Vindhyachal Temple, also known as Maa Vindhyavasini Temple and Vindhyachal Dham, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the mother goddess Vindhyavasini in Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of India’s Shakti Pitha temples. Maa Vindhyavasini Vindhychal Mai is the head deity of Vindhyachal Dham, Mirzapur.

Maa Vindhyavasini, a manifestation of Maa Durga, is the Family Goddess (Kul Devi), Protecting Goddess (Rakshak Devi), and Regional Goddess (Kshetra Devi) of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Millions of settled Hindus around the world believe in Maa Vindhyachal Wali’s blessings and visit Vindhyachal Mandir to receive blessings from Devi Maa.

As depicted in Durga Saptashati, Maa Vindhyavasini is Mahishasur Mardini (Slayer of the Evil Presence Mahishasur). The heavenly city Vindhyachal is located on the banks of the Ganges, precisely between two profoundly divine Hindu urban communities, Prayag (Allahabad) and Kashi (Varanasi).

The Story Behind Vindhyachal Temple

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

The goddess takes her name from the Vindhya Range, and Vindhyavasini literally translates to “she who resides in Vindhya.” because it is believed that Sati’s body parts fell to Earth during the creation of the Shaktipeeths. Be that as it may, Vindhayachal is the spot and a Shaktipeeth, where the Devi had decided to dwell after her introduction to the world. Maha-Yogini Mahamaya gave birth at the same time as Krishna, the eighth child of Devaki-Vasudeva, at Nanda-Yashoda. Vasudev had replaced Krishna with this girl child of Yashoda, as instructed by God Vishnu.

When Kansa tried to kill this girl child, she ran away from him and transformed into a Devi, telling him, “Oh!! You fool! The person who will kill you is already alive, safe, and has left Mathura’s prison. After that, she decided to live in the Vindhyachal Mountains, where her temple is now.

History of Vindhyachal Temple

The Puranas emphasise the importance of the Vindhyachal Temple, describing it as a centre of asceticism. Vindhyachal Mountain is a spectacular natural beauty and an important part of Hindu culture. Vindhyachal Nivasini Devi, who appears on the triangle Yantra, represents Lokhita, Mahalaxmi, Mahakali, and Mahasaraswati.

The Bhagwati Yantra is also known as Goddess Adhishthaatree Devi because it is believed that Goddess Vindhyavasini killed Madhu and Kaitabh, two demons, on the Vindhya mountain. It is said that the person who implements austerity in this location will undoubtedly succeed.

Architecture of Vindhyachal Temple

The Vindhyachal Temple Corridor, modelled after the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, has been proposed for construction by Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of the government. To make it easier for pilgrims to travel there, a corridor is being constructed around the Vindhyachal Temple at a cost of 224 crore rupees.

The Maa Vindhyavasini corridor project aims to beautify Maa Vindhyavasini Temple, create a 50-foot-wide space for the “parikrama” route, and provide world-class facilities for pilgrims. The pink stones of Ahraura are being constructed by artisans in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Maa Vindhyavasini Temple would be visible from the Ganga bank after the construction of the corridor.

Facts about Vindhyachal Temple

• The Vindhyachal Temple is one of the most revered Shakti temples in India.
•  The Vindhyavasini Devi is also known popularly by the name of Kajala Devi. Goddess Kali is adorned in the form of Vindhyavasini Devi.
• This temple is one of India’s most respected Shakti Temples. Vindhyasini Devi is also known as Kajla Devi.
• It is believed that, in the Shardhiya and Vasantik Navaratri, Mother Bhagwati remains for nine days in the flag of the temple, which is located on top of the temple.
• All the festivals are celebrated in the Vindhyachal Temple, especially the festivals of Durga Puja and Navaratri special puja.
• The Vindhyachal Temple is surrounded by 10 small temples devoted to Mata Kali, in her different avatars namely, Dhumavati, Bagola, Tara, Matangi, Bharavi, Kamala, Chinnamasta, Bhuvaneshwari and Tripura Sundari.

Famous Festivals In Vindhyachal 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) as well as celebrate the triumph of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon (Mahishasura).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). At each nine days, they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).

How To reach Vindhyachal Temple

The Vindhyachal temple is easily accessible through all modes of transportation.

By Air: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi District a distance of nearly 69.7 kilometres from Vindhyavasini temple.

By Rail: Mirzapur Railway Station at a distance of nearly 8.5 kilometres from Vindhyavasini temple.

By Road: Vindhyachal can be reached by state-run private buses, taxis and local cars. It is connected via National Highway 2 (NH 2).

Also Read –  Vishalakshi Shaktipeeth Temple