Brajeshwari Devi Temple – Kangra Ji
The Brajeshwari Devi Temple located in the old Kangra Township, is said to have been built over the charred breasts of Sati. This shrine, once renown for its great wealth, has been plundered relentlessly over the ages. The first of the plunderers was Mahmud of 
Ghazni, who looted it in 1009. A mosque was built on the ruins and a garrison was left behind. 35 years later, the local king regained its possession. The shrine was repaired and a replica of the idol was enshrined. The temple was filled with gold, silver and diamonds only to be ransacked again in 1360 by Firoz Tughlaq. Later Emperor Akbar visited the shrine with his Dewan, Todar Mal and restored it to its former grandeur. 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.
The primary deity of the temple, Brajeshwari Devi Temple, additionally Also Vajrábái and Vajrayogini, is taken into account an incarnation of Goddess Parvati or Aadi-Maya on earth. Her name literally means that “the lady of the Vajra(thunderbolt)”. There are Two legends regarding the goddess’ origins, both associated with the Vajra.
Legend says that Indra and other devas went to goddess Parvati and requested her to assist slay the demon Kalikala. goddess Parvati assured that she would return to their aid at the correct time. Another legend says that when goddess Sati sacrificed herself within the honor of Lord Shiva in her Fathers Yagya. Shiva took her body on his shoulder and began Tandav. to stop to prevent him from destroying the planet Lord Vishnu divided the body of Sati into fifty twoparts along with his Chakra. the correct breast of Sati fell at this spot, so creating it a Shakti Peeth.
The original temple was designed by the Pandavas at the time of Mahabharatha. Legend says that sooner or later future} Pandavas saw goddess Durga in their dream in which she told them that she is located in the Nagarkot village and if they need them self to be secure they must build a temple for her in this area otherwise they’re going to be destroyed. that very same night they created an impressive temple for her within the Nagarkot village. This temple was looted a number of time by the Muslim invaders. within the most area goddess brajeshwari is gift in the form of Pindi. The temple also have atiny low temple of Bhairav. before of the main temple an idol of Dhayanu Bhagat is also present. He had offered his head to the goddess at the time of Akbar. the current structure has 3 tombs in it, that is exclusive in itself.
Kangra was the capital of the nice Hill State, its famous ruler being maharajah Sansar Chand Katoch, an excellent patron of arts. it had been throughout his reign that the Miniature and Rajpur schools of hill paintings flourished. Kangra valley provides an amazing contrast in nature of places to be visited. Dharamshala is jam-packed with Buddhist air whereas ancient Hindu Temples like Brajeshwari, Baijnath, Jawalamukhi and Chamunda Devi dot the countryside.
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