Aarti Puja & Stories

Aarti Puja & Stories

Randal Mataji Ceremony (Mataji Tedvanu)
                                                     & Mataji stories



Simple Daily Puja

1. Dhyaanam Samarpayami (Think or meditate on the Lord)
2. Aawaahanam Samarpayami (Offering invitation the Lord)
3. Aasanam Samarpayami (Offer a seat to the Lord)
4. Paadyam Samarpayami (offer water to wash the feet)
5. Arghyam Samarpayami (offer water to wash the hands)
6. Aachamaneeyam Samarpayami (offer water to drink )
7. Snaanam Samarpayami (Give bath to the Lord)
8. Maha Abhishekam Samarpayami (main head bath)
9. Pratishtaapayaami (make him seated )
10. Vasthram Samarpayami (Offer clothes to the Lord)
11. Yajnopaveetham Samarpayami (Offer the Holy Thread to the Lord)
12. Gandham Samarpayami (offer sandlewood paste/powder)
13. Akshatham Samarpayami (Offer Akshatha to the Lord)
14. Pushpam Samarpayami (Offer flowers to the Lord)
15. Ashthothtra Poojam Samarpayami (Offer  108 names of the
Lord)
16. Dhoopam Aaghraapayaami (offer incense)
17. Deepam Darshayaami ( offer light )
18. Neivedyam Samarpayami (Offer food to the Lord)
19. Phalam Samarpayami (Offer Fruits the Lord)
20. Taamboolam Samarpayami (offer beetle nut and leaves )
21. Dakshinam Samarpayami (Offer money to the Lord)
22. Maha Nirajanam Samarpayami ( the main aarati)
23. Pradakshinam Samarpayami (taking clockwise rounds in front of the
lord)
24. Namaskaram Samarpayami (prostrations offer them)
25. Mantra Pushpam Samarpayami ( both mantram and flowers)
26. Praarthanaam Samarpayami (offering prayers;List your requests)
27. Xamaapanam Samarpayami ( offering apologies to lord for any mistakes)

Randal Mataji Ceremony

There are many reasons why people perform this ceremony, here are some:-

In some family traditions, the ceremony is performed when a new daughter-in-law is welcomed into the new home. The ceremony will bring happiness and blessings upon the couple.

In other family traditions the ceremony is associated with the first pregnacy, they will to this on the seventh month to call blessings upon the baby inside her.

Some parents like to perform the ceremony for an infant boy some time after he has his head shved at his balmovara.They ask for randal matajis blessings for the new boys life. Also this is for when a boy attains the janoi, randal mataji will give blessings to the boy and make him safe and be successful in his studies.

Other people do the ceremony for the joy and love for randal mataji.

The ceremony is usally performed at home, to also give blessings onto the home.And the ceremonyshould be peromed on auspicious days most commonly saturday, sunday and monday. The priest should always be consulted over the best days for the ceremony.

Everything should be planned in advance so stress is takin away.The priest will a list they need to get e.g food artefacts and offerings that are required.The sucess depends how many goirnis there are. Any woman caste or faith can be a goirni.The goirni must be fit to eat well but not be pregnant..On this day th goini represent the form of randal mataji.

The minimum number of gornies is determined by the number of lota used in tthe cremony.Lotas are always counted in pairs. With 14 goirnis for each pair of lotas.

Saturday eveing

The matajis mandap is ready the priest has already came and set it up, however this room is very devotinal and is reserved for meditaion and devotional songs food is prepared.Although khir and pur are done the following day.

The priest arrives early morning and perfoms the puja ,firstly prayers to lord ganesh and homage to  him who removes obstacles. Flowers are given and ganesh is washed. The priest will invite all gods and goddess, ancestors, planets holy rivers and Randal Mataji.During the puja two ghee lamps will be lit.Once lit, the lamps must remain alight until the ritual on monday. the lamps are witnesses to the ceremony. They signify continuity troughout the following days of ritual.

Milk is offered to mataji and the priest may leave. Preparation of two spiritual foods, the khir and pur.After the puja, the householders will go to the mudh to invite Randal mataji. Although the divine mother is everywhere-especially in our hearts-it is part of the tradition of the ceremony to extend a formal invitation.

The house holders should carry kumkum, rice,friut and a coconut with them, as offerings. the bhuy ma explains her rituals at this time. The householders pray that randal mataji comes back to there home and bless them.

It is still early morning by this time the special foods for the cermony should be prpared.The khir and pur should remain in the house at all times.The first person to be offered is of course randal mataji.Khir and pur is offered in a thal. There are special garba sung at this time.The goirnis arrive with there families, treat them with great respest as if they were your daughters.Randal mataji's physical presence is one of them goirnis.

