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Yogmaya Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Yogmaya temple is also known as the Jogmaya temple which is dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, sister of Lord Krishna. One of the oldest and the ancient Hindu temple situated in the small village of Mehrauli is the ancient Yogmaya Temple.

It is located in New Delhi near the Qutub Complex, this shrine is believed to be amongst one of the five surviving temples from the Mahabharata period in the city. Mehrauli was the first capital of post-Rajput era and all the rulers ruled from here.

This is one of the five temples dedicated to Yogmaya, other 4 being in Barmer, Jodhpur, Vrindavan and Multan. The deity is worshipped as the mother of all beings and is considered one of the personal powers of the divine.

Lord Krishna (who was born at midnight on Ashtami, in the Mathura King Kansa’s prison), as the eighth son of Vasudeva and Devaki, was replaced by a baby girl. Who was born at the same time to Nand and Yashoda in the village of Gokul across the Yamuna.

As Vasudeva has exchanged the babies at the very night they were born; in the morning, the guards told Kansa that a baby has born in the night. Vasudeva exchanged the babies, he reached Krishna to Yashoda and brought Yogmaya from there to Devaki,in the jail. On hearing of the birth of the child, Kansa arrived at the prison to kill the infant.

But the girl child slipped out of the hands of Kansa, as he was about to bang her head against the prison wall, and went up in the sky. There was an Akashvani (celestial broadcast), which said, ‘O foolish Kansa! Your slayer has been born and is safe in Gokul.’

The baby girl was goddess Yogmaya (divine illusion), according to Shvetashvatar Upnishad. God has many divine powers, such as knowledge, almightiness, action and his most important personal power called Yogmaya or ahladini shakti. The Gods derive power from their female companion. As Shiva is nothing without Shakti, so was Krishna without Yogmaya.

Yogmaya Temple

Yogmaya Temple History

  • According to history, Yogmaya Temple has been built by the Pandavas, at the end of Mahabharata. Mehrauli place is also named as Yoginipura after the temple in the 12th-century Jain scriptures. Mehr- auli is one of the seven ancient cities that make up the present state of Delhi. The temple was first renovated during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar II (1806–37) by Lala Sethmal.
  • It is also believed that Krishna and Arjun came to pray here during the Mahabharata war after Abhimanyuwas killed by Jayadrath. Arjun took a vow that he would kill him by next evening. Arjun and Krishna came to this temple to pray at such a time to ask for the blessing from the Goddess. With her magical powers or she created an illusionary eclipse that gave Arjuna the opportunity to kill Jayadrath.
  • This temple had been built in early 19th century and is regarded as an aspect of Maya, the illusionary power of God. The temple is located within the Lal Kot walls constructed by the Gurjar Tanwar chief Anangpal I around AD 731. It was later expanded by Anang Pal II in the 11th century.
  • This temple is said to be destroyed by Ghazni who was the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire in the beginning and later it was again destroyed by Mamluks. The temple was renovated and reconstructed by Hemu, the Rajput king. The present structure of the temple was built in the early 19th century.
  • There are about 200 people who have been taking care of the Yogmaya temple voluntarily and amicably. It is believed that there had been one common ancestor at a point in time who, hundreds of years ago started the practice of taking care of the temple by offering prayers to the goddess, making and distributing prasad to the devotees, cleaning the temple and doing the shingar of the goddess yogmaya twice a day.

Significance of the Yogmaya Temple

  • The Deity of this temple is Goddess Yogmaya is called as the “Pure Goddess” which is made of black stone and was placed in a well, made of marble. The sanctum of Goddess Yogmaya is leaded with a Vimanam which is 42 feet and dome
  • Two small pankhas (fans) of the same materials are seen suspended over the Idol from the roof. The walled enclosure around the temple is 400 ft (121.9 m) square, with towers at the four corners. Twenty-two towers were built within the temple at the orders of the Sood Mal, the builder.
  • In the past, there was an iron cage of 8 ft (2.4 m) square and10 ft (3.0 m) in height in which two stone tigers are exhibited. Now the cage is been placed in the open wall panel. There is a table of 18 inches square and 9 inches height set in front of the idol in the sanctum floor where the devotees offer flowers and their offerings.
  • In this temple, the Shivalinga is placed slightly above the level at which Goddess is placed. As Goddess is Shakti and Shiva is always above Shakti.

Yogmaya Temple Timings

The temple remains open from morning 06.00 AM till 08.00 PM in the night. It remains open for all days of the week and the entry to the temple and puja that is performed is free.

Festivals celebrated at the Yogmaya Temple

Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival : It is a festival of flowers which is celebrated in surrounding areas of Mehrauli like Qutub Sahib’s dargah and Yogmaya temple. The other activities that happen during the festival are kite flying, wrestling matches, qawalis and much more. The reigning Mughal emperor Akbar Shah II wanted to nominate his younger son Mirza Jahangir as his heir, for he wasn’t happy with his eldest son Siraj Uddin Zafar. This decision was opposed by the then British Resident, Sir Archibald Seton. Mirza Jahangir insulted Seton publicly and fired at him. The Resident instantly issued orders for Mirza to be exiled to Allahabad. The distressed Queen vowed to offer a chadar of flowers at the dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar ‘Kaki’ at Mehrauli if her son was released. Two years later, when Mirza Jahangir was released, the Begum went to Mehrauli to fulfil her vow, accompanied by the imperial court and the entire population of Delhi. A 7-day mela ensued, with swings hung in the mango groves, cock and bull fights, wrestling, kite-flying and swimming contests. The secular-minded Mughal emperor also ordered for a floral pankha to be offered at the nearby Yogmaya Temple. The festivities are followed by cultural programmes with enthralling Kathak performances, Qawwalis, and devotional songs which are celebrated by both Hindus as well as Muslims.

Mahashivratri – It is the festival that is celebrated on February/March. Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival which is celebrated by people following Hinduism in India. People often fast on the night of Shivratri and sing hymns and praises in the name of Lord Shiva. Hindu temples across the country are decorated with lights and colorful decorations and people can be seen offering night long prayers to Shiva Lingam.

Navaratri Festival – This festival is observed twice a year, once in the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter. Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. During Navaratri, devotees invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as Durga. Different devotees all over the country gather at the temple to celebrate it and there are different major events conducted.

Poojas and Rituals at Yogmaya temple

The major ritual consists of offering and bathing the idol (Mata Snanam) with milk followed by an Aarti every morning and evening. This, in turn, is followed by hymn recitation. Offerings can be purchased just before the entrance of the temple. Visitors should be alert in the area as the place is very crowded.

