India is known for its many wonders and splendor, and it has a large number of culturally significant heritage sites. It is also the homeland of the Vedas, culture, spirituality, and “Sanatan Dharam” wherein every festival carries a message about the past.
Navratri is the most colorful, and significant festival of the sub-continent India. Many temples built in the name of different gods/goddesses are located in India where some devotees go for pilgrimage occasions.
India, often referred to as the paradise of many religions, social differences, and beliefs, has also numerous old monuments and architectural treasures. One believes that offering prayers with a sincere heart makes it possible to realize the desires. This is why many people often find themselves going on pilgrimages to different shrines around the country.
The most famous festival among all the Hindu celebrations is Navratri. Maa Durga Puja is undertaken by devotees during the period of the time when it is auspicious for them to do so and they pray with deep hearts to the deity in gratitude that she has graced them with her presence on earth. During the Navratri celebrations, many people go on pilgrimages to various shrines and temples that turn into places to visit for numerous devotees and make their experience even more festive. Let’s talk about the top 14 most visited Maa Durga temples in the next heading.
Here are the Top 14 Most-Visited Maa Durga Temples During the Navratri Festival.
- Vaishno Devi Temple.
- Kamakhya Temple.
- Dakshineshwar Temple.
- Kalighat Temple.
- Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple.
- Meenakshi Temple.
- Chottanikkara Temple.
- Ambaji Temple.
- Naina Devi Temple.
- Jwala Devi Temple.
- Sundari Temple.
- Mangala Gauri Temple.
- Maha Kali Devi Temple.
- Chamundeshwari Temple.
Let’s talk about these temples one by one.
- Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir.
The famous Vaishno Devi temple is among the most visited Hindu pilgrim centers and tourist destinations. Vaishno Devi located in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir enclosed in the holy town of Katra within the Trikuta mountain represents the deity of Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Mahakali, and Goddess Mahalakshmi. A visit to this temple on Navratri is an experience that should not be ignored.
- Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati Assam.
This Shakti Peethas is named Kamakhya Temple situated in Guwahati, Assam. The place where Yoni, the female reproductive organ of Goddess Sati, fell, after Lord Visnu’s dismemberment of her remains, is revered as sacred. Kamakhya Devi temple is located at Nilachal Hills. It is also one of the oldest 4 of the 51 pithas in the Shakta tradition.
- Dakshineswar Temple in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Another important Hindu site is the Dakshineshwar Temple. In the year 1855, there stood a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali that was authorized by the devotee Rani Rashmoni. The Dakshineshwar Temple is located at the banks of the Hooghly River, near the city of Kolkata, housing an idol of Maa Bhavatarini, a form of Goddess Kali. It is believed that going to the temple during the Navratri festival is one way of blessing from the Goddess.
- Kalighat Temple in Kalighat district, West Bengal.
Many pilgrims visit the Maha Kali temple located in the Kalighat district near Kolkata during the Navratri festival. This is the place where the right toe of Devi Sati was found. This temple depicts the Goddess in her formidable manifestation by having a long sticking tongue out of the mouth.
- Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple in Maharashtra.
In the famous city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, there is a Mahalakshmi temple called Goddess Ambabai. The temple was built during the Chalukya dynasty and the temple is referred to in multiple Puranas which distinguishes it from others. On the other hand, it has a tiny entrance on the western section of the wall that is open for about two days a year allowing sun rays to penetrate through the feet and chest of the god. January 31 and November 9 are the days that sunbeams fall at the feet of the Goddess, while February 1 and November 10 mark days when they reach the chest area.
- Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu.
Maa Parvati or the goddess Parvati sits on the banks of the river Vaigai, in ancient Madurai of Tamil Nadu where the Meenakshi Amman Temple has been built to honor the deity. It is among the holiest sites of worship for the devotees of Mother Parvati. The idol of the goddess in this temple is especially famous, as she appears with a parrot resting on her palm and her shining nose pin draws everyone’s attention.
- Chottanikkara Temple in Kochi, Kerala.
The temple for Goddess Lakshmi is located in a Kochi coastal suburb. The Divine Mother known as Rajarajeswari (Adiparasakthi) is worshiped here in three forms Saraswathy in the morning, Lakshmi at noon, and Durga in the evening. There is an Idol of Mahavishnu on the same pedestal and so the Deity is called Ammenarayana, Devinarayana, Lakshminarayana, and Bhadrenarayana.
- Ambaji Temple in Banaskantha, Gujarat.
Another Shakti Peetha is at Ambaji, Gujarat which is in Banaskantha district. For instance, Navratri is one of the most visited places in the country. This holy site is said to be where the heart of Devi Sati fell to earth when her body was dismembered. It is important to note that the temple does not contain any idols or symbols of the gods and goddesses. There is a strong belief amongst the believers that Maa Ambaji visits her devotees during Navratri.
- Naina Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh.
Naina Devi Temple is especially respected during the Navratri festival when people come to ask for the divine blessing of the goddess. It is in Himachal Pradesh and known as Maheeshpeeth since it is believed that the goddess killed the demon Mahishasura at this place.
- Jwala Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh.
The Jwala Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh, next to Kangra, is associated with eternal flames. The tongue of Devi Sati is considered to have fallen on this place, making it one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.
- Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur, Agartala.
According to mythology, the little finger of Sati’s left leg dropped at this temple, which is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. In this place, Tripuresh is the accompanying Bhairava and Shakti is considered as Tripurasundari.
- Mangala Gauri Temple in Gaya, Bihar.
There exists a significant temple of Mangla Gauri made during the 15th century that has become popular in that region. Goddess Mangla Gauri is considered the deity of auspiciousness. It is also known as one of the 18 Maha Shakti peethas situated on Mangalagauri Hill. This temple constitutes a Shakti Peeth where it is believed that a part of the body -the breast of Mata Sati fell according to scriptures of extremely ancient Hindu divine history. Here Sati is worshipped in the form of a breast, a symbol of nourishment. They come here so that they can pray for their families’ prosperity and for their spouses to be recognized.
- Maha Kali Devi Temple in Ujjain.
Hara Sidhi Mata is a deity kept in a temple called Maha Kali which is located in Ujjain. While some people consider it as a Shaktipeetha, others disagree with this point of view. The Upper Lip part of Sati fell in Ujjain as stated in Devi Bhagavatham.
- Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore, Karnataka.
Sri Chamundeshwari Temple which is located about 13 kilometers away from Mysore town in the state of Karnataka is situated on one of the hills. The fierce form of Maa Shakti is ‘Chamundi’ or ‘Durga’, who is known to have killed Chanda, Munda, and Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. She is the Mysore Maharajas clan deity and the presiding goddess of Mysore. The most significant festival that is celebrated here is Navaratri. Mysuru Dasara is celebrated as the state festival of Karnataka, called Nada habba (ನಾಡಾ ಹಬ್ಬಾ) in Kannada.
Conclusion
Many people visit these temples during Navratri, which are considered symbols of divine benevolence. The Goddess herself may shower blessing for positive living and prosperity as you are heading towards any of these holy places in this sacred period. For many people, Navratri is the ultimate occasion for worship and connection with the Goddess.
