#Bhimadevi Temples temples of the #Goddess
Known to be among the oldest temples in existence in the northern parts of India, the Bhimadevi temples were built between the 11th and 14th centuries.
In #Sarahan, a five-story Bhimadevi temple can be found (pictured below). The origin of the temple is given in Markandeya Purana. The legend states that Goddess Durga had promised the devotees that she would reincarnate herself to save them from the atrocities committed by the asuras (demons). She kept her word and killed the demons, and came to be known as Bhima #Devi.
The temple in Sarahan combines elements of #Hindu and #Buddhist architecture and looks like a monastery. It is situated on a hillock…on the banks of the river Sutlej. The original temple collapsed in an earthquake in 1905.
In 1943, a new temple was built in the same style near the old one, and so there are now two Bhimadevi temples, and hence…two images of the Goddess. The image in the old temple portrays the Goddess as a young maiden, while the image in the new temple portrays her as a mature woman. There are various other deities in the temple, including Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, and even Buddha.
- The Encyclopedia of Hinduism
