Jayanti Devi Temple
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Jayanti Devi Temple lies at Jayanti Majri village hillock, which is 15 km from Chandigarh in Mohali district of Punjab.[1]
History
Etymology
Named after
Formation of Chandigarh
When the new Chandigarh project was conceived, Jayanti Majri was among the villages to be included in it because it lies at the periphery of Chandigarh. The Punjab Soil and Water Conservation Department has constructed a small dam, Jayanti Dam, in this area, that supports a reservoir for rain water collection. The water is then used for irrigation of fields. The place can be developed as a beautiful tourist-cum-religious spot and visitors to Chandigarh can be guided to visit the temple.
Oral tradition
The
When the marriage party started back from Hathnaur with the bride's doli, a miracle happened. Suddenly the doli turned very heavy. Neither the traditional kahars nor the king's men could move it. At this, the bride told her father about her dream. The king, then, bowing to the desire of the divine arranged for another doli, kept the idol in it and sent the goddess with his daughter. The pujari and his family followed the goddess. The king of Hathnaur, established a temple for the Devi on a hillock in his estate. First, the girl, and later succeeding generations of the family, worshipped the deity for 200 years.
At that time, a robber called Garibu or Garibdas extended his influence on this part of the region, including Mullanpur (now in Ropar). Gradually, Garibu captured the Hathnaur estate and started his reign. However, Garibu was a friend of the poor and a great devotee of Mata. He renovated the temple and extended the premises to the present state.
Significance
She is one of the seven sisters, the seven goddesses of the Kangra valley:
Geography
The metalled road leading to the temple is lined with wheat or rice fields,
There is only a single bus service from
Temple complex
Temple has a large complex with park and Jayanti
The entrance to the temple is through a huge gate at the base of the hillock. From here about 100 or so easy steps lead up to the temple premises. As one climbs up, the first thing one encounters is a very large water tank, a traditional feature of Indian temples. This tank was earlier in use. It is a concrete construction and steps lead down to it from two sides. The other two sides are bound by the rocky wall of the hillock. There are a few shops along the steps selling nicknacks — coconut, red net chunnies, fancy jewellery, cassettes of devotional songs, toys, photos of the idol etc. The temple is at the highest point of the hillock supported by massive pillars. This point gives a wide view of the lush green surroundings, the serpentine Jayanti Rao and the settlements beyond. Inside the sanctum sanctorum lies the stone idol of the goddess. In the niches outside there are Murtis of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Bala Sundari and local deity Lokda Dev.
There is a very famous fast food (veg) shop named Anika's Food Point offering and serving delicious eateries at very affordable price and maintaining qualitative professionalism. It is a shop where a duo of father and son serves customers as if at home.
Fairs
The temple attracts visitors during a grand fair held here on Purnima day in February and a small fair in August. At that time approximately 1.5 lakh people visit the temple from far and near places.
Devotees also visit it during
References
- ^ Pratha Sharma, Jayanti Devi Temple of Ropar, The Forgotten Shivlings of Sati Shaktipeeths.
External links