Hatkeshwari Mata Temple Complex, Hatkoti, Himachal Pradesh India

The holy abode of goddess Hatkeshwari, the temple complex on the banks of Pabbar river is built in the traditional Shikhara style that boast of the rich tradition of Gupta architecture. The temple depicts the goddess as Mahishasurmardini, one of the most ferocious incarnations of goddess Durga. Inside the dark ambiance of the inner sanctum there lies the wraith like blush idol of the goddess in bronze. The deity depicts the posture of the eight-armed goddess on a lion who drives her spike through the heart of the demon Mahishasura. The idol has some bhamini scriptures on its other side and any body has not yet deciphered it. The tranquil ambience surrounds the holy shrine would be studded with devotees during the Chaitra Navratra and Asvin Navratra festivals. These festivals that falls in the month of April and October, changes the entire ambience of the shrine. Some of the devotees adore the devi in the form of Shakthi and some others consider the deity as the personification of Vaishnavi, which makes a large difference in their offerings. Those who adore Durga as Shakti sacrifice a sheep or goat and others tender flowers and halwa. Local populace offers scorched rice and homespun walnuts. Apart from the main temple of Durga Devi, there is a small temple of Lord Shiva in the complex. It is very much astonishing that the Shivalinga in the sanctum is larger than that of the gateway of the temple. As the architectural designs are of the Gupta period, the temple might be constructed during the sixth and ninth century AD. A kirtan ghar, a dharamshala, granaries and a rest house are the other constituent parts the temple complex.