70-yr-old Durga Mata Mandir lights up amid Navratri fervour

As the festival of Navratri begins this Monday, the 70-year-old Durga Mata Mandir near Jagraon Bridge in Ludhiana has transformed into a vibrant centre of devotion.

Established in 1955 through the efforts of Muni Lal Mittal, the temple began as a modest shrine and has since grown into a revered spiritual landmark, drawing devotees not only from Ludhiana but across the state and beyond.

During Navratri, thousands of worshippers line up for the darshan of the nine incarnations of Maa Durga, whose majestic idols reside in the temple alongside a grand Shivling and other deities, including Lakshmi Narayan, Radha Krishna, Hanuman and the entire Shiv Parivar.

Rajni Verma, 42, a homemaker from Model Town, said, “Every Navratri, I come here with my daughters. The nine forms of Maa Durga remind us of strength, grace and protection. This temple feels like home.”

The rituals are performed with full traditional sanctity, creating an atmosphere of deep spiritual resonance. “Every year, I come here during Navratri. The energy and peace I feel here is unmatched,” said Rajesh Sharma, a devotee who has been visiting the temple for over 15 years.

Simran Kaur, 26, a student from BRS Nagar, said, “Even in a crowd, there’s peace here. The dome, the idols, the chants—it’s like stepping into another world. I never miss the Navratri aarti.”

The temple’s architecture is a testament to artistic devotion. Ludhiana’s renowned sculptor, Banta Singh, crafted the idols of Maa Durga and Maa Saraswati, while the temple’s iconic dome, which was completed in over seven years, features intricate carvings of Shiv’s ganas, serpents, conch and chakra motifs, Surya Dev and even a map of India. The dome design was conceptualised in 1976 with guidance from Sudesh Gupta and artisans from Lucknow.

Beyond its spiritual significance, the temple is also a beacon of community service. In 2009, it inaugurated a diagnostic centre and dental chair, along with a charitable hospital for economically weaker sections.

“This temple doesn’t just offer blessings—it offers help when we need it the most,” shared Gurpreet Kaur, a local resident, who benefited from the medical services.

Harjeet Singh, 58, a shopkeeper near Jagraon Bridge, said, “I’ve seen this temple grow over decades. During Navratri, the whole area lights up—not just with diyas, but also with devotion. It’s the heartbeat of our locality.”

As the Navratris commence, the Durga Mata Mandir once again stands ready to welcome devotees with open arms, offering not just divine blessings but a legacy of compassion, artistry and unwavering faith.