Baglamukhi Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh

Address

Baglamukhi Devi Temple, Bankhandi (NH503), Chandigarh-Dharamshala Road, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh 177114

Diety

Amman: Baglamukhi Devi

Introduction

Baglamukhi devi temple is Located 30 km away from Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh near Dharamshala, the Baglamukhi Devi temple is surrounded by the Dhauladhar range of Himalayas. The name Baglamukhi is derived from two Sanskrit words “Bagla”, which means bride and “Mukhi”, meaning face. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. The temple is among the many establishments scattered in various other parts of the country dedicated to Goddess Baglamukhi. It is considered that the Goddess loved the yellow color, and hence the temple is painted vibrantly in the yellow shade. The entrance, all the domes and the pillars are painted in yellow. Inside a tiered dome, which is supported by pillars, there is a huge prodigious havankund. The holy place enshrines the idol of Goddess Baglamukhi embellished with yellow ornaments, garments, and flowers.

Puranic Significance

The origin story of Bagalamukhi manifestation of the Adi Shakti has its roots in the old folklore of the supreme goddess being pleaded by the men, gods and celestial deities alike to defeat an evil demon on earth. Variations of this particular lore go around in various parts of the country. In this case, the texts of Svatantra Tantra says that a demon called Madanasura was making life difficult for the people on earth and was causing storms with his Vaksiddhi to kill them. Reached out by many gods, preserver Lord Vishnu penance for the earthly presence of the Mahashakti and appeased with the efforts, she appeared from a lake taking the avatar of Bagalamukhi. From that moment onwards, the followers of Goddess Bagalamukhi started worshipping her as one of the forms of Goddess Parvati. Bagalamukhi goddess has many temples dedicated to her, and the one at Kangra is one of the important ones in North India. So, the story can vary in other parts of the country. The history of Baglamukhi temple is older than the Mahabharata era. According to mythology Mata Baglamukhi is originated because of Lord Brahma. It is said that the important Grantha of Brahma was stolen by a Rakshasa and hidden in Patal Lok. For this Mata takes Bagula look to kill this rakshasa. Mata Baglamukhi is 8th among the ten Shaktipeeths. Pandavas performed devotion here during their exile period and built the temple today known as Baglamukhi Temple.

Special Features

Even though traditionally the skin color of Bagalamukhi is yellow and she is looming over the evil with a club in her hand, the Baglamukhi Temple in Kangra has a deity with a dark face with absolutely shimmering golden eyes, nose ring, crown and everything else on her. She is in a sitting position, and her weapon of choice, club or mace is beside her like a dutiful servant. To pay homage to the colour associated with her traditionally, the temple walls are painted with bright golden yellow. There is an octagonal platform in the temple premises with a towering pagoda-like spire where havans or yajnas or fire sacrifices are performed regularly upon devotee’s request.