Chandigarh
Chandigarh is the best-planned city in India, with architecture.
Religious Places in Chandigarh
People of Chandigarh are secular in nature. They believe in celebrating almost all the festivals with proper rites and rituals. Some of the famous religious places in and around Chandigarh are 'Mansa Devi Temple', 'Saketri Temple', 'Gurudwara Nada Sahib', 'Gurudwara Baoli Sahib', 'Jama Masjid', etc... We will brief you on the following pilgrimage destinations in Chandigarh.
Baoli Sahib Gurdwara
Gurdwara Baoli Sahib in Chandigarh, India is a very famous shrine. Devotees come from all over the country to visit this religious place. Chandigarh Baoli Sahib Gurudwara has a lot of religious significance for Sikhs. People are of the belief that there was a descendant of Baba Gurditta Ji, who resided in the Dhakauli village near Zirakpur. He meditated for many years at this place. On having heard about this great devotee, the tenth Guru of Sikhs, as in Guru Gobind Singhji visited this village. This village is about 10 kms away from Chandigarh, situated on the Zirakpur-Kalka highway. This great worshipper made a request to the Guru to restore the water supply and quench the thirst of people of this area. It is believed that the Guru shot an arrow into the ground and a baoli (shallow well) sprang from there. Later on, a splendid gurudwara was constructed over there and it was named Baoli Sahib Gurdwara. Worshippers come over here on every Amavas to take a holy dip in the water of the baoli.
Kuhni Sahib Gurdwara
Located on the Chandigarh-Mansa Devi road, Koohni Sahib Gurdwara is not a very popular shrine, but has a unique story associated with it. Chandigarh Kuhni Sahib Gurdwara was originally known as Bageecha Sahib. It is over here that Guru Gobind Singh Ji along with his fellow warriors had taken a halt for a week. People are of the say that the Guru had come over here mainly to meet Mata Raj Kaur, wife of Ram Rai. She had left the Dehradun city just to stay away from her husband, who was supporting the Mughals. The story behind the naming of Gurudwara lies in the fact that while on his stay over here, Guru Gobind Singh rested on his elbow. Gurudwara Bageecha Sahib near Chandigarh is a must visit pilgrimage spot.
Chandi Devi Temple
The temple of Mata Chandi is approximately 15 km from Chandigarh. The city of Chandigarh derives its name from a temple Chandi Mandir in the vicinity of the site selected for the city (deity Chandi the Goddess of Power) and a fort or garh beyond the temple called Chandigarh.
Jayanti Devi Temple
This temple is 13 km from Chandigarh Bus Stand. Actualy ancient temple of Jayanti Devi is situated in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh but the Pindi of Devi was brought from that temple.This beautiful temple is situated on the bank of Jayanti river surrounded by Shivalik hills.
Ancient Shiv Temple of Saketri
The temple at Saketri is an ancient historical Shiv temple, just 5 km from Mansa Devi Temple and about 20 km from Chandigarh bus and thousand of devotees throng this temple on the sacred day of Shivratri for pooja and to get blessings of Lord Shiva .
Mansa Devi Temple
Chandigarh Mansa Devi temple is a very famous shrine located at Panchkula, which is about 8 kms away from the city. This holy Siddh Peeth is dedicated to Mata Mansa Devi. According to the Hindu mythology, the head of Devi Sati had fallen over here. Mansa Devi Temple near Chandigarh basically houses two temples. The temple that is located near the parking lot is said to be the main temple. It was established in the year 1815 A.D by the ruler of Mani Majra. The credit for setting up the relatively new temple goes to the Maharaja of Patiala. Adjoining to the Chandigarh Mansa Devi mandir, there is a beautiful garden consisting of sacred plants. People come from all over the world to pay homage to the goddess. During Navratras, fairs take place in the surrounding areas of Mansa Devi temple.