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Shree Vajreshwari Mata Mandir

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The Shree Vajreshwari Mata Mandir also known as Kangra Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Vajreshvari, a form of Durga located in the town Kangra, in Himachal Pradesh. The  temple is taken care of by the government of India. I have visited this temple last month and trust me it was really very beautiful and interesting one. As we enter the main gate there  was a Nagarkhana or drum house and is built similar to the Bassein fort entrance. The temple is also surrounded by a stone wall like a fort. Inside the main area Goddess Vajreshvari is present in the form of Pindi. The temple also have a small temple of Bhairav. In front of the main temple an idol of Dhayanu Bhagat is also present.  There is blanner placed at the  main entrance of the temple on which whole story about the epitome  placed inside the temple is written in hindi language,  that after Goddess Sati sacrificed herself in the honor of Lord Shi...

Jwalaji temple and the flame

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Ask same like Baba Balak Nath Mandir, Jwalaji temple is also very important for my family. Once in year we have to visit to Jwalaji temple otherwise my Mumma feels like empty empty in her life...(jokes a parts).The flaming temple of Himachal Pradesh, Jwalaji temple is located at a distance of 34 km south of Kangra Valley. The Jawalaji temple is considered very powerful, and count as one of the 51 Shakti-Pitha temples in India. It is here that Sati’s tongue fell which can now be seen in the form of the flame. Dedicated to Goddesses Jwalamukhi with flaming mouth, the temple is believed to have nine permanent flames named after the goddesses- Mahakali, Unpurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Bindhya Basni, Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anji Devi. It is said that centuries ago, a shepherd saw the flames for the first time and Raja Bhumi Chandra, the ruler of the area had the original temple built. The Mughal Emperor Akbar installed a gold parasol and Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the dome gilded. ...

Chamunda Devi Temple

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The temple is located at a distance of 23Km from Palampur, 14Km from Kangra and 16Km from Dharamshala in the kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. I visited to Chamunda Devi Mandir from Dharamshala and it just take 30 to 40 minutes to reach at our destination. It was totally “roommates trip" because I visited there only with two of my girls. We took a bus from post office bus stop of Dharamshala at 10:30Am and reached there at around 11:10Am. We bought our ‘parsad' from the local shops opened outside the temple, and then we entered the temple with all for positive vibes. As we were walking slowly slowly, looking at everything around us,and capturing our memories just in a minute a group of monkeys came in our way, we were totally afraid of them one of my friend throw her Prasad and all the monkeys run towards it, in between we make our escape possible towards the temple. It was really a memorable experience for all of us. Chamunda Devi temple is one of the earliest temples ...

Jai Baba Balak Nath

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As I belong to district Hamirpur, if I would say I never visited Baba Balak Nath then you might feel like how stupid I am, but fortunately it's not like this my family believe in Baba Balak Nath a lot...it's like yearly trip for my family to visit His temple. Also there is a small temple is made in my home in the worship of Baba Balak Nath. Balak Nath or Sidh Baba Balak Nath is a Hindu deity worshipped in the northern Indian states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. His shrine is known as "Deotsidh". It is situated 45 kms away from "Hamirpur" near the border of Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh. Sidh Bawa Balak Nath is known as the "merciful (one who forgives all the sins)" god incarnated in Kali Yuga. He is the follower of Nath Sect. Baba Balak Nath uses peacock as their Mount( vahana). There is a one local song something like “baba balak nath udi gya more Bani k ohunu udne da bal c"my Mumma use to sung this song whenev...

Norbulingka institute of Buddhists

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Norbulingka institute is just at the distance of 15-20 minutes away from chraan where I am presently residing. Last weekend I decided to visit this place with my roommates.The weather was gorgeous, gently sunny with the promise of may showers. Nature did not disappoint. By the time we reached Norbulingka, a gentle shower had started. We paid a nominal entry fee of Rs.40.00 and entered the gates. Norbulingka means “Jewel garden” and the Institute is a fabulous example of community living, while nurturing a self-sustaining living heritage. Norbulingka Institute was founded in 1988 by Kelsang and Kim Yeshi, with the aim of preserving Tibetan heritage and culture in its literary and artistic forms, as a haven for artists to work on their crafts. Norbulingka Institute was officially inaugurated in 1995 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Today, Norbulingka has nine workshops including thangka painting, statue making, thangka applique, woodcarving, applique, wood painting, tailorin...

A story about Rewalsar Lake

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I was around 15 years old when I visited rewalsar lake for the first time...I remember very well it was our school trip of 10th class. We all gather in our school playground at 6Am and then with our respective class teacher we step up in HRTC buses which were booked by our school authorities. It is situated at about 25 kms from mandi. Rewalsar is a small circular Lake with three quarters of mile in diameter. It is an important place of pilgrimage. This lake is known for its floating island. When we reached there one of the priest told us a historic and interesting story about rewalsar lake..  As with the formation of Rewalsar lake, the legend goes that princess Mandarva, the daughter of King ‘Arshadhara' of  ‘ZOHAR'(the Tibetan name of Mandi) resolved to renounce her royal ties and dedicated herself to the religious order. The king agreed and she took her bows before a Buddhist scholar named ‘Shantarakshita'( believed to be the brother of Padama- Sambhava's). Pad...

NAWALA

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Nawala is a festival of Gaddi tribe inhabiting the valleys of Kangra, Chamba and some parts of mandi and Kullu. And I belong to district Hamirpur, so I never heard about Nawal in my life. As from last one and half year I am leaving in Dharamshala I came to know about this amazing festival Nawala. And thankfully I got chance to watch this festival live at one of my friend house. It was one of the best experience in my life. This is celebrated individually at a time when a householder thinks it proper, but it is a must once in a life time. Gaddis always invoke Shiva's help in misfortunes, ailments and for success in certain undertaking. While doing so, they undertake to perform His worship. The special prayer is called Nawala and may be offered at the time of the marriage, on the construction of a new house, recovery from illness, etc. This is a sort of thank-giving service offered to their deity Shiva. Navwala is said to have been derived from the word Navmala, meaning a new gar...