INFORMATION DURGA MAA TEMPLES IN INDIA

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Mangalagauri Temple, Gaya, Bihar

The Mangalagauri temple in Gaya has been mentioned in Padma Purana, Vayu Purana and Agni Purana and in other scriptures and tantric works. The present temple dates back to 1459 AD. The shrine is dedicated to Shakti or the mother Goddess in the predominantly Vaishnavite pilgrimage center of Gaya. Mangalagauri is worshiped as the Goddess of benevolence. This temple constitutes an Upa-Shakti Pitha - where it is believed that a part of the body of Shakti fell - according to mythology. Here Shakti is worshiped in the form of a breast symbol, a symbol of nourishment.

The temple is facing east, and is built on top of the Mangalagauri hill. A flight of steps and a motorable road lead to the temple. The sanctum houses the symbol of the Goddess and it also has some finely carved ancient relief sculptures. A small hall or mandap stands in front of the temple. The courtyard also houses a fire pit for the home. There are also two minor shrines dedicated to Shiva and images of Mahishasura Mardini, Durga and Dakshina Kali.

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The Durga Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Located 2 km from Varanasi, the 18th century Durga temple is one of the most important temples in Varanasi. Built by a Bengali maharani, this temple has Nagara Style. Stained red with ochre, this temple is built with a multi-tiered shikhara(spire). The shikhara of the temple is formed by many small spires which are built one on top of the other.

One of the most popular temples, dedicated to Goddess Durga, it sits on the large rectangular tank called Durga Kund in the Southern sector of the city. The Puranas locate Durga Ji at her present site, and she has kept this place for many centuries. She is said to protect Varanasi from the south, as one of the fierce goddess guardians of the sacred zone. According to some who serve this temple, the image of Durga was never established by human hands, but is a self-manifest image. It appeared here of its own accord.

Durga is the 'terrible' form of Shiva's consort Parvati, so at festivals there are often sacrifices of goats. Non-Hindus can enter the courtyard but not the inner sanctum. It is commonly known as Monkey Temple due to many frisky monkey that have made it their home.

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Devi Kanaka Durga, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

The abode of Kanaka Durga, goddess of power, riches and benevolence, is the presiding deity of the city. The temple is set on the Indrakiladri hill. The deity in the Kanaka Durga temple is regarded as Swayambhu or self-manifested, hence is considered very powerful. It is said that Adi Sankara visited this temple and installed the Sri Chakra here.

The beauty of this temple is seen to be believed. The temple is situated on a hill on the banks of the Krishna river. The origin or installation of Kanaka - durga Devi at Vijayawada is unknown. She is said to be Swayambu or selfmanifest. She also takes the aspect of Chandi or destroyer of the demon Durgama who was causing havoc among the peace - loving inhabitants of Dakshinapatha.

Mother Kanakadurgeswari seated atop the Indrakilaparvatha at Vijayawada is the supreme Goddess of Andhra Pradesh, attracting lakhs of tourists since time immemorial. This temple occupies a covetable place in the scriptures; for several of the Sivalilas and Saktimahimas were enacted on and around it, making the region a place of unparalleled spiritual eminence of everlasting significance.

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Shree Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kateel, Karnataka

Kateel is a sacred place for Hindus in Dakshina Kannada. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga Parameshwari. The holy temple is situated in the middle of the sacred river and is surrounded by panoramic scenes and fascinating greeneries. The devotees are overwhelmed with pious emotions when they glance at the flowing water in the river, which embraces all around the lower layer of the temple. Kateel is 29 K.M. distances from Mangalore city.

After entering main entrance and before entering into the temple, on the left side a big symbolic rock can be seen that is called as Goddess Rakteshwari. Pooja are performed everyday to Goddess Rakteshwari. On every Sankramana devotees offer coconut sevas to the Goddess. There also lays a shrine dedicated to Goddess Chamundi, another form of Goddess Durga Devi.

Free meals are offered to devotees and visitors every noon and night. Devotees accept these meals with great devotion and treat this as a grace of Goddess Shree Durga Parameshwari. Since Goddess Shree Durga Parameshwari likes dance and music, a play team is dedicated exclusively for the cultural activity of Yakshagana (folk play) depicting the miraculous power and grace of Goddess.

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Bhadra Kali, Nepal

Pokhara, a beautiful town of Nepal has many historical oriented temples reflecting the ancient periods of this country. Among the various temples in this city, Bhadrakali temple is one of them .This temple is in the east of the city.

