Durgiana Temple, Amritsar | Timings, Location, Photos

Durgiana Temple, Amritsar Overview

Durgiana Temple, also known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, is a Hindu temple located in the city of Amritsar located around 1.6 Km from the Golden Temple. It bears a stark resemblance to the famous Golden Temple while also carrying the same sense of peace, tranquillity and spirituality. Within this historic temple lies a beautiful Sarovar where one can find idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu floating. Gur Shai Mal Kapoor, whose statue can be found at the main entrance of the temple, laid the foundation for this architectural wonder. The rare sculpture of the sitting Hanuman, considered one of a kind, is found in the temple premises. One of the main highlights at the temple is the fountain show which takes place in front of the main temple every evening.

Apart from the main temple, one can find many subsidiary temples at this sacred site. The Bara Hanuman Mandir where Hanuman was said to be captured by the twins of Rama and Sita. Mata Sitla Mandir which is dedicated to Sitla, who sits beside a Shiva Linga and a brass lion. Idols of Sat Narain and Radha Krishna can be found in the premises of the Sat Narain Mandir and the Goswami Tulsidas Mandir is dedicated to Tulsidas where one can find a rare handwritten copy of the Ramayana.

The Durgiana temple ensures that visitors are taken care of during their visit to this holy place. One can rest at the "Shrimati Dhanwant Kaur Dharamshala" which is located in the temple periphery. Langar Bhawan, run by the Durgiana Management Committee, serves pilgrims throughout the day. The committee is also known for reaching out to society through various services to help uplift the needy and being the pure representation of faith.

1. Langooranwala Mela at the Durgiana Temple

During Navaratri at the Durgiana Temple complex in Amritsar, the Hanuman Temple becomes a vibrant spectacle. Children, dressed as langurs in bright red and silver outfits, participate in a procession, (Read More) dancing to loud music. A sacred thread, or Mauli, is tied to a Banyan tree by a childless couple, expressing their hope for a child. Once blessed with a child, they return, untie the Mauli, and the children, now in different attire, seek blessings by circling the tree.

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Legend of the Durgiana Temple

Amritsar City has a rich heritage associated with Ramayana; the temple area can be considered a repository of Hindu scriptures. The shrine of Goddess Durga goes back centuries since Sita had worshipped the deity at the very spot after being exiled from the kingdom by Rama. Their children, Luv and Kush, captured Rama's sacrificial horse, a crucial part of the Ashwamedha Yajna. When Hanuman defended the horse, the twins of Sita took him prisoner and tied him to a banyan tree. Centuries later, the temple has been constructed around the tree. The tree stays green throughout the year and is said to fulfil wishes of pilgrims and travellers. Vistors offer vermillion and turmeric paste along with flowers while asking for their desires.

Ramayana is recited at Mandir Goswami Tulsi Das every day, a treasury of handwritten Ramayana. During Holi, a group of devotees perform Rass Lila for visitors to watch.

The architecture of the Durgiana Temple

The concept of the Durgiana Temple is based on the same architectural principles as the Golden Temple, built in the 16th century. Durgiana temple, much like the Golden temple lies in the middle of the Sarovar and has replicated the historic temple's gilded dome. One can reach the temple through a bridge built out of marble.The beautiful mandir door made of silver has religious inscriptions, and the elaborately carved exterior walls are worth looking at in detail. The Deori has idols of Goddess Durga and Ganesha, carved on silver doors of the temple which is why it is also called Silver Temple.

The Sarovar is embellished with marbles statues of several deities including Krishna-Veda Vyas and Goswami Tulsidas. Devotees can find Lord Shiva in Dhyan (meditation) stands in the Sarovar, which has numerous colourful fishes swimming within. There is a separate bathing Ghat for the women near the Sarovar, with water from River Ravi.

How To Reach Durgiana Temple

Durgiana Temple located in the Holy city of Amritsar is a few blocks away from the Railway Station and 1.5kms from the Bus Stand. One can hire a tuk-tuk or pool in an auto to the temple.