Country India Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) | State Himachal Pradesh Coastline 0 kilometres (0 mi) | |
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Chhatrari is 45 km from Chamba via road is this famous village of Chhattrari. The village is inhabited mostly by the Gaddies who are semi-postral lot engaged in rearing of sheep and goats. This village, situated at a height of 6,000 feet (1,800 m), it is famous for its remarkable hill-style temple of Shakti Devi.
Map of Chhatrari, Himachal Pradesh 176324
Chattrari has a beautiful Deodar forests in the back drop and small and ancient town ship. The Chattrari village has a temple complex constructed during 680 AD, the temple has specific sculpture using wood and slate roof. The Idol placed inside the temple is made of Panchloha (An alloy of 5 metals), and is quite lustrous. it is said by the elders of the village that the temple used to be a revolving one on base over a pivot. But, later on it was fixed to the ground. The old idols which were made of stone, are now fixed outside the shrine, having been replaced by a statue made of an alloy.
The outer walls of Sanctum sanctorum, are painted with vegetable dyes mainly depict Gods like Vishnu, Narsingh (The God with human body and Lion head, the avatar of Lord Vishnu) and other goddesses. An idol of the sculptor "Gugga" also finds a place in the main shrine on the left corner of the Shakti Mata statue.
Every year in the month of September on the third day of Mani Mahesh Fair in Bharmour, water from Mani Mahesh Sarovar (Lake) is brought and the idol of Shakti Mata is performed a holy bath. the masked dances are performed by the local inhabitants, a Hindu Shepherd community locally known as "Gaddi". On this occasion, the Gaddis offer many sheep and goat as sacrifice before Mata.
People can reach by trek on a bridal path from Gehra to Chattrari or through a vehicle up to Chattrari village, from Luna and a little walk of less than half a kilometer.
The village has a Forest Rest House built during 1960 in the Fringes of DPF (Forest). A recent addition to the township being a double storied PWD Rest House providing facility to the visitors a comfortable stay.
The following are some of the pictures relevant to Shakti Mata Mandir