Situated outside the Lohgarh Gate, Durgiana temple alias Durgiana Tirath
or Sitla Mandir is the 6th century Hindu temple closely resembles the
nearby Golden Temple of Sikhs. Besides the main deity goddess Durga, the
temple is dedicated to Laxmi ( Goddess of wealth) and Narayan ( Preserver
of Universe ) and is also known as Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. The interior
of the temple is exquisitely adorned with paintings of goddess Durga in
her various incarnations. The idols of Shri Laxmi Narayan, Radha and Krishan,
Sita and Ram can also be seen inside the temple.
The foundation stone of this temple was laid by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya,
the greatest reformer and political leader of resurgent India. The temple
stands amidst a tank, has a dome illuminated with colorful glittering
lights. Larger part of the temple is gold plated. One of the peculiarity
of Durgiana temple is that it does not follow the typical temple architecture
of ancient times. A Sarovar (water tank) was constructed in 1905 by Shri
Ram Nasen of Lahore and a bridge measuring 250 feet in length and 18 and
half feet in width was constructed in 1921 to reach the major shrine.
All major festivals like Dussehra , Janamashtmi, Ram Navami and Diwali
are celebrated here with much pomp. A unique custom associated with this
temple is that those parents whose desired for a son is fulfilled, dressed
their son as languor on the occasion of Dussehra festival.
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