Himachal Pradesh is called the ‘Abode of the Gods’ or ‘Dev Bhumi’. Himachal is the home of hundreds of Gods, Goddess and Deities. Thousands of devotees visit these temples every year. The temples also attract the visitor by their art and craft. Some of these temples are built in traditional styles. The famous temples of Himachal Pradesh are.
Sri Naina Devi Temple, Bilaspur
Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple in Bilaspur District is one of the most notable pilgrimages in Himachal PradeshThe temple is situated onShri Naina Devi Hills. It is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of Sati. Shri Naina Devi Ji witnesses a large number of pilgrims and devotees whole year, especially during Shravan Ashtami and in the Navratras of Chaitra & Ashwin.
A fair is organized during Chaitra, Shravan and Ashwin Navratras, which attracts thousands of visitors from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other corners of the country as well.
Jwala Ji Temple, Jwalamukhi
Jwala Ji shrine is located in Jawalamukhi town of the Kangra district. It is about 55 kilometres from Dharamsala. The Jwala Ji shrines is four cornered temple, with a small dome on the top and a square central pit of hollowed stone inside where the main flame burns endlessly. An fair is held every year in Navratras of in July/August months.
The Aarti session of the Jwalamukhi temple is the main attraction. The Aarti takes place five times a day but the one performed during the evening, known as the Shaiyan Aarti is the most splendid one. Tourists and devotees from different parts of the world come to Himachal Pradesh to visit the temple of Jawalamukhi.
Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra
Chamunda Devi Temple is a famous holy shrine in Kangra district. Chamunda Devi Temple is located on the banks of Baner River at a distance of 10 kms from Palampur town. This ancient temple was built in the 16th century. The temple is dedicated to Chamunda Devi, who is a form of Durga / Shakti. Chamunda Devi Mandir is believed to be the abode of ‘Shiva and Shakti’. So it is also known as ‘Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham’.
Mata Chintpurni temple:
Chintpurni is a famous pilgrimage and one of the Shakti Peethas in India. The Chintpurni shakti peeth or Chhinnamastika shakti peeth is located in Chintpurni, Una. The Chintpurni Shakti Peeth is dedicated to the temple of Chinnamastika Devi or ChinnamastaDevi. This temple is one of the 7 major and 51 total Shakti Peethas. Here, Chhinnamasta is interpreted as the severed-headed one as well as the foreheaded-one.
Baijnath Temple
The 13th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vaidyanath, Baijnath Temple is situated in town Baijnath in District Kangra . The temple is located on the left bank of the river Binwa. The present temple is a beautiful example of the early medieval north Indian style of temple architecture known as ‘Nagara style’. The Svayambhu form of Sivalinga is enshrined in the sanctum of the temple. The temple has five projections on each side and is surmounted with a tall curvilinear Shikhara.
The temple attracts a large number of tourists and devotees from all over India throughout the year. Special prayers are offered in the morning and evening every day. Makara Sankranti, Maha Shivaratri, Vaisakha Sankranti, Shravana Mondays are celebrated with great joy. A five-day function is also organised here on Maha Shivratri every year.
Laxmi Narayan Temple, Chamba
Laxmi Narayan Temple is one of the oldest temples situated in the Chamba. There are six temples situated from north to south. These temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Some of the temples located in the complex are the Shiva temple, Gauri Shankar temple and Radha Krishna.
Lakshmi Narayana Temple was built in the 10th century AD by Sahil Varman. The temple was built in the Shikhara style. Temple has a mandapa like structure also. The Temple is opened between 6 am to 12.30 pm and then from 2.30 to 8.30 pm for the devotees.
Baba Balak Nath Temple, Hamirpur
Baba Balak Nath is a famous famous pilgrimage Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. The tourists as well as the followers of Baba Balak Nath visits this Temple throughout the year.
The Baba Balak Nath temple is situated inside a cave in the Dhaulagiri Hills, in Hamirpur. The devotees come from near and far to visit the temple to get blessings from Baba Balak Nath Ji. There is an image of Baba Balak Nath that is placed inside the cave temple.
