Bajreshwari Mata Temple : Located in the Kangra area of Himachal Pradesh, India, Bajreshwari Mata Temple is also known as Vajreshwari Devi Temple, Brajeshwari Devi Temple, or Kangra Devi Temple. It commemorates Goddess Durga as the thunderbolt goddess Vajreshwari. Sati’s left breast fell at this location, which is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.
Bajreshwari Mata Temple As Durga Avatar
“Vajra” for thunderbolt and “Ishwari” for deity are combined to form the name Vajreshwari. She is the ferocious form of Durga, who used her thunderbolt to destroy monster Kalikala. According to Shakti Peetha legend, Sati’s body was borne by Lord Shiva following her self-sacrifice during her father’s yagya. Vishnu used his chakra to chop Sati’s body into fifty-one pieces after Shiva danced the devastating Tandav. This hallowed area of feminine power was created when her left breast fell here.
It is referred to as “Bhrigupuri Shakta Pitha” in ancient scriptures such as Jnanarnava Tantra, and the deity is Vrajeshwari. It is referred to as Jalandhara Adi Shakti Pitha or Vajreshvari Shakti Pitha in Brihad Nila Tantra and Jalandhara Mahatmya Khanda in Padma Purana. Here, japa and dana are praised in a Sanskrit poem as increasing blessings a millionfold. It was once known as Guptapura.
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The Bajreshwari Mata Temple History
Due to its Shakti Peetha reputation, pilgrims have been to this location since ancient times. According to legend, the ancient temple was constructed by the Pandavas while they were exiled in Mahabharata. They had a dream one night in which Durga warned them that if they didn’t construct her temple in Nagarkot village, they would perish. That same evening, they built it. It was devastated by a powerful Kangra earthquake in 1905, but the authorities reconstructed the existing building.
Temple Architecture
The main gate has a drum house, or Nagarkhana, fashioned after the entrance of the Bassein fort. It is surrounded like a fortress by stone walls. Goddess Vajreshwari appears as a pindi within. Nearby is a modest shrine dedicated to Bhairav. Dhayanu Bhagat, who during Akbar’s time donated his head to the goddess, is honored with an idol in front. The current structure is unique in that it has three graves.
The Chintpurni, Jwalamukhi, Brajeshwari Devi, Chamunda Devi, and Naina Devi are the five Shakti Peethas located in Himachal Pradesh. There are smaller temples for various gods throughout the compound.
Bajreshwari Mata Temple Access Details
It is situated in Kangra town at 32°06′07°N 76°16′12°E. Kangra Mandir and Kangra railway stations are 3 km apart. The distance to Kangra Airport is 9–13 km. Chamunda Devi Mandir is 16 miles from Nagarkot, whereas Kangra Fort is nearby.
The Kangra bus stop on NH 88 is 1.3 km away by vehicle. Dharamshala (18 km), McLeod Ganj (21 km), Pathankot (90 km), and Chandigarh (220 km) are all accessible by bus and cab. Kangra station (KGRA, 2 km) on the Kangra Valley Railway is the closest train; Pathankot Junction is 85 miles away. There are flights from Gaggal Airport (DHM) to Chandigarh and Delhi.
