Kangra Valley Temples

Earlier,we discussed about ShaktiPeeths Temples In Kangra Valley,but there are 

many other temples are situated into Kangra Valley. In Kangra Valley Temples,

There are different beautiful and historical temples are available which can we 

follow as:-

1. Baijnath Temple

In Kangra Valley Temples, Baijnath Temple is a revered shrine of Himachal Pradesh. 

Located at a distance of 18 kms from Palampur in the Beas valley, Baijnath Temple is

dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Shiva temple at Baijnath is one of the most remarkable

monuments of the Kangra valley Temples. Ancient name of this town was 'Kirgrama' 

and changed to Baijnath after dedicating the temple to our Lord Shiva.According to

mythology (Shiva Mahapurana), Lord Shiva established lingams, which were shining 

with light, at 12 different places as a challenge against Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. 

There are 12 such places in India which are popular due to the Jyothirlingas.Baijnath 

or Vaidyanath is a form of Lord Shiva. In this avatar, Lord Shiva is known to be the 

'Lord of Physicians', in contemporary terms, he can be called a doctor,healing people 

of their miseries and sufferings. Yes, in the Baijnath temple, Shiva is worshipped as the

'God of Healing', and this is one of the popular temples in Himachal Pradesh.

Mythology on Baijnath Temple

There are several versions of the legend relating to Lord Vaidyanath or Baijnath.One

famous legend tells us about the demon King Ravana and his penance to obtain 

invincible power.

The well-known character from the epic Ramayana, the demon King Ravana was a 

great devotee of Lord Shiva.Once,he performed a huge self-punishment to gain the
blessings of Lord Shiva in order to obtain the kingdom of Lanka. While doing the
self-punishment, Ravana cut off his ten heads and offered it to the sacrificial fire.
So, Lord Shiva was very pleased with Ravana's allegiance and not only gave him
the boon but also fixed all of his ten heads. It is said that Lord Shiva transformed as
'Vaidhya' and healed the injuries of Ravana. Hence, he is worshipped in the form of
Vaidyanath.

2. Rock Cut Masroor Temple

In Kangra Valley Temples,Counted among the magnificent rock cut temples of India, 

the beautiful Masroor Temple is situated 40 km from Kangra in Himachal Pradesh.

The temple is a unique bulky structure and is also one of the most unexplored temples 

in Himachal Pradesh.The main temple is dedicated to Lord Ram, Lakshman and Sita.

From the temple site, you can get an amazing view of the snow-clad Dhauladhar ranges. 

It elevate black stone images of Ram, Lakshman and Sita facing east.

Rock-cut style is much more difficult than the other structural one. The limitation makes

an artist creation out of  rock a most difficult task and the ability with which the remote 

artist of seventh and eighth centuries carried out their purpose is superhuman.Although 

the remote location of Masroor temples protected them from the invading army of 

Mahmud Ghazni and their stone construction prevented severe damage in the 1905

earthquake.

Myth on Rock Cut Masroor Temple of Kangra Valley

According to the local myths of Kangra Valley Temples, the Pandavas spent a long

period of time here in this temple site during their exile. Another story tells about the

existence of an incomplete staircase which is found inside the Masroor temple. It is 

said that the staircase was build by the Pandavas to reach heaven.They took an oath 

to over the construction work by the same day morning. Listening to the Indra, the king

of the Gods got tensed as the stairs would make the way to reach heaven easily 

accessible. So he hides himself in the form of a crow and crowed loudly before the 

early dawn. Due to this the Pandavas, could not complete the staircase.

3. Bathu ki Ladi

As we know,Himachal Pradesh is blessed with the wonderful richness of wild life which 

any naturalist would love to track.The state has a diverse and hidden history from the 

time of Pandavas, which are hidden in small corners of Himachal Pradesh. One such 

hidden temple with a History are Bathu temples in the Kangra Valley Temples of 

Himachal Pradesh.The mystery of this struck path in Himachal Pradesh disclose the

amazing sight of a string of Bathu temples which stays submerged for 8 months of the 

year. Popularly known as “Bathu ki Ladi”.It is the place of diverse cultures,land of fare

and festivals,land of peace and joy,a place where you can see nature at its best.It is
one of the best known locations to spend your holidays and have a lifetime of experience.

