GARJIA TEMPLE , RAMNAGAR , UTTARAKHAND
TOURIST RESORT
14 KMs from Ram Nagar ,on the way to Ranikhet this temple stands on huge rock in midst of river Kosi Its heritage Garjia village . Its one of the amazing temple of goddess Parvati with surrounding picturesque beauty .The whole area was earlier covered with dense forest which now is cleared by the locals . Maximum people are devotees , priests and their families. Kosi river is life line of the people as well as fauna of Jim Corbert National Park .Its the place of meditation and trekking.. Its a great panaroma of ecstasy of vivid flora and fauna .
THE LEGEND
In the Markendeya Purana, the Kosi is described as the primal force. Due to the violent nature of the Kosi during monsoon season, legend says that Parvati, daughter of Himalayas and the wife of Shiva, after defeating the demon Durg, became known as the warrior goddess Durga who transformed into Kaushiki. In Ramayana, the river Ganges is depicted as her elder sister.On this rock where the temple stands was the place where Goddess Parvati worshipped and sought blessing of being married to lord SHIVA .
The legend also goes that this place was earlier covered with dense forests. But the people living here saw Goddess Parvati’s idol on the mountains.Seeing the sights of her idol, the commoners built Garjia Devi’s temple here on the same rock . It is believed that the ancient temple flowed to its current place with a flood in the river Kosi from NEPAL . Bhairav when saw it floating wanted to stop it but could not do so. Bhairav then asked Goddess Parvati to stay with him at the same place. It is believed that since then Devi Garjia has been living in the same place as Upeta. In ancient times Goddess Parvati was also known by the name Upeta.
THE FAITH
Thousands of devotees arrive during Kartik Poornima, a Hindu holy day celebrated on the fifteenth lunar day of Kartik (November – December). It is also known as the festival of lights of the gods.The Kartik Purnima festival also coincides with the Sikh festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti.. On the occasion of kartik poornima, as a special bath large number of devotees take a dip in the river Kosi. In addition to this, people visit this place on the auspicious Shivraatri in huge numbers.
THE SIGNIFICANCE
The temple is one of the most ancient temples of India. It is believed that Devi Garjia blesses the devotees only after the completion of Baba Bhairon’s puja with the offerings of KHICHDI before leaving the shrine ..Devotees offers coconut, vermilion, incense, lamp, red Chunnerie etc as offerings to goddess Parvati . Mere remembrance of Devi Parvati can solve all problems. Devi Parvati is the ultimate life and energy source and devotion to her relieves a person from all tensions and problems. She is also known as Kalratri. She belongs to the Gaur community and hence is also called Mahagauri. Devi Parvati blesses all her devotees and solves all of their problems. the unmaaried , the separated or those facing family problems offer bell by tying them on the railings and umbrella to Bhairav . After being blessed they have to revisit the shrine to open the knot of bell .. goddess parvati has special affection for couples .
TABOOS
To reach the shrine barefooted from 1 km distance and with fasting.. avoid visit during Monsoon when the whole temple gets submerged in the Kosi river .Navratris is the occasion of complete fasting and meditation.
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