Gauri Shankar Temple, Delhi

The 800 year old Gauri Shankar Temple is a Hindu temple located near the Digambar Jain Lal Mandir on the main Old Delhi road in Chandni Chowk. The Gauri Shankar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of most significant temples of Shaivites. The temple has an 800 year old brown Lingam (phallus stone) encased in a marble representation of a female organ. The Lingam is surrounded by snakes made up of silver and represents a cosmic pillar, the centre of universe or life.

Gauri Shankar Temple, Delhi;

Temple History
Architecture
How To Reach The Temple
Daily Poojas And Festivals
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According to history the temple was built by Apa Ganga Dhar, a Maratha soldier who was a devotee of Lord Shiva. He was once severely injured in a battle and chances of his survival were bleak. So, he prayed to Lord Shiva requesting for his life and promised to build a beautiful temple if he survived. He survived against all odds and builder temple. His name is inscribed in hindi at the lower part of a pointed pyramidal roof like construction near main entrance of the temple. In 1959, Seth Jaipura renovated the temple and his name is inscribed over the windows of the temple. Inside the temple, idols of lord Shiva and his consort Parvati (Gauri-Shankar) and their two sons, Ganesh and Kartik are present. The idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati, wearing real gold jewellery are situated just behind the Lingham under the silver canopy. The Lingham too has a silver water vessel above it from which droplets of water continuously fall.

The entrance of the temple, which has a flight of marble steps and flanking pillars carved with chains and bells, leads directly to the courtyard. Always bustling with the activities of the devotees, the courtyard has all the necessary items of the puja for Lord Shiva like sandalwood paste, flowers, bilva leaves and rice, on sale for the devotees to buy. The unique attraction of the courtyard is a marble chair of Bhagat Swaroup Bramachari, a Hindu saint who spent more than 50 years in the temple. It is his portrait and sandals that are kept here with his teachings about methods to achieve enlightenment.

Inside the temple are idols of Lord Shiva, his consort Parvati (Gauri-Shankar) and their two sons, Ganesh, the elephant headed and Kartik, the god of war. The idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati, wearing real gold jewellery are situated just behind the lingam under the silver canopy. The lingam too has a silver water vessel above it from which droplets of water continuously fall. The other attraction here is the wall behind the idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati, which has beautiful silver paintings depicting the scenes Visitors would definitely enjoy their visit, as they will come to know about a lot of interesting things and facts about the temple, Hindu religion and the different and unique ways of devotees trying to connect to the ‘Supreme Soul’ in their own way.

By Road: The temple present in next to Digambar Jain Temple on the main Chandni Chowk road. Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this sacred monument, or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or metro rail.

By Rail: The nearest Railway Station to the temple is Old Delhi Railway Station

By Air: The Temple can be reached through nearest from Indira Gandhi International Airport which is well connected with regular domestic flights.

This temple Opening & Closing times is 5.00 am to 10.00 am and 5.00pm to 10.00 pm. During this period major part of the Lord Shiva rituals are performed. Archana, Aarti and Abhisekham are the daily pujas performed. The best time to visit this beautiful temple is in the evening during evening Aarti.

The best time to visit the temple is during the festival of Shivratri when it is grandly decorated and filled with devotional activities. One can visit the temple especially on Mondays, which is day of Lord Shiva. The temple is opened all year round and welcomes visitors of all caste and creed.