KULU-MANALI

There is a small shikhara shrine in a village at Sajala near Dashal, which also has images of Siva and Parvati. Jagatsukh village has a small shikhara temple about eight feet high re-excavated  by Howell, an Assistant Commissioner, in the first decade of this century from the debris.

This temple is dedicated to Gaurishankar, (the divine couple of Siva and Parvati). There is an icon of Durga killing the buffalo-demon with a Triple Crown, four arms and the trishula (trident) in one of her right hands striking down the buffalo demon. The Devi holds the tail of the buffalo by her left hand. Unfortunately some portions of the icon are now broken but what remains is an unbeatable specimen for high sculpture.

Here also the Devi's eyes are closed in a calm manner typifying the endless and timeless spirit in complete unison with universe and taking virtue and vice by a stride.The Dungri temple above Manali is dedicated to goddess Hidimba where there are two small brass imagesof Durga, which are taken out to join the Dussehra at Kulu. Somehow the deity Hidimba has been identified with Durga - one of the strange permutations in Hindu mythology.

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