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Durgiana Temple
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.
Ram
Tirth (Tirath) Temple
Shri Ram Tirth Temple , dedicated to Lord Ram is situated 11 kms west of Amritsar
on Amritsar Lopoke road. The temple dates back to the period of Ramayana and
the place is famous for the ashram of sage Valmiki . It is the place where the
sage gave shelter to Sita , wife of Rama when she was abandoned after the Lanka
Victory. It was here that she gave birth to the twins Lav and Kush. The great
epic Ramayana is also said to have been composed here by Rishi Balmik. It is
also believed that the fight between Lord Ram Chandra’s forces and Lav and Kush
had also taken place at Ram Tirth.
Ram Tirth Temple premise consists of a hut, where Sita Devi gave birth to her
sons, a well with stairs, where she used to take her bath and an ancient tank,
which is believed to be dug by Hanuman. Besides the Ram Tirth Temple, a number
of temples are scattered in this area. The four day long annual fair of the
Ram Tirth temple is held in the month of November on the full moon day.
Lal Devi
Mata Mandir
Mata Mandir, situated at Rani ka Bagh was built to commemorate a bespectacled
20th century female Saint Lal Devi. In appearance, the shrine is similar to
the Mata Vaishno Devi temple at Katra (Jammu). Mata Mandir is one of the largest
Hindu pilgrim center , visited by large number of devotees from far and near
specially by women wishing to have children.
Hanuman Mandir
Hanuman mandir located on the north western side of Durgiana temple is dedicated
to the Monkey god, Lord Hanuman. The huge idol of the deity is installed here
in a sitting position. Daily darshan in the mandir is believed to fulfill the
wishes of the devotees. A usual custom related with this temple is that the
couples who are bestowed with a male child with the blessings of Hanuman offer
their children to Langoor Sena. The languor dance of the devotees is another
attraction of Hanuman Mandir. The temple has a close connection with the great
epic Ramayana and it is believed that it was here Lord Ram performed his Ashwamedha
ceremony.
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