Temple

Located near the Digambar Jain Lal Mandir on the main Old Delhi road in Chandni Chowk, Gauri Shankar Mandir is an 800 year old famous and ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is famous for its 800 year old brown coloured Lingam made of Phallus Stone that is wrapped within a marble structure that represents the form of a female organ. The Lingam is surrounded by snakes made of pure silver.

Legend

According to the legends, a Maratha Soldier named Apa Ganga Dhar, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva constructed the Gauri Shankar Temple. Once Apa Ganga Dhar was severely injured in a battle and he prayed to Lord Shiva requesting that his life be spared and promised to build a Shiva temple if his wish is granted. Apa Ganga Dhar survived and he build this beautiful temple. Later, in 1959,  Seth Jaipuria renovated the temple.

Architecture

The Gauri Shankar Temple has stairs made of marble at the main entrance that is flanked by tall pillars seen with carvings of bells and chains which leads to a huge courtyard.  The Courtyard showcases a chair made of marble that belonged to a Hindu Saint named Bhagat Swaroop Bramachari who had spent over 50 years of his life in this temple. The name of Apa Ganga Dhar is inscribed in Hindi at the lower part of a pointed pyramidal roof like construction upon a tower that lies near the at the main entrance of the temple. The temple also has an inscription over the windows of the temple about the renovation of the temple made by Seth Jaipuria in 1959. The vessel that can be seen above the Lingam from where droplets of water continuously drips over the Lingam is made of silver. The idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati lying next to the Lingam are dressed in real and pure Gold Jewellery and placed under a canopy made of silver.

Darsan Info

05.00 AM to 10.00 AM and 05.00 PM to 10.00 PM

Darsan Dresscode

Wear modest clothes and avoid shorts for men

Famous Festival

Maha shiva ratri

Culture

Delhi has always been a major attraction is terms of fairs and festivals observed in the city. Lohri, Holi and Diwali are the main festivals celebrated in the city. Chhat Puja, Durga Puja, Eid-ul-Fitr are some other festivals of Indian region celebrated with pomp and splendor in Delhi. Besides, Delhi is also influenced by the culture of its bordering states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Not only this, the famous monuments like the Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, etc add to the charm of the capital city.

Temple Rituals

Morning pooja and arati starts from 05:30 AM onwards

Additional Info