Famous Temples Of Himachal Pradesh

Temples are the most significant part of Hindu mythology. People who believe in what is preached through these temples often visit them regularly to seek the blessings of gods and goddesses. It is believed that temples have a certain concentrated positive energy that nurtures the mind, and people often leave with a state of mental peace and gratitude towards life when they step out of it. India has innumerable temples. 

Anyone can find them anywhere, no matter how remote it is. But some have significant places in the history of Hinduism. As of today, the discussion will revolve around the famous temples of Himachal Pradesh, especially the wooden ones, which are not just famous in India but carry global importance with devotional and tourism perspectives.

Wooden Temples of Himachal Pradesh

Often referred to as Devbhumi, Himachal Pradesh is the abode of the most famous wooden temples in the world. Most of these temples are located around Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, and Mandi. All the locations are filled with mountains, and the structures are on top of them, giving a breathtaking view. 

Manu Temple

Everyone who has read Hindu scriptures would have come across the Manusmriti written by Manu, who is also known to be the creator of mankind. The story behind this temple goes back to when Lord Vishnu incarnated as a fish and warned king Manu of the calamity that would destroy the whole world and requested him to construct a boat to save mankind. Manu did the same, and after the flood was over, he became a sage and meditated at the spot where the Manu temple lies today.

The Manu temple is carved in pagoda style of architecture made out of wood and vernacular materials available in the state. It is located in old Manali around Kullu and is a fascinating experience in terms of looks and spirituality.

Sukhdev Rishi Wooden Temple

Another famous wooden temple is the Sukhdev Rishi Wooden temple in Mandi on the bank of river Beas. The temple is constructed in Pagoda style, one of the most prominent architectural [practices in the state. It is a multi-floor structure carved out of wood and vernacular stones. It is not a plain bland wood structure but a treat to eyes with different carved and dancing figures on its walls. If a person ever visits the place, they’ll experience the divine beauty which culminates in devotion and art. The same structure is also present in Thatta but is not identical.

Aadi Brahma Temple

Located in Khokhan Kullu, the Aadi Brahma temple is one of the very few temples dedicated to the worship of Lord Brahma. Hindu mythology has many folklores and reasons behind less worship of the creator of the universe. The most prominent one is in Pushkar. The aadi Brahma temple of Kullu is completely made out of wood, stones and slate, creating it a perfect figure of pahadi architecture. It is made in pagoda style of architecture and has a conical top. Although the various restoration activities have hindered the look of the temple a bit, it is still as fascinating as it would have been on the day of its creation.

Hidimba Devi Temple

The temple is made where the footprints of the goddess Hidimba are worshipped. It is considered the place where she resided with her son and brother. She was married to one of the Pandava brothers, Bheema, who helped her win over her brother. Devi Hidimba is worshipped as goddess Durga in the whole Country. People from all over the Himalayas visit the temple regularly.

The temple’s architecture is breathtaking and is made of wood, the signature style of Himalayan temples. It consists of various carvings of different Hindu deities. The temple also consists of the figure of her husband Bheema and her son Ghatochkacha. The temple is different from any other one in the world because the footprints of Devi are worshipped here and not her sculpture.

Parashar Lake Temple

To understand the prominence of this temple, one should know one of the stories dating back to the history of Mahabharata. It is said that after the war was over and all the Pandava brothers were returning, Lord Kamrunag was accompanying them, and he fell in love with the beauty of this place so much so that he decided not to leave it until his death. After this, Bheem, one of the Pandava brothers, banged a mountain with his elbow, which later turned into the current lake Parashar. 

The lake is historically prominent, and so is the Lake Prashar Temple situated on the bank of it. The temple was created in the 14th century by the king of Mandi to honour the grandson of Rishi Vashitha. The temple is made out of wood and is a multi-tier architecture. It has intricate carving made out of wood, which is the testimony of skilled craftsmanship of that period.

Conclusion

All the temples in Himachal Pradesh are testimony to the beautiful craftsmanship of the Himalayan people who knew the perfect use of wood they had in abundance. The experience of visiting these temples is not just spiritual contentment but an architectural fascination that can enchant the eyes of anyone.