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10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples in India For Navratri 2024

Goddess Durga is the universe’s creation, preservation, and destruction source. As the pure embodiment of power, known as…
10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India

Goddess Durga is the universe’s creation, preservation, and destruction source. As the pure embodiment of power, known as ‘Shakti,’ she is worshipped as the world’s protector. An essential figure in Hinduism, Goddess Durga is revered in many forms across India. People are seen as the supreme soul, praying to her for strength and fulfilling their desires. Her divine presence extends from the northern states to the southern tip of India. Numerous temples are dedicated to her, but some hold special significance, either as Shakti Peethas or due to their rich legends.

Durga Temple NameCity/State Name
Vaishno Devi TempleKatra, Jammu and Kashmir
Mansa Devi TempleHaridwar, Uttarakhand
Chamunda Devi TemplePalampur, Himachal Pradesh
Kamakhya TempleGuwahati, Assam
Amba Mata TempleBanaskantha, Gujarat
Dakshineswar Kali MandirKolkata, West Bengal
Maa Jwala Ji TempleKangra, Himachal Pradesh
Karni Mata TempleBikaner, Rajasthan
Chamundeshwari TempleMysore, Karnataka
Naina Devi TempleNainital, Uttarakhand

1. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India For Navratri 2024

Vaishno Devi is one of India’s most famous temples dedicated to Goddess Durga. Located in the Trikuta Mountains, about 61 kilometers north of Jammu, it sits at an altitude of 1,584 meters above sea level. According to legend, Vaishno Devi was a devotee of Lord Vishnu and practiced celibacy. Bhairo Nath, a tantric, chased her to the Trikuta Mountains. The Goddess hid in a cave for nearly nine months to escape him. Later, she transformed into Kali and beheaded Bhairo Nath. This cave, Garbh Joon, is now a popular pilgrimage site. While Vaishno Devi is open year-round, visiting during winter can be more challenging due to the weather.

The Yatra: The Vaishno Devi Yatra starts from Katra, and pilgrims must walk 13 kilometers to reach the holy shrine. Just 1 kilometer from Katra is Banganga, where it is said that the Goddess quenched her thirst. Six kilometers from Banganga is Ardhkuwari, a sacred cave where the Goddess is believed to have meditated for nine months.


2. Mansa Devi Temple, Uttarakhand

10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India For Navratri 2024

Mansa Devi Temple is in Badi Lambore (Lambore Dham) village on the Sadulpur-Malsisar-Jhunjhunu Road, near Haridwar. The temple is named after the belief that Goddess Mansa Devi fulfills the wishes of her devotees. According to legend, the Goddess appeared in a dream to Seth Surajmalji, the head of the Hamirwasiya family, and asked him to build a temple. Surajmalji followed the divine request and entrusted his son with the construction. The temple was completed in 1975 and has since become a revered site for worship.

Temple Highlights: The Mansa Devi Temple complex includes 41 rooms, a yagnashala (sacrificial fire hall), Shri Lamboria Mahadevji Temple, Shri Lamboria Balaji Temple, and a grand entrance known as Singhdwar. The temple hosts various religious ceremonies throughout the year, attracting many devotees and visitors.


3. Chamunda Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh

10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India

Chamunda Devi Temple, located on the banks of the River Baner near Palampur, is an important Durga temple in India. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess in her fierce form, and devotees offer prayers here for their ancestors. In ancient times, it is said that people even sacrificed themselves to the Goddess. Inside the temple is a beautiful pond filled with sacred water, adding to the site’s spiritual significance.

Temple Highlights: The main attraction of Chamunda Devi Temple is the deity, which is draped in a sacred red cloth. Beside the deity are the idols of Lord Hanuman and the Demon God Bhairo. The temple also features Lord Shiva, depicted in his form of death and destruction. Additionally, the temple complex showcases beautiful paintings of various other Gods and Goddesses, adding to its spiritual and cultural richness.


4. Kamakhya Temple, Assam

10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India

One of the most famous temples in Guwahati is the Kamakhya Temple, located on Nilachal Hill, about 8 km west of the city. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, who symbolizes female energy. It is recognized as one of the 108 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Durga. According to legend, the Kamakhya Temple was established when Lord Shiva was carrying his wife, Sati, on his journey. During his journey, a part of Sati’s body, her Yoni (female genitalia), fell to the ground at the temple’s location. This sacred site has become a significant place of worship for many devotees seeking the blessings of the Goddess.

