Bambleshwari Temple is situated at the top of a 1600 feet high hill in Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh. The temple is devoted to the Hindu goddess Maa Bambleshwari Devi. The temple has 2 separate segments; "Badi Bambleshwari" is the temple at the hilltop, where as "Chhotti Bambleshwari" is located a bit further away from the vicinity of the main temple. The magnificent view from the top might be an added attraction for the visitors who come to witness the might of Bambleshwari Devi. An enormous statue of Lord Buddha in golden is visible on the opposite mountain.

Legend of Bambleshwari Temple
Bambleshwari Temple is steeped in ancient legends. Legend goes that around 2200 years ago, Raja Veersen, a local king, was childless and upon the suggestions of his royal priests performed puja to the gods. Within a year, the queen gave birth to a son whom they named "Madansen". Raja Veersen considered this a blessing of Lord Shiva and Parvati and constructed the temple of "Shri Bambleshwari Mandir" at Dongargarh.

Another legend has it that after the death of Maadhavnal and Kaamkandala, King Vikramaditya felt guilty as he thought that he was responsible for Kaamkandala committing suicide. He underwent deep anguish and started constant worship, resulting in Maa Bagulamukhi Devi appearing before him.

King Vikramaditya requested the goddess to make both Maadhavnal and Kaamkandala alive again and also asked Maa Bagulamukhi Devi to stay at the temple. Since then it is believed that "Maa Bagulamukhi Devi" is present here.

Features of Bambleshwari Temple
Bambleshwari Temple contains a shrine of "Maa Bagulamukhi Devi", one of the embodiments of Hindu Goddess Durga. As time passed by, the name got transformed from "Maa Bagulamukhi" to "Maa Bamlai" to "Shri Bambleshwari Mandir" as it is known today. The renowned temple is a pilgrimage destination for many devotees who visit in huge numbers through out the year. Devotees have to ascend 1100 stairs in order to arrive at their holy destination. There is also a ropeway path for the convenience of the devotees and worshippers.

Festivals at Bambleshwari Temple
During the Navaratris of Kavar (Dussehra) and Chaitra (during Ramnavami), numerous devotees from around the country flock to Bambleshwari Temple. During these festivals, melas or fairs are conducted in the vicinity of the temple. There is tradition of lighting Jyoti Kalash during Navaratris here.

How to Reach Bambleshwari Temple
Dongargarh is 40 km from district headquarters Rajnandgaon and is well connected with buses from Rajnandgaon. Dongargarh is also well connected with trains. It is on the Mumbai - Howrah main line at a distance of 200 km from Nagpur and 100 km from Raipur. The nearest airport is at Raipur Airport.

The rope-way in the hill on which the temple is located, is another attraction to the tourists in the city. It is very popular to the tourists as it is the only rope-way that has been set up in Chhattisgarh state.