Nartiang Durga Temple – A 600-Year-Old Shakti Peetha in Meghalaya, India
Nartiang Durga Temple in Meghalaya, India, is a 600-year-old Hindu temple located in West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya state of India. Dedicated to Durga, it is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Devotees from all over the country go to this famous temple, which is thought to be the everlasting home of Goddess Durga, especially during the important festival of Durga Puja.
The Jainteshwari temple was built by King Dhan Manik of the Jaintia Kingdom to honor Goddess Durga around six centuries ago. He was motivated by a heavenly vision. The temple may have served as an essential component of a fort under the rule of the Jaintia Kings based on its strategic location and the existence of ancient cannons.
The deep importance of the temple may be traced back to Sati Devi’s moving self-immolation and the mythical Daksha Yagna. It is said that Nartiang became a respected Shakti Peetha when Sati Devi’s left leg fell over it. Shakti is adored as “Jayanti” in this holy sanctuary, while her balancing male energy, “Kalabhairava,” is revered as “Kamadishwar.”
In its religious rites, the temple skillfully combines Hindu and old Khasi customs. The local chieftain plays a crucial role during the great Durga Puja festival, leading special festivities that include the holy act of goat sacrifices. The way Goddess Durga is shown in this place is distinctive; the goddess is represented by a banana plant covered with colorful marigold blooms. A touching finale of the four-day celebration takes place when the decorated plant is ceremoniously submerged in the Myntdu River, followed by a respectful cannon salute honoring the adored Goddess.
The management of the temple is under the direction of the Central Puja Committee, which acts as the guardian of the Hindu community in Meghalaya. They play a significant part by contributing money to fund ongoing maintenance and development projects. The Khasi-Jaintia Hills’ traditions and Bengal’s cultural diversity are beautifully merged during the celebration of Durga Puja at this holy location. Notably, the depiction of Goddess Durga uses a symbolic plantain trunk in accordance with Khasi traditions.
A historic statement on efforts to formally designate Nartiang Durga Temple as a historical site was made in 2017 by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. This momentous choice highlights the temple’s profound historical and cultural significance and further cemented its status as an important religious and cultural monument in Meghalaya, India.