Nartiang Durga Temple - Recognition, History & Temple Timing

Northeastern India's Meghalaya state contains the 600-year-old Nartiang Durga Temple in the West Jaintia Hills region. One of the Hindu Shaktism sects, it serves as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. Hindus in Meghalaya's Jaintia Hills believe this temple is Goddess Durga's permanent residence. Both the Bhairava and the Shakti of the temple to Nartiang Durga Temple Devi have worship as Jayanti. Lord Shiva has worshipped as Karmadishwar.

On the occasion of Durga Shakti peeth Puja, a sizable number of pilgrims go from all across the nation to visit the Shaktipeeth. It has believed that the Goddess's left thigh fell at Nartiang in the Jaintia hills. According to devotees, anyone who wishes here would have his wish granted.

Hence the Goddess is known as Jayanteshwari. It has believed that Lakshmi Narayan influenced the Jaintia royalty to convert to Hinduism. King Dhan Manik made Nartiang the Jaintia Kingdom's summer capital. One night, the Goddess visited him in a dream, explained the significance of the location, and requested that he construct a temple in her honour. Subsequently, the Jayanteshwari temple has established at Nartiang. 

The Shaktipeeth or temple's advantageous location and cannons and other armaments imply that it once belonged to the Jaintia monarchs' fort.

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Nartiang Durga Temple architecture:

Nartiang Durga Temple, or Shaktipeeth, is on a top hill. The temple's art and architecture are beautiful and a hill containing the temple is encircled by mountains, forests, and rivers.  A gold-plated sheet has to cover the temple dome. The temple's courtyard is sizable. Around the temple or Shaktipeeth, there are three caves. The holy Trinity's idols—Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Ishwar—can be found in the first cave. Lord Shiva's idol is in the second cave, and is in the third cave. The temple originally had a thatched roof, which has a style of roof typical to most Khasi homes.

Ramakrishna Mission later took over the renovation of this temple, giving it a tin roof and a more durable construction. The temple's main deity, Goddess Durga, is represented by an idol. But it also has a Shiva temple close to the main temple's grounds. Since the temple has perched on top of a hill directly above the Myundu River, one can see the river flowing below. The Boli Garbha resides in the temple's basements.

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A tunnel links this location to the river. The Boli Garbha performs the sacrifice ritual. It has said that the head of the human sacrifice offered in the temple used to fall into this river. The temple's priests are from the same family. 

The priesthood has passed down from father to son. Since the temple features stone pillars, this location is called the "garden of monoliths." The monoliths can be visible from the Nartiang Durga Temple. The monoliths are dolmens, or flat, horizontal stones, known as Moo Kynthai (women), and menhirs, or upright stones, known locally as Moo Shynrang (men).

Worship in Navratri:

In Nartiang Durga Temple, a banana tree is decorated with marigold flowers during Navratras and is worshipped as Maa Durga. At the end of this festival, which runs from Shashti Tithi to Navami Tithi of Navratri, a banana tree in the form of a Goddess is immersed in the nearby Maytang River. A gun salute has also given to Mata Durga at the beginning of the festival. In ancient times, this temple had a tradition of human self-immolation, which closed decades ago. On the day of Ashtami, goats and ducks are sacrificed in this temple by wearing dhoti in human masks.

Also Read: Manimahesh-The Abode of Lord Shiva

Temple timing

6:00 am - 8 pm

Best time to Visit:

October to March

Other Places To See Around Jayanti Shakti Peeth:

• Dawki, Meghalaya

• Nartiang Monoliths Park, Meghalaya

• Umangot River, Meghalaya

•  Jowai, Meghalaya

How to reach:

However, Meghalaya's capital Shillong has an airport at Umroi, 30 km from the capital region. Air service is available from here to Kolkata and Guwahati. The distance from Nartiang Durga Temple at Nartiang to the airport at Umroi is about 67 km.

The temple is approximately 3 kilometres from Nartiang, 61 from Shillong, and 62 from the Shilong bus station. The nearby railway station is at Guwahati. 

Guwahati Railway Station seems 153 kilometres away. From Guwahati Airport it is 177 kilometres.