There are special events and poojas that are performed on special festivals. There are some special poojas that are performed on the Navaratri festival and they are:

Mahashashthi – The sixth day of Navaratri is celebrated as Durga Sasthi or Maha Sasthi. On Sasthi Katyani Puja is observed as part of NavaDurga Puja in Shaktheya Samprdaya.Unveiling the face of the idol of Goddess is the main ritual on this day.

Mahasaptami – Mahasaptami is the seventh day of the waxing phase of the moon. Maha means great and saptami means the seventh day. On this day worshiping nine types of plants is the symbol of the goddess.

Mahaastami – Mahashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami, is the second day of Durga Puja. Maha Ashtami is one of the most important days of Durga Puja. Devotees sing different hymns in sanskrit language and offering worship to the goddess.

Mahanavami – Maha Navami is observed on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Ashwin month. It is the ninth and the final day of nine-day Navratri Festival. Mahanavami is also the penultimate day of Durga Puja. The Navami Bhog is offered to the goddess and offered as Prasad to the devotees.

How to reach: Road, Rail, and Air

By Metro: The nearest metro station is Saket, Chattarpur and Malviya nagar.

By Air: Indira Gandhi International airport is the nearest airport to Yogmaya Railway station, New Delhi which is 24 Km away from Yogmaya Temple.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Yogmaya Temple is Delhi railway station which is 10 Km away from Yogmaya Temple.

By Road: Roads are well maintained in Delhi, so one can easily ride through cabs or can travel through there own vehicle. The state belongs to Delhi Transport Corporation buses connect all the junctions in Delhi. Numerous super deluxe A/C motor coaches run from New Delhi . State government operates bus services from Delhi to all the neighboring cities. Bus transportation service within the city is also affordable.

Hotels in Yogmaya: Where to stay

There are many hotels available to stay near the Yogmaya temple. Some of them are:

  • Clarion Collection: Qutab Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi 110016, India
  • The Vishraam: Plot No.1 Khasra 262 West End Marg , M.B. Road, | Lane No. 4, Said-ul-Azaib,New Delhi 110030, India (Formerly Amanotel)
  • Silver Ferns Hotel: 31-32, Community Centre Saket | Saket, New Delhi 110017, India
  • Hotel Pluto’s: Aruna Asaf Ali Road | Opposite Sector B, Pocket 4, New Delhi 110070, India
  • Stay Inn Group Of Apartments: D6/6151/1, Ground Floor, Vasant Kunj | Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070, India
  • Sage Hotel: 4 Navjeevan Vihar, New Delhi 110017, India
  • ISKCON Guest House: Hare Krishna Hill, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065, India
  • Iris Hotel: F-19, Deshbandhu College Road | Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019, India
  • Hotel Flic Flac India: 249-A, Main Road, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, New Delhi 110065, India
  • Hotel Swagath: C-8, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi 110017, India

Nearby Temples

Shree Adya Katyayani Shaktipeeth Mandir

It is also known as Shree Adya Katyayani Shaktipeeth Mandir is dedicated to Katyayani Mata, the 6th Form of Nav Durga. Within the walls of the Chattarpur Temple complex, one can visit 20 different types of temple devoted to Indian gods and goddesses in various forms such as Goddess Laxmi, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. The main attraction of Chhatarpur Temple is the golden image of Maa Katyayani and two rooms dedicated to Maa Katyayani.

Jagannath Temple

The Deities, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Chakra Sudarshan are made of margosa wood.The Jagannath temple at Hauz Khas is the centre of cultural conglomeration for Oriyas in Delhi.The idols worshipped here are of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra (brother of lord Jagannath), Maa Subhadra (sister of lord Jagannath) & Sudarshan chakra.  It is around 1.5 Kms from the Green Park Metro Station near the Sarvodaya School.

Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir

Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is oldest jain temple in old Delhi.It is situated right opposite the Red Fort, at the entrance of the main road. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658) once invited several Jain seth to come and settle in the city and granted them some land south of the Chandani Chauk around Dariba Gali. He also permitted them to build a temporary structure to house a Jain temple. The main idol is that of Tirthankara Parshva.This temple has undergone many alterations and additions in the past and was enlarged in the early 19th century.

Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu

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Navagraha Temples in Tamilnadu. Most temples across the country and certainly almost every temple in South India have a black square stone pedestal with nine idols arranged on it. One of the enduring memories of childhood, apart from the pilgrimage vacations, is that absolutely pleasurable dizziness that comes with the nine circumambulations of this set of Navagraha idols! Another enduring memory is the navagraha homa conducted before every auspicious occasion at home and the mandatory trip to the Navagraha Temples.

The belief that there is some power beyond man that affects his life is an old one. Our ancient sages identified constellations and aligned their movements to man’s fortunes and marked nine celestial bodies, the sun, the moon, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, Neptune, Rahu and Ketu, as the nine grahas that impact man’s life, based on their position and arrangement at the time of his birth. Ever since these nine planets have been worshipped by the man in his pursuit of happiness or in times of misery.

Navagraha Temples 2

The popular understanding of “Navagraha Temples” is the cluster of nine Shaivaite shrines, around Kumbakonam, in Tamil Nadu where each of the nine grahas, Surya (sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Buddh (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu have a temple assigned to them. The Navagraha Temples in Tamilnadu owe their origin to Sage Kalava, who was not only a seer but also an excellent astrologer.

On examining his horoscope, Sage Kalava found that the planetary arrangements predicted that he will be afflicted with leprosy. He prayed to each of the nine grahas and his fervent devotion caused them to reverse this eventuality. When Lord Brahma came to know of this he was enraged, since grahas are not meant to offer boons. He cursed them to have the dreaded disease instead and banished them to earth to a place called “vellurrukku vanam” or the ‘forest of the white flower’.

The navagrahas prayed to Shiva and begged him to free them from the curse. Convinced of their repentance, Shiva freed them from the curse and assigned the territory to them with the caveat that they should bless the devotees who pray to them there. Each graha was assigned a village which then became its sthala or abode. Subsequently, temples were built in their honour, with most of them dating to the 7th and 9th century except the Surya Temple which was built in the 11th century.

List of Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu

The Navagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu pilgrimage consists of a visit to all these nine temples and can be done in one, two or seven days with the visit being aligned to the day special to the graha. Each temple has its own legend and lore and its own method of worship.

1. Suryanar Kovil dedeicated to Sun

The temple dedicated to the sun is at Suryanar Kovil, which is supposed to be Vellurukku Vanam of yore. The interesting feature at the Suryanar Kovil is that this is the only Navagraha Temples in Tamilnadu where the main deity is the graha itself. In the other eight temples, the main deity is Shiva  while the graha is placed in an auxiliary shrine.

