Chandigarh, a union territory, has surplus numbers of religious places around it, largely consisting of Gurudwaras. The prayers in these temples are offered by people coming from different parts of the country and abroad. The significant temples of Chandigarh include the famous Chandi Devi temple where people throng in thousands during Navratri festivals for worship. Chandi Temple has different statues of Hindu deities like Shiva, Ram, Radha Krishna and Hanuman ji. Sai temple is another famous worship place. Late Shri I.P. Mehta was very much instrumental in land acquirement for this temple and along with his colleagues installed the scared idol of Sai ji, brought from Jaipur. Before installing, the Idol was taken to Shirdi Dham for proper rituals and purification to bring finally to Chandigarh for religious installation. The ceremony of Swaroop Sthapana was performed on December6, 1995. Sai Baba was distinctive in his simple form for that he leaved his message by essence of his presence. Sai Baba’s whole life and teachings was dedicated to common men. The huge energy radiation is visible in Sai’s body which is still moving in some baffling way, creating and multiplying itself all over ahead of the command of space and time. However, Sai Baba lived with the common man as a Fakir, wearing a tattered Kafni, begging for his own food and sleeping over a bare mat with a brick under his head. He transmits an in explicable smile and a deep insight of peace beyond all understandings.

One ancient historical temple of Lord Shiva is at Saketri which is just about 22kms from Chandigarh Bus stand and 5km away from the Temple of Mansa Devi. Devotees in thousands come to this Temple for ‘Pooja’ on the auspicious day of Mahashivratri to acquire the blessings of Mahadev, one among the holiest trinity of Hindu mythology. The Naina Devi temple, linked by a rope way, is located at an elevation of about 1300mts. The Bhakara Dam reservoir extends a marvelous background view.

The most celebrated shrine of Mansa Devi is situated at Panchkula which is about 9km away from Chandigarh. This holiest Siddh Peeth is devoted to Maa Mansa Devi. The head of Devi Sati had fallen at this place as per the Hindu mythology. Principally, Mansa Devi temple complex has two temples. The main temple, positioned near the parking place, was established and built by the ruler of Mani Majara in 1815 AD. Another somewhat new temple is accredited to the Maharaja of Patiala. There is also an attractive garden having scared plants adjoining to the Mansa Devi Temple of Chandigarh. People from all over India and abroad throng to this scared Mandir to pay reverence to Maa Goddess. Fairs are celebrated in the nearby area of Mansa Devi temple during the auspicious days of Navratris. Other eminent temples of Chandigarh are:

Significance of Temples

Chandi Devi temple is considered one among the Shaktipeeths in India. It is believed that Goddess Chandi, Maa Shakti, fulfills the requests of her devotees. The pilgrims reach the temple in about 5/6 minutes by the cable car whereas vertical climbing via steps consumes about 50minutes. Historically, the image of main deity of this temple was installed in 8th century AD by revered Adi Shankaracharya following all the religious rituals.

The significance of this ancient Shaktipeeth of Mansa Devi attracts the devotees from faraway places of India and also from abroad. Legends are that Devi Maa fulfills all the requests of her dutiful and truthful devotees. As a matter of fact, ‘Mansa’ is a distorted pronunciation of the word ‘Mansha i.e. wishes of heart’. Thus all this is resulted in naming this Shaktipeeth as “Mansa Devi” temple. There are lots of shops on the hill top where fruits, Coconuts, incense sticks and marigold garland are available for sale. These all things are presented for worship and to please the Goddess Mansa Devi.