One of the most popular Hindu temples around Delhi, Chhatarpur Temple is located at a distance of 4 kms. from Qutb Minar. Extended over a wide area in serene ambiance, the temple presents a classic example of modern temple architecture that embodies extensive use of marbles. The main Temple is dedicated to goddess Durga, while the devotees can also worship Shiva, Vishnu, Lakshmi or Ganesh in adjoining temples.

During Durga Puja days, this place attracts a large number of devotees, who gather here to offer prayers. It is believed that tying a thread on a tree located in the temple premises will get the desired wishes fulfilled. Round-the-clock discourses and prayers are held which any devotee can participate. It is a big temple complex that represents both the South and North Indian style of architecture.

Durgiana Temple, Amritsar, Punjab

Punjab is a land blessed by saints, an ancient land yielding archaeological treasures, a land of palaces and temples. Situated outside the Lohgarh Gate, Durgiana Temple is built after the design of the Golden Temple and attracts sages and scholars in Hindu scriptures from all over India. A walk away from the Golden temple complex through the narrow passageways brings the visitors to the 16th century Hindu temple of Durgiana.

In its present form the temple echoes of not the traditional Hindu temple architecture, but that of the Golden Temple. It rises in a similar manner from the midst of a tank and has canopies and a central dome. 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.

Also called the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, it is dedicated to goddess Durga and a large part of the temple is also dedicated to Hindu deities Laxmi, The Goddess of wealth and Narayan, The Preserver of Universe. All dignitaries visiting Golden Temple make it a point to visit Durgiana Temple also.

Situated beyond the commercial complex of Nehru Place lies Kalkaji temple dedicated to the Goddess Kalka Devi. Kalkaji mandir is very famous and has numerous devotees thronging it on many religious occasions, throughout the year. Small red flags decorate the temple then, and women outnumber men among the devotees. Folklore is replete with tales of the Kalkaji temple, so much so that one does not know where legend ends and history begins.

This is a very old temple and the oldest part was built up in 1764 A.D. The Kali Temple in Kalkaji boasts of an existence of 3,000 years, although the oldest surviving portion of it dates to 1764-1771 when the Marathas were in power. Looking at the present-day Kalkaji temple one may find it hard to believe that this shrine to Kali is an antique one, where perhaps even the Pandavs and Kauravs had worshiped during the reign of Yudhisthir, whose citadel of Indraprastha had the fabled fairy gates of which bards sang, much like Homer of old, right up to the time of Prithviraj Chauhan.

The temple is situated on a hill and is dedicated to Kali. There is a very distinctive feeling there and the devotees are overwhelmed by light, which stay during the whole night. The power of Ma Kali is ambiguous but powerful. Devotees also try to meditate there and a spectacular tantric aarati is held at about 7 pm. The temple is also quite near to the Bahai Temple, which is just opposite on the other side of a big road.

Chamunda Devi is a Shakti shrine, situated 10 km west of Palampur, on the Baner River. This colorful shrine has a wrathful form of Durga or Chamunda. The idol in the temple is considered so sacred that it is completely hidden beneath a red cloth. Here Lord shiva is present in the form of death, destruction & dead bodies along with Devi Chamunda. In the temple the devotees can see scenes from the Devi Mahatmya, Ramayan and Mahabharata. On either side of the Devi's image is Hanuman and Bhairo.

Devotees offer prayers, worship and give offerings for their ancestors. It is thought to be sacred to take a dip in Ban Ganga and to read and recite the writings of Shat Chandi. In the old days, people used to offer sacrifices also to the deity. The Goddess Chamunda was enshrined as chief Goddess with the title of Rudra in the battle between demon Jalandhra and Lord Shiva which made this place famous as "Rudra Chamunda".

This 600 year old temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, a famous mystic of her times, believed to be an incarnation of goddess Durga. Legend has it, that she foretold the victory of Rao Bika. Here, rats are considered holy, owing to the belief, that the souls of the devotees of the Mata, are resident in these rats and, consequently, they must be looked after. The huge silver gates to the temple, and the marble carvings were donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh.

