 |
| Standing against the left façade of Mata Hateshwari temple at Draura-Dhar, Sunder Nagar |
Hi there,
Some days just feel made for adventure. For me, that day was
a Sunday in June 2014 — the perfect mix of summer clouds and cool breeze, ideal
for a short motorcycle ride along the hills. What better destination than the Hateshwari
Mata Temple, perched atop Draura-Dhar, one of the scenic spots near Sunder
Nagar, Himachal Pradesh.
The Journey to Draura-Dhar
It was around noon when we started from Sunder Nagar. Though
the sky was overcast, thankfully, there was no rain yet. (Interestingly, as I
sit writing this at 7:00 PM, the rain has finally arrived — classic Himachali
weather!)
This ride was special for me — I was still fairly new to
handling a Hero Honda CBZ, and though it wasn’t my first time, the
thrill was still fresh. My neighbour, Mr. Vinod Sharma from Salah,
Sunder Nagar, confidently hopped on the pillion seat, trusting me with the ride
— a confidence I hoped to justify!
The Route
The road from Sunder Nagar Bus Stand to Draura-Dhar
is roughly 6 km of good, single-lane surfaced road, followed by another 1
km stretch, narrower at about 2.5 metres, but equally scenic.
To reach the temple:
✔ Take a left turn from Chatrokhri Chowk.
✔ Further left towards Mahamaya Temple.
✔ After passing Mahamaya Temple, the route winds
through refreshing stretches of pine and oak forests, making the ride
absolutely rejuvenating.
✔ At the next diversion, turn right (the left
goes to Maloh).
✔ Another right at the following fork, and you’ll find yourself on a narrow, single-track road leading
straight to Hateshwari Mata Temple.
The road was freshly resurfaced with bituminous concrete — smooth, safe, and enjoyable.
First Impressions of the Temple
The temple is located at one of the most beautiful hilltop spots around Sunder Nagar. Standing there, overlooking the valley and the distant town, I couldn’t help but imagine how this site could have once served as an ancient lookout — a beacon point in times long gone.
 |
| Maa Hateshwari temple at Draura-Dhar, Sunder Nagar (H.P.) |
The architecture of the temple is slightly distinct from other temples in the area — somewhat similar to Sheetla Mata Temple. Above the solid concrete plinth, much of the structure is covered in glass, creating an airy, modern touch. The most striking feature is the inverted, flower-petal shaped roofs — a subtle but elegant design element.
Inside the Temple
 |
| Idol of Maa Hateshwari at Draura-Dhar Temple, Sunder Nagar |
The temple walls and beams were beautifully painted, adorned with Sanskrit mantras and famous couplets of Saint Kabir, adding a sense of wisdom and serenity to the place. I couldn't resist clicking a few pictures of Maa Hateshwari's idol, radiating peace and divinity.
 |
| Hateshwari Maa Darbar at Draura-Dhar temple, Sunder Nagar |
I was pleasantly surprised by the eco-friendly touches — large glass openings on all four sides of the temple allowed natural daylight to flood in, reducing the need for artificial lighting. There was also a solar panel installed at the entrance — always a welcome sight in today’s world.
The Bhandara (Community Meal)
One of the most heart-warming aspects of this temple is the
regular Bhandara (free meal), served to all visitors every Sunday and
Tuesday. We happily joined in, and the simple, freshly prepared food tasted
even better surrounded by the mountains and good company.
 |
| Bhandara (ommunity meal) at every Sunday and Tuesday at Mata Hateshwari temple at Draura-Dhar, Sunder Nagar |
According to the Mata Sevak, the temple receives generous donations from devotees, enough to fund these meals, ongoing maintenance, and future construction. He even mentioned that former Chief Minister Sh. Prem Kumar Dhumal and his son Mr. Anurag Thakur often visit this temple, albeit discreetly, to avoid public gatherings.
Faith That Grows Stronger
Listening to the stories of fulfilled prayers and watching
the devotion of the people, it’s hard not to feel a deeper connection to
something beyond ourselves. When I say you can "see those powers at
work," I truly mean it — sometimes faith isn’t just felt, it’s visible in
the dedication and joy of the devotees.
Final Thoughts
 |
| A lady praying at Hateshwari Mata temple, Draudadhar, Sunder Nagar. |
The only thing missing that day was the Prashna
(seeking divine answers), which the priest couldn’t perform due to the rush of
visitors. But that’s all the more reason to plan another visit.
If you ever find yourself in or around Sunder Nagar,
I highly recommend making the ride to Hateshwari Mata Temple. Whether
it’s for the peaceful darshan, the scenic views, or simply the joy of a
mountain ride — it’s an experience worth having.
Thanks for reading, and as always — please visit again!
 |
| Mr. Vinod Sharma at Hateshwari Maa at Draura-Dhar temple, Sunder Nagar |
No comments:
Post a Comment