Famous religious places of Himachal Pradesh where every wish is fulfilled: The Himalayan state of India Himachal Pradesh has been known as Dev Bhoomi since ancient times. If we say that Himachal is the abode of gods and goddesses then it will not be wrong at all. There is a description of the Himachal region also in many of our scriptures.
This land is mentioned many times in the scriptures like Mahabharata, Padmapuran, and Cunningham. From all this, we can infer that this holy land has been the favorite of the Gods and Goddesses since the beginning. Therefore, it is a privilege to be born in such a holy land and get an opportunity to live here. Today we will talk about important temples in different districts of Himachal.
Famous religious places of Himachal
Being a kingdom of high mountain ranges and isolated valleys, many different styles of temple architecture developed and there are carved stone spires, pagoda-style shrines, Buddhist monastic-like temples, or Sikh gurudwaras. It is an important place and attracts thousands of devotees from all over the country every year.
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Here, apart from Hindu pilgrimage sites, you also get to see Christian pilgrimage sites, Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and Sikh pilgrimage sites, which are mythological, historical, and in some way connected to the history of India.
The special thing in this is that at least one temple can be seen in every village in this state. There is no celebration in Himachal that is complete without a local deity. There can be more than 2000 temples in Himachal Pradesh that repeat this fact in itself.
Famous Hindu religious places of Himachal Pradesh
Famous religious places of Himachal is nothing short of heaven on earth as it is completely filled with natural attractions and has its own rich mythological past. Apart from being the center of many tourist destinations, Himachal Pradesh also has countless famous temples, due to which it attracts a large number of devotees from all corners of the world.
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Famous Hindu religious places of Himachal Pradesh, which have their own different story and stories. Although there are many temples in Himachal Pradesh, here we are going to tell you about the main temple of Himachal Pradesh, which you must go to visit.
- Baijnath Temple: Being an ancient temple Baijnath has a very beautiful temple. Built-in the 9th century, it has a fine blend of sculpture and architecture in the Shikhar style and Nagar Shail. This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located near Kangra and Palampur. The sanctum sanctorum of the Baijnath temple has a Shiva lingam and its exterior walls are carved with many paintings. A Baijnath temple is a small town on the banks of the Gomti River in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. It is noted for its ancient temples, which are recognized as monuments of national importance in Uttarakhand by the Archaeological Survey of India. Baijnath is one of the four places to be connected to the ‘Shiva Heritage Circuit’ under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Government of India. Baijnath was known as “Kartikeyapur” in ancient times and was then the capital of the rulers of the Katyuri dynasty. The Katyuri kings then ruled Garhwal, Kumaon, and Doti areas.
- Jwalamukhi Temple: This popular pilgrimage center is 30 km from Kangra. Is situated at this distance. In the middle of the sanctum, there is a kund where the flame has been burning since eternity, it is the law of worship in the form of the mother of the flame. Here in the year March-April and September-October colorful fairs are organized on the occasion of Navratri. Every year on the occasion of Navratri, a huge crowd of lakhs of devotees throngs the Jwalamukhi temple located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Jwalamukhi Temple is one of the famous 51 Shakti Peethas of Hinduism. It is believed that Devi Maa (Mother Sati) had fallen tongue here. Here the flame in the temple is blazing all the time in the form of fire.
- Chamunda Devi Temple: There is a temple of Maa Chamunda, a short distance from Kangra. This enchanting place is surrounded by magnificent mountains, Baner Khaddu, beautiful stones, and forests. It is located in the magnificent hill station Palampur in Himachal Pradesh. This temple is counted among the Shaktipeeths of the Goddess. Situated on the banks of the Baner River, this temple is dedicated to Mahakali. Here, devotees offer flowers of their spirit at the feet of Mother Chamunda Devi.
- Laxmi Narayan Temple: Laxmi Narayan Temple of Chamba is a group of temples and it shows the ancient style. Of the temples built in the 8th century, 6 temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. The Lakshmi Narayan temple is the oldest among these temples. The rest of the temples are located around the city of Chamba, namely Hariraya, Champawati, Bansigopal. Ramchandra, Brijeshwari, Chamunda, and Narasimha are dedicated to him.
