|
|
Mr. F. Cunningham's District Gazetteer of
Kangra has the following
account of the Bajreshwari temple in Kangra:-
'The temple of Bajreshwari or Vagreshwari Devi at Kangra is - perhaps the
most famous in this district. It is said to have been founded by the
divinity of that name at a famous 'Ashwamedh' or horse sacrifice, which
was held on the spot. The famous Mehmood of Ghazni is said to have invaded
the district and destroyed the temple, building a mosque on its ruins.
It was, however, restored and is said to have been visited by Akbar
together with his celebrated Diwan Todar Mal. There are some temples in
the vicinity which, are, said to have owed their origin to Todar Mal.
Finally, Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited and under his orders the domes of
the temples here and at Jawalamukhi were guilded. Subsequently devotees
from Amritsar subscribed together and presented the temple with marble
floor."
THE LEGEND OF BRAJESHWARI TEMPLE
According to legend there was a severe and prolonged drought in Kangra
area of Beas basin and hundreds of people started dying. A few devotees
fasted and did 'havan' and penance to propitiate goddess Durga. It is said
the goddess showed them the spot, where the breasts of Sati had fallen and
wanted a temple to be built for the Goddess Bajreshwari at that place.
Bajreshwari was another manifestation of Sati. This mythical origin of
Bajreshwari Devi and the temple enshrining her is firmly believed
throughout Himachal Pradesh. Thousands of people visit the temple and the
rush is greatest during the Navratra days. The valuable jewels and other
articles offered to the deity by the devotees attracted the invasion of
Sultan Mehmood of Ghazni in 1009.
It is said the temple was plundered and gold, silver and jewels were
carried away. Sultan Mehmood left a small garrison at the place. But
thirty-five years later the Hindu princes under the guidance of the Raja
of Delhi regained possession. A replica of the idol was enshrined. In 1360
Emperor Feroz Tuglak again invaded Kangra and the temple was again
plundered and desecrated. Emperor Akbar is supposed to have visited the
temple with his diwan Todar Mal and restored the temple to its previous
glory.
The temple was razed to the ground by an earthquake in 1905, but a new
one came up the very same year, thanks to the
Kangra Restoration Committee.
){kind=link}