Durgiana Temple

The Durgiana Mandir is a Hindu temple situated in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India.[1] Though a Hindu temple, its architecture is similar to the Sikh Golden Temple.[2] This temple derives its name from the Goddess Durga, the chief Goddess who is worshipped here. Murtis of Lakshmi and Vishnu are also located and worshipped in the temple.[3]

Durgiana Temple
Durgiana Temple, Amritsar
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictAmritsar district
DeityDurga
FestivalsDussehra, Janmashtami, and Rama Navami and Diwali
Location
LocationAmritsar
StatePunjab
CountryIndia
Location in Amritsar, Punjab
Geographic coordinates31.64°N 74.86°E / 31.64; 74.86
Architecture
CompletedBuilt in 1921
Temple(s)1

Location
A bridge linking the temple

The temple is situated near the Lohgarh gate in Amritsar. It is very close to the Amritsar railway station, and is about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from the bus station.

History

The Sri Durgiana temple is a very important temple for Punjabi Hindus. In the courtyard of the temple is a tree where Lava and Kusha bound Hanuman after the captured challenge horse of the Ashvamedha yajna. Iksvaku, the grandson of sun-god performed a number of yagyas on this land. The original temple was built in 16th century. [4]

The architecture of Sri Durgiana Temple is similar to Golden Temple. It was rebuilt in 1921 by Guru Harsai Mal Kapoor in the architectural style of the Sikh Golden Temple.[1] Harsai Mal was a descendant of Prithi Chand Mina. The newly built temple was inaugurated by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.[1]

Existence of the Talab is also mentioned in 1868 Municipal committee, Amritsar documents. [5] John Campbell Oman who was Professor of natural science in The Government College, Lahore [6] and author of the book The Mystics, Ascetics and Saints Of India[7] mentioned about durgiana in his book where he found some mystics practicing yoga. [8] Durgiana Mandir is recorded in Amritsar District Gazetteer of 1893 which talks about Durgiana Sarovar and "Devi dwara" surrounding it which was thronged by Hindu pilgrims.[9]

Even though Amritsar is not declared a Holy city, restrictions are in force prohibiting sale of tobacco, liquor and meat within a radius of 200 metres (660 ft) around this temple and the Golden Temple.[10]

Features
  • Silver Doors of the Durgiana Temple.
  • Close-up view of Durgiana Temple.

The temple is built in the middle of a sacred lake, which measures 160 metres (520 ft) x 130 metres (430 ft). Its dome and canopies are similar to that of the Golden temple of Sikh religion, also located in Amritsar. A bridge provides the approach to the temple.[11] The dome of the temple is gilded. Marble is used extensively in the temple's features.[12] The dome is illuminated with colourful lights. The temple is sometimes called Silver temple because of its large exquisitely designed silver doors.[1] It has a rich collection of Hindu scriptures.[12] The temple complex also has some historic subsidiary temples such as Seetla Mata and Bara Hanuman.[1]

Festivals

Major Hindu festivals celebrated in the temple are Dussehra, Janmashtami, Rama Navami, and Diwali.[1] A Sāwan festival is also celebrated in Durgiana Mandir in the Holy Shravan month of Hindu Calendar where newlywed couples gather at temple to worship Radha Krishna. Women adorn themselves with flower jewellery and worship at temple along with their husbands.[13] Another festival celebrated in Durgiana temple complex is the famous 'Langur Mela' during 10 days of Navratri and Dussehra. Pilgrims in large numbers throng to the Bada Hanuman temple, with their children dressed as Langur to offer prayers in this temple, situated in the Durgiana temple complex.[14]

Renovation

The temple and its precincts were under a beautification programme since 2013, and was completed in 2015. This will provide more space for worship both inside and outside the temple premises. As per the Master Plan prepared for reshaping the environment around the temple, 55 properties had been acquired with adequate compensation package and demolished for the purpose of development works. Under this plan, a multi-storied parking complex, an open-air theatre, a shopping complex and other facilities were under construction.[15]

References
  1. Discover Punjab. Parminder Singh Grover. pp. 28–29. GGKEY:LDGC4W6XWEX.
  2. "Durgiana Temple (Lakshmi Narain Temple)". National Informatics center.
  3. Gajrani 2004, p. 220.
  4. "Sri Amritsar Yatra : Chandan Yatra Das : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  5. https://archive.org/details/ThePunjabPastAndPresent-Volume23Part2/page/n93?q=Durgiana
  6. https://books.google.co.in/books?id=OQQwyntdkUgC&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=John+Campbell+Oman+Professor+of+natural+science+in+The+Government+College,+Lahore&source=bl&ots=vjycwqmAYf&sig=ACfU3U34sARYjyTpoDye6V_EsEAlxaKNZg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIyfKu7YzlAhWENI8KHfM8AMw4ChDoATACegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=John%20Campbell%20Oman%20Professor%20of%20natural%20science%20in%20The%20Government%20College%2C%20Lahore&f=false
  7. https://www.biblio.com/the-mystics-ascetics-and-by-oman-john-campbell/work/755056
  8. https://archive.org/details/mysticsasceticss00oman/page/218
  9. "Gazetteer Of The Amritsar District : Punjab Government : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  10. Aggarwal 1992, p. 111.
  11. Bansal 2005, p. 178.
  12. Punjab Travel Guide. Good Earth. pp. 58–. ISBN 978-93-80262-17-8.
  13. "Newlywed couples gather at Amritsar's Durgiana Temple to celebrate 'Sawan'". in.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  14. "Langur-dressed devotees make a beeline in Punjab". DNA India. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  15. "Durgiana temple renovation work gains momentum". The Hindustan Times. 7 October 2014.

Bibliography
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