Punjab in Sanskrit means the ‘Land of Five Rivers’. Apart from the five rivers—the Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej—Punjab temples attract large number of devotees.
Durgiana Temple: It is a premier Hindu temple of Punjab situated in the city of Amritsar. This temple derives its name from the Goddess Durga and it is also called by the name
of Lakshmi Narayan Temple.
The shrine was erected during the 16th century.
The temple was constructed by Harsai Mal Kapoor on the pattern of the Golden Temple and it is located near the Lohgarh Gate. It is sometimes called Silver Temple for its carved silver doors. The temple complex has some historic temples such as Sita Mata and Bara Hanuman.
Kali Devi Temple: One of the consecrated place of worship for the Hindus, the Kali Devi Temple, Patiala, is devoted to Goddess Durga. Located on Mall Road of Patiala in Punjab, just in front of the Baradari Garden. The temple was constructed by the royal family of Patiala.
Golden Temple: Golden Temple in Amritsar is also known as Hari Mandir Sahib meaning Temple of God. The Temple has a tank (Sarovar) that is believed to possess healing powers. The Golden Temple is open from all four sides symbolic of offering entry to all.
As Amritsar faced disturbances a lot of times, Golden Temple also became the target of loot and plunder thrice by the Afghan invaders. Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated rupees five lakh for rebuilding Golden Temple. Mohammad Yar Khan Mistri was appointed as a technical expert for the task of gold plating.
Ram Tirth Temple: Known to be the land of Rishi Balmiki, Ram Tirth, Amritsar, goes back to the era of Ramayana. Consecrated by the appearance of Devi Sita, Ram Tirth had been a witness to the birth of the sons of Sri Rama.
The place was once the ashram of saint Balmiki. A hut of Rishi Balmiki is still found at Ram Tirth where he once lived.
After giving birth to Luv and Kush, Devi Sita stayed at this place for a considerable period of time. The evidence of her stay still exists in the form of a well which, it is believed, was dug by Sri Hanuman.
Shiv Mandir: One of the most ancient temples of the region, the Shiv Mandir, Gur-Mandi, Jalandhar represents the deep religious fervour of Punjab. Constructed by a Muslim Nawab of the Lodhi dynasty, adjacent to the mosque of Imam Nasar, the age old temple is a living witness of religious tolerance which has triggered down across the centuries to the modern period.
The temple presents a perfect blend of the Hindu and Muslim architecture. While the entrance to the sacred temple was modeled after the gate of a mosque, the other buildings of the temple bears a rich style of the Hindu architecture.
Devi Talab Mandir: It is located about 1 km from the railway station of Jalandhar City. The Mandir is situated in the heart of Jalandhar City.
Mansa Devi: The temple in Chandigarh is a very much scared shrine located at Panchkula, which is around 8 kms away from the city. This is the holy Siddh Peeth is dedicated to Mata Mansa Devi.
Panch Mandir: One of the most revered place in the Punjab State the Panch Mandir in the Kapurthala Town which is dedicated to several Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Bhagwati Mandir: Its history goes back to the 17th century AD. Bathinda city in which this temple is located formed a part of a village, then called Khanna.
Sodal Mandir: The temple of a child deity where wishes are fulfilled. This temple which is located at Jalandhar city is visited by thousands of devotees during the month of September.
—Aniket Raja
(Inputs from Punjab Tourism)
