Road Trips to The 10 Famous Durga Temples in India
Among all the deities worshiped by the Hindus, the Goddess Durga holds a special place due to the symbolism of motherly affection and raw power. Indeed, another name for Goddess Durga is Shakti which translates to power. Billions of Hindus every year take pilgrimage near and far to worship this manifestation of the Almighty in the form of motherly love. If you too wish to visit some of these famous Durga temples, then we have made a list of the prominent ones scattered throughout the entire country that you may choose according to your interest and availability of time. Here are the most famous Durga temples, their location, and the things to do there to make the most of your trip.
10 Famous Durga Temples in India
- Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu & Kashmir
- Chamunda Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh
- Kamakhya Temple, Assam
- Dakshineswar Kali Mandir, West Bengal
- Amba Mata Temple, Gujarat
- Maa Jwala Ji Temple, Himachal Pradesh
- Chamundeshwari Temple, Karnataka
- Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Chhattisgarh
- Naina Devi Temple, Uttarakhand
- Devi Patan Temple, Uttar Pradesh
1. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu & Kashmir
Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most famous Devi temples on hills in India. 1584m above sea level, this temple is located amidst the Trikuta Mountain. It is also a Durga temple near the waterfall. The yatra commences at Katra and you have to walk for 13km to reach the temple. You can visit the temple all through the year, but it gets a little difficult during the winter season and it is not the best time to travel to Devi temple in India.
Nearby places to visit: Bhairavnath Temple Vaishno Devi, Ardhkuwari, Dera Baba Banda
2. Chamunda Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Chamunda Devi Temple is one of the most frequented Devi temples in India. To reach the temple, you have to walk a few miles from Palampur. Devotees usually come here to pray for their ancestors. The pond within the temple is believed to have sacred water. According to legends, people used to sacrifice themselves here in the olden times.
Nearby places to visit: Bundla Stream, Kotwali Bazar, Trek to Triund
3. Kamakhya Temple, Assam
Kamakhya Temple, located on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati is a shakti peetha in India. It is believed that the genitalia of goddess Sati, wife of Lord Shiva fell here and the temple has been built exactly at the same place. This is also a significant temple for the Tantric sect. To see the most beautiful side of the temple, you must visit here during Ambubachi Fair and Durga Puja.
Nearby places to visit: Umananda Temple, Navagraha Temple, Purba Tirupati Shri Balaji Temple
4. Dakshineswar Kali Mandir, West Bengal
Dakshineswar Kali Mandir is a noted Devi temple, located along the Vivekananda Bridge north of Kolkata. The temple was built in 1847 by Rani Rashmoni. The temple is associated with Ramakrishna Paramhamsa, who is believed to have achieved spiritual vision here. The main temple is surrounded by 12 Shiva Temples.
Nearby places to visit: Adyapeath Temple, Belur Math, Panchavati Park
5. Amba Mata Temple, Gujarat
Located in the picturesque town of Junagadh in Gujarat, Amba Mata Temple is one of the pilgrimages in India that is dedicated to Goddess Durga and attracts devotees from all corners of the country. This is one of the ancient temples that date back to the 12th century. Devotees come here to seek blessing from the Mother Goddess for a blissful nuptial life.
Nearby places to visit: Ambrai Ghat, Jagdish Temple, Shri Manshapurna Karni Mata Temple
6. Maa Jwala Ji Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Maa Jwala Ji Temple is one of the famous temples in the country dedicated to Goddess Durga. In one corner of the temple, a flame has been burning for the past several years. There is no fuel required to keep the flame burning. Situated in Kangra, this temple is frequented by not only devotees but tourists from all nooks of the country.
Nearby places to visit: Maa Chintpurni Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, Shaktipeeth Shri Bajreshwari Devi Temple
7. Chamundeshwari Temple, Karnataka
This temple is located on the top of beautiful Chamundi Hills in Mysore and one of the famous Devi temples in south India. Dedicated to Goddess Chamundi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, the temple was constructed in the 12th century. The main attraction of this temple is the idol of Goddess Chamundi that is made of pure gold. Another attraction of the temple is the 16ft high statue of the demon Mahishasura.
Nearby places to visit: Sri Nandi Temple, Mysore Palace, Sri Mahabaleshwara Temple
8. Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Chhattisgarh
Dedicated to Goddess Bamleshwari, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, this temple is not only frequented by the pilgrims but also tourists for the striking location. Nestled amidst verdant greenery, the temple is perched on the top of a hill in the Dongargarh district of Chhattisgarh.
Nearby places to visit: Banjari Mata Mandir, Chandi Mandir, Chitwari Devi Temple
9. Naina Devi Temple, Uttarakhand
The Naina Devi Temple in Nainital is situated on a lakeside. It is believed that the temple was built precisely on the spot where Goddess Sati’s eyes fell. This is why the temple is called Nanina Devi Temple.
Nearby places to visit: Naina Devi Ropeway, Virasat-e-Khalsa Anandpur Sahib
10. Devi Patan Temple, Uttar Pradesh
Devi Patan Temple is also one of the shaktipeethas in the country. The legends say the right shoulder of Goddess Sati fell here and the temple was constructed at the exact spot. The temple was built even before the 11th century.
Nearby places to visit: Gaya Prashad Talab, Maa Pateshwari Park, Gayatri Temple
Visiting the spell-binding and awe-inspiring Durga temples are sure to make you feel devotion towards the supreme power of the universe. If you wish to visit these places and also spend a lot of time there, it is recommended to take a car instead of using a cab. Taking a self-driving car on rent from Revv works great too and you can get it booked simply through the Revv App or the Revv Website. Opt for a Revv car to get complete peace of mind while going on these spiritual journeys.
