Hatkoti Temples - The Heritage Of Himachal Pradesh

Hatkoti Temples

Hatkoti Temple is located at Jubbal (Hatkoti), 100 K.M. from Shimla the capital of the Himachal Pradesh. Hatkoti is town in Indian State of Himachal Praesh and located at the banks of Pabbar river.It is a beautiful and divine  place in the hemlet of Pabbar Valley.
 The Hatkoti temples are a group of temples located on the scenic banks of River Pabbar. The main temple in this  complex is dedicated to Goddess Durga ( Mata Hateshwari)  while the other smaller ones are the Lord Shiva and other Hindu deities. As we know Himachal pradesh is a 'Land of Gods'. The Hatkoti Temples is one of the great temples in the Land of Gods. 
Mata Hateswari also known as 'Mahishasur Mardini' because the devil named Mahishasur killed here by Mata Durga. BhagvadGita also describe about Mata Hateshwari. 
One of the most interesting features of Hatkoti, is the small temple of Lord shiva  which houses a Shiva lingam. This means that the temple was constructed after the lingam was found at the place. 
The temple also have five idols the  small architecture monuments of Pandava . Every idol represents the five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharat era. These idols are arranged according to their size - the firstest one being the largest. 

Shiva Temple and Pandvas monuments at Hatkoti

Shiva Lingam and Stone idol  of Hindu Gods at Hatkoti Temple

Pandava Idols at Hatkoti Temple

Hatkoti Temple and Dharamshala

Hatkoti Temple and Town

Architectural History of the Temple: Hatkoti Temple has a great historical value
Hatkoti Temples are known for their unique architectural beauty and hold a lot of religious significance. The foundation of these beautiful temples was laid way back during the Gupta period which ruled over India in the period 6th -9th century AD. Some historians believe that the temples in this area were built by Guru Adi Shankarcharya. The idols and stone scriptures in the temple are also a proof of the great architecture  of the past era.

Some of the Historians also tells that this place ( Hatkoti) is related to the Mahabharat era. In the exile time Pandavas  lived here for some time and build here daily Vedic lifestyle. 

 

                                              Stone Architecture from Gupta Era

Ashtdhatu Idol of Mata Hateshwari

Hatkoti Temple along with Pabbar river

Now the Mandir trust take care of the temple. Mandir trust also build here  Dharamshala and a Langar hall especially for the Devotees. Every year thousands of Devotees mostly  in Navratraas came here for paying tribute and darshan of Mata Hateshwari.

Hatkoti also have a hydro Electric Project ( Sawra-Kuddu) 111 MW on the Pabbar River.

                                          All Photos by the Author and all right reserved.