Bajreshwari Shaktipeeth of Kangra is a sacred place where devotees can find solace, seeing their Goddess. Here lies the right chest of Sati adorned with three Pindis from three faiths, symbolizing peace and harmony. When dawn arrives in the mountains accompanied by sun rays that bathe this land in golden light, it appears as if an accomplished jeweler has spread sheets of gold over the valley below!
The renowned Goddess Bajreshwari Devi, also known as the deity of Nagar Kot and Kangra Devi, has her temple in Himachal Pradesh referred to as ‘Nagar Kot Dham’. This awe-inspiring structure stands out with its golden urns that can be seen from miles away. With a long standing history, this majestic temple is truly an example of grandeur and beauty!
Five times each day, the temple is alive with an aarti ritual. Here, the goddess is adorned in fresh clothes and gold jewelry decorated with yellow sandalwood for her morning offering of gram, puri and fruits. An added intrigue to this ceremony is that the midday aarti as well as details of what food offerings are made remain secret.
The Bajreshwari Temple is a place of worship, and it enshrines the statues of many divine beings. Of them all stands out Bhairav Nath – an incarnation of Lord Shiva – residing on the left side with its own special sparkle. People revere Pindi as a form Goddess present here, making this temple even more sacred to visit and honor.
Visiting the temple between September and March is highly recommended due to its seasonal festivities. What’s more, the climate during these months in this region of the world is particularly pleasant for a visit.
Legend has it that Bajreshwari Devi Ji temple in Kangra, which was formerly called Nagar Kot, dates back to the period of Pandavas. Moreover, this shrine is said to be one of the hallowed 51 Shakti Peethas across India.
As the legend goes, King Daksha Prajapati – father of Goddess Sati and husband to Lord Shiva – held a Yajna where he invited all saints and deities excluding herself and her spouse. Undeterred, Sati proceeded with or without permission from Shiva to attend the yajna; upon arrival, she questioned why they were not welcomed by her own father only for him to insult her beloved in return. After being insulted by Lord Shiva, the devoted Goddess Sati leapt into the yajna and self-immolated. In reaction to such a heartbreaking event, Shiva began his Tandava (the dance of destruction), across the universe while carrying goddess Sati’s corpse in his arms. To put an end to her suffering, Vishnu divided her body into 51 parts with his powerful Sudarshan Chakra; thus forming Shaktipeeth as each part fell on Earth. Her left chest is said to have landed here in Kangra Devi – venerated today as Bajreshwari Mataji!
By Air
The nearest airport is Kangra Airport that is distant by 8-9 Kilometres. So, after landing at the airport, you can hire local modes of transport to reach the temple.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Kangra Mandir Railway Station. From there, you can take a bus, auto or taxi to get to the place.
By Road
You can also plan to visit the region via road networks. For this, you can take your own vehicle or hire a bus or a cab.