However, the first prayer, even here,  is offered to Vinayaka to whom the navagrahas prayed as part of their penance, then to Shiva and Parvathi and lastly to Surya who stands on a one-wheeled chariot driven by seven horses symbolizing the seven days of the week. Facing him is Guru (Jupiter) who is positioned so that he may absorb some of the intensity of the sun’s rays before they reach the devotee – a fact that ancient India knew from ages before. Today, research in astronomy has discovered that Jupiter protects the earth from many comets and other bodies that may strike the earth and possibly eradicate a significant portion of it. The shrine of Surya is surrounded by shrines of the other eight grahas.

2. Navagraha Temple – Moon

Chandran or the moon is worshipped at Thingaloor. Legend has it that during Amrithmanthan, an Asura assumed the form of a deva and consumed some nectar. This was spotted by Surya and Chandra who informed Vishnu about it. An angry Vishnu cut the asura into two with his Sudarshana Chakram. Since the asura had consumed a significant bit of nectar by then, he did not die. His head merged with the body of a snake while his body joined the head of another snake and thus were born Rahu and Ketu. Obviously, they went behind Surya and Chandra. Rahu caught up with Chandra and started swallowing him. It is believed that Chandra prayed to Shiva at Thingalur and secured his complete form, fifteen days after Rahu had swallowed him. This  explains the waning and waxing face of the moon. The main shrine at Thingalur is that of Shiva as Kailasanathar, while the shrine for Chandra, standing on a chariot drawn by ten horses, is an adjunct shrine. A very peaceful, almost somnolent temple, Thingalur attracts very few visitors except those on the Navgraha beat.

3. Navagraha Temple – Mars

Vaitheeswaran Temple is where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Vaitheeswaran or the “God of healing” and it is believed that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure diseases. It is one of the nine Navagraha temples in Tamilnadu associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka).

4. Navagraha Temple – Mercury

Budhan (Mercury), riding on a lion, is worshipped at the Shwetharanyeshwara Temple in Thiruvenkadu. Again, this is a very significant Shiva temple  and one forgets that one is at a navagraha temple. As Lord of the White (Shwetha) Forest (Aranya), Shiva is said to have danced the tandava, seven times here. He stands here with five faces and as Aghora (Furious) Murthy who destroyed the demon Marutwasura by opening his third eye. Legend has it that Shiva sent Nandi first to slay this demon not once but twice. However, Nandi was vanquished and injured badly, the marks of which are seen on the Nandi idol which, incidentally, stands outside Parvathi’s and not Shiva’s shrine as he does always. Thiruvenkadu is a small village. One ticks the box as having prayed to Budhan here and moves on to worship Guru at Alangudi.

5. Navagraha Temple – Jupiter

Guru (Jupiter) is worshipped at the Apathasahayeshwara Temple at Alangudi. As Apatha (crisis) Sahayeshwara (one who helps), Shiva is said to have drunk (kudi) the poison (Ala) that rose from the celestial churn, here. It is also believed to be the place where he taught divine wisdom to the errant Devas as Lord Dakshinamurthy. Guru is held by devotees in great esteem as he is believed to influence marriage prospects as well as wisdom and intellect. He rides on a chariot driven by eight horses representing eight branches of knowledge. Consequently, this temple at Alangudi attracts many devotees, especially on Thursday.

6. Navagraha Temple – Venus

Sukran (Venus) is worshipped at the Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanur. This temple is easy to miss as it is in a small nondescript village and has no visibility other than being a Sukran temple. In fact, we had to call for the priest from his house, when we reached there. Believed to be the place assigned to Sukran, Shiva stands here as Agneeshwara who granted Agni an audience. It is also believed to be the place where Brahma had a vision of the marriage of Shiva and Parvathi. Although we were not privy to this, there is a firm assertion that the oil poured on the idol for Abhishekha is fully absorbed by the idol and nothing falls off. And yet, this is a very peaceful temple where prayer comes easily.

7. Navagraha Temple – Saturn

This is not something one can say about the Shaneeswara Temple at Thirunallar. If devotees throng to Vaitheeswaran Kovil for Shiva, hordes of them congregate at the Dharbaranyeshwara Temple at Thirunallar, not for Shiva but for Shani (Saturn), especially on Saturdays. Here one forgets that one is at a Shiva temple! From Amitabh Bachchan to the man-next-door, there are not many who can resist a prayer at this temple to propitiate Shani who is feared for his malevolence! Shani (Saturn) is the only planet to have the term of Easwara or Lord suffixed to his name. The most popular of the Navagraha temples in Tamilnadu, it is the richest of them all. It is believed that King Nala was rid of the malevolence of Shani when Lord Shiva as Darbharanyeshwara stopped Shani from following Nala into the temple. The Shaneeswara shrine is thus located in the inner courtyard of the temple. All those wishing to rid themselves of the evil influence of Saade Saati and the two and a half year influence of Shani, ensure that they visit this temple.

8. Navagraha Temple – Rahu

Rahu, familiar with many because of Rahu Kala, is worshipped at the Naganathaswamy temple at Thirunageshwaran. The distinctive feature of this navagraha temple is that Rahu is depicted with a human face with his consorts while in most other temples he is depicted in his supine form. It is also believed that the milk poured on Rahu during the Rahu Kalam Abhisheka turns blue as it falls on the idol before turning white when it touches the ground. We missed seeing this as the navagraha tour is quite time bound and one is not always lucky to be here at Rahu kalam. One possible explanation could be that the idol is made of blackish blue sapphire so that milk poured over that appears bluish. But then, when has faith needed an explanation?

9. Navagraha Temple – Ketu

And finally, Ketu is worshipped at a small village called Keezhperumpallum in the Naganathar Swami Temple. As the second half of the Asura who ate the nectar by deceit, Kethu is believed to have prayed to Lord Shiva for forgiveness here and received a pardon.

Conclusion

The Navagraha Temples in Tamilnadu tour, unless specified, does not follow the chronology from Suryanar Kovil to Keezhperumpallam. The route is based on the location of the temples and the time at one’s disposal. Most devotees, like us, use Kumbakonam as a base, as all but one of the temples are within twenty to thirty kilometres of Kumbakonam. Most hotels in Kumbakonam arrange Navagraha tours but it is advisable to equip yourself with some basic information that can be had from reliable websites of the temples.

A visit to the Navagraha Temples in Tamilnadu threw up many revelations and realizations. It was a revelation that the Shaivaite cluster of Navagraha temples is different from the Vaishnavaite cluster that is followed by Iyengars of the South. It was a revelation that despite the ubiquitous presence of technology, there is still one facet of man that has been untouched by it all and is governed by faith, myth, lore and legend. It was a revelation that despite the myth, lore and legend, the mobile phone has penetrated into the tiniest of villages and thank God for that. Finally, it was a profound realisation that the Navagrahas are the bureaucrats who administer the retribution for our karma, good or bad, for, in every temple, the prime deity is still the Lord who is the force within us.

