Ancient tradition of Shakti Pooja flourishing in (Sirmour) Himachal
The tradition of Shakti Upasana in Sirmour district is as old as the History of civilization in Sirmour. Major traditional and cultural festivals and fairs which take place every year in the district have a history of Shakti Pooja. This is the reason that during Navratras after every six months the whole district looks Devimaya [expressing full of devotion to Godess Durga].
This is surprising fact for the so called ‘moderate thinkers’ that despite impact of western culture, increase in scientific thinking and high increase in literacy level the number of devotees visiting different Shakti shrines in Sirmour district has registered manifold increase during past two decades. As per the statistics available with the committees managing biggest Shakti shrines of Sirmour district Shri Tripur Bala Sundri Temple and Shri Renuka Ji Tirtha, number of visitors visiting these religious places has increased more than 15 to 20 times during past 20 years.
Now Navratras are in full swing. Lacs of devotees are throng from the different parts of country to pay obeisance in the Main 14 Shakti Temples in the district. Renuka is a beautiful place where mainly the ancient Lake is worshipped as Bhagwati Renuka, mother of Lord Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In Nahan thousands of devotees are visiting the only Kali Temple of district situated in the heart of town. Nearly three century old Kali temple known as Kalishthan was established by the then Kumuini Queen of Sirmour estate which was traditionally managed by the Rajguru of Sirmour estate since then.
Other anicient Shakti shrines includes Tripur Bala Sundri temple at Jamta, Katachan Devi Temple in Katasan village on Nahan – Paonta road, Lalita Devi Temple at Trilokpur, Tripur Bharvi temple in the Kolanwala bhood area, Mata Bhagayan Devi Temple at Haripur Dhar, Samlashan Devi, Samlotha Devi in Nahan hills and famour Kali temple at Kala Amb which attracts lacs of devotees during Navratras and every temple has its ancient history
In Indian scriptures especially in Purans we find several references regarding Shakti Peeths of Sirmour district and Shakti Upasna by Sapta Rishi including Markandey Rishi in Sirmour hills. This is an indication that Shakti Upasana in Sirmour Hills is as anicient as Sanatan scriptures and culture.
In Sirmour distyrict biggest Navratra fair take place at village Trilokpur where 400 years old ancient Temple of Mahamaya Shri Tripur Bala Sundri is situated. The fair lasts for fifteen days. During this period this small village of Sirmour district is converted into a sea of devotion as over fifteen lacs of devotees visits the shrine to vow in the feet of Bhagwati Shri Tripur Bala Sundri. Around 32 lacs visitors come here in a year.
Trilok Pur village is situated at a distance of about 22 K.M. from Nahan and is just about four K.M. form Kala Amb. Normally Navratra fair commenced on the first Navratra and conclude on the ninth day on the completion of the Navratras but in the Shri Tripur Bala Sundri Temple traditionally Navratra Pooja takes 15 days to complete. On the special occasion of Chaudash and Purnima Lacs, of people comes to pay obeisance to the goddess and fair is over crowded during these days however biggest flow of devotees is seen on Saptami and Ashtami. People stands in quoues for the Darshan of Bhagwati Bala Sundry for more than eight hours in these special days. Devotees from every part of India throng during the Navratras to worship the child incarnation of Bhagwati Durga at Trilokpur.
According to history of Sirmour [Tarik-e-Sirmour] the Pindi of Goddess Tripur Bala Sundri appeared in a bag of salt brought by a local trader of the village Lala Ram Das from Devband in Uttar Pradesh. To the traders surprise the quantity of salt in the bag remained undiminished inspite of its continuous sale. There after the Goddess appeared in the dream and exhorted Lala Ram Dass to set up her at the same place under the tree of Peepal where the bag of salt was kept by the trader. In the morning the trader found a Pindi in the bag of salt.
Short of means Lala Ram Das approached the then ruler of Sirmour Riyasat , Maharaja Pradeep Prakash and explained him the situation. The king invited some artisans from Jaipur [Rajastan] in 1570AD and a beautiful marble temple dedicated to Goddess Tripur Bala Sundri came by 1573 AD. It is pertinent to mention here that at Devband in Uttar Pradesh also there was a famous ancient temple of Bhagwati Bala Sundri is also situated.
After the temple was completed the worship of Goddess Bala Sundri became the tradition in the Royal family. The temple was renovated by Maharaja Fateh Prakash in 1823 and by Maharaja Raghubir Prakash in 1851. The temple is an example of exquisite workmanship and is an amalgam of Indo-Persian styles of architecture.
Even today the historic ‘Pindi’ which has been placed in the temple is worshipped as Bhagwati Bala Sundri. Right since temple’s inception, the decedents of Lala Ram Das have been performing the main Pooja there.
Regular visitors to the temple told this correspondent that due to traffic hazard and miserable condition of Kala Amb-Trilok Pur road the visitors are stranded in their vehicles for hours together on their way to temple from Kala Amb. Residents of Trilok Pur village were also deeply concerned about the situation going on for the past over one year in the area.
Situation is not better in other shrines and minimum basic facilities for devotees are not available. In Renuka and Trilokpur basic amenities are insufficient and in very poor condition. In Renuka, main Sanan Ghats are not cleaned throughout the year and facilities for cheap and sufficient lodging and boarding facilities for the lacs of devoties visiting these shrines every year are not available. The main object of the managers of these shrines does not address the needs of common man who visits the shrine says a local resident Suman Pal Sharma.
