FIVE DEVIES
NAINA DEVI
Mata Naina Devi Ji is one of the most notable places of worship. it is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. The Temple of Mata Naina Devi Ji is located about 100 K.Ms from Chandigarh at an altitude of about 1177 K.Ms, on a hilltop in the Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh in India.
According to a legend, Sati was daughter of Daksha Prajapati and was married to Lord Shiva. Once Daksha performed a yagna and invited all the Deities to the yagna except Lord Shiva and Sati. The fact that She was not invited did not deter Her from attending the Yagna. She expressed Her desire to attend the Yagna to Shiva, who tried His best to dissuade Her from going, being not invited. Shiva eventually relented and Sati went to the yagna. She, being an uninvited guest, was not given any respect at the yagna. Moreover, Her father insulted Her husband Shiva. She was unable to bear Her father’s insults toward Her Husband and She immolated herself.
Enraged at the insult and the injury, Shiva destroyed Daksha’s yagna, cut off Daksha’s head, and later replaced it with that of a male goat as he restored him to life. Still immersed in grief, Shiva picked up the remains of Sati’s body, and performed the Tandava. The other Gods requested Vishnu to intervene to stop the destruction, and Vishnu used the Sudarshana Chakra, which cut through the Sati’s corpse. The various parts of the body of Sati fell at several spots on the earth which are known as Shakti Peethas today.
It is believed that the eyes of Sati fell down at the place where Naina Devi Temple, a Shakti Peeth is located.
Chintpurni is located around 130 KM away from Naina Devi and is a major pilgrimage center and one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. The Chintpurni shakti peeth also known as Chhinnamastika shakti peeth is located at an altitude of 940 Meters, at Chintpurni, in Una district of Himachal Pradesh state, surrounded by the western Himalaya in the north and east in the smaller Shivalik range bordering the state of Punjab in India. If we go straight from Chandigarh to Chintpurni, it is about 200 K.Ms from Chandigarh via Ropar – Nangal – Una – Mubarakpur – Bharwain.
In the center of the Temple is the temple garbha griha. The image of Mata Chintpurni Devi is installed here in the form of a pindi (a round stone).
Mata Jwala Ji shrine, a Shakti Peeth is located about 35 Kilometers from Chintpurni in the lower Himalayas at an altitude of 610 Meters, in Jawalamukhi town of the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh state of India. The temple style is typical of Jwala Ji shrines- four cornered, with a small dome on the top and a square central pit of hollowed stone inside where the main flame burns endlessly. According to the legend, when Sati’s body was divided into 51 parts, Sati Mata’s tongue fell here. The flames/Jyotis are the representation of the same.Jwala Ji temple is known as one of the Maha Shaki Peeths.
There are nine different flames within the temple and each signifies something different. The Mughal Emperor Akbar installed a gold parasol and Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the dome gilded. Across the courtyard is Devi’s bed chamber and above the temple is the shrine of Baba Gorakhnath.
Brajeshwari Devi temple also known as Bajreshwari Devi or vajreshwari Devi temple, is one of the important temples situated about 35 kms from Jawala Ji in the Kangra valley. Brajeshwari Temple is more than 1000 years old and it is believed that this temple is an important Shakti Peeth where ears of Sati feel down. However, known for its legendary wealth, this beautiful temple was invaded by many invaders several times. In the intervening years the temple was rebuilt and renovated several times but in the earthquake of 1905 the temple was badly damaged. The temple was again built in 1920 that stands behind the crowded colorful markets of Kangra.
Chamunda Devi Temple is a renowned holy shrine of the Hindus. Located at an altitude of 1000 K.Ms, in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, Chamunda Devi Mandir is at a distance of about 59 km from Jwalamukhi, on the banks of Baner River. This ancient temple dates back to 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’. Due to this reason, it is also known as Chamuda Nandikeshwar Dham.
Chamunda Devi is considered as the wrathful form of Durga, but at the same time, the Goddess is kind to her true devotees. The term ‘Chamunda’ has been derived from two words, ‘Chanda’ and ‘Munda’. As per the mythological legends, Durga created a goddess with her power, to kill the demons, Chanda and Munda. With her immense power, the Goddess killed the demons. Goddess Durga became happy with the slaughter and blessed the goddess that she would be known and worshipped as Chamunda.
Accommodation
There are a number of dharamshalas, guest houses and hotels of varying quality in and around all the temples of Naina Devi, Chintpurni, Jwalia Ji, Brajeshwari Devi and Chamunda Devi. However, during Navratra fairs, the accommodation may be booked in advance.