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Himachal
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| Being a State full of
isolated valleys and high ranges, several different styles of temple
architecture developed and there are temples with carved stone
shikharas, pagoda style shrines, temples that look like Buddhist
Gompas or Sikh Gurudwaras etc. Several of them are important places
of pilgrimage and each year attract thousands of devotees from all
over the country. |
Hindu Pilgrimage
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Bajreshwari
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Just outside the town of Kangra is the temple dedicated to
Bajreshwari Devi Known once for its legendary wealth this temple was
subject to successive depredations by invaders from the north.
Destroyed completely in 1905 by an earthquake, it was rebuilt in
1920 and continues to be a busy place of pilgrimage. |
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Baijnath
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The ancient temple at Baijnath is particularly beautiful. Built of
stone in the 9th century AD, in the shikhara style, it is a fine
blend of sculpture and architecture. Dedicated to Lord Shiva,
Baijnath is close to Palampur and Kangra. |
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Jwalamukhi temple
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Not too far from Kangra is this popular place of pilgrimage. An
eternally burning flame that issues from a hollow rock in the
sanctum, is considered the manifestation of the goddess Devi. During
March-April and September-October every year, colorful fairs are
held during the Navratra celebration. Jwalamukhi temple is 30 km.
from Kangra |
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Chamunda Devi Temple
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| Not far from
Dharamsala (Kangra) is the famous temple to Chamunda Devi. It is an
enchanting spot with glorious views of the mountains, the Baner Khud,
Pathiar and Lahla forest |
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Lakshmi Narayan Temple
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| The
Lakshminarayan group of temples in the town of Chamba are of great
archaeological importance. Six stone temples dedicated to Shiva and
Vishnu with tall shikaras, finely carved, date from the 8th century
AD. The Lakshminarayan Temple is the oldest in this group. Other
temples around Chamba town include, those dedicated to Hari Rai,
Champavati, Bansigopal, Ram Chandra, Brijeshwari, Chamunda,
Narsingh,
and Yogi Charpat Nath. |
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chaurashi Temple
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| The 9th century
temples at Bharmaur are among the most important early Hindu temples
in the Chamba Valley. According to legend, 84 (chaurasi) yogi's
visited Bharmaur, capital of King Sahil Varma. They were so pleased
with the king's humility and hospitality that they blessed him with
ten sons and a daughter, Champavati. A cluster of shrines
commemorates that visit. The temple square is the Centre of all
activities in the little town of Bharmaur and the Lakshmi, Ganesh,
Manimahesh and Narsing temples, the main shrines, are splendidly set
off by the dramatic mountainscape. |
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Manimahesh
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| The Manimahesh
Lake, high up in the mountains near Bharmaur, is an important place
of pilgrimage. The solitary Manimahesh Kailash Peak- the legendary
abode of Shiva, is reflected in its still waters. A little temple in
the shikhara style with an exquisite brass image of Lakshmi Devi as
Mahishasuramardini stands near-by. Every year, following Janmashtami,
the annual Manimahesh Yatra is undertaken. The pilgrimage starts
from Chamba from the Lakshaminarayan Temple and devotees wend their
way up the arduous track from Bharmaur to take a sacred dip in the
waters of the lake. |
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Prashar Temple
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| This temple, built in
the 14th century, is a shrine where the rulers of Mandionce
worshipped. The pagoda-style temple stands in the little green
hollow around the Prashar lake, above the town of Pandoh. The views
of the mountains are spectacular. |
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Shikari Devi
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| It is possible
to trek up to Shikari Devi from Janjheli and Karsog (Mandi). Through
woods of assorted trees and shrubs - which include several medicinal
herbs - two separate trek routes lead up to this ancient shrine
located at the crown of the hill. Hunters in the area once prayed to
the Goddess for success in their hunt - and here, perhaps, lies the
origin of the name 'Shikari Devi'. The Goddess is worshipped in the
form of a stone image. Interestingly, the temple which is said to
have been in existence since the time of the Pandavas, has no roof -
for local legend has it, that all attempts to build one have been
unsuccessful. |
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Raghunathji Temple
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Built in 1651 by the Raja of Kullu, the temple has an image of
Raghunathji that was brought from Ayodhya. During the Kullu Dussehra,
all the temples in the area send their deities to pay homage to
Raghunathji at Kullu. |
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Bijli Mahadev Temple
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An unusual temple dedicated to Shiva-the Lord of lightning, is
located on a height overlooking the Kullu and Parvati valleys. A
60ft staff above the temple attracts divine blessing in the form of
lightning and breaks the stone linga in the sanctum. |
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Baba Balak Nath Temple
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A cave temple located in Deothsidth, in the Dhaulagiri Hills of
Hamirpur, is a noted place of pilgrimage. People come here to seek
the blessing of Baba Balak Nath whose image is located in the cave.