Temple Highlights: The Kamakhya Temple is in a natural cave with a sacred spring. As you descend a flight of stairs into the heart of the temple, you’ll find a dark chamber. This chamber is home to the Yoni, the part of Sati that is believed to be draped in a silk sari and adorned with flowers. Kamakhya Temple is important for the Tantric sect and is especially vibrant during the Ambubachi Fair and Durga Puja. These festivals attract numerous devotees who come to seek the blessings of the Goddess and participate in the celebrations.


5. Amba Mata Temple, Gujarat

10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India

The Amba Mata Temple is a highly revered pilgrimage site in Junagadh, Gujarat. This beautiful town is one of the most picturesque in India, featuring numerous monuments and religious sites. Nestled at the sacred Girnar Mountain base, Junagadh offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, making it an intriguing destination to explore in Gujarat. Visitors come from all over the country to pay their respects at the temple and experience the serene surroundings.

Temple Highlights: Perched on the mountain, the Amba Mata Temple is dedicated to an incarnation of the Mother Goddess. This sacred site is a popular destination for newlyweds seeking the Goddess’s blessings for eternal marital bliss. Dating back to the 12th century, the temple is believed to ensure a happy married life for its visitors. Besides its spiritual significance, the temple offers stunning views from the mountain’s summit, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.


6. Dakshineswar Kali Mandir, Kolkata

10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India

Located along the Vivekananda Bridge north of Kolkata, Dakshineswar Kali Temple is renowned for its connection to Ramakrishna, which is believed to have attained spiritual vision here. The temple was constructed by Rani Rashmoni in 1847 and has since become a significant pilgrimage site for devotees of Goddess Kali. Its beautiful architecture and serene surroundings make it a must-visit destination for those seeking spiritual solace and cultural heritage.

Temple Highlights: Ramakrishna once served as the head priest of Dakshineswar Kali Temple. It is said that during his worship in front of the statue of Kali, he would often fall to the ground, entering a deep spiritual trance and becoming completely unaware of the outside world. This profound connection led him to achieve a spiritual vision within the temple. The temple features a stunning 12-spired structure, surrounded by a large courtyard and 12 other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, making it a significant spiritual complex for visitors.


7. Maa Jwala Ji Temple, Himachal Pradesh

10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India

Jwalaji Temple is one of India’s most renowned Durga temples, located 30 km south of the Kangra Valley. This sacred site is dedicated to Goddess Jwalamukhi, a form of the Divine Mother. What makes Jwalaji Temple unique are the natural flames that burn within, which are revered as manifestations of the nine Goddesses: Mahakali, Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Bindhya Basni, Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika, and Anji Devi. Pilgrims visit this temple to seek blessings and witness the mesmerizing flames that symbolize divine energy and protection.

Temple Highlights: The flames at Jwalaji Temple burn continuously and naturally, without any fuel or assistance, emerging from the rock face. According to legend, when demons terrorized the gods in the Himalayas, Lord Vishnu and the other gods united their powers to defeat them. This resulted in massive flames erupting from the ground, and from this fire, a young girl known as Adishakti, the “First Power,” was born. Jwalaji is believed to embody this powerful energy, so she is highly revered by devotees who visit the temple to seek her blessings and experience the divine presence.


8. Karni Mata Temple, Rajasthan

10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India

Dating back over 600 years, the Karni Mata Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga in her form as Karni Mata. According to legend, she foretold Rao Bika’s victory. One of the most unique aspects of the Karni Mata Temple is the large population of rats that live within the shrine. Devotees believe that these rats are the reincarnated souls of those who worshipped the Goddess, and therefore, they must be cared for and protected. This unusual feature makes the temple a significant pilgrimage site for many.

Temple Highlights: The rats in the Karni Mata Temple are also offered Prasadam, and harming even one of them—intentionally or accidentally—requires repentance. Another notable feature of the temple is its impressive silver gates and intricate marble carvings, which Maharaja Ganga Singh donated. The temple attracts large crowds, especially during the Navratri festival, as devotees come to pay their respects and seek the blessings of the Goddess.


