Bhandara Archives

17/Sep/2022

Location

Kalyani Devi Temple is located in Kalyanpur. Prayag of Mata Kalyani Devi is a verse mentioned in chapter 76 of Mahatmya. According to Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj, this is the Upshaktipeeth of Lalita Devi who is famous by the name of Kalyani Devi.

Legend

A long time ago in Satya Yuga, Sati, wife of Lord Shiva, daughter of Daksha, immolated herself in protest of her husband Shiva’s insult to her father. Lord Shiva was shocked by the incident and in anger, he kept the dead body of Sati on his shoulder and started the dance of destruction, and started moving towards the East. Watching his devastating attitude Bramha and the other Gods became worried. They were worried that the universe may be destroyed. They knew that the body of Sati on the shoulder of Lord Shiva would not decompose so long it remained in touch with Shiva’s body.

But it was important to detach the body of Sati from that of Siva to bring Lord Siva out of such a great shock and could be avoided the catastrophe of the universe. They knew what to do but were not sure how to do it.

They then approached Lord Bishnu. After a long discussion, they decided that Lords Bramha, Bishnu, and Shani would utilize their power of Yoga to chop the body of Sati into pieces and throw those parts of the body into the universe to establish Shaktipeeths. They executed the plan. The destruction of the universe was averted.

Two fingers of Sati had fallen here. Behind the temple is the temple of Bhadra Bhairav Nath. There is a silver throne at the place where the mother sits. The divine form of the mother provides extreme coolness to the mind.

Kalyani Devi Temple believed to be 200 years old temple and is known as an ancient Hindu abode in Uttar Pradesh. This famous pilgrimage center dedicated to Goddess Kalyani who is an incarnation of Goddess Durga. People come to this divine place to seek blessings from the Supreme Goddess- Kalyani. It said that devotees pay homage to the divine mother every Friday.

Followers indulge themselves in various bhajans and kirtans, at which point they step inside the temple. A Bhandara for girls is also organized in various puja ceremonies for the unmarried.

The Temple

The idol of Bhagwati Kalyani is the center of divine aura and attraction. Maa Kalyani (Bhagwati Lalita ji) is present in a quadrilateral form riding on a lion in the central part of the idol circle. There is an aura chakra in the top part of the idol, the yoni, linga, and Phanindra are beautiful on the head.

On the left side of the middle idol sits a unique statue of Bhagwati Chhinnamasta, one of the ten Mahavidyas. In the south part, there is a picturesque statue of Devadhidev Mahadev. In the upper right part of the main idol, there is a beautiful statue of Gajanan Ganesh, the destroyer of obstacles. On the left side above the middle idol, the idol of Atulit Baldham Rudravatar Pawan Sut Shri Hanuman Ji adorned.

Apart from the temple of Mata, the temple of Shri Ganesh, Shri Shankar, Shri Gauri, Shri Hanuman and Shri Ram-Sita established in the courtyard of the temple located here. In Navratri, Shatchandi recited and there is a huge Bhandara and there is a huge crowd of devotees. Mother’s special makeup done here. There a queue of devotees from morning till night. The entire temple decorated with marble stones. There are ten permanent shops of fruits and flowers and prasad.

Festivals

Navratri festival celebrated twice every year in the month of February or March and October. Some devotees fast on the nine holy days and do not eat anything till the night and offer fruits, flowers, and prasad to Goddess Durga. The auspicious Hindu festival of Navratri celebrates the power of nine goddesses. It believed that people also sow barley which signifies growth, prosperity, and abundance.

The festival- marks the Navratri when Goddess- Shakti killed the demon- Mahishasura and the victory of good over evil. On this eminent day, people observe many rituals and traditions to seek the blessings of the Goddess Shakti. Half-naked devotees also visit this Kalyani Devi Temple on some other auspicious occasions for the fulfillment of their wishes; Money and relief from diseases. Certain rituals such as lighting a lamp reduce negative energy and help in raising the divine consciousness.

There are hundreds of shops at the fair. Every year 11-12 lakh devotees visit. Maha Kumbh organized every twelfth year in Prayag in which more than 4 crore devotees take a dip in Ganga, Jamuna, and Saraswati within two months. This is the biggest Maha Kumbh in the world.