Durgiana Temple

Introduction to the Durgiana Temple

The Durgiana Temple is located in Hathi Gate, Amritsar, Punjab. It is a Hindu version of the world-renowned Amritsar Golden Temple and one of the top pilgrimage spots in Amritsar.

History of the Durgiana Temple

Durgiana Temple is the brainchild of Guru Harshai Mal Kapoor, an eminent personality. Guru Harshai Mal Kapoor, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, and Sh. Nathu Mal Rang Wale appealed for donations. They collected the required amount soon. In 1925, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya laid down the foundation of the Durgiana Temple.

Although the temple complex was built at the beginning of the twentieth century, some temples, notably the Shitla Mandir, are much older.

The Architecture of the Durgiana Temple

The Durgiana Temple features a blend of both the Golden Temple and conventional Hindu temple architecture.

The Durgiana Temple is in the center of a sacred lake that measures 520 ft x 430 ft. Its dome and canopies resemble the Golden Temple (Hari Mandir Sahib) of the Sikh religion, also located in Amritsar. A bridge is built across the lake, making access to the temple easy. The architecture of the Durgiana Temple is similar to that of the Golden Temple. The temple's dome is gilded, and marble stones are used extensively in the temple.

At night, colorful lights illuminate the dome. The temple has a vast collection of Hindu scriptures. Intricately carved paintings of Durga in her various incarnations are a significant feature of this Durgiana Temple.

A 12X12-foot massive silver-engraved door at the main entrance glorifies the temple's sanctity. In the central sanctum, the idol of Lakshmi Narayan is in a standing posture. Shri Ram Darbar is on the left side of the sanctum, and Shri Radha-Krishna Ji, along with Govardhan Maharaj, is on the right side.

The statue of Guru Harshai Mal Kapoor is outside the main entrance. Har ki Pouri is behind the Durgiana Temple. Here, the idol of Shiva in a meditating posture is flanked by idols of Krishna and Balaram on one side and Rishi Ved Vyas on the other. There is also a temple of Garuda, Vishnu's divine vehicle.

Bada Hanuman temple is northwest of the main Lakshmi Narayan temple.

The 700-year-old Shitla Mata temple enshrines Durga. Because of this Shitla Mata temple, the complex became Durgiana Temple or Durgiana Tirath. There is an idol of Durga, her divine vehicle, a lion, and a Shiva Linga.

Behind Shitla Mata temple is an old Berry tree that remains green throughout the year. Devotees visit the temple to get rid of various diseases. A large part of the Durgiana Temple is also dedicated to

Lakshmi, the consort of Narayanan. The Durgiana Temple is also called the Silver Temple because of its large, elegantly designed silver doors.

There is a tree in the temple courtyard where Rama's sons Lava and Kusha tied Hanuman after capturing a horse during Ashwamedha Yagna. Iksvaku, the grandson of the Sun (Surya), performed many Yagnas on this land.

Devotees worship Krishna, Vishnu, Shiva, and Durga here. A bathing ghat for women is near the lake. The Durgiana Temple and its dome glitter in lights at night, making the whole place beautiful. It is also known as Durga Tirath, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, and Sitla Mandir.

Taking a Parikrama (circumambulation) in the Durgiana Temple is customary. The Parikrama path around the Sarovar is 7 yards wide and 700 yards long.

Durgiana Temple, Amritsar, underwent a recent renovation in 2013. The renovation plan included expanding worship space, creating a wide parking area, an open-air theatre, and other such facilities.

Festivals in the Durgiana Temple

The Durgiana Temple grandly hosts Janmashtami, Rama Navami, Dussehra, and Diwali.