Credit: Mohit Wadhawan
About Mathi temple
Chitkul, one of the highest settlements in Baspa Valley, is located in the district of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. Immense with beautiful flora and fauna, the valley is famous for its scenic beauty among visitors. But visitors don’t know the valley has many historical places to explore. MathiDevii Temple, the 5th-century BC temple, is one of the oldest temples in the region.
The temple is dedicated to the Devi Chhitkul Mata, commonly known as Shiromani Mata.
Mythology of Mathi temple
According to the legend, once Lord Badrinath’s wife, Mathi, was determined to travel to Tibet from Brindavan,. So she started the journey, and she reached Barua Khad. Beyond which she discovered the region was divided into seven sections. Narenas, who was her nephew, was the deity of the Shuang Village. She made all provisions for the welfare of the residents and appointed Narenas as a watchman of the village. As she proceeded further, the next Chasu village came across. Here she found that Narenas is again the deity of this village. She made similar arrangements as the previous village.
After Chasu village, she reached Kamru fort, which comes under the third division. The lord Badrinath was protecting the village and the throne of Bushar. Seeing all the arrangements in proper order, she moved to the next Dhumthan subdivision. She appointed her husband to take care of her. In Rakcham division, she gives responsibility to Shanshares, and in Rupin Ghati to Barang Nag. At last, she reached Chitkul and made her final abode. She started supervising all divisions in Chitkul. As the day passed, the area around Chitkul became prosperous, increasing the wealth of the locals.
All such happenings increase the belief of locals in her, and they start worshiping whenever calamities or disasters meet. It increases the importance of the Mathi temple to the people of the temple as the goddess of Kinnaur.
Architecture
Mathi Temple reflects the Kathkuni style of architecture. The wooden framework on walls and roofs looks spectacular, with motifs of dragons.