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir or CR Park Mandir is situated in the Bengali-dominated locality, CR park of south Delhi. It was founded in 1973, first as a small temple shrine for God Shiva. It was soon added with Goddess Kali and was later – by late 1980s – developed into what is today’s CR Park Mandir complex that hosts three shrines devoted to God Shiva, Goddess Kali, and Radha-Krishna.

A modern age temple, the architecture, during its expansion in the 1980s, took the form of Bengal terracotta temple art. It has grown into a cultural and traditional hub of Bengalis in Delhi. As Bengalis are synonymous to the grandeur celebrations of Durga pooja, the tradition of celebrating the pooja at this temple began in the late 1970s.

Situated on a small hill top, the mandir is known for its calm and serenity within the hustle – bustle of Delhi. It is surrounded by a vast garden which was declared as the ‘Best Kept Garden’ by Agri-Horticulture Society in 1999. The mandir complex also houses halls for cultural functions and discourses, and spaces crafted to accommodate festivals like Durga Puja, library, tirthashram, homeopathy, naturopathy yoga centres, children’s park, and a musical fountain.

The mandir maintains a Charitable ‘Balanada’ Dharmashala, viz., ‘Yatri Niwas’ – meaning a ‘Traveller’s Home’, and a canteen.  Any visitor to the city is welcome here, and would be accommodated for a maximum of seven days at a nominal price.

CR Park 2

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir History

  • A resolution to build a temple was taken in 1973 by the residents of CR Park, and a steering committee, ‘Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Society’ was formed.  A proposal for the construction of a temple within two acres lands on the ‘Rock Garden’ was sent to the government in 1974.
  • On 25th April 1974 on the eve of ‘Akshay Tritiya’, a Shivlinga was installed in a temporary shed.
  • Foundation of Kali Mandir was laid in 1979, and the idol of Goddess Kali was established on 21st February 1985.
  • The Radha-Krishna establishment and temple inauguration was conducted in February 1994.
  • The terracotta ar
  • The Musical Fountain in the mandir complex was inaugurated by Dr. Anita Bose, daughter of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in February 2013.

Significance of the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir

  • In 1947, during the India – Pakistan partition, the state of Bengal separated into two entities – East Bengal in Pakistan and West Bengal in India. A large group of government employees who was a refugee of East Bengal migrated to Delhi. Forming East Pakistan Displaced Persons (EPDP) Association, they lobbied for a residential colony in 1954.
  • In 1967, the 218-acre barren rocky land was assigned to the applicants with refugee status. 2147 people with the status were given plots in the area now known as Chittaranjan Park or CR Park.
  • The colony was founded with plots going exclusively to migrants from East Bengal; but over time, it attracted general Bengali settlers resulting in demographic diversification.
  • The residents of CR Park founded and established the Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir by 1980s.
  • The Kali Mandir soon grew into a traditional hub of all the Bengalis in Delhi with various religious and cultural activities all round the year.
  • Durga pooja is celebrated, during Durgashtami, at the mandir annually; with barrels of Bengal-specific flowers, such as Shuli (night flowering jasmine) and blue-lotus, flown in fresh for pooja everyday, and includes a typical Bengali cuisine, bhog.

Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir Timings

Due to the extreme variation of temperature in Delhi, the mandir timings change according to the season.

Summer (April – October): 4.45am – 12.30pm & 5.00pm – 10.00pm

Winter (November – March): 5.45am – 1.00pm & 4.30pm – 9.00pm

Everyday Arati timings are as follows:

AratiSummerWinter
(April – October)(November – March)
Mangal Arati4.45am – 5.15am5.45am – 6.15am
Puja8.00am8.30am
Bhog Arati11.20am – 11.50am11.20am – 11.50am
Sandhyarati6.30pm – 7.30pm6.00pm – 7.00pm

Musical Fountain Timings

Tuesday – Sunday: 7.00pm – 7.15pm (after Sandhyarati. No show on Mondays)

Poojas and Rituals at Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir

Regardless of any particular ritual or pooja, this shrine is an emblem of great fidelity. Various customary Bengali poojas are offered to the Gods on special occasions.

  • Bipattarini Pooja – The Bipattarini Pooja/Vrata is observed by women on the Panchami, fifth day of the Shukla paksha(waxing moon) in the month of Ashadha according to the Hindu calendar, in order to overcome troubles. Bipattarini is an avatar of Goddess Durga. Legends established her name, Bipada – Tarini, which literally means ‘deliverer from troubles’.
  • Jagadhatri Pooja – ‘Jagadhatri’ is the ‘Protector of the World’. She is celebrated on Gosthastami. It is also referred to as another Durga Pooja as it also starts on Asthami tithi and ends on Dashami tithi. The date of the pooja is decided by the luni-solar Hindu calendar.
  • Satyanarayan Pooja – It is done on special occasions and during times of achievements as an offering of gratitude to God Vishnu.
  • Shani Pooja – Shani Pooja is performed to appease planet Saturn; it is sought for mental peace and to get rid of various diseases.
  • Shradh Ceremony – ‘Shraddha’is a Sanskrit word meaning anything or any act that is performed with all sincerity and faith. Shradh Ceremony is a ritual that one performs to pay homage to one’s ancestors, especially to one’s dead parents.
  • Til Tarpan – It is a specific form of Tarpan (offering made to divine entities) involving libationsoffered to the Pitrs (deceased ancestors) using water and sesame (Til) seeds during a death rite.

The mandir also celebrates Kali Mandir Pratistha Diwas, Shiv Mandir Pratistha Diwas, and Radha Krishna Mandir Pratistha Diwas to commemorate the mandirs’ installations.

Mandir also assists devotees in conducting personal obeisance.

Hari Sabha and Ladies regularly conduct Sankirtan and evening Kirtan (devotional songs), at the three temple shrines.

Festivals Celebrated at CR Park Mandir

  • Durga Pooja – Durga Pooja festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Celebrated all over India, it is the biggest festival of the year for Bengali Hindus.
  • Maha Shivratri – It is a festival celebrated annually in reverence of the God Shiva. Shivratri is celebrated during the night by keeping a “jaagaran” – a night-long vigil with worship, as it is believed that God Shiva saved the universe from darkness and ignorance.
  • Ram Navami – It is a festival celebrating the birth of the god Ramato King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya.
  • Neel Sashti – It is the day in the Bengali month of Chaitra when Bengalis celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva with Devi Parvati by offering puja to the Lord.
  • Holi Milan – It is a spring festival, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of sharing the love.