Built in the year 1817, this temple was previously known as "Mudule Thumpko". Situated 230 ft. above the sea level, this temple is surrounded by greenery which give it a peaceful environment. This temple came into origin when the Goddess " Bhadrakali" told the Priest to dig the hill. There they found the statue of the Goddess since then it has been worshiped as "BhadraKali".

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Chandi Devi, Haridwar, UP [ UTRANCHAL ]

The temple of Chandi Devi is situated atop the Neel Parvat on the other bank of river Ganga and was constructed in 1929 AD by the King of Kashmir, Suchat Singh. Legend has it that Chanda-Munda the army chief of the local demon king, Shumbha-Nishumbha, was killed by Goddess Chandi here after which the place got the name Chandi Devi. Chandi Devi Temple is now accessible by a ropeway also, which starts near Gauri Shanker Temple.

Chandidevi temple is one of the popular shaktipeethas in North India. It is also called siddhapitha as it is believed that the Goddess Chandi fulfills the wishes of her devotees. The pilgrims can visit the temple by the ropeway in around 5 minutes while the steep climb by steps takes over 45 minutes. The main image at Chandidevi temple is said to have been installed by Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century A.D.

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Bhagavathi Temple, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Few temples in India are more picturesquely located than that of Goddess Bhagavathi in Kanyakumari. It stands where three oceans meet: the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Sunrise and sunset can be seen from the same place. On full moon days, sunsets and moon rises can be seen at the same time.

There has been a temple of the Goddess at this place for over two thousand years. According to the temple's purana, a powerful demon, Banasura, was harassing the Devas. They sought Lord Siva's help. He invoked sakti & created Bhagavathi. The demon, hearing of Her beauty, coveted Her, though he knew it was ordained that a virgin would kill him. He threatened her and a battle developed and ultimately the demon was killed. The incident is depicted during the Navarathri festival at the temple.

About 183m from the coast there is a rocky island. According to tradition, the temple stood there originally. When the sea encroached, the rock became an islet, and the temple had to be removed to its present site. The rock contains the mark of a human foot. This is revered as a symbol of the "Sripadam" . It is on this rock that the Vivekananda memorial has been built.

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Devi Patan Temple

Devi patan temple is one of the most important Shaktipeeths in the region, revered by Hindus in India and Nepal. Located 70 km. from Gonda, it is surrounded amidst the beauty of Himalayan tarai. Just 2 km. from Tulsipur, this famous shrine is among one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. It is believed that during the event when Lord Shiva was carrying the corpse of his wife Sati, the light shoulder of Sati had fallen here.

The Devi Patan Siddha Peeth had been established by Guru Gorakshnath of the Nath Sampradaya. The existing temple here is said by to be constructed King Vikramaditya. In the 1lth century King Suheldeo of Sravasti had renovated the temple. The Royal family of Balrampur, is today the caretaker of the temple. A large fair takes place in Navratri and every year on Chaitra Panchami the deity of Pir Ratan Nath is brought from Dang in Nepal to the Devi Patan temple where it is worshipped along with the Devi.

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Bhadrakali Temple at Hanamkonda, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh

Bhadrakali Temple at Hanamkonda is significant Devi temple located on the hilltop between the twin cities of Hanamkonda and Warangal in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is held in high esteem by devotees of the of Goddess Bhadrakali popularly called the ‘Grant Mother Goddess’. Remarkable feature of the temple is the square shaped stone image of the Goddess (2.7 X 2.7 meters). In the image goddess is seen in a sitting posture with fierce looking eyes and face. The Goddess can also be seen wearing a crown and having eight hands holding various weapons.

Major Attractions of Bhadrakali Temple
High point of Bhadrakali Temple is an artificial lake of 2 ½ kms radius in the vicinity of the temple. Number of natural rock formations in the surroundings add to the spiritual charm of the temple and are the most dominant feature of the temple. Some of the unique shaped rocks are said to carry immense spiritual powers. The structure of the temple is said to be 250 years old. Though the image of the deity is called the Bhadrakali, the goddess is said to have been transformed by the mantras into a very rare form called the Tripura Sundari, which includes the Kali form. Tripura Sundari is regarded as the supreme manifestation of Prakriti - the feminine power which is the vital energy of the universe. Literal meaning of Tripura Sundari is 'The Beauty of the Three Worlds' or more precisely the three Cites or 'Pura'.

