Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Dongargarh

Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Chhatisgarh, India 

Maa Bamleshwari Devi

Maa Bamleshwari Temple

Maa Bamleshwari Devi temple is located at Dongargarh, Distt Rajnandgaon, in Chhatisgarh state. There are two temples of Goddess, one on the top of a hill (approx 1600 ft high) and one on the ground respectively known as Bari mata and chhoti Bamleshwari Mata. Dongargarh is comprises of two words dongar and garh. Dongar means hill and Garh means fort. It indicates that Devi is protected by the hill and fort in all respect.

Main Diety

The main Diety inside the temple is an iodol of Godess Bamleshwari coated with vermilion looks magnificent. The goddess is believed to be the another form (swaroop) Mata Baglamukhi of kangra district in Himachal.  Godess Bamleshwari blessed their devotees with power for being victorious in the battle of life.

History of the Temple

In the ancient time, this place was known as Kamawati and ruled by the king named Kamsen. He was a great devotee and much blessed by Godess Bamleshwari. He was the lover of art and music .A beautiful dancer Kamkandala and a great musician Madhawanal were under the control of his regime. Once the king awarded with his own necklace, after being pleased by there presentation of dance. Kamkandala and Madhvanal both fell in love and Madhawanal handed over the Neclace to Kamkandala. Seeing this the king became angry and gave exile to Mdhavanal from his teritory. Then Madhavanal went Ujjain  and explained about his distress to the king Vikramaditya.Vikramaditya was very much pleased by his performance in art and music. The king agreed to help Madhvanal and requested king Kamsen to release kamkandala from his custody. King Kamsen did not agreed from his proposal and refused. After refusal the battle started between them. Both the king were the real devotees of Mahakal and Mata Bimla. Seeing the bad effects of battle, God mahakal requested Mata Bimla to forgive Vikramaditya for this deed.Then the both God & Goddess blessed Kamkandala and Madhavanal. Thus,  they became one. Since then Mata Bimla became Bamleshwari Devi and the Main Diety of the inhabitants of Chhatisgarh.

Festivals

The main festival celebrated here are two Navratra during Dussera and hindi month Chaitra. During this period people from all over the state come here in large numbers and celebrate Puja and lighting  Akhand jyotikalash during Navratra. A large fair is also organized during this period.

Hawan kund 

Hawan  (worshiping  fire God) is conducted every Sunday 10:00 am to 12 noon. This is the only Temple where RED CHILI is used in Hawan.

Akhand Jyoti lighted during Navratra

Facilities

There are 1100 stairs and also ramp road upto the temple. Rope way service is also operated on payment basis.    

Foot Way

Rope way

Accommodation

Accommodation facilities are available in Dharamshala run by the Temple  trust. Dongargarh is a small city.  Low to medium budget hotels are available at Dongargarh. For high budget hotels Rajnandgaon is the nearest district town only 35 km away.

Places to visit

Hanuman ji Temple: There are two temples, one near choti Bamleshwari Devi and one on the top of hill.

Lord Shiva Temple: On the 3/4th way to the main temple a beautifully decorated temple of Lord Shiva is situated and visited by the devotees.

Hawan Kund 

Hawan  (worshiping  fire God) is conducted every Sunday 10 to12 noon. This is the only Temple where RED CHILI is used in Hawan. This place Dongargarh  is also famous pilgrimage of Jain cult.

How to reach

By Rail

Dongargarh is a railway station on Howrah – Mumbai route. It is well connected from aii over India and can be reached easily.

By Road

Dongargarh is well connected by good roads. The distance from Rranandgaon is 35 km, from Durg 67 km and from Raipur the capital it is 105 km.

By Air

Raipur is the nearest airport and 115 km away. One can reach the temple by his own car or taxi.