Hi everyone, I’m Rajnish Pathania, and I work in online marketing, which some people call digital marketing. But I’m not just about marketing; I also have a big love for writing about new things. One of the things I love most is Nurpur – the place I’ve lived my whole life. Nurpur is a really beautiful place, and even though everyone loves their hometowns, mine has a special place in my heart. In this blog, I want to share the beauty of Nurpur and the amazing things you can do when you visit.
So, let’s get started and explore the wonderful world of Nurpur!
A Quick Look at Nurpur’s History
To truly understand Nurpur, we should start with a little history. Nurpur used to be called Dhameri, but it got its new name when Nur Jahan, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, came to Kangra after they won a big battle at Kangra Fort. Nowadays, Nurpur is a part of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. It’s a place where you can feel the history, spirituality, and culture all come together.
Now, let’s discover the 5 incredible places in Nurpur that will make you feel a deep sense of peace.
- Nurpur Fort
- Brijraj Swami Mandir
- Eco Park Nurpur
- Nagni Mata Mandir
- Divkeshwar Mahadev Temple
1. Nurpur Fort:
When it comes to the best places to visit in Nurpur, Nurpur Fort always tops my list. This is because Nurpur remarkable history, diverse cultural influences, and awe-inspiring architecture. You can explore the depths of history, immerse yourself in various spiritual cultures, and marvel at the incredible craftsmanship that brought this fort to life through stone cutting and more.
History Nurpur Fort
In the 11th century, a place called Nurpur Kingdom was founded by Raja Jhet Pal. He was the younger brother of Anangpal II, who was in charge of Delhi at that time. Originally, they named this place Dhameri. The name was switched to Nurpur when Empress Nur Jahan visited and really liked the place.
In 1815, the Sikhs won the Battle of Nurpur. After only 10 years of Raja Bhir Singh’s rule, the Nurpur kingdom became part of Ranjit Singh’s territory. Raja Bhir Singh later regained Nurpur in 1846, but he died while defending the gates of Nurpur Fort.
2. Brij Raj Swami Mandir
As we delve deeper into the heart of Nurpur, we come across the Brijraj Swami Mandir. It’s a peaceful and spiritual place where the people in Nurpur have deep faith. When you visit, the quiet atmosphere and the sound of bells make you feel calm. Going there can be a meaningful experience, helping you connect with the culture and religion of Himachal Pradesh.
History Behind Brijraj Swami Mandir
Brij Raj Swami Mandir is unique because it’s one of the few places where both Lord Krishna and Meera Bai idols are worshipped. The temple, representing the Nurpur kingdom, was built in the 16th century.
Here’s an interesting story:
Raja Jagat Singh, the king of Nurpur, went to Chittaurgarh and asked for a statue of Lord Krishna as a parting gift. He brought back a black stone idol of Lord Krishna from Rajasthan. When he returned, they named the temple Brij Raj Swami Temple after the king brought his special gift.
3. Eco Park Nurpur:
There’s a special park located in Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh , known as Eco Park. What makes it unique is that it’s full of plants that can help with health, like herbs and shrubs, which makes it fascinating for people who visit. This park was made by removing unwanted weeds from the forest. The eco park uses sunlight for its lights, which is good for the environment. There are spots for doing yoga, a place for kids to have fun, and a path where you can take a nice walk, about 500 meters long.
There’s a system to water the plants using rainwater, and it can hold a lot, 50,000 liters! When you enter, you’ll see beautiful climbing flowers. Along the path, there are special places with signs that tell you about local plants that can make you feel better, making your walk more interesting. You can visit this place anytime because it’s open 24 hours.
4. Nagni Mata Mandir Padwar
Nurpur Nagni Mata Mandir is located in Nagni Village also known as Padwar. This village is situated near to the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway. People also call Nagni Mata by the name Surasa Mata, and she’s considered the goddess of snakes. Sometimes, especially during fairs or at other times, people believe they see the Mother Goddess as Nagani in the water stream, inside the temple, or in the courtyard. She might appear in different colors like copper, gold, or even milky, and sometimes, a serpent is seen sitting on the sacred pindi.
Nagni Mata Mandir is a place where snake bites, scorpion stings, and other poisonous animal bites are treated by having people drink water and applying a special mud paste called Shakkar Prasad. Every Saturday in the months of July and August, a fair is held in this mandir. This fair lasts for two months and many devotees from Himachal Pradesh and nearby states like Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir visit to seek blessings from Nagni Mata.
History Behind Establishment of the Temple
Here’s an interesting story about how this temple established. Once, a snake charmer fooled Mata Nagni and locked her in a box. Later, King Jagat Singh had a dream where he saw Mata Nagni and asked the snake charmer to set her free. When the snake charmer reached Kandwal in Nurpur, the king released Mata Nagni and brought her back to Padwar.
5. Divkeshwar Mahadev Temple:
Our tour of Nurpur’s special places wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Divkeshwar Mahadev Temple. This old temple shows how important religion is here and located in Suliali, Himachal Pradesh. The Shiva cave and the Shivalinga made of Pindi are really beautiful. I felt very calm and relaxed in the temple. There’s also a small waterfall next to the temple, making it even more beautiful and forms a natural swimming pool where devotees can take a dip also.
History Behind Divkeshwar Mahadev Temple
In Hindu stories, there was a king named Daksha Prajapati. He organized a special ceremony at a temple. His daughter Sati, who was married to Lord Shiva, felt hurt because her father didn’t invite her husband to the ceremony. Even though she felt hurt, she went to the ceremony. At the ceremony, Sati saw that her father was treating Lord Shiva badly. She was so upset that she decided to end her own life by jumping into the ceremonial fire. Lord Shiva was furious when he found out, and he sent his powerful followers, Virabhadra and Bhadrakali, to the ceremony.
A big fight broke out between them and the other gods and people at the ceremony. In the end, Virabhadra beheaded Daksha, but later, at the request of other gods, Daksha was given a goat’s head instead of his own.
In conclusion, Nurpur is a wonderful place to visit because it has a lot of interesting history, spiritual places, and beautiful nature. There are five special places you can visit there: Nurpur Fort, Brijraj Swami Mandir, Eco Park Nurpur, Nagni Mata Mandir, and Divkeshwar Mahadev Temple. These places will show you the beauty and culture of Nurpur. Whether you like history, spirituality, or nature, Nurpur has something for you. So, come and explore this hidden gem in Himachal Pradesh, and let it capture your heart and soul.
Stay tuned for more information and tips about Nurpur in the upcoming sections of this blog.