Famous Durga Temples In India

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Navratri literally means the nine days festival. In Sanskrit nava means nine and ratri means night. This is a nine days festival where devotees worship Goddess Durga or Jagdamba (a form of Durga). During these nine days, the nine forms of Shakti or Devi are worshiped. On the tenth day, the Durga idols are immersed in river Ganga. The tenth day also marks Vijayadashmi or Dussehra.

Durga (a form of Shakti) is also known as Maa or Mother of the Universe. She was created when a demon King named Mahisasura was terrorising the Earth and heaven. The Gods went to trinity (Brahma, Vishu and Mahesh) for help. The Tridev then merged their powers and created a gorgeous female named Durga. She went to kill Mahisasura and on the ninth day of the fight, she stabbed him with her trident. After this, she was named Mahisasura-mardini (annihilation of the demon). Since then Durga Puja and Navratri is celebrated with great zeal as it shows the win of good over evil.

Significance of Navratri

The beginning of Spring and Autumn season are two important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These are the best times when you can worship mother divine Goddess Durga. The dates of Navratri are inspired from the lunar calender.

Temples of Durga

There are more than 30 Durga temples in India. Various forms of Durga are found in temples like Vaishno Devi, Kalkaji Mandir, Amba Mata, Chandi Devi, Bhadrakali, Tara Tarini, Saptashrungi Devi Adhar Devi to name a few. These temples are located across states, cities and small towns. Even hill top temples of Goddess Durga are very famous. Lets brief out the most popular Durga temples in India.

Vaishno Devi Temple

This is one of the most popular and world famous Durga temples in the world. Located at the height of 5300ft on the trikuta hills of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, it is a very famous pilgrimage destination for Maa Durga's devotees.

The Durga Temple

Also known as the Monkey Temple, this is one of the most popular pilgrimage for devotees. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Karni Mata

This temple is dedicated to the Mother of the Universe, Maa Durga. Located in Rajasthan, this 600 years old temple of Karni Mata is considered as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Rats are worshiped and fed in the temple.

Kamakhya Temple

This is a Shakti Peeth temple situated on the Nilachal Hill of Guwahati in Assam. It is believed that a devotee visits this temple three times in his/her lifetime.

Chamunda Devi Temple

It is a Shakti shrine that is located on the Baner river of Himachal Pradesh. The temple has a wrathful form of Durga or Chamunda. Lord Shiva is present in the form of death and destruction with Maa Chamunda.

Mansa Devi Temple

This is a Durga temple located on the Sivalik Hills of the holy city, Haridwar (Uttarakhand).