Kamal Guha at 15:19, 11 November 2023

2023-11-11T15:19:42Z

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{{short description|Hindu temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Durgiana Temple
| image = Many of the locals we had spoken to were delighted that the Govt has sanctioned funds for renovation of this temple (38049489065).jpg
| image_size = 250px
| alt =
| caption = Durgiana Temple, [[Amritsar]], [[India]]
| map_type = India Punjab #India
| map_caption = Location in Amritsar, Punjab, India
| coordinates = {{coord|31.64|74.86|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
| district = [[Amritsar district|Amritsar]]
| location = [[Amritsar]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Durga]]
| festivals = [[Navaratri]]
| architecture =
| temple_quantity = 1
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = *16th Century{{Cn|date=May 2023}}
*Rebuilt in 1921
| website = {{url|https://www.durgianamandir.com/}}
}}
'''Shri Durgiana Mandir''' ([[Gurmukhi]]: ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਦੁਰਗਿਆਨਾ ਮੰਦਿਰ) ([[Devnagari]]: श्री दुर्गियाना मंदिर), is a [[Hindu temple]] situated in the city of [[Amritsar]] in [[Punjab, India]].<ref name=Discover>{{cite book|title=Discover Punjab|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lc1Fs9JykeYC&pg=PT28 |publisher=Parminder Singh Grover|id=GGKEY:LDGC4W6XWEX|pages=28–29}}</ref> Though a Hindu temple, its architecture is similar to the [[Sikh]] [[Golden Temple|Harmandir Sahib]] (Golden Temple).<ref name=Sikh>{{Cite web |url=http://amritsar.nic.in/html/places_to_visit.htm|title=Durgiana Temple (Lakshmi Narain Temple) |publisher=National Informatics center}}</ref> This temple derives its name from the Goddess [[Durga]], the chief Goddess who is worshipped here. [[Murtis]] of [[Lakshmi]] and [[Vishnu]] are also located and worshipped in the temple.{{Sfn|Gajrani|2004|p=220}}

Although it is believed that Durgiana Mandir was built in 1921, the temple existed before it was rebuilt in 1921.{{Cn|date=May 2023}} It is confirmed by record in Amritsar District Gazetteer of 1893, which talks about Durgiana Sarovar and "Devi dwara" surrounding it which was thronged by Hindu pilgrims.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

==History and architecture==
[[File:Bridge to the Durgiana Temple, Amritsar.jpg|left|thumb|A bridge linking the temple]]
[[File:Durgiana Temple, Amritsar.jpg|left|thumb|Durgiana Temple]]
[[File:Durgiana Temple.JPG|left|thumb|Durgiana Temple view]]

The Sri Durgiana temple is a very important temple for [[Hindus]]. In the courtyard of the temple is a tree where [[Lava]] and [[Kusha]] bound [[Hanuman]] after the captured challenge horse of the [[Ashvamedha|Ashvamedha yajna]]. [[Iksvaku]], the grandson of sun-god, performed a number of yagyas on this land. The original temple was built in 16th century.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sri Amritsar Yatra : Chandan Yatra Das : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming|url=https://archive.org/details/SriAmritsarYatra|access-date=20 August 2020|website=Internet Archive|date=30 September 2017|language=en}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2023}}

The architecture of Sri Durgiana Temple is similar to Shri Harmandir Sahib. It was built in 1921 by Guru Harsai Mal Kapoor in the architectural style of the [[Sikh]] [[Golden Temple|Shri Harmandir Sahib]] (Golden Temple) .<ref name="Discover" /> Harsai Mal was a descendant of [[Prithi Chand]] and hence [[Guru Ram Das]].The grandchildren of Harsai Mal Kapoor is currently living in amritsar and one of caretakers of the idol of Harsai mal Kapoor.

Existence of the Talab is also mentioned in 1868 Municipal committee, Amritsar documents.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Punjab Past and Present - Volume 23 Part 2 |url=https://archive.org/details/ThePunjabPastAndPresent-Volume23Part2/page/n93?q=Durgiana}}</ref> John Campbell Oman who was Professor of natural science in The Government College, Lahore<ref>{{cite book |title=SüdSüdOst Mekka: pakistanische Muslime in Norwegen |year=2010 |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |page=47 |isbn=9783643502209 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OQQwyntdkUgC&q=John+Campbell+Oman+Professor+of+natural+science+in+The+Government+College%2C+Lahore&pg=PA47}}</ref> mentioned about durgiana in his book where he found some mystics practicing yoga.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Oman |first1=John Campbell |title=The mystics, ascetics, and saints of India : a study of Sadhuism, with an account of the Yogis, Sanyasis, Bairagis, and other strange Hindu sectarians |year=1905 |publisher=London : T. F. Unwin |page=218 |url=https://archive.org/details/mysticsasceticss00oman/page/218}}</ref>
Durgiana Mandir is recorded in Amritsar District Gazetteer of 1893 which talks about Durgiana Sarovar and "Devi dwara" surrounding it which was thronged by Hindu pilgrims.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gazetteer Of The Amritsar District : Punjab Government : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.105589|access-date=18 August 2020|website=Internet Archive|year=1893|language=en}}</ref>

