A beautiful village, Naggar holds the pulse of the entire Kullu valley.
Once the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Kullu, this beautiful village is situated on the banks of River Beas.
Situated high over the Kullu valley, Naggar is surrounded by splendid forests, mesmerizing waterfalls and snow-clad mountain ranges.
The small village is widely recognized for its remarkable cultural heritage and unique style of architecture.
The ancient temples here are always the center of attraction for all domestic and international tourists.
Most historic temples in Naggar are built in Pagoda and Shikhara architectural styles.
Tripura Sundari Temple, Naggar
Tripura Sundari temple is one of such temples that are of great historic importance in Himachal.
Tripura Sundari temple is an age-old shrine situated in Naggar, located in close vicinity to the Naggar bus stop. The temple is a three-storey structure, probably one of the best examples of pagoda style of architecture in Himachal.
The temple stands as a massive wooden structure, exhibiting the local architecture and art of carving. The architectural design and style of Tripura Sundari temple is inspired by the Hadimba Devi temple in Manali, one of the best examples of pagoda style in India.
History of the Temple
Tripura Sundari Temple was constructed by Raja Yashodhapal.
An ancient belief associated with the temple suggests that it was built by the Goddess herself, after she turned into a spider and this is why it has the shape of a web.
There are the stone idols of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati inside the temple.
A small idol (about 30 cm long) of Tripura Rakshasa (demon) is also there in the temple. A fair is organized in the honor of Tripura Devi here in May each year.
The Significance
Local residents in Kullu Valley revere the Supreme Hindu Goddess as well as her temple in Naggar a great deal.
Goddess Tripura is the tutelary deity or ‘Ishta Devi’ in the area. People in the region have faith that it’s Goddess who protects and will always protect them from harms, inner or outer.
It’s a common belief in the region that Naggar Village in Kullu valley was inhabited at Divine Will of the Goddess.
The Reign and Majesty of Tripura Devi
Tripura Devi visits the local territories when out on her periodical sojourn and reaches Kullu.
The worshippers carry her idol in a well decorated palanquin along with their conventional musical instruments. The idol (mohra) of the Goddess is carried forth, accompanied by other mohras made of gold.
Tripura Devi accepts the manna and homage offered to her and confers her blessings on her followers and heads toward Kullu.
She spends the second day in Rupi and reaches Manikaran on the third day of her journey. From here starts her march to Jamlu Devta, the local deity in the incredible village of Malana.
On the way, the palanquin of the goddess is greeted by people who receive rice as a token of her blessings and protection.