Best Time to Visit Bhadrakali Temple
The best time to visit the famous Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal is the Telegu month of ‘Sravana’ which corresponds to the month of August - September according to Gregorian Calendar. At this time a festival is organised and the deity is aesthetically decorated in various forms. Housing about 8 major and 12 minor temples surrounding mountains of Bhadrakali Temple exude a sacred aura when a large number of devotees gather to offer prayers.

People who visit Bhadrakali Temple also visit Hanamkonda Fort which is just a kilometer away from the another well known thousand pillared Hanamkonda Temple. Inside the fort is the Siddeshwara Temple housing a small Linga shrine.

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Annapoorneshwari Temple of Horanadu, Karnataka

Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple is an ancient and revered shrine located in the picturesque surroundings of Horanadu in the state of Karnataka. Horanadu is 100 kms south-west of Chikmagalur. On an average around 5000 devotees are said to visit the Devi temple every day located in the midst of thick forests and valleys.

Deity in the Annapoorneshwari Temple is said to have been installed by renowned Sage Agastya. The sanctum was renovated in recent years by a learned astrologer, Venkitasubba Jois. With the installation of the new image of Adi Shakti, now the temple is called Adi-Shaktyatmaka Shri Annapoorneshwari. Deity of the temple has been designed in unique manner. The single image depicts the Devi standing on a peeta with Devi Gayatri, Sri Chakra, Shanku and Chakra in Her four hands. The recently renovated sanctum of the temple is surrounded by Adi Sesha. While the Padma Peeta is formed by Ashtagaja, Koorma and others.

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Marikamba Temple of Sirsi, Karnataka

Sri Marikamba Temple of Sirsi is a famous Devi shrine situated in northern part of the state of Karnataka. The temple is highly regarded by the devotees spread not just all over Karnataka but also in the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Every alternate year millions of devotees from remote parts of the country gather at Sirsi to participate in the famous Shri Marikamba Fair. Darshana of Devi is considered to be extremely auspicious during the time of the fair.

Sri Marikamba Temple houses a huge idol of Devi - about seven feet tall. The temple is said to have been built in the year 1689. It is in fact considered to be the biggest idol and temple dedicated to Marikamba in the state of Karnataka. People of Uttara (northern) Kannada and Dakshina (southern) Kannada districts regard Goddess Marikamba as their chief goddess of worship and a family deity. They believe that Devi dispels evil forces and protect them from natural calamities.

Location of Sri Marikamba Temple at Sirsi too attracts number of devotees. Sirsi is surrounded by hills, picturesque thick deciduous forest and several waterfalls. An altitude of 2500 feet above the sea level, ensures that Sirsi enjoys a wonderful climate at all times. Plethora of other places of tourist attraction is complimented by the good natured people of this town.

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Banashankari Temple near Badami, Karnataka

The famous Banashankari Temple is located at Cholachigud about 5 kilometers from Badami - the historic capital of Chalukyas. Here Banashankari or Shakambari is the form of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The Banashankari Temple is quite old. Its original structure is said to have been built by the Chalukyas of Kalyan. However, the existing temple was built in the 17th century. The temple has a marked Dravidian style of architecture.

Banashankari Temple has significant mythological relevance also. According to the Skanda Purana it was here that Devi killed a demon called Durgamasura. As the temple is located in the Tilakaaranya forest, the Devi is popularly called Banashankari or Vanashankari where 'Van' or 'Ban' means forest. Banashankari Devi is also said to be worshiped by mighty Chalukyas as Kuladevi.

Idol of Goddess Banashankari is of Blackstone. Here the Goddess can be seen seated on lion and trampling a demon by foot. The Goddess has eight arms holding trishul-damaruga, kapaalpatra, ghanta, veda scripts and khadg-kheta. The temple has been considerably modernized in the present times. In front of the temple is a large pond called as 'Haridra Tirtha' which is enclosed by stone mantapas on the three sides.

The best time to visit Banashankari Temple is Pushya-Maas or the month of January - February when car festival is organized.

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JHANDEWALAN TEMPLE NEAR PAHADGANJ ,NEW DELHI

JHANDEWALAN TEMPLE SUITABLE IN PAHADGANJ OPPOSITE OF NEW DELHI RAILWAY STATION.ITS MOST POPULAR TEMPLE OF MAA NAINA DEVI.

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