Philately Themes : Hindu Temples

 HINDU TEMPLES

Tara Mata Temple, Tara Devi - Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

The temple has an interesting mythological story behind its origin. According to the popular belief, the idol of Goddess Tara was brought from West Bengal to Himachal Pradesh.

It is generally said that a King from the Sen dynasty had once come to this area along with a small idol of his personal family deity in the form of a gold locket. He used to wear this ornament in his upper arm. While hunting in and around the dense jungle of Juggar, he forgot his path to go back home and fell asleep. While sleeping, he dreamt that Goddess Tara and her gatekeepers Lord Hanuman and Bhairav requested him to unveil them to people.

Immediately, the Maharaja decided to fulfil the desires of Ma Tara and donated about 50 bighas of land to construct the temple. Thus, a temple was built there with a wooden idol of the deity for people to pray and seek blessings.

After some years, another king of the same dynasty had a vision in which the Ma Tara wished to be on the hill top of Tarav Parvat. Soon, the temple was shifted there and a magnificent idol, made of “Ashtadhatu” was installed in a grand ceremony in the year 1825. Since then, the members of Sen dynasty follow the old traditions and worship their family Goddess on the Asthami every year.

H.P. Postal Circle, Shimla issued Special Cover as 29th April 2016.

Mata Chintpurni Temple, Chintpurni - Una, Himachal Pradesh

The temple is believed to be founded by Pandit Mayi Das. He established shrine of Mata Chintpurni in Chhaaproh village twenty-six generations ago. Over time this place became know as Chitpurni after the eponymous deity. The descendants of the Brahmin still live in Chitpurni and perform prayers at the Chintpurni temple. The legend is that the temple was build here after the Goddess revealed herself to Mayi Das, a devotee. The original pind of the Devi still exists and the image depicts her without a head. It is the image of Chinnmastika - the goddess without a head. 

H.P. Postal Circle, Shimla issued Special Cover as 29th April 2016.