Bhimakali Temple Sarahan
Sarahan is small picturesque village in Himachal Pradesh of India. It is the site of famous Bhimakali Temple, dedicated to the mother goddess Bhimakali, presiding deity of the rulers of the former Bushahr State. The temple is situated about 170 kilometers from Shimla and is one of 51 Shakti Peethas. The village is known as the gateway of Kinnaur it being near the old Indo-Tibetan Road.
Hatu Mata Temple, Narkanda
Hatu peak is located at an elevation of 3400 m/12000 ft above sea level and is the highest summit in Shimla / Narkanda region of Himachal Pradesh. The peak is surrounded by dense woods. The area has forests of fir and spruce, with a smattering of maple, aspen and cedar trees.
At the top of the peak is a small wooden temple called Hatu temple. According to local belief the famous hatu mata temple is the temple of ‘Mandodari’ wife of ‘Ravna’. People come in great number on the first Sunday of Jyeshtha to pay ritual here.
Parashar Rishi Temple, Mandi
Prashar Lake lies 49 km north of Mandi , Himachal Pradesh, India, with a three storied pagoda like temple dedicated to the sage Prashar. The lake is located at a height of 2730 m above sea level. With deep blue waters, the lake is held sacred to the sage Prashar and he is regarded to have meditated there.
Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and looking down on the fast flowing river Beas, the lake can be approached via Drang or Mandi. The temple was built in the thirteenth century and legend has it was built by a baby from a single tree. The lake has a floating island in it and it is said to be unclear how deep it is, with a diver not being able to determine its depth.
Jakhu Temple Shimla
The highest point of the Shimla city is Jakhoo Hill that is covered with Alpine trees. At the top of the flat hill is the colourful Jakhoo Temple and the newly constructed Hanuman statue. Jakhoo Hill Shimla is a favourite escape for visitors wanting peace and calm from the city far below. The walk up to the hill takes approximately 30 minutes and follows a pleasant route, just beware of the criminal minded monkeys that are waiting to rob tourist of food and shiny objects.
Manu Temple, Old Manali
This Temple is dedicated to the Indian sage Manu who is said to be the creator of the world and the writer of ManuSamriti. This Temple is considered as only Manu Temple on earth. The temple is located in Old Manali village just few kms away from Manali Town.
Hidimba Devi Temple, Manali
Hidimba Devi Temple is located in Manali, a hill station in the State of Him?chal Pradesh in north India. It is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Hidimba Devi, sister of Hidimb, a figure in the Indian epic Mahabharata. The temple is surrounded by a cedar forest at the foot of the Himalayas. The sanctuary is built over a huge rock jutting out of the ground which was worshipped as an image of the deity. The structure was built in 1553.
Hatkoti Temple, Shimla
Hatkoti Temple is situated 105 kilometers east of Shimla. Hatkoti Temple is noted for its unique architecture which dates back to the Gupta period. Idol of Godess Durga is only “AshtDhatu Idol” in north India. Temple is situated near place which once was King Virat’s ruling land. Temple is also surrounded by many architectures of Pandavs when they were on exile. It also has influence of Lord Shiva and godess Parvati. It is situated near river Pabbar.
Bijjat Maharaj Devta Temple, Chaupal
Bijjat Devta also known as “The God of Lightening” is situated in Hambal Valley and 26 Km away from Chaupal Town and is well known for its centuries old Bijjat Maharaj Temple. Sarain town is surrounded by the fields, apple orchards, small villages and forest of deodar. This is one of the starting points of the trek to the Churdhar Peak. It is in Shimla Distt.
Jatoli Shiv Temple, Solan
Asia’s highest temple of Lord Shiva at Jatoli is an architectural wonder. Jatoli is a place about seven kms away from Solan in Himachal Pradesh. Jatoli means long Jata (hairs) which further signifies the long Jatas of lord Shiva.
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