A flood of faith and devotion gathered at Dharech Temple on Dussehra

A large number of couples performed the mundan ceremony of their children at the fair.
Shimla, October 21. On Wednesday, the fourth day of the Dussehra fair being held at the state’s famous and ancient Jaieshwari Mata Temple in Dharech Keliaghat, approximately 20,000 people visited the temple. The entire Dharech valley echoed with chants of Mata’s praise. It should be noted that Dharech houses the ancient Mata Nagarkoti temple, and the goddess resides in the Keliaghat temple from the eighth day of the Sharad Navratri festival to the full moon to grant darshan to devotees.
The goddess’s minister, Shivram Sharma, explained that the state’s history with Jaieshwari Mata is linked to the state’s Shaktipeeths. He explained that Kangra’s Brajeshwari Mata manifested in Dharech, making Dharech the Siddha Peeth of Mata Nagarkoti. Every year, during Sharad Navratri, the Dussehra fair is held at this temple from Durga Ashtami to Purnima, with a large fair held on Ekadashi. The main attraction at this fair is the darshan of the goddess, with no other activities. People from faraway areas, including Ratangarh, Fagu, Keonthal, and Dharech, come to the temple to offer prayers, especially to have their young children’s heads shaved.
According to Bazir Shiv Ram Sharma, Jaieshwari Nagarkoti Mata is sure to fill the empty lap of childless couples. During this fair, workers from various villages organize langar for devotees in the temple premises every day, including Bagol, Dharthi, Sonthal, Rihad, Batnali, and Khagnaal. Around ten quintals of rice are consumed in the langar organized on Ekadashi.
He explained that in the past, this temple practiced sacrifices, which were stopped by the former minister, Moti Ram Sharma, before the Supreme Court’s orders. He explained that rice grains are offered as prasad at this temple, which people keep in their homes.
According to Shiv Ram Sharma, the Jaieshwari Mata Temple is also establishing itself as a center of religious tourism. For the past few years, devotees from various regions have been visiting the temple year-round, increasing the temple’s religious significance and popularity. In the near future, Dharech will establish its own identity as a religious tourist destination.