Activities

Apart from the religious activities, CR Park Kali Mandir Society conducts and organizes many sports, cultural, developmental, and social activities throughout the year. They accept donations, whatever amount they may be, and use the amount for the service of God and mankind.

Sports & Cultural Activities

The ‘Chittaranjan Park Mandir Society’ actively promotes cultural and sports events.

  • As a part of cultural events, it celebrates Naba Barsha (Bengali Poila Baisakh/ New Year), birth anniversaries Bengali dignitaries such as Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rishi Aurobindo, Thakur Sri Sri Maa Sarada, Swami Vivekananda and Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.
  • Arranges exchange of Cultural Artists from different states and region for varieties of the programme.
  • Arranges four days cultural programmes by selected artists during Durga Pooja.
  • Emphases are given more on local talents for their exposure. Similar programmes are also arranged by the prominent artist on other public pooja days.
  • Organises Children’s day in the month of January. The programme is for the children and by the children. A platform is provided for them to expose their hidden talents. The programme is conducted by children themselves.
  • Netaji Subhash hall is set to organise regular religious discourses by different religious and philanthropic organisations.
  • Cultural Division felicitated to Bengali dignitaries, who have excelled in different fields, every year as “Gunijan”
  • Organizes Annual Sports in January every year.

Social Activities

The CR Park Mandir Society exhibits tremendous socio-economic values through their charitable and social events.

  • Running free Homeopathy and Naturopathy Dispensaries
  • Running Free Reading Room and Library. About 5000 books covering all sections are stacked in the library. There is a special section for the children. A good number of Magazines and News Papers are subscribed on a regular basis.
  • Running free Yoga Centre
  • Assisting students from Under-privileged section in meeting their educational expenses
  • Organizes free Bengali Learning Classes every week
  • Assisting the patients from down-trodden sections towards their medical expenses
  • Assisting the senior citizens who are staying alone in the colony, in case, they suddenly fall ill or otherwise.
  • Facilitate the citizens to meet together in the Mandir Prangan everyday for the exchange of views and pleasantries.
  • Making donations to Religious Organization for the pursuit of their religious activities.
  • Organizing “Daridra Narayan Sewa” once a month.

Where to eat

The mandir hosts a canteen, attached to the Dharmashala, which provides both veg & non-veg cuisines at nominal rates.

For the food savvies, Chittaranjan Park area houses a variety of traditional Bengali veg & non-veg cuisine (it is home to one of the city’s main markets for freshwater fish, an important part of Bengali Cuisine).

Where to Stay

The ‘Yatri Niwas’, a charitable Dharmashala, has 30 double bedded rooms with attached bathrooms. Common hot water during winter, and room coolers during summer are provided by the Dharmashala. It accommodates any visitor of the city for a maximum of seven days at a nominal price with a two-month advance booking.

There are also several hotels and lodges in and around CR Park area which provide good accommodation options, with several markets nearby.

How to reach

CR Park is an area in south Delhi which is very well connected with the rest of the city.

By Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is the official airport of Delhi, and is around 15.2km from CR Park Kali Mandir.

By Rail: Delhi Junction Railway station is the major rail station of Delhi. It also has full-fledged metro rail system also operating within the city.

The nearest metro station is Nehru place metro station, 2 km from CR Park guest house.

By Road: Several state government run buses and taxis operate round the city which transports to CR Park area.

Nearby Temples

Delhi is a city with rich history housing several monuments and temples with great cultural and political significance. Below are some of the places which are nearby CR Park.

  • Kalkaji Temple – Built in the mid-18th century, Kalkaji temple/Mandir is a renowned temple dedicated to Kalka Devi or Goddess Kali. Certain changes and additions were made to the temple in mid-19th century by Raja Kedarnath, treasurer of Emperor Akbar II. The whole temple is built using white marble and granite. In the sanctum sanctorum is the stone that represents Goddess Kali, housed in a 12-sided structure. There are many Dharmashalas (rest houses) in the vicinity of the temple, built with donations from devotees. The temple is open to devotees from 6 am to 10 pm every day.
  • Lotus Temple – Bahá’í Temple, popularly known as the Lotus Temple is a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture which was designed by Fariburz Sabha, a Canadian Bahá’í of Iranian descent. Built between 1980 and 1986, it is the latest among the seven Bahá’í temples across the world. Shaped akin to a half-open lotus, light and water have been used as fundamental elements of design of this house of worship. Set among sprawling green lawns, the petals of the grand lotus are surrounded by nine pools that represent floating leaves. The Lotus Temple is conducive to meditation. There are no priests, idols, pictures, sermons or rituals. Religious discrimination does not exist here as its symbol, the lotus, connotes peace, purity and a manifestation of God. It is open to all free of cost from 9 am to 7 pm, six days a week except for Mondays.
  • ISKCON Temple – Built in 1998, ISKCON Temple is one of the 40 temples built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The actual name of the temple is Sri Radha Parthasarthy Temple, popularly known as Hare Krishna Temple. It has three shrines dedicated to Radha–Krishna, Sita–Ram and Guara–Nitai. Decorated beautifully with fresh flowers, the air is thick with spiritual discourses and chants, enhancing the divine atmosphere. Multimedia shows are organized regularly to educate the devotees about the Hindu epics. One can savour a delicious Saatvik (pure vegetarian) meal at ‘Govinda’, the temple cafeteria. It is open daily from 4.30am to 1 pm and from 4.30pm to 9 pm.

Chhatarpur Temple Delhi Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Chhatarpur Temple is located on the outskirts of the South-western Delhi, i.e. Chhatarpur. It is 4 km away from Qutub Minar. This temple is home to Goddess Durga’s both manifestations namely, Maa Gauri and Maa Katyayani.

The temple is popular among its devotees by the name of Shri Adhya Katyayani Shakti Peeth Mandir. Sant Shree Nagpal Baba founded the temple in 1974. The temple expands to the area of about 70 acres. And for a fact, it is one of the biggest temple complexes in India.

It is like a marble art coming alive and is a modern mix of both northern and southern architectures. Nevertheless, the temple’s architecture is of the Vesara genre.

The temple has a huge area. Moreover, other smaller temples too stand on the Chhatarpur temple land. Some of these shrines are Ram Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Shiv Mandir, Nageshwar Mandir etc.

Chhatarpur temple introduction
Chhatarpur Temple is also known as Shree Adhya Katyayani Shakti Peeth.