- Mani Mahesh Temple: This Shikhar class temple is a very ancient and beautiful temple. Where Mother Lakshmi is worshiped as Mahishasuramardini. Mani Mahesh Yatra is started every year during Janmashtami. The journey starts from the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Chamba district and the devotees take a dip in the holy Manimahesh Lake via the hill path of Bharmour.
- Tarna Mata Temple, Mandi: A temple made of ancient stones, a city situated on the banks of high domes and rivers. The temple of Tarna Mata is situated on the summit of Mandi city from where the entire valleys and the view of Mandi city can be seen. The temple of Bhagwati Tarna Shyamakali, the famous Shaktipeeth of Mandi, is the center of reverence and faith of the devotees. This temple of Mata Shyamakali is established as a symbol of the victory of the princely state of Mandi. There are many mythological stories about this famous Shaktipeeth.
- Rewalsar, Himachal Pradesh: On the banks of the natural lake which is symbolized like an island – a temple of Lord Shiva, the temple of Rishi Lomash, Gurudwara of Guru Gobind Singh, and Buddhist shrine dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava Ji. It is a place where people of all three religions have their faith.
- Dev Rishi Parashar Temple: Built in the 14th century, this temple is dedicated to Dev Rishi Parashar. Where the temple was worshiped by the rulers of the district. This temple, built in the style of Pagoda, is situated on the edge of the mountains with green fields all around it. The view of the mountains from here is very panoramic. Parashar Lake is one of the natural lakes of Himachal Pradesh, about 50 km north of Mandi. It is celebrated every year with great fanfare.
- Shikari Mata Temple: It is possible to visit Shikari Mata on foot from Janjehli and Karsog. This place is situated in the middle of dense forests, where medicinal herbs are found. This ancient temple situated on the summit of the mountain can be reached in two ways. It is believed that hunters worshiped Mother for their victory here and that is why this place was named Shikari Mata. Here the mother is worshiped in the form of a stone idol. This temple which has been maintaining its culmination since the time of Pandavas, there is no roof over this temple and anyone who has tried to make this roof has failed.
- Hanogi Mata Temple: Hanogi Mata Temple is the famous religious place of Himachal in the center of Kullu, it is situated on the Mandi Manali highway. The location of this temple is quite picturesque as it is situated on the top of a small peak and is surrounded by green mountains.
- Chaurasi temple: Situated in Bharatpur, the 9th-century temple is one of the most important early Hindu temples in the Chamba Valley. According to legend, the capital of Sahaja Sahil Varman was visited by 84 Chaurasi yogis. He was pleased with the humility and respect of the king. He blessed 10 sons and 1 daughter [(Champavati). It is the main center of all kinds of activities.
Famous Buddhist religious places of Himachal Pradesh
Buddhist traditions are recognized in the remote valleys of Lahaul-Spiti, Dharamshala, and Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. Very beautiful Buddhist monasteries have been built in the mountains here which are very breathtaking. It is a rich heritage of the art and literature of Buddhism. The famous Buddhist pilgrimage site of Himachal Pradesh has very beautiful artifacts which are made with bright colors. These artifacts are decorated in very attractive structures with beautiful strands made of silk thread on the edges.
- Tabo Monastery: It is located in the Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Its monastery was built in about 996 AD. The city is located around Tabo Gompa, a famous Buddhist monastery founded by Lochawa Ringchain Jangpo (Ratnabhadra). This is another very famous and large monastery dedicated to the eastern population of Himachal Pradesh. It was built in the 10th century and 50 km from Kaja. It is ranked second in Tibet after Tholing Gompa. It houses 60 Buddhist monks. There is a large collection of Buddhist literature that bears similarity to Ajanta paintings.
- Dharamshala: where His Majesty the Dalai Lama is living in exile, has become a wonderful Tibetan city, where Tibetan culture is flourishing. It is a center that attracts researchers and Famous religious places of Himachal tourists.
- Nako Monastery: It is located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It was founded in 996 AD. It is one of the oldest monasteries on ancient routes. It was founded in the first half of the eleventh century by Lohan Rinchen Zangpo.
- Key Gompa Monastery: It is located at a distance of 12 km from Kaza in the Lahaul Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. This monastery was founded in the 13th century. This monastery belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Mahayana Buddhists.
