 Pilgrimage is an evergreen
from of travel in India having some world’s best divine spots.
For thousands of years, the spiritual minded people have embarked
on journey to Hatkoti to become closer to God. Hatkoti is
situated in far-flung areas, away from the hustle and bustle of
human life, and creates an extraordinary serene environment by nature.
The holy pilgrimage place Hatkoti is located exactly at 105 kms
east of Shimla on the bank of river Pabar. This mysterious valley
of stone temples Hatkoti is wrapped by two mountain streams as Bishkulti
and Raanvti. The majestic confluence of three water streams makes
Hatkoti a perfect place for Hindu pilgrimages.
Hatkoti is not a single temple in separation; it’s a combination
of a large number of small temples. The main temple of Hatkoti is
festooned with the idol of Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva in the near
by small temple. The Dharmashala, a Kirtan Ghar and a rest house also
built up within the Mandir complex. All these temple are the brilliant
example of fine art and architecture. Once the regions economic activity
is largely based on the long and interesting structure of Hatkoti
temples. Hatkoti temples belong to the Gupta period i.e. the construction
was done in between sixth and ninth century AD. The devotees can also
reach the Hatkoti temples by driving through Shimla-Theog-Kotkhai-Kharapathar-Hatkoti-Rohru
route. Himachal Pradesh itself compiled though with the temples that
has a special admiration to Hatkoti, the abode of Goddess Mahishasurmardini.
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Eight-armed Mata Hateshwari;
riding on lion and drives her spear through the heart of the demon
Mahishasura depicts the popular history of goddess Mahishasurmardini.
The idol exquisitely cast in bronze, emits a soft ethereal glow
is the charming feature of the temple Garbhagriha or the sanctum
sanctorum. The Shiva Temple, a significant spot of Hatkoti and the
existing Shiva Lingam is larger than the doorway. Panzo Pandoora
Ghaurdoo is a temple made by Pandavs is placed near the Sunpuri
hills. Near the Mahishasurmardini temple there exists Charoo, which
securely chained to an image of Ganesha. In the enroute to Hatkoti
to Shimla, Khara Patther an upcoming skiing spot is able to attract
a huge number of tourists. It is a mostly visited pilgrimage mood
as Giri Ganga locates a few Kms far from Khara Patther. The architecture
and design of Hatkoti Temple was formerly in the classical Shikhara
or tower style and thus successful in grabbing a large array of
pilgrims and visitors through out the year.