 

This cluster of temples become visible only in the months of March-June when the

water level of Maharana Pratap reservoir dips down considerably.The rest of the 

time the temple remains submerged in water. The temple is made of very strong stone 

and even after 30 years of being submerged in water it is standing tall and beautiful. 

The big Pillar next to these temples is the only visible thing you get to see when the 

Pong Dam Lake is very much in water as all the temples are submerged in the water

As the other Kangra Valley Temples,This temple is different from them.It is in the 

midst of Pong Dam, one has to take a boat to reach the shrine. Around the temple is 

a place like an island that is named Rensar.The temples are three kilometer away
from Dhameta, a small town in Kangra.

Historical Significance Of Temples:-

The locals believes that in various historical stories about the temple but there are two

famous ones which are follow as-:

1. Some people believe that the temple was constructed by a local king

2. Bathu ki Ladi is also said to be constructed by the Pandavas in the Mahabharata era.

It is also believed that they tried to construct the “Staircase to Heaven” from here only.

The cluster  of this temple consists of 6 temples out of which 5 are dedicated to Lord 

Vishnu and the main one in the center is dedicated to Lord Shiva.Also this temple 

contains idols of Sheshnag and Lord Hanuman.

4. Baba Baroh Temple

Like as Kangra Valley Temples,one another pretty temple is situated in Kangra
District known as Baba Baroh Temple.Baba Baroh Temple is located at the
tehsil of Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh,Baba Baroh Temple is a popular
pilgrimage destination.The temple is consecrated to Lord Krishna and Radha.
Baba Baroh Temple is not only visited for its religious importance,but also for
its scenic surroundings and for the stunning marble sculptures.This temple is
popular for the largest amount of white marble used for any temple in
Himachal Pradesh.

History and Mythology of Baba Baroh

In the history of Kangra Valley Temples,Baba Baroh temple is one which is entirely constructed of white marble. The idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are placed in the main temple..The temple was constructed by a local Pandit. The temple also houses an idol of Goddess Durga which is made of metal.The main temple stands in the temple premises.At the other corner, there is a temple of Lord Shiva.

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ShaktiPeeth Temples In Kangra Valley

As we Know Himachal Pradesh is the “Land of God” which means that “Dev Bhumi”.

Out of 51 Shaktipeeths in India, Himachal is privileged to have 5 Shakti Peeths.Under  
ShaktiPeeth Temples in Kangra Valley, Three Temples are available. ShaktiPeeths 

Temples have their own importance that is recorded as a tale by Hindu religious texts 

about Goddess Sati who was not being able to withstand the disgrace shown to 

her husband Lord Shiva sacrificed herself at her father’s court by burning. On arriving 

at the scene Shiva took her wife Sati’s  body on his shoulder and starts consuming 

Tandav dance. During the dance of destruction,it is believed that 51 different body 

parts of goddess Sati, wife of Lord Shiva fell in different regions of India and they 

were later worshipped as Shakti Peeths. 

Five Shakti Peeths in Himachal are as follows:-

1. Bajreshwari Temple in Kangra district.   

2. Chamunda Temple in Kangra district.   

3. Jwalaji Temple in Kangra district   

4. Chintpurni Temple in Una district.   

5. Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur district.

Three ShaktipeethsTemples In Kangra Valley are as follows:-

1.Bajreshwari Devi Temple

Kangra commonly named as Dev Bhumi is believed to be the abode of Gods. Kangra 
Temple is also known as Bajreshwari Devi Temple or Nagarkot Dham.It is one of the  
Shakti Peeth Temple.Bajreshwari Devi Temple is a popular Hindu religious journey site 
in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh behind the crowded market of Kangra Town.A  
Svayambhu Pindi in black stone at Bajreshwari Mata temple is considered as 
symbolic representation of the charred breasts of Goddess Sati. It is believed to be 
constructed by Goddess Bajreshwari itself at a place where once the famous 
Ashwamedh or horse-sacrifice took place. The annual Makar Sankranti festival is 
celebrated at this temple with great ceremony and show.On this bright occasion ghee 
is applied on the idol of the goddess and water is poured 100 times. After that the idol 
is decorated by flowers.This is practised for a week.

