Unveiling the legend of shakti peeth
A captivating legend surrounds the temple's origin. It is believed that after Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva, sacrificed herself in her father's yagna (fire sacrifice), Lord Shiva, overwhelmed with grief, carried her body and performed Tandava, the celestial dance of destruction. To prevent universal devastation, Lord Vishnu divided Sati's body into 51 parts using his Sudarshana Chakra. All the places where her body parts fell, are called Shakti Peeths (sacred abode of Shakti). The left breast of Sati is said to have landed at this very spot, imbuing the temple with the sanctity of a Shakti Peeth, a revered place for Hindus all over the world.
Whispers of the past: A historical legacy
The temple's history is as rich as the legends associated with it. It is believed that the Pandavas, the righteous heroes of the epic Mahabharata, constructed the original temple. According to a legend, the Pandavas dreamt of Goddess Durga, who instructed them to build a temple in Nagarkot to ensure their safety. Heeding the divine vision, they promptly constructed a magnificent temple on the site.
However, the course of history witnessed this abode of Goddess enduring multiple assaults by invaders. Notably, Mahmud Ghazni, a notorious ruler, plundered this religious complex at least five times, on different occasions. Brajeshwari Devi Temple's immense wealth, including tonnes of gold and numerous silver bells, made it a prime target for invaders. Sadly, in the year 1905, a powerful earthquake reduced this holy compound to ruins but it was restored to its former glory in 1920 AD.
