Mata Ashapuri Temple,
Ashapuri, Himachal Pradesh
Mata Ashapuri Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Sakthi located in Ashapuri near Palampur Town in Palampur Tehsil in Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh, India. The Temple situated on the top of the hill in Dhauladhar mountain range.
Legends
Mata Ashapuri:
As per legend, Pandavas spent
few days in the caves named Malli during their incognito exile. Malli Caves is
located at about 4 Kms from Mata Ashapuri Temple. Duryodhana dispatched Karna to
expose the Pandavas in their exile. When Karna reached the caves, he could not
find Pandavas. Karna found Pindi of Mata Ashapuri and built a temple for Mata
Ashapuri.
Mata Vaishno Devi:
As per legend, Mata Vaishno Devi
had appeared in the form of Pindi in the Malli Caves in the dream of a milk
seller. He went to the cave seen in his dream in the morning and found three
pindis of Mata Vaishno Devi and few idols of goddesses.
History
This temple was built in 16th
century CE by King Man Singh of Katoch descent.
The Temple
The temple is situated on top of the hill in Dhauladhar range. This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and maha mandapa. The mandapa is crowned with a pyramidal superstructure. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines three pindis. The unique thing about most of the idol of Ashapura Mata is that it has 7 pairs of eyes. Maa Ashapuri temple is considered as the form of Mata Vaishno Devi. The shikara over the sanctum follows nagara style architecture. There are niches around the sanctum and mandapa. Idols of lion and tiger can be seen outside the temple facing towards the sanctum.
Festivals
Navratri is celebrated here with
much fanfare. An annual fair in honour of the presiding deity is celebrated
during Navaratri.
Prayers
Devotees worship the goddess Ashapura
Mata to realize their wishes and desires.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
20 Kms from Panchrukhi, 20 Kms from Panchrukhi Railway Station, 27 Kms from Baijnath,
30 Kms from Kasoti, 30 Kms from Jaisinghpur, 30 Kms from Palampur Bus Stand, 31
Kms from Palampur, 48 Kms from Joginder Nagar, 61 Kms from Kangra, 64 Kms from
Kangra Airport and 220 Kms from Shimla. The temple is situated at about 10 Kms
from Bhuana on Palampur to Jaisinghpur route.
Jai ho mata Asha Puri goddess of full filling dreams jai ho
ReplyDeleteJai ho maa ashapuri ji ki.. just visited the temple today on august 29 2023... it is a beautiful temple located at the top of the hill....
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