Vajreshwari temple and Kangra Devi temple are located in Nagar Kot in Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. Mother Vajreshwari Devi is also known as the Goddess of Nagar Kot and also as Kangra Devi.
Shrine’s History
The original temple was built by the Pandavas at the time of Mahabharata. Legend says that one day Pandavas saw Goddess Durga in their dream in which she told them that she is situated in the Nagarkot village and if they want them self to be secure they should make a temple for her in that area otherwise they will be destroyed. That same night they made a magnificent temple for her in the Nagarkot village. This temple was looted a number of time by the Muslim invaders. Md Gaznavi looted this temple at least 5 times, in the past, it used to contain tonnes of gold and many ghantas made of pure silver. In 1905 the temple was destroyed by a powerful earthquake and was subsequently rebuilt by the government.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
A legend says that after Goddess Sati sacrificed herself in the honor of Lord Shiva in her Fathers Yagya. Shiva took her body on his shoulder and started Tandav. In order to stop him from destroying the world, Lord Vishnu divided the body of Sati into 51 parts with his Chakra. The left breast of Sati fell at this spot, thus making it a Shakti Peeth.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The main gate entrance has 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 has a small temple of Bhairav. In front of the main temple, an idol of Dhayanu Bhagat is also present. He had offered his head to the Goddess at the time of Akbar. The present structure has three tombs in it, which is unique in itself.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The nearest Bus stop is Gaggal.
By Rail
The nearest railhead is Pathankot at a distance of 90kms.
By Air
The nearest airport at Gaggal in HP is 13 km from Jwalaji. Chandigarh Airport is about 225 Kms Airport at Shimla is about 160 Kms. The distance from Kullu airport in HP is about 250 Kms.
Shrine Timings
1 April to 30th September 5.00 Am to 9.00 pm, 1st October to 31st March 6.30 Am to 8.00 pm, Navratri Festival : 5.00 am to 10.30 pm
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Makar sakrantri, which comes in the second week of January, is also celebrated in the temple. Legend says that after killing Mahishasura in the battle, devi had got some injuries. to heel those injuries Goddess had applied Makhan (butter) on her body, in Nagarkot. Thus to mark this day the Pindi of Goddess is covered with Makhan and the festival is celebrated for a week in the temple.
Extra Information About this Shrine
Main Attraction: March-April & September-October Navaratri Celebrations