Durga Temple In India : Top 21 Goddess Durga Temples of India
Introduction
Opening Statement Goddess Durga is one of the most revered deities in Hindu mythology, and India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions.. She is revered in a variety of ways throughout the nation and is recognized as the embodiment of divine power. There are numerous temples dedicated to Goddess Durga that draw devotees from all walks of life, from the southern point of Kanyakumari to the snow-capped mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. This article will embark on a virtual expedition to investigate the 21 most significant temples dedicated to the Goddess Durga in India.
1. Vaishno Devi Temple
The Vaishno Devi Temple, located in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir at an elevation of over 5,000 feet, is one of the most sacrosanct locations in India. The temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Kali, Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Lakshmi, is situated within a grotto. According to legend, the goddess assumed the guise of Goddess Kali in order to defeat the tantric Bhairon Nath.
2. Chamunda Devi
The Chamunda Devi temple, situated on the shores of the River Baner in Himachal Pradesh, is renowned for its distinctive, vibrant architecture. It is situated a few kilometers from Palampur. The temple is home to idols of Hanumanji and Bhairo on either side of the goddess, who is depicted in the wrathful guise.
3. Jwala Devi
The Jwala Devi monastery, located in Himachal Pradesh, is renowned for its natural flames that operate without the use of fuel. It is situated 30 kilometers from the Kangra valley. The temple is dedicated to the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga, who are symbolized by the flames that emanate from one of the boulders. The goddess’s power is believed to be manifested by these flames by her devotees.
4. Kalka Devi Temple
The Kalka Devi Temple, situated in South Delhi near Nehru Place, is a favored destination for devotees who are in search of the blessings of Goddess Durga.. The temple is renowned for its unique evening tantric aarti and is estimated to be over 300 years old.
5. Mansa Devi Temple
The Mansa Devi Temple, which is situated in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, is located on the Bilwa Parvat, a portion of the Sivalik Hills. Goddess Mansa, the fulfiller of wishes, is believed by devotees to have originated from the intellect of the sage Kashyap. A thread is tied around a tree within the temple premises by pilgrims, who then untie it once their wishes have been granted.
6. Durga Temple
The Durga Temple, an 18th-century shrine constructed by a Bengali monarch, is situated in Uttar Pradesh, near Varanasi. The Nagara style of architecture is evident in the temple’s multi-tiered shikhara. The locals are believed to be zealously protected by the goddess from any external influence by devotees.
7. Devi Patan Temple
It is believed that the right shoulder of Sati, Lord Shiva’s consort, collapsed at Devi Patan Temple, which is located 70 km from Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. King Vikramaditya constructed the temple, which was subsequently renovated by King Suheldeo. A grand fair is conducted in the vicinity of the temple during Navratri, and the divinity of Pir Ratan Nath from Nepal is also revered.
8. Chinese Kali Temple
During Kali Puja, the local Chinese community visits a distinctive Chinese Kali Temple in Tangra, Kolkata. A Bengali Brahmin pandit oversees the temple, which is over sixty years old. Prasad is provided to devotees in the form of rice, vegetable preparations, and noodles.
9. Kamakhya Temple
One of the most significant Shakti Peethas in India, the Kamakhya Temple is situated on the Nilachal Hill, eight kilometers from Guwahati in Assam. In the cave sanctuary, devotees can observe the goddess, who is adorned with flowers and draped in a sari. It is also recognized for the Ambubachi festival, which commemorates the goddess’s fecundity.
10. Adhar Devi Temple
The Adhar Devi Temple is situated within a grotto in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. The shrine, which is also referred to as the Arbuda Devi Temple, is reputed to have discovered the goddess’s idol suspended in mid-air during its construction. In order to access the shrine, devotees must ascend approximately 365 steps and crawl through the grotto.
11. Karni Mata Temple
The Karni Mata Temple, which is located in Bikaner, Rajasthan, is renowned for its distinctive inhabitants: rodents. The temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, who is regarded as an incarnation of the Goddess Durga. Legend has it that after her youngest son perished, she revived him and subsequently transformed into the Goddess Durga.
12. Ambaji Temple
The Ambaji Temple, located on the Abu Road in Gujarat, is renowned for its distinctive triangular-shaped Vishwa Yantra, which is a representation of the deity. The temple is a popular destination for tourists on full moon evenings. It is a widely held belief that the heart of Sati, Lord Shiva’s consort, collapsed at this location, rendering it an original Shakti Peeth.
13. Durga Parameshwari Temple
The Durga Parameshwari Temple, which is situated in the center of the river in Kateel, Karnataka, is a distinctive temple. Pujas are conducted daily at the temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Durga and boasts a vast rock known as Goddess Rakteshwari. The shrine also contains a deity of the Goddess Chamundi.
14. Kanaka Durga Temple
The Kanaka Durga Temple, which is located on the Indrakiladri hill in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, is dedicated to the deity Kanaka Durga, who is known for her benevolence and power. The temple is renowned for its potent divinity and is regarded as the preferred residence of the goddess and her consort, Malleswara.
15. Goddess Bhagavathi Temple
The Goddess Bhagavathi Temple is situated at the convergence of the three seas in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu. The temple, which is estimated to be over two thousand years old, is dedicated to the deity who was created by Lord Shiva in order to vanquish the demon Banasura.
16. Dakshineswar Kali Temple
The Dakshineswar Kali Temple, situated in Kolkata, West Bengal, is dedicated to Ma Bhavatarini, an incarnation of Goddess Kali. The temple, which was constructed in 1847 by Rani Rashmoni, is renowned for serving as the spiritual residence of Ram Krishna Paramahamsa.
17. Bhadrakali Temple
The Bhadrakali Temple, located in Warangal, Telangana, is renowned for its fierce-looking deity idol. A square-shaped stone carving of the deity with eight hands, each holding a distinct weapon, is located within the temple. The temple is situated in the vicinity of a lake and natural granite formations.
18. Naina Devi Temple
The Naina Devi Temple, situated on a hilltop in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, is dedicated to Maa Naina Devi, one of the manifestations of Maa Shakti. Mata Sati’s eyeballs are said to have fallen in one of the 51 Shaktipeeths.
19. Danteshwari Temple
The Danteshwari Temple, located in Dantewada town, Chhattisgarh, is dedicated to Danteshwari Devi, one of the manifestations of Mother Goddess. The temple is constructed on the site where the molar of Sati, Lord Shiva’s consort, was lost. Danteshwari Devi’s idol is paraded throughout the city during the Dusshera festival, drawing thousands of devotees.
20. Shri Kalika Devi Temple
The Shri Kalika Devi Temple is located in the Belgaum district of Karnataka and is dedicated to Maa Kali. It is an immensely popular holy shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali in the state. The Durga Temple in Aihole, another renowned temple of Goddess Durga, is situated in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka.
21. Mahalaxmi Temple
The Mahalaxmi Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, is situated in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. The temple is renowned for its Kirnotsav festival, during which the sun’s rays touch the deity’s feet at twilight. The temple also houses an idol of the goddess crafted from precious black stone.
Conclusion
Not only are these top 21 Goddess Durga temples in India architectural marvels, but they are also spiritual sanctuaries where devotees seek divine grace and favors. Millions of devotees from around the world are drawn to each temple, which has its own distinctive history and significance. It is believed that a visit to these temples will satisfy the most profound aspirations of the heart, whether you are in search of serenity, prosperity, or protection.
Note: All the image/images sources are from google image in this articles. These are for illustration and understanding purpose only
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