Durgiana Temple

The Durgiana Temple also known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Durga Tirath and Sitla Mandir, is a premier temple situated in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India.[1] Though a Hindu temple, its architecture is similar to the Golden Temple.[2] This temple derives its name from the Goddess Durga, the chief Goddess deified and worshipped here. Idols of Goddess Laksmi (goddess of wealth) and Vishnu (the protector of the world) are also deified here and worshipped.[3]

Durgiana Temple
Durgiana Temple, Amritsar
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictAmritsar district
DeityDurga
FestivalsDussehra, Janmashtami, and Rama Navami and Diwali
Location
LocationAmritsar
StatePunjab
CountryIndia
Location in Amritsar, Punjab
Geographic coordinates31.64°N 74.86°E / 31.64; 74.86
Architecture
CompletedBuilt in 1921
Temple(s)1

Location
A bridge linking the temple

The temple is situated near the Lohgarh gate, in Amritsar, in the Indian state of Punjab . It is very close to the Amritsar Railway station, and is about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from the bus station.

History

Sri Durgiana temple is a very important temple. In the courtyard of the temple is a tree where Lava and Kusha bound Hanuman after the captured challenge horse of the Ashvamedha yajna. Iksvaku, the grandson of sun-god performed a number of yagyas on this land. The original temple was built in 16th century. [4]

The architecture of Sri Durgiana Temple is similar to Golden Temple. It was rebuilt in 1921 by Guru Harsai Mal Kapoor in the architectural style of the Sikh Golden Temple.[1][5] Harsai Mal was a descendant of Prithi Chand Mina. The newly built temple was inaugurated by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.[1] Existence of the Temple is also mentioned in 1868 Municipal committee, Amritsar documents. [6] John Campbell Oman who was Professor of natural science in The Government College, Lahore [7] and author of the book The Mystics, Ascetics and Saints Of India[8] mentioned about durgiana in his book where he found some mystics practicing yoga. [9] Even though Amritsar is not declared a Holy city, restrictions are in force prohibiting sale of tobacco, liquor and meat within a radius of 200 metres (660 ft) around this temple and the Golden Temple.[10]

Features
  • Silver Doors of the Durgiana Temple.
  • Close-up view of Durgiana Temple.

The temple is built in the middle of a sacred lake, which measures 160 metres (520 ft) x 130 metres (430 ft). Its dome and canopies are similar to that of the Golden temple of Sikh religion, also located in Amritsar. A bridge provides the approach to the temple.[5] The dome of the temple is gilded. Marble is used extensively in the temple's features.[11] The dome is illuminated with colourful lights. The temple is sometimes called Silver temple because of its large exquisitely designed silver doors.[1] It has a rich collection of Hindu scriptures.[11] The temple complex also has some historic subsidiary temples such as Seetla Mata and Bara Hanuman.[1]

Festivals

Major Hindu festivals celebrated in the temple are Dussehra, Janmashtami, Rama Navami, and Diwali.[1]

Renovation

The temple and its precincts were under a beautification programme since 2013, and was completed in 2015. This will provide more space for worship both inside and outside the temple premises. As per the Master Plan prepared for reshaping the environment around the temple, 55 properties had been acquired with adequate compensation package and demolished for the purpose of development works. Under this plan, a multi-storied parking complex, an open-air theatre, a shopping complex and other facilities were under construction.[12]

gollark: Well, if we told them about it, they would probably want it.
gollark: They are closely linked.
gollark: Also dying of now easily preventable diseases.
gollark: Sure, but it is lack of that which causes unhappiness!
gollark: It's weird how stuff is actually much better than it used to be by loads of metrics but people still feel awful.

References
  1. Discover Punjab. Parminder Singh Grover. pp. 28–29. GGKEY:LDGC4W6XWEX.
  2. "Durgiana Temple (Lakshmi Narain Temple)". National Informatics center.
  3. Gajrani 2004, p. 220.
  4. https://archive.org/details/SriAmritsarYatra/page/n23
  5. Bansal 2005, p. 178.
  6. https://archive.org/details/ThePunjabPastAndPresent-Volume23Part2/page/n93?q=Durgiana
  7. https://books.google.co.in/books?id=OQQwyntdkUgC&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=John+Campbell+Oman+Professor+of+natural+science+in+The+Government+College,+Lahore&source=bl&ots=vjycwqmAYf&sig=ACfU3U34sARYjyTpoDye6V_EsEAlxaKNZg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIyfKu7YzlAhWENI8KHfM8AMw4ChDoATACegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=John%20Campbell%20Oman%20Professor%20of%20natural%20science%20in%20The%20Government%20College%2C%20Lahore&f=false
  8. https://www.biblio.com/the-mystics-ascetics-and-by-oman-john-campbell/work/755056
  9. https://archive.org/details/mysticsasceticss00oman/page/218
  10. Aggarwal 1992, p. 111.
  11. Punjab Travel Guide. Good Earth. pp. 58–. ISBN 978-93-80262-17-8.
  12. "Durgiana temple renovation work gains momentum". The Hindustan Times. 7 October 2014.

Bibliography
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