Chhatarpur Temple, Delhi

Being India’s second-largest temple in Delhi, Chhatarpur Temple is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani. The temple house many small as well as large temples with magnificent statues of different deities. Located amidst the beautiful surroundings of the historical Mehrauli area in South Delhi, the temple was established by Sant Shree Nagpal Baba in 1974.

The temple is now a popular tourist attraction in the city and an important pilgrimage center that is visited by a large number of devotees throughout the year. The exquisite architecture of the Chhatarpur Temple is marked by a fabulous use of marble and intricately-carved jaali design. Also, the temple is even known among the heritage sites of South Delhi.

History

The story of this Shaktipeeth is woven inextricably around the life of its Founder the great Saint Shree Durga- Charan-Anuragi Baba Sant Nagpal, who was so full of humility that in his lifetime he did not permit his disciples to glorify his name in any manner. ‘Baba’ (to his devotees) was born in Karnataka on the auspicious full-moon day of the Holi festival in 1981 of Vikram Samvat (corresponding to Tuesday the 10th March).

He lost his parents at a very tender age. It was at the time of cremation of his mother that an unknown lady took the grieving child to the adjacent Temple of Mother Goddess and told him that SHE was the real universal Mother who would always remain with him.

Ever since that moment, the Divine Mother sheltered him in her lap. On his part also, it has been an unquestioned dedication and total surrender to the Divine Mother in thought, word, and deed. For Baba, She was a living reality with whom he remained in communication and never did anything without seeking Her permission and blessings.

Architecture

This temple was till recently the largest in the world, but of late the Akshardham temple is said to have eclipsed it in sheer size. It is built in both South and North Indian style of temple architecture and is considered a sheer marvel of construction. It is a modern design with extensive use of marble and intricately carved jali work. People from all over the world come here not just to pray, but also to take in, its magnificent façade and admire its sheer beauty.