Shahtalai, 46 km from the the district headquarters of Hamirpur and
accessible by road, is about 10 km from Deothsidh (http://www.jaibabedi.com/). |
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Buddhist Pilgrimage
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| The
remote valleys of Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur have strong Buddhist
traditions. Splendid gompas, Buddhist monasteries, built along bare
mountain-sides seem to be a part of the rugged terrain. These are
the repositories of a wealth of Buddhist art and culture. The dim,
cool interiors of ancient monasteries glow with the brilliance of
painted murals, stuccos and elaborate thangkas framed with rich
borders of silk. |
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Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lama has settled in exile, is a
marvelous Tibetan township where an entire cultural tradition is
being nurtured. It is a centre that attracts scholars, pilgrims and
tourists. |
Rewalsar
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| Perhaps the most sacred spot for Buddhists in Himachal
Pradesh,
Rewalsar is 20 km south west of Mandi. According to legend, Guru
Padmasambhava departed for Tibet from this beautiful spot, to spread
the 'dharma'. A pagoda-style monastery stands along the edge of the
lake. |
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Guru Ghantal Monastery
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| This is on the right bank of Chandra
river about 4 kms. above Tandi and is believed to be the oldest
Gompa of Lahaul having wooden structure with pyramidal roofs, wood
carving, preserving the idols of Padmasambhava & Brajeshwari
Devi. On the full moon night in mid-June a festival called "GHANTAL"
is celebrated by Lamas & Thakurs together. |
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Khardang Monastery
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It is about 5
kms. from Keylong across Bhaga
river. It is believed to be built in 12th century.
Monastery has a large library of Kangyur and Tangyur volumes of
Budhist scriptures in Bhoti. Kardang village was once the capital of
Lahaul. |
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Shashur Monastery
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| Situated on a hill about 3 kms from Keylong
(Lahaul
& Spiti) towards north on the same slope. During June/ July this
monastery attracts a large number of visitors when Lamas perform the
devil dance. It was founded in the 17th century a.d. It
belongs to red hat sec and is located among the blue pines. The
paintings represent the history of 84 Buddhas. |
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Tayul Gompa
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| Tayul Gompa is 6
kms. from Keylong (Lahaul & Spiti) and is one of the oldest monasteries of the valley having a
huge statue of Guru Padmasamhava about 5m high and houses library of
Kangyur having 101 volumes. In Tibetan language Ta-Yul means the
chosen place. There is an interesting story behind this. |
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Key Monastery
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It is situated 12
kms. north of Kaza (Lahaul & Spiti) and serves the western population of
Spiti. It is the oldest
and biggest monastery of the valley and located at (4116 m) above
Kye village. It houses beautiful scriptures and paintings of Buddha
and other goddesses. Lamas practice dance, sing and play on pipes
and horns. Relegious training to Lama's is imparted here. It has
murals and books of high value. |
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Dhankar Monastery
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| It is situated about 25
kms. east of Kaza and serves
eastern part of central Spiti. Dhankar is a big village and
erstwhile capital of Spiti King. On top of a hill there is a fort
which use to be a prison in olden times. The Monastery has about 100
Lamas and is in position of Buddhist scriptures in Bhoti language.
Principal figure is a Statue of "Vairochana" (Dhayan Budha)
consisting of 4 complete figures seated back to back. It has relics
in the shape of paintings and sculptures. |
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Tabo Monastery
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| This is another large gompa serving the population of
eastern side. It has its origin in the tenth century old and is
located 50 kms. from Kaza (Lahaul & Spiti). In fame it is next
to Tholing Gompa in Tibet. It has about 60 Lamas and houses a large
collection of Scriptures, wall paintings etc. Murals of this gompa
have similarity to that of the Ajanta paintings. |
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Sikh Pilgrimage
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| The Sikhs
came to the Shivalik Hills, in Himachal Pradesh in 1695, at the
invitation of the ruler of Sirmaur, to help him fight the Mughals.
Guru Gobind Singh with his army, settled in Paonta Sahib in the
foothills. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, at the end of
the 18th century, many of the western hill states also came under
Sikh sovereignty. |
Manikaran
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| The serene
location and the seemingly mysterious hot springs made Manikaran
(Kullu) a place of pilgrimage in earlier times. Guru Nanak, the
first Guru of the Sikhs, visited this place to spend time in
meditation. A gurdwara that was built to commemorate his visit, is
now a place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs. |
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Paonta Sahib
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| This
is the main centre of Sikh pilgrimage in Himachal. The gurdwara
picturesquely located on the banks of the River Yamuna in district
Sirmour, is venerated due to its association with Guru Gobind Singh,
the 10th Sikh Guru. In March, an important fair is held and the holy
Granth Sahib is taken out in procession. |
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Rewalsar
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The gurdwara at Rewalsar, near Mandi, is located on the periphery of
a lake sacred to both the Hindus and Buddhists as well. |
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Christian Pilgrimage
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| Christianity
made a late appearance in Himachal Pradesh, after the arrival of the
British. The churches here are not more than 150 years old. Tall
churches-the relics of the Raj, are to be found mainly in the small
hill stations that the British created as summer retreats. |