Even though Amritsar is not declared a Holy city, restrictions are in force prohibiting sale of tobacco, liquor and meat within a radius of {{Convert|200|m}} around this temple and the Shri Harmandir Sahib (Sikh Golden Temple).{{Sfn|Aggarwal|1992|p=111}}

==Location==
[[File:Durgiana Temple, Amritsar 01.jpg|left|thumb|Statue at the Durgiana Temple]]
[[File:Durgiana Temple, Amritsar 02.jpg|left|thumb]]
[[File:Durgiana Temple, Amritsar 03.jpg|left|thumb|Statue of Lord Shiva]]
[[File:Durgiana Temple, Amritsar 04.jpg|left|thumb|Statue of Lord Hanuman]]
The temple is situated near the Hathi gate in Amritsar. It is very close to the [[Amritsar railway station]], and is about {{Convert|1.5|km}} from the bus station.

==Features and designs==
The temple is built in the middle of a [[sacred lake]], which measures {{Convert|160|m}} × {{Convert|130|m}}. Its dome and [[Canopy (building)|canopies]] are similar to that of the Golden temple of Sikh religion, also located in Amritsar. A bridge provides the approach to the temple.{{Sfn|Bansal|2005|p=178}} The dome of the temple is gilded. Marble is used extensively in the temple's features.<ref name = Guide>{{cite book|title=Punjab Travel Guide|year = 2006|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cba6Om_iTOAC&pg=PA58|publisher=Good Earth|isbn=978-93-80262-17-8|pages=58–}}</ref> The dome is illuminated with colourful lights. The temple is sometimes called Silver temple because of its large exquisitely designed silver doors.<ref name=Discover/> It has a rich collection of [[Hindu scriptures]].<ref name = Guide/> The temple complex also has some historic subsidiary temples such as Seetla Mata and Bara [[Hanuman]].<ref name=Discover/>

<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
Templo Durgiana-Amritsar-India08.JPG|Silver Doors of the Durgiana Temple.
Templo Durgiana-Amritsar-India09.JPG|Close-up view of Durgiana Temple.
File:The gold plated sculptures looked very nice in the early morning sun (38935881431).jpg| The gold plated embossed sculptures
</gallery>

==Festivals and Cultural events==
Major Hindu festivals celebrated in the temple are [[Dussehra]], [[Janmashtami]], [[Rama Navami]], and [[Diwali]].<ref name=Discover/> A Sāwan festival is also celebrated in Durgiana Mandir in the Holy [[Shraavana|Shravan]] month of Hindu Calendar where newlywed couples gather at temple to worship [[Radha Krishna]]. Women adorn themselves with flower jewellery and worship at temple along with their husbands.<ref>{{Cite news|last=ANI|date=19 July 2020|title=Newlywed couples gather at Amritsar's Durgiana Temple to celebrate 'Sawan'|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/newlywed-couples-gather-amritsar-durgiana-161341109.html|access-date=19 August 2020|work=Yahoo News|language=en-IN}}</ref> Another festival celebrated in Durgiana temple complex is the famous 'Langur Mela' during 10 days of [[Navaratri|Navratri]] and [[Vijayadashami|Dussehra]]. Pilgrims in large numbers throng to the Bada Hanuman temple, with their children dressed as Langur to offer prayers in this temple, situated in the Durgiana temple complex.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 September 2019|title=Langur-dressed devotees make a beeline in Punjab|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-langur-dressed-devotees-make-a-beeline-in-punjab-2793382|access-date=19 August 2020|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Harkirat |last2=Bassi |first2=Aseem |title=Durgiana temple renovation work gains momentum |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/durgiana-temple-renovation-work-gains-momentum/story-Y7H3sIE5s8UaHEFF620g1J.html |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=7 October 2014 |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Hindu temples in India]]
* [[Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple]]
* [[Shri Kali Devi Temple, Patiala]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Notes==
*{{cite book|last= Aggarwal |first=J. C. |title=Modern History of Punjab: A Look Back Into Ancient Peaceful Punjab Focusing Confrontation and Failures Leading to Present Punjab Problem, and a Peep Ahead : Relevant Select Documents|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-CN0Q4g-dwC&pg=PA111|date=1 January 1992|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-7022-431-0}}
*{{cite book|last= Bansal |first=Sunita Pant |title=Encyclopaedia of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fQB3Fkc3Tl4C&pg=PA178|date=1 June 2005|publisher=Smriti Books|isbn=978-81-87967-71-2}}
*{{cite book|last= Chaturvedi |first=B.K. |title=Tourist Centers Of India|year=2002 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QrLcFkhRZPYC&pg=PA61|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.|isbn=978-81-7182-137-2}}
*{{cite book|last= Gajrani |first=S. |title=History, Religion and Culture of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E5J6bO8qQ7YC&pg=PA220|year=2004|publisher=Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-8205-060-0}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Durgiana Temple}}
*{{url|www.durgianamandir.com|Temple official site}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Durgiana Temple}}

{{Hindu temples in Punjab, India}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Amritsar]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Durga temples]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Amritsar district]]
[[Category:16th-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:20th-century Hindu temples]]

Durgiana Temple - Revision history

Kamal Guha at 15:19, 11 November 2023