|
It
lies outside the Longarh gate of the old city and is dedicated to Mother Durga. This is a much-hallowed pilgrim centre. The very
first thing that stuns the visitors is its striking resemblance to the Golden
Temple. This Hindu shrine is of recent construction and like the Golden Temple
is surrounded by water on all sides. The Mother's icon is exquisitely chiselled and the artistic decoration with jewels and garlands fills the souls
with inexplicable bliss. Elaborate agamic puja is performed daily and
periodical festivals lure huge crowds. The lake is equally big in size, but
one plus point it boasts is that there are many mini-shrines on the
embankments around the main temple. The statues of almost all the principal
gods adorning the Hindu Pantheon, like Siva, Gouri, Sarada, Lakshmi, Hanuma,
Sri Rama, Krishna, Vinayaka etc., are installed on beautifully made pedestals.
They appear extremely attractive and enkindle devotion by their enormous sizes
and artistic adornments. There are many Dharmasalas in front of the temple for
the stay of the visitors for days, if desired. The liberal endowments and
regular donations by pious philanthropists enriched the temple and the
management is catering to the needs of the devotees in several ways. Poor
feeding and community singing are conducted periodically. A visit purges one
of his sins, since almost all the adorable deities are assembled in one
spacious campus.
It
is about 2 km from Golden Temple in Amritsar and can be easily accessible by
four wheelers.
|
