Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

The story goes back many hundred years when the place was known as Brahmpura and the Goddess Brahmani Devi lived here. Once when she was away for a while, Shiva came here with 84 Yogis or Siddhas (Saints) on his way to Manimahesh Kailash. Seeing the smoke billowing from the fires lit by the saints, Brahmani Devi, on here return, got very furious and asked them to leave. Shiva asked to be allowed to stay for a night and assured that they would leave in the morning. The next day, Shiva left Kailash alone, leaving the saints there. Unwilling to leave the place, they transformed themselves into 84 Shivlings. Brahmani Devi was blessed by Shiva and he ruled that everyone undertaking the Kailash pilgrimage must take a dip in the holy Brahmani Pool before continuing their journey or else, their pilgrimage would be fruitless. Brahmani pool is below the Brahmani Cave and it is said that she stole the water from Sandholi Naag on the other side of the ridge for this pool. The legend regarding how she came to be a goddess is equally interesting. It is said that Brahmani lived in a Vatika on tall ridge and her son was very fond of a Chitkor (a kind of bird). The Chitkor was killed by a farmer and her son could not bear the loss and died. Heart-broken she buried herself alive and the spirits of al three of them started haunting the locals. Another fable regarding the temple is that of King Sahil Varman who ruled during the tenth century. 84 Saints came to his kingdom and pleased by his welcome and hospitality, granted him the boon of ten sons and a daughter. The town of Chamba is said to have been named so after his daughter. The town of Chamba is said to have been named so after his daughter, Champavati. The temple also holds importance for being the abode of the Pandavas during their 14 years of exile.