, 32 Kms from Kullu Manali Airport, 126 Kms from Joginder Nagar Railway Station and 218 Kms from Shimla. The Temple is situated immediately below the Nagar Castle on the main road before the Nagar Castle. The temple is situated on Kullu to Manali route.

Location