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Dongargarh in Chhattisgarh
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Roughly 2200 years ago, Dongargarh was a fairly renounced territory named Kamavati ruled by Maharaja Kamsen also called Kamakhya Nagri. When his Queen gave birth to a son they named him Madansen. Since Raja Veersen considered it a blessing of Lord Shiv & Parvati, he constructed the temple of Maa Bamleshwari at Dongargarh. Now Raja Madansen had a son named Kamsen because of whom the area became famous and came to be known as Kamakhaya Nagari.
A big battle took place between Raja Kamsen and Raja Vikramaditya, reason being the love between Maadhavnal & Kaamkandla, which led to the complete destruction of KAMAVATI. Legend has it that after the death of Maadhavnal & Kaamkandala, Raja Vikramaditya felt guilty as he thought that he was responsible for Kaamkandala committing suicide. He underwent deep anguish and started constant worship, resulting in Maa Bagulamukhi Devi appearing before him. Raja Vikramaditya requested the goddess to make both Maadhavnal and Kaamkandala alive again and also asked Maa Bagulamukhi Devi to stay at the temple. Since then it is believed that Maa Bagulamukhi Devi is present here. As time passed by the name got transformed from Maa Bagulamukhi to Maa Bamlai to Maa Bamleshwari as it is known today.
Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple is of great spiritual importance & the people of Chattisgarh consider Dongargarh as a TIRTH. Situated at the peak of the mountain at a height of 1000 ft is the main temple at Dongargarh. One has to climb 1100 stairs to reach here. The devotees don't find it hard reaching the temple, firstly because of devotion and faith towards Maa and secondly because of the pure & natural environment of the place, which is surrounded by mountains and ponds. The temple building is under renovation and will be tiled with marble throughout with a 'GUMBAD' made with 1Kg. gold and marble giving a very beautiful look.
How to reach
By Air - Raipur airport 109 kms
By Rail - Raipur railway station is 97 kms away
By Road - Well connected by roads
Raipur - Dongargarh Road drive
Highway - NH 6
Time - 2.6 hrs
Distance - 112 kms
What to see
CHHOTI BAMLESHWARI
There is another temple on the plain of Bamleshwari Devi and is popularly known as Choti Bamleshwari Devi. In ancient times, when due to lack of facilities many people because of age and other reasons failed to climb the mountain for darshan, they established a temple on the plains that slowly took the shape of Choti Bamleshwari Temple.
HANUMANJI
There are two temples of Lord Hanuman, one situated on the plain near Choti-Bamleshwari temple and second on the mountain on the way towards the main Maa Bamleshawari temple.
SHIVJI
The temple of Shivji is almost 3/4th of its way towards Badi Bamleshwari on the mountain & has been recently constructed. It has an outer decoration of many snakes in different postures. The devotees before going to the main temple worship the Shivling and a statue of Lord Shiv that is there in the temple.
HAWAN KUND
Hawan is the worship of AGNI DEV for internal energy and power. Every Sunday between 10 am to 12 noon a Havan is conducted at the Badi Bamleshwari temple on the mountain. During the Navratri Festival offering worship at the temple is believed to be of great importance for the fulfilment of one's aspirations.
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Planning a visit to Chhattisgarh read through travelogues to plan your trip
The summers months of April to June are very hot, May being the hottest and temperatures soars to 40 degree C. June and August are the monsoon months which makes driving around even tougher.
It is best to visit Chhattisgarh during the interesting Bhoramdeo Mahotsav in March.
Ideal time to Visit - October - March.
Capital - Raipur
Chhattisgarh - Full of Surprises
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