- Shashur gompa Monastery: It is a Buddhist monastery of the Drugpa sect in Lahaul and Spiti. It was built in the 17th century by Lama Dev Geetasho of Zanskar who was a missionary to Nawang Namgyal, the King of Bhutan. It is 3 km north of Keylong on a hill. The monastery becomes a center of attraction in the month of June-July, where thousands of visitors come to see the monster dance. It was established in the 17th century. Among the artifacts installed here, 84 History of Buddhists is shown.
- McLeodganj Monastery: The Tsuglag Khng Complex is one of the holiest places in India for Buddhism. In the southwestern region of McLeodganj is the official residence of the 14th Dalai Lama. Here is a glimpse of Tibetan Buddhism.
- Guru Ghantal Monastery (Gandhola Monastery): This monastery is situated on the right bank of river Chandra-Bhaga at a distance of 4 km. Is the oldest Gompa of Lahaul-Spiti made of wood, whose roofs are made of Shikhara style, with beautiful wood carvings. The statues of Guru Padmasambhava and Brijeshwari Devi are installed here. June On the full moon night, a festival is celebrated by Buddhists and Thakurs in a concerted manner called “Ghantal”.
- Thang Yug Gompa: It is about 13 km from Gompa Kaza. It is situated in the north and is dedicated to the people of the central part of the Spiti. Situated in a secluded and quiet place on the banks of the narrow valley of Kaja Nalo, this monastery is often occupied by Buddhist monks from Tibet. A long plateau is situated on top of it. Which leads to Shilla Peak.
Famous Sikh religious places of Himachal Pradesh
People come to the Gurdwara, the holy site of Sikhism, to offer prayers and ask for their wishes from the Guru. Another special thing about gurudwaras is that there is a system of langar (prasad-food) for 24 hours daily so that no one who came at the rate is hungry. In many places, the gurudwara is the anchor of the two-time meal for the poor. The Sikhs came to the Shivalik hills in Himachal Pradesh in 1695, at the invitation of the rulers of Sirmour, to help fight the Mughals. Guru Gobind Singh lived with his army in the foothills of Paonta Sahib. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, towards the end of the 18th century, many people from the western hill states also came under the Sikh sovereignty. The Famous Sikh religious places of Himachal Pradesh Gurudwara is the most sacred place of Sikhism among the most beautiful places.
- Paonta Sahib: It is one of the prominent places of pilgrimage of Sikhs. The picturesque gurudwara located here was settled by the 10th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji on the banks of the Yamuna river in the Sirmaur district.
- Gurudwara Sahib Manikaran: Gurudwara Sahib Manikaran is a holy and mysterious Sikh shrine as a spectacle of hot water. The first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this place. The Gurudwara located here was built as a memorial to his visit. Was that which has become an important pilgrimage center for Sikhs in today’s time.
- Gurdwara Rewalsar Sahib: The holy gurudwara of Rewalsar is situated near a lake in Mandi district, which is a sacred place for people of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Famous Christian religious places of Himachal Pradesh
The Famous Christian religious places of Himachal Pradesh came into existence after the arrival of the British. The cathedrals located here are not more than 150 years old. The remains of the British Raj – high churches are mainly found in small hilly areas where the British had their summer residence. Were made
- Kasauli: Kasauli is still as elegant and beautiful as the British left 50 years ago. There is an old church, Christian Church is built on the traditional English structure. Its foundation was laid in 1844 AD.
- Dharamsala: St. John’s Church made of letters, 8 km from Lower Dharamsala on a motorable road between “McLeodganj and Forstygnj”. There is a monument to Lord Elgin, the Viceroy of India, who is buried here.
- Dalhousie: Dalhousie is another hill station in Chamba, which has many old churches. The church near the main post office is still untouched from time to time. It has a beautiful angular terrace made up of paneled slates. High pine trees near Subhash Chalk. The Catholic Church of St. Francis situated in the middle of 1894 was built.
- Shimla: Situated on the ridge of Shimla, this cathedral is famous for its gigantic peak. Tara Devi, located at a distance, is visible only. This cathedral was built in 1844 when Shimla started to emerge as the main tourist destination in India. The Christian Church was built with the purpose that all the people located here Christians can meet together.