People from far and wide come to pay religious tribute to shri karni mata. Throughout the year there's an influx of pilgrims. Outside rajasthan, places like Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana are areas where mata is greatly respected and loved. During the time of navratri thousands flock to mata's temple on foot. Mata's enigma attracts pilgrims from all over. It is becoming one of the holiest and most faithful places in India.

Mansa devi temple is located in Badi Lambore (Lambore Dham) village at a distance of 8 kilometers from Sadulpur (Rajgarh) on south. Sadulpur-Malsisar-Jhunjhunu road. Mansa Devi is one of the forms of Durga Mata that inspires the devotees to not only perform rituals and puja but also dedicate yourself towards accomplishing holy deals.

Legends
In the earlier days, the idol of Mata was placed in 'Devi ki Vani'. Mata left that place due to the evils and came near the berry tree. She came in the dreams of Seth Surajmalji, the head of Hamirwasiya family and inspired him to build a temple at the place. He came to this place and gave responsibility of constructing the temple to his elder son Shri Onkarmalji and returned to Calcutta. The construction of the temple and an attached verandah completed within an year and the idol of Mataji was placed on April 19, 1975.

The Temple
Today the temple is expanded in a vast complex with 41 rooms, yagnashala, Shri Lamboria Mahadevji temple, Shri Lamboria Balaji temple and a Singhdwar. The temple is equipped with all the necessary items that include generators, pots, quilts, rugs and many others. The temple organizes various religious ceremonies throughout the year. The devotees of Mata are constantly spreading Her divinity among the others.

Location
Lambore Dham (Lambore Bari) is accessible from Delhi/Jaipur by Road or by Rail, the distance in each case being approx. 240 Kms. Nearest Railway Station is Sadulpur (Rajgarh). Lambore Bari is situated 8 Kms south of Rajgarh on Rajgarh-Malsisar-Jhunjhunu road, a 15 minute journey by car, jeep and bus available almost round the clock.

Vaishno Devi is nestled in the mighty Trikuta mountain 61 kilometers north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The shrine is visited all through the year, but the path is difficult during the winters due to snowfall.

The Legend
As the legend goes, more than 700 years ago Vaishno Devi a devotee of Lord Vishnu, used to pray to Lord Rama and had taken vow of celibacy. Bhairon Nath, a tantric (demon-God) tried to behold Her. Making use of his tantric powers, Bhairon Nath was able to see Her going towards the Trikuta mountains and gave chase. It took Bhairon Nath nine months to locate Her, the reason why the cave is known as Garbh Joon. Mata Vaishno Devi blasted an opening at the other end of the cave with Her Trident when the demon-God located Her.
On arriving at the Holy Cave at Darbar, she assumed the form of Maha Kali and cut off Bhairon Nath's head which was flung up the mountain by the force of the blow and fell at the place where the Bhairon Temple is now located. The boulder at the mouth of the Holy Cave according to the legend is the petrified torso of Bhairon Nath who was granted divine forgiveness by the benevolent Mata in his dying moments.

The Yatra
The Yatra begins at Katra and pilgrims have to cover 13 km. of terrain on foot to reach the Darbar. One kilometer away from Katra, is a place known as Banganga, where Mata quenched her thirst and at 6 km., the holy cave at Adhkawari. After 6 km. of trekking, the yatries reach Adhkawari, the holy cave where Mata meditated for nine months.

Darshan
The journey amidst snow capped mountains and sprawling forests arise from within the holy shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi. There is a common faith among the folk that Goddess-Vaishno sends a 'Call' to her devotees and that once a person receives it, wherever he or she is, marches towards the holy shrine of the great Goddess. A supernatural power seems to draw them through the mountain and they climb up those great heights step by step, chanting 'Prem se bolo, Jai Mata Di'. There are images of three deities - The Mahakali, Maa Saraswati and Maha Lakshmi.