Nartiang Durga temple History

Nartiang Durga temple History, Timings, Darshan, Route Info

The Nartiang located in the Jaitia Hills of Meghalaya, which is known as the garden of Monoliths, as the place is composed of many scattered monoliths (stone pillars). The Nartiang shows a 500 years old Durga temple, this temple is one of the 51  shakti peeths of Mata Sati. According to the legends, Sathi Devi’s left thigh felt here and this temple is regarded as one of the Sakthi peeths.

The temple shows the deities Durga Maa Idol (Main deity) and the Shiva temple nearby the main temple. Locally goddess Durga is known as Jainteshwari as the Left thigh of Devi Sathi fell here in the Jaintia Hills. The Nartiang Durga temple situated right on top of the hill from where one can view the Myundu River flowing below.

At the basement of the temple, there is a Boli Garbha where the sacrificing ritual is followed which is continued to the river forming a tunnel.

The Durga temple houses the ancient guns of the Kings, which is a diversified look when compared to other temples as no other temple shows this kind of look.

The temple is famous for devotion and daily rituals are followed but during the Durga puja the famous festival celebrated in Nartian at Durga temple is celebrated magnificently. During this eve a crowd of devotees flock to the temple, devotees sacrifice goats and ducks. Earlier human beings were been sacrificed later it was banned by British Council. Now the ritual is continued but instead of humans goats and ducks are sacrificed.

But the goats are sacrificed by wearing a human mask. Also, the devotees dress up a banana Festivals and worship as a goddess at end of festival the immerse (Visarjan) the plant in the holy river. The temple also highlights The Monoliths at the Market Center, the Shamai Mandir..etc near to the Durga temple. The temple also the climate and other views attract the visitors and devotees.

Nartiang Durga temple Timings: 

All Days Of The Week. 7.00 am to 8.00 pm

Nartiang Durga temple Rituals :

·       The rituals of both Hindu and ancient Khasi traditions are followed. ·       Sacrificing of goats and ducks (wearing human masks).

Nartiang Durga temple Festivals:

DURGA PUJA

• The Durga Puja is the main festival of the Nartiang Durga Temple.
• During the Durga Puja, goats, ducks and hens are sacrificed in honour to the goddess.
• Also, a banana plant is dressed up as the goddess and worshipped.
• At the end of the festival, the banana plant (holy plant) is immersed in Myntdu river.
• The guns are shot into the air as a salute to the goddess of the festive event.

How to reach Nartiang Durga temple?

BY ROAD : ·       Shillong Bus Stand – 60 Km (Nearest)

BY TRAIN : ·       Guwahati railway station – 176Km(Nearest)

BY AIR : ·       Shillong Airport – 23 Km (Nearest)