Shyamakali Temple

The Shyamakali Mata temple of Mandi is dedicated to Goddess Kali (an incarnation of Goddess Durga). The temple is built on the Tarna Hill and hence is also called the Tarna Devi Temple. The temple is built with red and white stones on a four feet elevated stone platform. Pictures displayed all over the temple show the nine forms of the Goddess (Nav Durga). The sacred bells of the temple are really soothing to the mind and soul. There are many pillars that are beautifully carved depicting the rich architectural style. The dense forest around the temple provides great scenic beauty to the temple. Kali is also called as "Shyamakali" who is the first of the ten avatars (incarnations) of Goddess Durga. Shyamakali is the fearful and ferocious form of the mother Goddess Durga. In this temple Goddess Kali stands in Pratyalidha pose on the chest of Lord Shiva and posseses four hands. She is engaged here in reverse cohabitation with Lord Siva. She holds a sword and displays Abhaya-mudra in her upper left and right hands respectively while her lower left hand is holding a severed human head and the lower right displays Varada-mudra. In this context it is noteworthy that her kind aspect is demonstrated by holding of the sword in her left hand, because the sword in right hand symbolises destruction. She possesses three eyes and is surrounded by jackals and vultures carved on the side. The height of the image is around four feet.