Bhimakali Temple Complex

Location

The 800 year old Bhimakali Temple, dedicated to Goddess Bhimakali, is the famous attraction at Sarahan. The temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths and one of the very few early period timber temples in the Sutlej Valley. A fusion of Hindu and Buddhist styles, the temple is a unique example of Indo-Tibetan style of architecture.

Goddess Bhimakali was the presiding deity of the rulers of the former Bushahr State. The outer wall of the temple surrounds a complex of buildings and a courtyard. The old temple, damaged by an earthquake has been locked and a new is built by its side.

The old temple still has a weathered and distinguished look. The old temple had a pair of silver doors one of the best in the state. The doors consisted of panels of mythological subjects made on the orders of Raja Shamsher Singh in 19th century. The original temple’s foundations are three stories deep with a tunnel as an underground passage that led to Ranwin, a village about 1 km away. The tunnel passage was used by pundits to enter and leave the temple. An earthquake in 1905 tilted the temple towards its side.

The new temple was completed in 1943 with a similar architectural pattern but much heavier carving on woodwork and built from layers of stone and timber to absorb the force of earthquakes. It is a multi storied structure with a tall tower, sloping slate tiled roofs and shining golden spires. The new temple has goddess Bhimakali as a maiden virgin and a woman. The sanctum of the temple consist of Hindu and Buddhist bronzes. It is the last temple in the valley where Bhramins still serve as priest. The temple complex consist of other shrines like Lord Narsingh’s shrine of Bhairon and shrine of Lord Raghunath.

Four aartis are held daily at the Bhimakali Temple: At dawn (around 6.00 AM during the summer); at 8:00AM; at noon when an offereing of local food is made to the mother goddess; and finally in the evening (shyana arti) after offerings are made and religious texts are recited.

The temple only gets crowded during the Navaratras when a large number of pilgrims come to Sarahan. The eighth Navaratra in particular is special at the Bhimakali Temple as the royal descendants of the erstwhile Bushahr State perform special prayers.

Dussehra, is also popular at the Bhimakali Temple. On this day, the idol of Raghunathji is taken out in a procession to the Padam Palace. Dussehra also marks the official start of a four-day fair held annually at Sarahan. At the Lankra Vir Temple which lies across the courtyard of the main temple, human sacrifices were carried out right up to the 18th century. The tradition lives on in a more watered down manner during the Dussehra festival with a number of goats, chickens and buffaloes are ritually slaughtered in honor of goddess Bhimakali.

Males must wear a cap to enter the Bhimakali Temple and cameras and leather goods like belts and wallets must be left with the guards.

This historical temple is a multistoried structured building, a fusion of Hindu and Buddhist architecture. The tall tower like structure and unusual roof of the temple dominate the complex. The centuries old temple is now locked and in the newly built temple, the goddess Bhimakali is portrayed as a maiden and as a woman. This temple complex includes other temples such as Narsingh shrine of Bhairon and Lord Raghunath.

Shree Bhimakali Temple is the prime center of attraction in Sarhan. This 800 year old shrine in the name of Durga Devi is a landmark destination in this hilly terrain. A marvel in terms of architecture the Bhimakali Temple, allures the devotees and the casual visitor alike with its graceful look and absolute divinity. Believed to be one of the Sakthi Peeths, this shrine presents a mix of Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu style structural designs. It has skewed slate tops, golden minarets, pagodas and an engraved silver flap.

The temple boasts of numerous legends and most popular version is associated with the great sage Brahamagiri. The apostles of this legend believe that the goddess first appeared in the wooden stick of the sage. Another myth is related with Goddess Sati’s self immolation and it is believed that her ear fell on here and thus it became a Sakthi Peeth. In 1943 a new building with heavy carvings and sculptural designs was erected by the side of the old shrine. The new building postulates the devi as a matured women and a virgin. The icon of the goddess as a virgin is placed at the top store of the new building. The temple also encompasses the idol of Parvathi who is depicted as the celestial partner of Lord Siva.

Temple became a hub of festivities and celebrations on the eve of Dussehra when thousand of devotees gather there to have a holy darshan of their beloved goddess. The temple complex also holds three temples of Narsinghji, Lord Raghunathji and Patal Bhairva Ji.

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