Banni Mata Temple, also known variously as the Mahakali Banni Mata Temple, is located in Chamba District, a hill station in the State of Himachal Pradesh in north India. This temple is situated at a height of 8,500 feet, right at the base of Pir Panjal Range in the Chamba Valley. It is an ancient temple dedicated to Devi Kali, a goddess figure in Hinduism. The temple is surrounded by deep forests at the foot of the Himālayas. It is noted as Shakti Devi Temple too.[1] It is near to Tundah village and just opposite to Manimahesh Peak. This temple is named as Banni because this place has a lot of Ban trees or Oak trees.
The legend behind Banni Mata dates farther back to the Mahabharata. Right up to the Panadavas and Mahabharata. It is said that all the 5 Pandava brothers, having ruled their kingdom departed for the Himalayas. While roaming in the Himalayas in search of Swarg (the Hindu heaven), they reached somewhere near the Pir Panjal range. Spring was setting in and they decided it was time to go a little higher and start farming for food. So, they headed towards Charola (near Kali Chho Pass). While on their way up, they encountered multiple obstacles. The mountains were difficult to walk on, snow was all over. There were treacherous slopes and crevices. Suddenly, it started snowing. One after another, four of the Pandavas and Draupadi succumbed to the weather and terrain. As each one started dying, the others found a reason for his/her death in his karma during that incarnation. All but Yudhishthira, who was known for his righteousness, died on the way. Yudhishthira reached Swarg.
When 4 of the brothers and Draupadi had died and Yudhishthira had reached Swarg, Draupadi, whose mortal flesh is believed to have been inhabited by Goddess Kali at times, appeared in the incarnation of goddess Kali. It is believed a huge rock in high Pir Panjals at Charola split vertically to reveal 3 Trishuls, which can still be seen there. After this, the goddess found her next home at Lyundi, at the base of the Pir Panjals and finally settled in the village of Banni. Since then, there has been a temple dedicated to Banni Mata (an incarnation of Kali) at this village.
The view and the history are also linked in this youtube video kindly check for information.
tourist places in himachal is home to a number of temples and holy places too. Places like Kullu, Manali, Rohru, Paonta Sahib, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Shimla.
Kandrour Bridge The very beautiful and fascinating Kandrour Bridge is 8 kilometers from Bilaspur on National Highway No-88. It is across the river Satluj. Its construction was started in April,1959 and was completed in 1965. The span of the bridge is about 280 meters with a breadth of about seven meters and the height above the lowest river bed below is about 80 meters, making it one of the highest bridge in the world. It is ranked first in Asia for its height. It has provided a link between Bilaspur, Ghumarwin and Hamirpur district, and is a marvelous engineering feat. The pillars supporting the bridge are hollowed.
From the military barrier at Dhainkund, a scenic 1.5 km ridgeline walk leads to the Jai Pohlani Mata Temple, with a teahouse and great views of the Pir Pinjal range. It is located about 8.1 km away from Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, India. The scenic trail continues 5 km south along the ridge to tiny Jot, with a couple of dhabas, at the Chuari Pass (2772m) on the Chamba-Chuari Khas road. It is near to Khajjar Meadow. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/around-dalhousie/sights/religious/jai-pohlani-mata-temple#ixzz4BNEH5fL6
Bir is a village located in the west of Joginder Nagar Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. Bir is a noted centre for ecotourism, spiritual studies, and meditation. Bir is also home to a Tibetan refugee settlement with several Buddhist monasteries and a large stupa Bir was ruled by the Pal dynasty of the Chandarvanshi lineage.[citation needed] The last Raja or Rai was Raizada Prithi Pal, who was a descendant of the Rajas of Bhangahal, who appear to have maintained their rights until the time of Raja Prithi Pal in the early part of the eighteenth century. Raja Prithi Pal fell victim to his father-in-law, Raja Sidh Sen, who in 1728 invited him to Mandi on the pretext of seeking his assistance against the Raja of Suket. He was kindly received, but within a month of his arrival, he was beguiled into the Damdama Fort, and there murdered. It is said his body was duly burnt, but his head was buried in a tank facing the Mandi Raja's palace. A pillar was erected on
tourist places in himachal is home to a number of temples and holy places too. Places like Kullu, Manali, Rohru, Paonta Sahib, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Shimla.
ReplyDelete