The world’s only Dharamraj Maharaj or God of Death temple is located in the Chaurasi group of temples located in the tribal Bharmour district of Himachal Pradesh.
No one has the correct information regarding the establishment of this temple. It is only necessary that King Meru Varman of Chamba princely state renovated the steps of this temple in the sixth century.
Apart from this, no one has any information about the establishment of this temple. It is believed that after the death of Dharmaraj Maharaj, everyone has to go to this temple whether he is a believer or an atheist. There is an empty room in this temple which is believed to be Chitragupta’s room.
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Chitragupta keeps an account of the deeds of the soul. It is believed that when a living being dies, the messengers of Dharmaraj present the soul of that person in front of Chitragupta in this temple.
Laxman Dutt Sharma, the priest of the temple, says that centuries ago this temple of the Chaurasi Temple Group was surrounded by bushes and no one could muster the courage to come here even during the day.
Chitragupta’s court is right in front of the temple and the inverted feet of the soul are also shown here. The priests of the temple tell that there are also two and a half plants here. It is believed that bodies are surrendered here in case of unnatural death.
Along with this, there is also the Vaitarani river on the premises, where cow donation is done. Apart from this, unbroken Dhuna is also burning continuously inside the Dharmaraj temple for two and a half hundred years.
People Walk Outside the Temple with Folded Hands
Some very unique beliefs are prevalent about this temple located in a place called Bharmour in the Chamba district. Even after reaching near the temple, many people cannot muster the courage to enter the temple.
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They go outside the temple with folded hands. This is the only temple in the world dedicated to Dharmaraj (Yamraj).
Chitragupta Lives in an Empty Room
There is an empty room in this temple, which is believed to be Chitragupta’s room. Chitragupta is the secretary of Yamraj who keeps the account of the deeds of the soul.
It is believed that when someone dies, the messengers of Yamraj catch the soul of that person and first present it in front of Chitragupta in this temple.
Complete Details of Deeds are Given
Chitragupta gives full details of the deeds of the soul. After this the soul is taken to the room in front of Chitragupta. This room is called the court of Yamraj.
Here Yamraj tells his decision to the soul according to the deeds. It is believed that there are four invisible doors in this temple which are made of gold, silver, copper, and iron.
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After the decision of Yamraj, the Yamdoots take the soul to heaven or hell through these gates according to their deeds. The Garuda Purana also mentions four gates in four directions in the court of Yamraj.
How to Reach Bharmour
This temple is present in the Chaurasi temple complex of Bharmour. To reach here, you must first reach Chamba.
You can reach Bharmour at a distance of 60 km from Chamba by private vehicle or bus. The nearest railway station here is Pathankot. From where the distance of Chamba is 120 kilometers away.