Tarna Devi Temple, Mandi –
Legends
Raja Balbir Sen’s vow:
As per legend, Sikh kingdom went
through a rough phase after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839. The
army became uncontrollable during the reign of Maharaja Kharak Singh, son of Maharaja
Ranjit Singh. Seeing the turmoil, Kharak Singh had left all the powers in the
hands of his son Nau Nihal Singh. Nau Nihal Singh planned to invade Mandi and
Kullu just to provide an opportunity for his army to fight. General Ventura of
the Sikh army led a strong force to Mandi.
He stopped at outskirts of the
Mandi town and demanded payment and the visit of Raja Balbir Sen of Mandi to
the camp of the Sikh general. Accordingly, the payments were made and Raja
Balbir Sen also came to visit the Sikh general. He was imprisoned upon his
arrival and Mandi town was captured. The army also captured the Kamlah fortress
and the Raja was sent as a prisoner to Amritsar and confined in the
fort of Gobindgarh. Kullu was next invaded. A minister of Raja Balbir Sen left
Mandi in the guise of a domestic servant and went to Lahore.
He successfully managed to gain
the confidence of the rulers of the Sikh empire. He convinced them to send him
to Gobindgarh fort to work for the prisoner. Once, he reached Gobindgarh, he
spread a rumour that the Raja Balbir Sen had great spiritual powers and was
capable of curing incurable diseases. Few case came to him and got cured. This
news spread and reached Maharaja Sher Singh, the ruler of Sikh empire. Once,
Lahore suffered due to heavy rains and floods, Maharaja Sher Singh summoned
Raja Balbir Sen to stop the rain through his powers.
It is said that Raja Balbir Sen
prayed to goddess Shyama Kali and took a vow that if the calamity was ended and
if he would be released, he would decorate the sanctum of this temple with gold
leaf. It is said that the prayer of Raja Balbir Sen were answered and the
rains had stopped. Raja Balbir Sen was released with full honours and Mandi
State was restored to him. The loots obtained during the invasion of Mandi was
also returned back. In gratitude, Raja Balbir Sen fulfilled his vow.
Raja Shyam Sen of Mandi State defeated Jeet Sen of
Suket with the blessings of Kali:
As per legend, Raja Shyam Sen (1664
– 1674 CE) was the 8th King of Mandi State. He was an ardent devotee
of goddess Kali. Once, Raja Jeet Sen of Suket, ruler of the adjoining State,
insulted Shyam Sen. Hence, Shyam Sen invaded Suket. It is said that Raja Shyam
Sen prayed to goddess Kali and invoked the blessings of her before proceeding
for the war with Jeet Sen. With the blessings of Kali, Raja Shyam Sen
decisively defeated Raja Jeet Sen. To commemorate his victory, he built this temple and installed the deity.
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