9. Chamundeshwari Temple, Karnataka

10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India

The highly acclaimed Sri Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore is atop the picturesque Chamundi Hills. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamundi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The shrine is believed to have been originally built in the 12th century, and its towering structure is about 300 years old. Pilgrims visit the temple with strong faith, believing that the Goddess can help them fulfill their needs and desires.

Temple Highlights: The Sri Chamundeshwari Temple features seven stories and boasts a 40-meter-high gopuram adorned with intricate carvings. One of the main attractions of the temple is the idol of Chamunda Devi, believed to be made of pure gold. The temple’s gates are crafted from silver, and the shrine also showcases a jewel Nakshatra-Malike, which has 30 Sanskrit shlokas inscribed on it. Additionally, a 16-foot-high statue of the demon Mahishasura, whom the Goddess defeated to protect the region, stands near the temple, making it a significant feature of the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple.


10. Naina Devi Temple, Uttarakhand

10 Must Visit Popular Durga Temples In India

The Naina Devi Temple in Nainital is beautifully located on the lakeside, offering stunning views of the lake. According to legend, the temple was named after Naina, which means “eyes,” because it is believed that when Lord Shiva was carrying Sati’s burnt body, her eyes fell at this spot. This sacred site has become a popular pilgrimage destination, attracting many devotees and tourists.

Temple Highlights: The Naina Devi Temple features a spacious courtyard with a large Peepal tree on the left side. On the right, you can find idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesh. Two statues of lions guard the main entrance of the temple. Inside the temple, devotees can have darshan of three deities: on the extreme left is Kali Devi, in the center is Maa Naina Devi, represented by two eyes (Netras), and on the right side is the idol of Lord Ganesh. This sacred setting creates a peaceful atmosphere for worship and reflection.


Conclusion

Visiting Durga temples during Navratri is a deeply enriching experience, offering not only spiritual fulfillment but also a chance to connect with India’s vibrant cultural traditions. From the renowned Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu to the sacred Kamakhya Temple in Assam, each temple showcases unique legends, architectural beauty, and rituals. These holy sites attract millions of devotees who seek the blessings of the Divine Mother, especially during the Navratri festival, which celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

As you plan your visits, immerse yourself in the local customs and participate in the festivities, creating unforgettable memories. Whether seeking spiritual growth, cultural exploration, or a beautiful travel experience, these ten Durga temples provide a perfect backdrop for reflection and devotion. Embrace the divine energy of these sacred places and make the most of your Navratri celebrations in 2024!


FAQs

Q1: What is Navratri?

Ans: Navratri is a nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and involves fasting, prayers, and cultural celebrations.

Q2: When does Navratri 2024 begin and end?

Ans: In 2024, Navratri will begin on October 10 and conclude on October 18, culminating in the festival of Dussehra.

Q3: What are the significance and rituals associated with visiting Durga temples during Navratri?

Ans: Visiting Durga temples during Navratri brings blessings, prosperity, and spiritual growth. Devotees often participate in rituals like fasting, offering prayers, and engaging in traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya.

Q4: Are these temples accessible throughout the year?

Ans: Most Durga temples are open year-round; however, visiting during Navratri enhances the experience due to special celebrations and increased spiritual energy.

Q5: What should I wear when visiting these temples?

Ans: Modest and traditional attire is recommended when visiting temples. Women often wear sarees or salwar kameez, while men wear kurta-pajamas. It’s also advisable to remove footwear before entering temple premises.

Q6: Can non-Hindus visit these temples?

Ans: Yes, many Durga temples welcome visitors of all faiths. However, respecting the local customs and practices while visiting is important.

Q7: Is there any entry fee for these temples?

Ans: Most temples do not charge an entry fee; however, donations are appreciated. Some temples may have special fees for certain rituals or services.

Q8: What are the best ways to reach these temples?

Ans: Most temples are well-connected by road, rail, and air. It’s advisable to check local transportation options and plan your visit accordingly.

Q9: Can I participate in the rituals at these temples?

Ans: Visitors are often encouraged to participate in rituals and prayers. However, it’s best to seek guidance from temple authorities or priests on respectfully engaging in the customs.

Q10: Are there accommodations available near these temples?

Ans: Yes, most popular Durga temples have various accommodation options nearby, ranging from budget hotels to luxury resorts. It’s advisable to book in advance, especially during Navratri, as many devotees travel to these sites.


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