Chaurasi was the level area on which these eighty four temples were standing and the name was attributed to the 84 Sidhas who are believed to have meditated in Bharmour over 100 years who supposed to come from Kurukshetra while visiting to Manimahesh Kailash. The Chaurasi Temple Complex offers you a delightful, clean and a scenic view. The complex is surrounded by numerous schools. The most extraordinary site of the complex is the tallest temple of Manimahesh, which is built in the Shikhara style of architecture. Another temple built in the same style is that of Lord Vishnu cast in his Nar Singh Avatar. Bharmour, once known as Brahmpura, was between the 6th and 10th centuries, the capital of the princely state of Chamba. It is renowned for its cluster of temples collectively known as the ‘Chaurasi’. Though of varying architectural design, these temples are noted for their fine workmanship. Legend has it that in the 10th century, 84 Sidhas (holy men) visited Bharmour; they blessed the ruler Raja Sahil Varman with ten sons and a daughter Champavati whom the town of Chamba is said to be named. And while some shrines were already in existence, the Raja had the remainder built to commemorate their sojourn. These include the Lakhna Devi Temple, the Ganesh Temple and the Nar Singh Temple. Installed in the sanctum of the Lakhna Devi Temple is an exquisite brass image of the goddess, The temple of Lord Dharamraj is also in the Chaurasi and only one in the whole world.

 

The legend of the temple states that Raja Sahil Verma, who constructed this temple, sent nine of his sons to the Vindhyas mountains to get marble which was suitable for the construction of the Vishnu idol. The marble brought contained a frog. This was considered inauspicious and the sons were again sent to bring back the marble slab. However, all the sons got killed while on their way back. The king did not give up and sent his eldest son to fetch the marble. He was also attacked by the robbers, but with the help of a saint he managed to both save himself and kill his attackers. Yugkara, the eldest prince returned successfully with the required slab which was used to make the image of Lord Vishnu in the temple.

 

Jwalamukhi is a famous temple of goddess Jwalamukhi, the deity of flaming mouth, built over some natural jets of combustible gas, believed to be the manifestation of the Goddess. The building is modern with a gilt dome and pinnacles, and possesses a beautiful folding door of silver plates. Jawalaji Temple is also one of the fifty-one Shakti Peeths in India. It is situated in the town of Jwalamukhi in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Sati's tongue is believed to have fallen at the very place where Jawalaji Temple is now situated. The tongue of Sati is represented by Holy Flame or Jawala that is perpetually burning. The flames come out from nine different rocks in the temple. The temple is thus named as Jawalaji Temple. It is believed that even Emperor Akbar paid yearly visit at the Jawalaji Temple after he became impressed with the holy flames that kept burning even after he had put a massive chhatra or canopy over it to extinguish it.

 

Mata Chintpurni Temple lies in the Una village of Una district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Mata Chintpurni is supposed to take all your worries and troubles away with her. The Chintpurni Temple is dedicated to Mata Shri Chhinnamastika Devi and Mata Chintpurni Devi. The general belief of the devotees to the Chintpurni Temple is that if you ask for something from the goddess with a true and pure heart, your wish will be fulfilled. A major fair is held for ten days at the Chintpurni Temple between July and August. It is called the Sawan Ashtami Fair and begins on the first Sawan Navaratra.

 

The Brajeshwari Devi Temple is located in main Kangra city and has achieved a reputation for wealth, in gold, pearls and diamonds and tempted many invaders over centuries. Mahmud Ghazni sacked it in 1009, Mohammed Bin Tughlaq plundered it in 1337, Sikander Lodi destroyed the idols in the early 15th century and yet Khawas Khan sacked it yet again, in 1540. Brijeshwari Temple Known once for its legendary wealth of diamonds and pearls, this temple was subject to successive depredation by invaders from the North.Mohammed of Ghazni is known to have departed with a king's ransom in gold, silver and jewels in 1009. Earthquake of 1905 destroyed it completely. Rebuilt in the present form in 1920, it continues to be a busy place of pilgrimage.

 

Chamunda Devi is located at a spot where the famous battle described in the Devi Mahatmaya took place. It is heard that Kali killed the two generals of Shumbha and Nishumba. Their names were Chanda and Munda. As a result of this battle Kali received the name Chamunda. The temple was originally located in dangerous remote spot. It was relocated to its current location.A large number of devotees travel to this place for worship and to attain spiritual peace for their ancestors. Taking dip in the Ban Ganga River is considered as more auspicious and sacred. People perform prayer to Lord Shiva with the water of Ban Ganga River.The 700 years old temple, Chanmunda Devi comprises of big complex with a ‘Kund’ (pond) in it. As per the rituals, the devotees coming to the temple take holy dip in the Kund. The main deity of the temple is kept under cover and is not accessible by the visitors, because of its sacred importance. There is a cave-like scoop located at the back of the temple, representing the stone linga

 

The arrival of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, along with thousands of refugees to Dharamshala in 1959 made the life here more active. A number of tibetan settlements with religious education and other rehabilitation centres mushroomed all over the Mcleadganj. As Dharamshala became the headquarter of the Tibetan Government in exile, headed by Dalai Lama, it gained prominence all over the world and prominent personalities started arriving here. Mcleadganj emerged as a major Buddhist centre.

 

 The Baijnath Temple is located 16 km from Palampur in the Beas valley and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shiva is worshipped here as Vaidyanath or the Lord of Physician. The temple has lent its name to town as well which earlier was known as Kiragrama. The history of the temple is stated on stone slabs. According to it, the temple foundation was laid down by two local merchants in the 9th century. The date of inscription is itself given in two eras – Saptarshi and Saka. The Saka year 1126, which corresponds to 1204 AD, is considered more authentic. Renovation work in the temple was carried out by Raja Sansar Chand in the 19th century. As per a legend, it is believed that the King of Lanka, Ravana had worshipped Lord Shiva in the main Baijnath Temple. He sacrificed his head ten times at a place marked out in the temple. And because of this, the people here do not consider it right to celebrate Dussehra which remembers the day when Lord Rama killed Ravana. The people here think that celebrating Dussehra can offend Lord Shiva a lot. In past too, whenever any attempt has been made to celebrate the festival, the organizer died within years. Though the fact is that the deaths were in no way related to the celebration of Dussehra.