Hindu temples in Punjab
Ram Tirth, Amritsar
Located 11 Kilometres west of Amritsar on Chogawan road, this temple dates back to the period of the Ramayana. It is the hermitage of Rishi Balmiki. The place has an ancient tank and many temples. A hut marks the site where Mata Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush and also, still extant are Rishi Balmiki's hut and the well with stairs where Mata Sita used to take her bath. A four-day fair, since times immemorial is held here, starting on the full moon night in November.
Durgiana Mandir, Amritsar
Built in the third decade of the 20th Century, this temple echoes not the traditional Hindu temple architecture, but that of the Golden temple. It rises from the midst of a tank and has canopies and the central dome in the style of the Sikh temple. Its foundation stone was laid by one of the greatest reformers and political leaders of resurgent India, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. It is a well-known repository of Hindu scriptures.
Bhagwathi Mandir, Maisar Khanna, Bathinda City
Its history goes back to the 17th Century AD. This temple is located in a village that was called Khanna. People from this village were the devotees of Jawala Mukhi temple in Kangra. Once, when Kamala Bhagat and another holy person, Kali Nath of this village were proceeding towards the Jawala Mukhi temple, Bhagwati Mata, the deity of Jawala Mukhi appeared before them, almost two kilometers before their destination. She blessed them and told Kamala Bhagat that in future, he need not come to a pilgrimage to Jawala Mukhi because worship at his village will be sanctified as his worship at her abode. Since then a religious fair is held at this place twice in a year.
Shiv Mandhir, Gur-mandi, Jalandhar
This Mandir dates back to the Lodhi Era. It is said that the Nawab of Sultanpur Lodhi, in whose territory the city of Jalandhar then fell, eyed a newly-married Hindu girl. He wanted to make her an object of his lust. She was a devotee of lord Shiva whose serpent saved her honour. Awed by the appearance of this serpent, the Nawab begged forgiveness from the girl and on her bidding got this temple built. The temple has an unusual architecture. Its main gate is built in the style of a mosque while the rest of the building is in Hindu style.
Sodal Mandir, Jalandhar
It is believed that all prayers at this temple of the child deity get fulfilled. Thousands of devotees congregate here during the month of September.
Panch Mandir, Kapurthala
Constructed by the founder of the Kapurthala State, Fateh Singh Ahluwalia, this is an example of striking architecture. The prime dome in the centre is surrounded by several smaller temples dedicated to different deities. A replica of this temple was exhibited in the pre-partition Punjab Museum at Lahore.
Kali Devi Temple, Patiala
Situated opposite Baradari garden on the Mall Road of Patiala, this temple was built by the rulers of the Patiala State. Because of its beautiful wall paintings and icons the temple has been declared a national monument.