Chhatarpur Temple – Facts

DeityGoddess Katyayani
Temple Timings4:00 am – 11:00 pm
Opening and Closing DatesOpen 365 days in a year
Time required for Darshan2-3 hours
Entry feeNo fee
Festivals 2019Navratris, Guru Purnima,
Maha Shivratri, Babaji’s birthday,
Babaji’s Nirvaan Divas,
Krishna Janmashtmi
Best Time To VisitDuring Janmashtmi, Navratri and
Maha Shivratri
Nearest AirportIGI Airport
LocationChhatarpur, Delhi

Timings of Chhatarpur Temple

Devotees can offer prayers in the temple during the following timings-

TimingFrom
Open4:00 am
Close11:00 pm

Poojas and Rituals in the Chhatarpur Temple

Morning Aarti is done by the Pujari of the temple at 4:00 am when its still dawn, every single day. Special Aartis of Kumbabhishek and Guru Purnima takes place during Navratri and Guru Purnima respectively.

Aarti at Chhatarpur Temple
Aarti taking place inside the Chhatarpur Temple.

Significance of Chhatarpur temple

  • Chhatarpur Temple has a unique architecture from being an all-in-all marble structure to its ornate designs on the temple Jalis. Apart from it, the temple hosts beautiful lawns and gardens that add to the scenic beauty of the temple complex.
  • Both soft and perilous manifestations of Navdurga, Gauri and Katayayani respectively sit inside the temple. Devotees can offer prayers to Goddess Gauri every day.
  • Furthermore, the temple also has an ancient tree, Kalpavrikasha, in its entrance. In addition to this, the threads and bangles tied by devotees cover the entire tree. It is so because of the popular belief of wish fulfillment after the tying of the thread and bangles around the tree.

Darshan of Goddess Katyayani can be done only on the Ashtami of every month or during the nine days of Navratri.

History of Chhatarpur Temple

Baba Sant Nagpal Ji supervised the construction of the temple in 1974. Beliefs say that after the death of his mother, an unknown lady took Babaji under her care. The lady, however, claimed to be the mother of the universe. Hence, Babaji developed an unknowing devotion to the Goddess.

Hence, the temple came into existence after he moved to Delhi. He purchased this land from villagers and set up the huge temple complex.

He dedicated it to Goddess Katyayani. She is the sixth incarnation of Navdurga. Religious texts state that Goddess Katyayani is the creation of Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu and the savior of the Gods.

Katyayani was born to the Rishi Katyayani who used to pray to the Goddess Durga. Hence, he got the happiness of being a father to one of her incarnations. Its believed that Katyayani was extremely beautiful and hence caught the attention of the demons.

And so the demon Mahishasur had intentions to woo her. However, the Goddess insisted upon war as the only way to get her. And that is when the demon met his death in the hands of the eight-armed fierce protector of the Gods.

Chhatarpur-temple-history
Chhatarpur Temple is built by the determination and hard work of Baba Sant Nagpal Ji.

Legend of Chhatarpur Temple

Worshipped as the Sixth manifestation of Navdurga, Maa Katyayani is the “Mahishasurmardini”. For the Goddess is the one who took away the life of demon Mahishasur.

According to Shaktism, Goddess Katyayani is the creation of Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. She is the mighty one with three eyes and eighteen arms all of which hold lethal weapons. Her beautiful black locks and awestriking beauty never fails to charm her devotees.

Legend-of-Chhatarpur-temple
Goddess Katyayani killed the buffalo demon Mahishasur and hence became popular as ‘ Mahishasurmardini’

What’s inside the Chhatarpur Temple

  • The temple has a very big complex. There are around 20 small and bigger temples divided into three complexes.
  • Apart from the main deity, there are other smaller temples too. However, two incarnations of Navdurga, namely Gauri and Katyayani have their separate temples.
  • There are two main shrines one is a dedication to Gauri and the other to Katyayani. Gauri temple is accessible all days of the year. However, the devotees can visit Katyayani temple only on Ashtami of every month or during all the nine days of Navratris.
  • Goddess Katyayani’s golden faced idol is put up in a big hall, accessible from the prayer hall. The idol is always dressed up in heavy clothes and amazing jewellery accompanied by flowers.
  • Near to the Aarti Complex are two rooms. One is a living room with silver furniture. And the other is the “Shayankaksh”, the bedroom consisting of silver bed and dresser. However, the rooms have glass enclosures all around and can be seen from outside only.
  • There is also a huge area for Langar. Also at the entrance is the huge ancient Kalpavraksha. Moreover, on this tree, people tie threads and bangles for wish fulfilment.

People are expected to come to the temple in decent attires. Also, any kind of provocative clothing is prohibited. Moreover, devotees take out their slippers outside the temple and wash their hands before offering prayers.

Inside-chhatarpur-temple
The golden idol of Devi Katyayani inside the Chhatarpur temple accompanied by the holy tree where devotees tie threads and bangles for wish fulfilment

Festivals celebrated at Chhatarpur Temple

  • Navratris– Both Vasant Navratri coinciding with Ram Navmi and MahaNavratri coinciding with Durga Puja calls for a celebration here. The first one falls in the months of March/April and the later in the months of September/October. Kumbaabhishek or the holy bath of Goddess Katyayani marks the beginning of the festival. After this grand celebrations go on for almost 9 days on both times. Also on the days of Navratri, Goddess Katyayani is accessible to the devotees on all days.
  • Krishna Janmashtami– The festival falls on the Bhadrapad Ashtami (8th day) of the Hindu month of Bhadon (August/September). And as the clock strikes midnight, the pujaris chant Vishnu Sahasranam in the temple. Hereafter, Aarti takes place after which prasad is given to the devotees.
  • Guru Purnima – This calls for celebration in August every year. A procession starting around 10.00 am from Shree Shiv Shakti Mandir, Kilokari village reaches Babaji Samadhi at 2 pm in the main temple complex. After which Aartis take place.
  • Babaji’s Birthday– The festival falls on the full moon day in February or March. The devotees play with colours just like in Holi at the Markandeya Hall. After that lunch is served. On this day, various cultural and religious programs are held.
  • Babaji’s Nirvaan Divas- Babaji’s Samadhi was accomplished on 15th December 1998. The Samadhi is decorated with flowers and illuminated with lights on the day. The Tilak of Babaji’s statue is done. And the samadhi is beautified with lights and flowers. Langar is held on this day for many saints. They also receive clothing etc as gifts.
Navratri-at-Chhatarpur-Temple
Grand Navratri celebrations at the Chhatarpur Temple

How to Reach the Chhatarpur Temple?

  • By Air– The nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The temple is 12 km away from the airport.
  • By Train– The nearest railway station to the temple is Hazrat Nizamuddin. It’s at a distance of about 11 km from the temple.
  • By Road- Delhi possesses good connectivity throughout the city via Roads. There are three bus terminuses namely, Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar. One can also take city buses to the temple from here.
  • By Metro– Metro trains are air-conditioned alternatives that connect every nook and corner of the state. Hence, the nearest metro station to the temple is Chhatarpur Metro station.
Metro-Station-near-Chhatarpur-Temple
Metro Station nearby Chhatarpur Temple

Metro Station is at walking distance of 800 meters from the temple. Devotees can either take a sharing auto rickshaw or walk to the religious site.

