History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Activities, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Durgiana Temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Amritsar, the city of spirituality and valour, is deeply admired in both Sikhism and the Hindu tradition. The temples and gurudwaras represent the myth, history and religion – to which the city is associated with. Durgiana Temple in the city is considered a religious site since centuries. The temple derives its name from Goddess Durga, a manifestation of Adi Shakti, the feminine personification of source of all life and creation in the cosmos. This association with Goddess Durga has a socio-cultural reference to the city as Goddess Durga is invoked for protection and health while the soldiers of the state are usually involved in wars since the Sikh revolution. It is thus an important pilgrim site for Shaktism sect of Hindu believers. And, over the years, it has become an epicentre of Hindu renaissance and rejuvenation.
History of Durgiana Temple
Although it is believed that Durgiana Mandir was built in 1921, the temple existed before it was rebuilt in 1921. Confirmed by records in the Amritsar District Gazetteer of 1893, the Durgiana Sarovar and "Devi dwara" was once thronged by Hindu pilgrims from across the country. The existence of the Talab (pond) is also mentioned in 1868's documents of the Municipal committee of Amritsar, that talk about the Sarovar an Durgiana Dwar.
The idea to build Shree Durgiana Mandir as it stands today was the brain child of Gur Shai Mal Kapoor, a great visionary and religious minded person of his time. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya laid down the foundation stone of the temple in 1924 on the Ganga Dashmi Day.
Architecture of Durgiana Temple
The Durgiana Temple echoes not only the traditional Hindu temple architecture but that of the Golden Temple of Amritsar too. The central structure in a similar manner rises from the midst of a tank and has canopies all around it. The central dome is made in the style of a Sikh temple. A well-known repository of Hindu scriptures in the temple are everywhere from its walls, pillars, corridors, and most evidently, in the hearts of the pilgrims.
Idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman are also located and worshipped in the temple.
Popular Legend behind Durgiana Temple
Amritsar is particularly nearer and dearer to Hindus as it is believed that Luv-Kush, twin sons of Lord Rama, along with their mother Mata Sita spent their early childhood in the ashram of Bhagwan Maharishi Valmiki located in Amirtsar. It was visited by Lord Rama, Maryada Parshotam, at the time of Ashavmegh Yagna, according to the Later Ramayana interpretations.
In the courtyard of the temple is a tree where it is believed that Luv and Khush bound Lord Hanuman after he captured the horse of the Ashvamedha yajna. Thus the site of the temple is of great reverence.
Philanthropic activities of Durgiana Temple, Amritsar
Reaching out to the society, the temple trust extends its service to humanity and tries to be the corner stone of Hindu faith, by aiding the needy and the deserving.
Shree Lakshmi Narayan Ayurvedic College & Hostel” is being run by the society and is affiliated to Baba Farid University of medical sciences, Faridkot.
The “Sanskrit College” is being run for the society since long. Students are imparted education in Sanskrit and promote its literature. Even stipends, free boarding and lodging are borne by the Durgiana Management Committee.
Shree Lakshmi Narain stiching school provides free training especially to widows to enable them to earn a livelihood.
The temple also offers night shelter to the piligrims in its commodious “Shrimati Dhanwant Kaur Dharamshala” built within the temple periphery. Langar (community offerings) is being run for the pilgrims and needy people in the Langar Bhawan.
Festivals celebration at Durgiana Temple
Major Hindu festivals celebrated in the temple are Dussehra, Rama Navami, and Diwali. A Sāwan festival and fair is also celebrated in the Mandir in the Holy Shravan month of Hindu Calendar, where newlywed couples flock the temple to worship Radha Krishna. The famous 'Langur Mela' during the ten days of Navratri and Dussehra. Pilgrims in large numbers throng to the Bada Hanuman temple inside the premises, where children come dressed up as Langurs to offer blessings to Lord Hanuman.
Durgiana Temple Daily Darshan timings
The temple remains open all days of the week from 6 am to 10 pm.
Contact information –
Phone - +91-183-2550800, 2550700
Fax - +91-183-2540700
How to reach Gurgiana Temple Amritsar, Punjab, India
Durgiana Temple is the main attraction of Amritsar Punjab and located in heart of city. Thus it is easily accessible by public or private vehicle from Railway Station and Airport. Amritsar being one of the major pilgrimage and tourist center along with important district and city of Punjab, it is very well connected with all major cities of Punjab via road, rail and air network. Thousands of tourist across the world visits here throughout the year which makes Amritsar more convenient in terms of travel, accommodation and other services. Amritsar has major railway junction from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is the located at just 11 km from Amritsar from where you can find flight to almost every region of world. Amritsar is located at 140 km from Ludhiyana, 226 km from Chandigarh, 300 km from Shimla, 450 km from Delhi, 276 km from Vaishnodevi, 82 km from Jalandhar, 235 km from Patiala and 189 km from Bhatinda.
