Vindhyachal Dham - Shaktipeeth
Vindhyachal Dham is one among the important Shaktipeeths and legend has it that Sati’s left toe had fallen here after she destroyed herself on hearing the humiliating words from Daksha about her husband Lord Shiva.
Goddess Durga after eliminating the fierce demon Mahishasura decided to reside on the hills here and thus she came to be known as Vindhyavasini. Residing here she continued to eliminate several other demons.
Devotees believe that by worshipping Maa Vindhyavasini all their desires will be fulfilled.
Devotees believe that by worshipping Maa Vindhyavasini all their desires will be fulfilled.
Lal Bhairav
Before approaching Vindhyachal Temple, on the way there is
Bhairava Temple – Lal Bhairav. It is one kilometer before the main Mother
Goddess temple. He is the guardian deity of the Vindhyachal Temple. Every Shaktipeeth
has a Bhairava shrine and he guards the temple. Lal Bhairav is a ferocious
looking murti – 6 feet and blood red in color.
It is believed that one has to have darshan of Lal Bhairav
before visiting Maa Vindhyavasini. Mother listens to prayers of her children
only if they have paid respect to Lal Bhairav first.
Vindhyachal Dham
Vindhyachal Dham is located on the banks of Ganga River and
one has to climb a few steps to reach the shrine. Both the sides of the steps
are filled with shops selling various holy items related to the temple.
9-day Navratri is the most important festival here. Both
Chaitra Navratri (March – April) and Sharad Navratri (September – October)
attracts nearly a million devotees. Saints and pious souls sit in meditation on
the Vindhyachal mountain during the period.
Three forms of Mother Goddess – Maha Lakshmi, Maha Kali and
Maha Saraswati – are worshipped in the temple.
It is believed that Goddess Parvati performed penance here
to get Shiva as husband.
Lord Ram performed Shradh here for the peace of his
ancestors. Ramganga ghat and the Rameshwaram Linga here are related to this
divine incident.
Ramkunda (small pond) here is associated with Lord Ram.
It is believed that temple itself sits on a Mahalakshmi
Yantra.
Murti of Maa Vindhyavasini
Maa Vindhyavasini is worshiped in the form of a 5-feet tall
back stone murti. She sits on the her mount a lion. The big eyes of Maa
Vindhyavasini are adorned with gold and silver and this give a feel of her
looking at us.
Goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is adorned with North
Indian style decorations like gold crown, bangles, necklaces, rings and red
color cloth. The murti is always decorated with fresh flowers and garlands.
Devotees visiting the shrine have to stand in a queue and
the devotee is allowed to touch the feet of Mother and submit offerings.
The temple complex has numerous Shivlings and a big murti of
Hanuman.
Vindhavasini Temple darshan is complete only after visiting Kali khoh (dedicated to Goddess Kali) and Ashta Bhuja (dedicated to Goddess
Saraswati). Both the temples are located within a 3 km radius.
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