Where to stay nearby?

The temple has a Dharamshala of its own for the stay of its devotees. The Dharamshala consists of 12 halls which can accommodate 30 people each. Furthermore, there are 36 rooms which can host the stay of 6 people each.

Moreover, there are several luxurious hotels nearby the temple like-

  • The Ocean Pearl Retreat– Its a hotel packed with all the luxuries for its guest. And has both interior and exterior beauty one can imagine of.
  • Opulent Hotel by Ferns and Petals– This is another luxurious stay with all the amenities for the best of the comfort of its guests.

Where to eat?

Delhi being the city, devotees have many options open to them. One can obviously enjoy the tasty langar at the temple or choose to eat from the nearby outlets. Delhi has many options on its street food to choose from and also does have outlets like Moti Mahal etc.

Streetfood-nearby-Chhatarpur-Temple
Some tasty streetfood options available near Chhatarpur temple

Nearby Temples

  • Bala Hanuman temple– It’s one of the ancient Hanuman temples located at Baba Kharak Singh Marg in Connaught Place. According to the legends, the Hanuman idol here appeared on its own and has been here since then.
  • Gauri- Shankar temple– This temple is one of the most sacred temples of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. The 800-year-old Shivlingam here is the pride of the place.
  • Aurobindo Ashram– The centre is an extension of the main branch in Pondicherry. Further its the centre for yoga and meditation to seek the ultimate truth of life.
  • Digambara Jain temple– According to the beliefs, this is the oldest and most known Jain temple in Delhi. It was built in 1656 in Chandni Chowk where it still is. And it stands out for the fact that it has Jain Bird Hospital behind the Main Temple.

Frequently asked questions about the temple

Can I offer prayers to Goddess Katyayani everyday?

No. Goddess Katyayani’s darshan can only be availed on Ashtami of every month and on all Navratri days.

Does the temple provide any facility for a night stay?

Yes. The temple has its own Dharamshala for this purpose.

Is the temple open during the afternoon?

Yes, the temple can be visited at all times from 4 am to 11 pm.

Are facilities provided for the handicapped like wheelchair?

Yes, wheelchair facilities are provided by the temple staff.

Is there a parking facility near the temple?

Yes, The temple provides free parking for all transports.

Do the temple provide child Mundan facilities?

Yes, One can get their child’s Mundan done here.

Photography is allowed in the temple?

Yes, Photography is allowed here.

How can I reach the temple from Chhatarpur Metro Station?

The temple is 800 metres from the temple so you can either walk or take an Auto Rickshaw.

Which is the best time to visit the temple?

The best time to visit the temple is during Navratris as the devotees can easily offer prayers to Goddess Katyayani.

Is there a theft report counter in the temple?

Yes, one can complain to the security staff and get things checked in the CCTV footage.

Baglamukhi Temple – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Baglamukhi Temple is a popular Hindu temple dedicated to the Mahavidya Goddess Bagalamukhi which is located in the city of Amleshwar to the south of Raipur town in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The temple was established by Param Pujaya Shri  Pitambara Pithadhishwar Yogiraj Youdhishthir Ji Maharaj. The temple was established on 16th May and the most sacred occasion to visit the temple during Navratri.

There is an immense significance of Goddess Bagalamukhi who is one among the ten Mahavidyas in Hinduism. She is believed to smash the misconceptions and delusions of her enemies and protects them from their enemies with her cudgel. Popularly known as Pitambara Maa in the northern part of India, Bagalamukhi is the wisdom goddess who symbolizes the potent force of primeval female.

The word Baglamukhi has been derived from “Bagala” meaning bride and “Mukhi” meaning faced. Her name symbolizes “the one with the face that has the power to capture or control”. She represents the hypnotic power of the Goddess.

Another meaning of her name is crane faced. Goddess Bagalamukhi has golden complexion and she is always seen in a yellow dress. The Goddess sits on a golden throne which lies in the midst of an ocean of nectar which is full of yellow lotuses and her head is adorned with a crescent moon. In sacred texts, the Goddess is described as the Dwi-Bhuja or the two handed and the Chaturbhuja or the Four handed.

According to the Dwi-Bhuja depiction, she is described as Soumya or mild where she holds the club in her right hand that is used by her to beat a demon and she pulls out his tongue with her left hand. With this image, she exhibits the power of Stambhana where she can stun or paralyze the enemy into silence. The devotees of Bagalamukhi worship her for this boon.

Bagalamukhi has another name Pitambara Devi as well as Brahmastra Roopini and according to the name she turns everything into its opposite like knowledge into ignorance, speech into silence, power into impotence and defeat into victory. The Goddess allows her devotees to master their weaknesses.

Baglamukhi Temple History

According to Hindu mythology once a huge storm erupted over the earth and this storm threatened to destroy the creation and all Gods assembled in Saurashtra region. Goddess Bagalamukhi at this point emerged from Haridra Sarovara appeased by the prayers of God and calmed down the mighty storm. From then onward, she was worshiped by her devotees as a form of Goddess Parvati.

Significance of Baglamukhi Temple

Bagalamukhi Devi, also known as Pitambara Maa exists is a Shakti. Thus, Goddess Bagalamukhi represents potent female primeval force and is the one among ten forms of wisdom Goddesses.

There are very few Baglamukhi Temple in India and some of the main Baglamukhi Temple dedicated to her are as follows:

  1. Aligarh: A major district headquarters in the state of Uttar Pradesh with a Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Biharipuram. The temple lies 4 km from Aligarh Railway Station and 135 km from New Delhi.
  2. Haridwar: A pilgrimage temple in the Uttarakhand State has a Maa Bagalamukhi Siddhi Peeth near Bhagiradhi Vidyalayam.
  3. Ludhiana- A major district head quarter in Punjab State has a Maa Bagalamukhi Mandir just 6 km from Ludhiana Junction Railway Station.
  4. Nalkhera: This is a Nagar Panchayat in the Shajapur district in Madhya Pradesh State with a Bagalamukhi Temple and is 107 km from Ujjain.
  5. Pappankulam: This is a small village in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu and this is a location for Shri Bagalamukhi Devi Temple.
  6. Raigarh: A major district headquarters in Chhattisgarh State has a Bagalamukhi Mandir and is just 1.5 km from Raigarh Railway Station.
  7. Sameli: A small village in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh State has a Bagalamukhi Temple.
  8. Tewar: A small village near the Kachnar city of Jabalpur district in Madhya Pradesh State has a Bagalamukhi Temple just 16 km from Jabalpur.

