Bala Sundari Temple, Trilokpur, Himachal Pradesh

Bala Sundari Temple, Trilokpur, Himachal Pradesh

Bala Sundari Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Durga located in Trilokpur Village in Nahan Tehsil in Sirmaur District in Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple follows Indo-Persian style of architecture and situated on a hillock. Trilokpur is considered to be the childhood place of Maa Vaishno Devi. Trilokpur is the land of three Goddesses namely Balasundari, Lalitha Devi and Tri Bhavani.

Legends

As per legend, a pindi (a sacred stone representing goddess Balasundari had  appeared in a bag of salt, purchased by a local trader named Ram Dass. Dass kept selling salt all day from the bag, but it always remained full. The goddess appeared in the dreams of Dass and instructed him to build a temple at Trilokpur for the pindi. Further, she instructed him to worship the pindi in the name of Mahamaya Balasundari (an infant form of goddess Vaishno Devi).

Dass did not have enough money to build a temple, so he approached the ruler of Sirmaur state for funding. The ruler gave him enough money to build the temple and also invited artisans from Jaipur to assist in the temple building. The construction of the temple was completed in 1573 CE. The descendants of Lala Ram Dass have been performing the pooja at this temple from its inception.

History

The temple was built in 1573 CE by Raja Dip Parkash of Nahan. The temple was renovated by Maharaja Fateh Prakash in 1823 CE and by Maharaja Raghubir Prakash in 1851 CE. The descendants of Lala Ram Dass have been performing the pooja at this temple from its inception. The temple is currently run by a temple trust headed by Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur.

The Temple

The temple follows Indo-Persian style of architecture and situated on a hillock. The sanctum enshrines a pindi representing Balasundari, an infant form of goddess Vaishno Devi. A small idol of Sherawali Mata stands behind the pindi. There are eighty four bells at the entrance to the sanctum, giving it the local name of Chaurasi Ghanton Wali Mata (the Goddess with 84 bells).

Two Lankra Birs, and a fierce image of Goddess Kali adorn the large niches on the outer walls of the sanctum. Shrines of Ganesha, Sherawali Mata and Hanuman can be seen at the corner of the temple courtyard. A langar hall, dormitory and a few air-conditioned rooms are available in the temple for the convenience of devotees.

Festivals

An important fair is held at Trilokpur twice a year in the month of Chaitra and Ashvina on Sudi Ashtami to Chaudash (from the 8th to the 14th of the bright half). The fair in Chaitra draws more people than the one held in Ashvina.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Trilokpur Bus Stop, 7 Kms from Kala Amb, 16 Kms from Nahan, 16 Kms from Nahan Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Naraingarh, 51 Kms from Ambala Cantonment Junction Railway Station, 53 Kms from Ambala, 53 Kms from Sirmaur, 106 Kms from Patiala Airport and 146 Kms from Shimla. The temple is situated at about 7 Kms to the north of Kala Amb on Nahan to Naraingarh route.

Location