Durgiana Temple

Location

Shri Lakshami Narain Mandir, popularly known as the Durgiana Mandir, situated outside the Hathi Gate, Amritsar, is modelled on the pattern of the Golden Temple. It was founded in 1922 through the joint efforts of Nathu Mal Rangwala and Gur Sahai Mal. The temple stands in the middle of a tank, about 162 metres long and 130 metres wide. A bridge about 76 metres long and 5.6 metres wide leads to it. The idols of Lakshami and Narain stand in the central structure along with those of Rama and Sita and Radha and Krishna, installed on the left and right of it. There also exist Sant Tulsi Das Mandir, Sat Narain Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Radhe Shayam Mandir and a Shivala.

The site of the shrine was once covered with a dense forest, away from the main residential area. A Brahmin, named Durga, lived there. He was a worshipper of Bhagwati Mata (Goddess Mother). He had built the Shitla Mandir which now stands to the north of the main gate of the Durgiana Mandir. In front of the Shitla Mandir, he had got dug a small tank which came to be known after him as Durgiana. This very tank was enlarged and the Gurgiana Mandir, named after the tank, was build in the middle of it.

In the premises of the temple are located the Shri Lakshami Narain Sanskrit College and Shri Lakshami Narain Ayurvedic College. In front of the main gate of the temple is a dharmshala (popularly known as Dhanwant Kaur Dharmshala) where free accommodation is provided for the visitors.