Maa Mangla Gauri Temple is one of 18 Mahashakti peeth situated on Bhasmkoot Parvat, Gaya. The temple is near to the famous Phalgu River. Gaya is located on the Falgu River’s bank. Padma Purana, Vayu Purana, Agni Purana, Devi Bhagvata Purana, and Markandeya Purana, among other scriptures and tantric works, mention the Mangla Gauri temple in Gaya, Bihar, India. This is one of the eighteen maha shaktipeeth.

Mangalagauri is loved as the Goddess of kindness. According to Hindu sacred books, this temple is an Upa-Shakti Peeth, where it is believed that Sati’s body fell. Sati is worshipped here as a breast, a representation of nourishment. It is accepted that whoever comes to Maa Durga with his desires and supplications, returns effectively with all of his petitions and wishes worked out.

Story Behind Mangla Gauri

The goddess of Dakshayani, Sati, Parvati, or Durga—Hinduism’s most important woman and most powerful deity—is called Shakti. Durga Devi, Mahakali, and Gowri are the three main manifestations of Shakti, the power goddess. She is Adi Shakti’s avatar.

Sati was the Prajapati Daksha’s daughter, and she married Lord Shiva despite Her father’s wishes. Prajapati Daksha once put together a massive yagya, but he didn’t call his daughter and son-in-law. Sati was very saddened by Her father’s actions. When she got there, her father ignored the Sati and insulted her. She could not bear the insult of his husband (Lord Shiva) and she jumped into the fire of Yagya and committed suicide. She passed away, but her body didn’t burn.

Lord Shiva had taken His Virabhadra Rupa out of rage. Daksha’s head was cut off by him, but in the end, He forgave him by bringing him back to life. Lord Shiva, devastated, had taken Sati’s body and wandered the universe. Finally, Lord Vishnu used His Chakra to break the Sati’s body into pieces. Each body part transformed into Shakti Pitha. The temple had emerged where the body part had fallen to the ground. To safeguard the Shakti Pitha, Lord Shiva created 51 Bhairava for each one.

Devi Sati’s body was dismembered into fifty-one pieces, of which breasts fell here to make the place holy, setting up a peeth or temple later. The Goddess Mangla Gauri Devi is worshipped as the Goddess of benefaction. According to Indian mythology, it is believed that a part of the Sati has fallen; hence the temple is known as Upa-Shakti Pitha. It is believed that whatever wishes the worshippers made there have been fulfilled by the Goddess.

History of Mangla Gauri Temple

Mangla Gauri Temple, built in the 15th century, is counted among the 18 Maha shaktipeeths dedicated to Goddess Sati where the body parts of Goddess Sati fell. The mother sitting on the hill is considered to be the goddess of benevolence.

Architecture of Mangla Gauri Temple

The current primary sanctuary is based on a hillock, ‘Mangalagauri Hill'(or on ‘Bhasmakoot Parvat’), where the sanctuary faces the east. To make them visit the goddess, you need to cover a trip of steps(assumed 200 stages), or a motorable course can lead you there. A tiny hall, or mandap, is located in front of the temple. A fire pit is housed external the yard where Homas and Havans are finished.

A few lovely figures are cut on the walls of the sanctum. The temple entry entryway is so small in size that enthusiasts need to lean to enter. There are two parts to the sanctum sanctorum, or garbha griha: the “sanctum sanatorium” and “Sabhamandir.” Inside the temple, a flame known as an “Akhand Deep” is lit throughout the day.

In the Mangala Gauri temple, you can see Lord Shiva, Durga, Goddess Dakshina-Kali, Mahishasura Mardini, and Goddess Sati in various forms. Additionally, the Padma Purana, Vayu Purana, Agni Purana, Sri Devi Bhagavata Purana, and Markandeya Purana all describe this temple. This temple complex also contains Hanuman, Ganapati, Lord Shiva, and Maa Kali temples.

At the starting point of climbing up the hillock, a remarkable and unforgettable temple of ‘Bhima'(one of the five Pandava brothers) is there. A knee impression is there, which the locals claim belongs to him when he did shraddha-karma and familiarised as ‘Bhimvedi Gaya’ later.

Facts about Mangla Gauri Temple

• Mangla Gauri Temple dedicated to Sati or the mother Goddess is one of the Maha Shaktipeeth temples, there are 51 Shakti Peetas across the country, and of these 4 are considered Adi Shaktipeeth and 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.
• Mangala Gauri Temple is located in Gaya, Bihar and stands on the bank of the Falgu River.
• It is believed that whatever wishes the worshippers made there have been fulfilled by the Goddess. All wishes come true and people returned with hands full of joy and happiness.
• According to Adi Shankaracharya, Mangla Gauri temple / Sarvamangala Devi Peeth is one of the Ashtadasa Shakti Peeths.
• The women worshipped Goddess Mangla Gauri to have a loving husband, keep him healthy and bless them with a happily married life.
• Some trees like Pipal trees, Akshayavat and undying Banyan are believed sacred by the Hindus and are also offered prayers here.
  
• It offers views of the River Ganges and the plains of Haridwar. To reach the shrine one has to either follow the trekking route up to this holy shrine or ride on rope-way service.
• The temple complex encompasses temples of Maa Kali, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva.

Famous Festivals In Mangla Gauri Temple

Millions of people visit this temple every year to celebrate all of the festivals that are held here. Some major festivals held here are

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.

How To reach Mangla Gauri Temple

The Mangla Gauri temple is located atop the Mangla Gauri Parvat or Bhasmkoot Parvat in Gaya City of State Bihar.

By Air: Gaya Airport is 8.7 km away from the temple, whereas Patna Airport is about 105 km from the temple.

By Rail: Gaya Junction is the nearest Railway Station at 4.83 km from the temple.

By Road: GT Road is the way that connects Gaya to North India. Transports, taxis and other local vehicles such as e-rikshaws can arrive at the temple. The temple is 4.7 kilometres (2.94 miles) from the Gaya Bus Stand.