History Of Bajreshwari Temple

when the first temple was built,it was not known as Bajreshwari Devi Temple. 
According to the history of this region,the temple was attacked by Mohammad Ghazni, 
the invader and ruined in 1009.Later,the temple was reconstructed.It is in 1905,the 
temple gotdestroyed by a destructive earthquake.The temple is re-opened to the
public in 1920.

2. Jawala Ji Devi Temple 
Under ShaktiPeeth Temples In Kangra Valley,One more Temple is available known 
as Jawala Devi Temple.Jawala Devi is also one of the major ‘Shakti Peethas’ of India.
The templeis also known as Jawala Ji temple located in the Kangra district of Himachal
Pradesh.The temple is dedicated to Jawala Devi, who is the presiding in the form of
flames.Due to this fact, the goddess is also Known as the 'Flaming Goddess'.In the 
early times,people tried to explore the reason behind these burning flames,but nothing 
substantial was made out.These flames are burning due to some natural jets of 
explosive gas.In this temple, there is no idol because the Goddess is considered to be 
dwelling inthe form of flames.

In The History of ShaktiPeeth Temples In Kangra Valley,Hindus believe that a visit to 
Jawala Devi temple in Kangra leads to end of their struggle and beginning of happy days.
Jawala Devi templehas a series of domes, covered with gold. Being an important 
pilgrimage of the Hindus,large numbers of devotees come to this temple.During the days
of Navaratri, the temple is crowded by countless number of devotees.Colorful fairs are 
also organized for the Navaratri in March-April and September-October. Earlier, this 
temple was administered by the operated of Raja. This temple was declared as the site 
of Cultural Heritage after Independence and that time onwards, it is under the manage
-ment of the Government. There are 102 priests are hired to look after the sermons of 
the templeand even these priests are paid by the Government.

History behind the Temple

Under ShaktiPeeth Temples In Kangra Valley,Jawalamukhi refers to the deity with 
flaming mouth. As per the legends, it was said that  the mouth of Sati fell here at the 
time of self-sacrifice. Ever since, the Goddess settled the place and she manifested 
in nine flames.After some years,one day Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch, a resident of
Kangra and a great permilig of Goddess Durga, dreamt of the holy place. He sent 
his men to locate the place.With the grace of the Goddess, the site was found and 
Raja beginned constructing a temple.It is believed that Pandavas alsocontributed 
in the constructed of this temple.However, the construction of this temple was 
completed in the 19th century,when Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his son, Kharak 
Singh, provided the Gold and Silver for the dome and door respectively.

History of Akbar, the Mughal Emperor

During the ruling period of Akbar, Mughal learned about the legends of Jwalamukhi. 
In anger, he tried to douse the flames with a stream of water. The great power of the 
Goddess, the flamesnot stop burning and still kept remains.After Realizing the power 
of Jawala Devi, Akbar came with his army to this temple.Akbar brought a Gold Chatra 
for the Goddess,but on offering, the umbrella turned into an unknown metal suggesting
that the Goddess didn't accept his offering.

3. Chamunda Devi Temple

Again ShaktiPeeth Temples In Kangra Valley,Chamunda Devi Temple is a renowned 
holy temple of the Hindus.It located in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh,Chamunda 
Devi Mandir is at distance of 10 kms from Palampur, on the banks of Baner River.This
ancient temple to the 16th century. This temple is known as Chamunda Devi,who is a 
also another  Shaktipeeth. Chamunda Devi Mandir is believed that abode of 'Shiva 
and Shakti'.Due to this fact, it is also known as'Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham'.

Chamunda Devi is considered as the angry form of Durga, but at the same time, the 
Goddess is kind to her true devotees. The term 'Chamunda' has been obtained from
two words,'Chanda' and 'Munda'. As per the mythical legends, Durga made goddess 
with her power, to slay the demons, Chanda and Munda. With her huge power, the 
Goddess killed the demons. Goddess Durga became glad with the slaughter and 
blessed the goddess that she would beknown and worshipped as Chamunda.

Architecture Of Temple

In all ShaktiPeeth Temples In Kangra Valley,There is nothing extra-ordinary about 
the architecture of this temple, but the holy aura spell bounds the devotees with its 
spiritual appeal.The main image is visible from the main entrance. The main temple 
is adored by the images of Lord Bhairav and Lord Hanuman on its sides. Actually, 
both lords are considered as the guards of the Goddess. The main image of the 
Goddess is visible covered in rich clothes.

 

 

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