Baglamukhi Temple Timings

Baglamukhi Temple is open on all days from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Festivals Celebrated at Baglamukhi Temple

Navaratri that is a major festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and Shakti is one of the most celebrated temples in the Maa Pitambara temple. The baglamukhi temple hosts a major celebration before Dussehara. During the occasion, all forms of Shakti including Maa Baglamukhi are revered and a major ritual that runs a length of 9 days is celebrated here. Special arrangements are made for complete and enriching worshiping procedures for the deity and the methodologies adhere to the principles of the Vedas.

During this time, many yogis and Tantriks pray to the Goddess for special powers and people from all parts of the country visit the region to enjoy the exemplary decorations and celebrations in this part of the country. The celebrations involve many processions and there are elaborate preparations for Prasadam and religious Poojas during the time in Amleshwar.

The Baglamukhi temple also hosts a huge celebration on the occasion of Guru Purnima during navratri celebrations and also special poojas are arranged during Vasant Panchmi. These are perfect occasions to begin any religious proceedings or sadhanas.

Poojas and Rituals at Baglamukhi Temple

Like the Kamakhya Temple of Guwahati, the Bagalamukhi temples too are considered to be the centers of Tantricism. Here there are temples dedicated to ten Mahavidyas. These temples are powerful Bagulamukhi Siddha Peeth where the Goddess is worshiped by Yogis for special powers.

The major difference between Baglamukhi temple and any other temple is that if someone worships all Gods in these temples, they would be worshiping all 33 types of Gods and Goddesses together at one place.

Maa Baglamukhi is the eighth mahavidya and is invoked for the destruction of the enmity. She is the supreme divine force and was believed to be invoked by Lord Rama to destroy Ravana along with his descendants. All offerings that are made by the devotees to the deity in the temple are in compliance with the Vedic rules.

The holy chants that reverberate the temple premises during the rituals are performed with Divine grace. The Bagalamukhi Yantra also is of paramount significance for offering Pooja to the deity and for the successful completion of the rituals. It protects the devotees and also shields them from the negatives forces of enmity.

How to Reach Baglamukhi Temple: By Rail, Road, and Air

The Amleshwar Temple lies about 15 km from Raipur Airport and is at a distance of 25 km from Durg. It is accessible by train, approximately 5 km from Raipur Railway Station and also well connected through buses. The nearest airport, railway station, and bus stands are at Raipur. The temple can be reached by various modes as follows:

By Air: The major airport near Raipur is Swami Vivekanand International Airport located at Mana, 15 km south of Raipur. All major cities are connected to Raipur through flights.

By Rail: Raipur junction is the main railway station that is connected to the entire country through major trains.

By Road: Raipur is well connected to all other major cities of the country via regular buses and the major bus stations are at Raipur.

Where to Stay and Eat

Although Amleshwar is a small place and doesn’t have many boarding and lodging options, still Raipur being a close city can be a comfortable place to stay at while visiting. There are many 4 star and 5 star hotels in Raipur like Hotel Piccadilly, Hotal Mayura, Hotel Babylon International and Hotel Madhuban.

Nearby Temples

Chattisgarh has many ancient temples that are both a tourist attraction as well as a pilgrim for devotees. Here are some major temples of the region:

  1. Amarkantak Temple: Located at the height of 3500 feet at Maikal Mountains, the temple is a major pilgrim spot for Hindus and the spot is the source of the most venerated mighty River Narmada.
  2. Bambleshwari Temple: Located at Dongargarh in the Rajnandgaon district in Chattisgarh. The temple is on a hilltop of 1600 feet. Another temple the Chhoti Bambleshwari is situated at ground about 1.5 km from the main complex. The twin shrines are revered by numerous people during Jyoti Kalash is lighted during Navratri before Dussehra.
  3. Bhoramdeo Temple: Situated in the midst of mountain ranges, this temple in Chattisgarh is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main temple is built in stone and the complex has a total of four temples. The architecture of the temple is its uniqueness and the carvings are worth having a look at. The temple is named as Khajuraho of Chattisgarh.
  4. Champaran Temple: The village is at a distance of 60 km from Raipur and is the birth place of Saint Mahaprabhu Vallabhavacharya who was the founder of the Vallabh sect.
  5. Danteshwari Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Danteshwari the temple represents the 52 Shakti Peeth across the country and was built in 14th century by Chaulakyas of the south. Every year during Dussehera, thousands of pilgrims visit the temple and the presiding deity is takes out for a mega procession
  6. Hatkeshwar Temple: The Mahadev Ghat o situated on bans of River Kharun and this is a holy shrine of the Hindus. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva.
  7. ISKCON Temple: Raipur has a major ISKCON temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and many Vaishvaites come here to pray to the Lord. The temple is located behind Maharishi Vidya Mandir in Raipur.
  8. Madwa Mahal: The Shiva temple is close to the Bhoramdeo Temple and has a Linga over 16 pillars. The temple was built in 1349 CE.
  9. Mahamaya Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Durga and Lakshmi, this temple was built in the 12th century and is one of the 52 Shakti Peeths.

Raipur is a place with immense natural beauty, lush green spots, flora and fauna and has many places to visit and for the purpose of sightseeing. Thus, whenever one happens to visit the temple they should also take out some time to explore the nearby tourist spots that extremely popular among the locals as well as among the tourists. Here are some other major attractions of Raipur:

  1. Gandhi Udhyan: One of the major tourist spots in Raipur, the Gandhi Udyaan has many tourist attractions for a rejuvenating time. The place is built with world standards, innovative layouts, extraordinary architecture, and well-thought execution that makes it a place and highly coveted point of tourist interest. One can carry the camera and capture the special moments at Gandhi
  2. Madku Dweep: The place is situated on the tranquil waters of the Shivnath River and it is an island of great beauty with lush and splendid waterfalls. The place is filled with visitors during Shivratri and Paush Purnima The place is also a major spot for archeological excavation and 19 temples had been found on this island.
  3. Nandavan Garden: The garden is open all days of the week except Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm and is a major place of natural beauty in the city of Raipur. The place is a sure way to refresh after a busy weekday. The place is best to explore fabulous designs, interesting themes, colorful landscapes, amusing characters, ambient music, props, and merchandise.
  4. Urja Park: The place is great to get into the spirit of adventure and a great place for sightseeing and family visit. The place is great for rejuvenation and has an extraordinary architecture for finding fulfillment on outing and camping.

Therefore, do visit Raipur and the nearby Maa Pitambara (Bagalamukhi) Temple at Amleshwar whenever you happen to find time with the family and enjoy the religious bliss of this spot while devoting your time to the presiding Goddess here who is the provider of special powers and wisdom to all her devotees. The revered deity is one of the most sacred and sought out among the Hindus and thus, they get the best spiritual outcomes by praying here.

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