Nerasa Devi temple is situated on a solitary place just two km ahead from Naras village, which lies in between Gherwin and Samoh in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh. This temple is situated just at the top of place named Baroha, on a hilly rock. According to Shashi Vansh Vinod- when Raja Kalyan Chand made Sunhani capital of his kingdom he also constructed Nares Devi temple along with it. He had employed person to bring Charnamrit of Nares mata regularly. He ruled from 1600 to 1636 which gives an idea that this temple is about 350–400 years old.
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History
There are many legends regarding this temple. Priest who belongs to caste –Koli, tells that where now mata’s temple exist there was earlier a huge tree of Summann. It is said that once an asteroid type of light appear in the tree and later mata’s Pindi was found below the tree. Mata appeared in Pujari ancestors dream and ordered him to build a temple where the Pindi was lying so that people can worship Her. This Pindi is still lying in the temple.
Another legend is that once Raja Kalyan Chand got angry over the Pujari, he asked to present Mata in physical form. Frightened Pujari’s prayed in the temple over night and requested Mata for protection from the king. When Raja Kalyan Chand reached temple in the morning he saw in place of Pindi embodied Durga Maa standing having her back towards Raja as she was angry and did not wanted to give Darshan. She presented her only to prove her existence. It is said that due to Mata’s fury, there was a war in between Kehloor and Saket in which Kehloor king died, that’s why Chandel Rajpoot do not visit Mata’s temple.
According to Markandeya Purana King Surath did Tapasya of Naresa Devi (that time Naresha)and Mata gave him Darshan.
Fair
A large fair is held on the day of Sair. Devotees come to Mata’s temple throughout the year.