The first mark of respect is washing the big toe of the goirnis feet. Attach afew grains of rice to the chandlo, the big toe of the goirnis foot is now washed. Bathe each goirnis toe in turn with warm water, milk and warm water again. Ater the toe is washed , the apply another chandlo with rice to the goirnis washed toe. Remeber that the washing is an act of of love and devotion towards randal mataji. The washing should be performed by a women, usually the lady of the house hold, If possible, it should be done in the shrine room. Complete your devotions to each goirn by offereing her a present of a chandlo and sopari(betel nut). Other presents may be offered aswell.

During the stage of the ceremony, it is vital to keep an accurate count of the number of goirnis who have had their toes washed. The sucess of the ceremony depends upon having the minimum number of goirnis required by the number of lotas on the mandap. Having more than minimum number of goirnis is not a problem.

Now the goirnis can eat within the household, but she must eat properly(several mouthfuls at least)- and she must eat khir and pur first. After she has eaten the goirni i free to leave, although she is of course more than welcome to saty on. No khir or pur may leave the house. It must be consumed within the four walls of the family home.

Now is the best time to sing mataji garba. The singing of the garba should be encouraged throughout the ceremony. They create a deeply spiritual atmosphere and they focus the minds of householders and guests on the wonderful event.

Sunday afternoon around 4.00 pm  everyone will gather around the shrine room for the singing of garba. I f there is  a single best time to sing garba this is it. Mean while someone  goes to the mudh to invite the bhuy maa over to the house . The bhuy maa will become the channel through which randal mataji speakes to the devotees.

while the household continues to sing garba the bhuy maa will enter the shrine room and perform her own personal ritual at the mandap to prepare herself for what is to come. This part of the ceremony is called the ghoro kundwo. As singing progresses the bhuy maa experiences surge of energy that transforms her into the mouthpiece of matajis. The more  love, devotion, and energy that the devoteed put into their garba and into the ceremony the stronger is the presence of the deities during the ghoro kundwo.

The householders will now ask mataji through the bhuy maa whether the ceremony has been successful. They should ask for fogiveness for any mistakes. there is no particular form of words for this conversation words should be loving and respectful.

Matajis relpy comes to the householders through the medium of the bhuy maa. More garba should now be sung as prasad and milk are pffered to randal mataji. Special garba invite that mataji to come to eat. If necessary the bhuy maa will guide the householders on the procedures to follow.

After the thaal the devotees sing praise to randal mataji throught the ritual known as aarti. Finally there are a few more prayers and then everyone can relax because the days ceremonies are over. However this is a useful time to pause for thought to consider the mystery and the meaning of the days events.

After the aarti the householders fast is also over. They can at last enjoy the food they provided for their guests. But they should not forget their witnesses the two ghee lamps. They must keep an eye on those lamps overnight. For spiritual and for safety reasons its advisable for someone to sleep overnight in the same room as the lamps.

Monday morning

once again the house holders must fast until the morinings rituals have been completed .Daatan ( a special toothbrush stick) and milk should be offered to randal mataji.

The priest returns early on monday morning to perform another puja. This puja gives thanks to randal mataji and gives her leave to go. It can take upto an hour and involves the priest and two householders.

There is another special prasad to accompany this puja. This puja comprises khuler and coconut.One coconut is ofered for every two lotas on the mandap.this prasad is the divine goddess's breakfast.It is offered ina specific oder: daatan; milk;khuler;coconut.As always the priest will advise on the procedures

This puja ends when randal mataji leaves to go. The ceremony must be completed by 12.00 midday after which the mandap( mudh) is distmantled.

After thought-Please dont lose sight of the purpose of the randal mataji ceremony when studying in detail of the ritual. We are inviting the mother goddess to enter our homes with faith and with humility.We love and praise her because she loves us.If we approach her ceremony with good intentions minor errors will surely be forgiven. Randal Maat ki jai



From the book called ' Mataji'
Mataji Stories

Naina Devi

Location: Her temple is visable from the Pilgrimage of Anandpur Sahib. Her temple is located in the Sivalik Hills in the Himanchal Pardes (HP) state on border of Punjab.

Brief history – Long ago a milkman used to bring his cattle to the very spot where Naina Devi's mandir now is. As usual he would rest and many times he noticed under a papal tree, one of his cows would stop daily at this spot and drop its milk in a strange manor. After a few times the milkman investigated further, when he brushed away the spot he saw a pindh (head shaped rock) and as he swept away the leaves he saw a vision the Goddess herself and a glow of light coming from this pindh. From then on her went to worship the pindh and once whilst doing his daily puja the Goddess ordered him to build a temple in this very spot and that she would be famously known as Shi Naina Devi. The Godess also said that she is also present in a cave nearby. This is now the famous cave of Shree naina Devi. Within a short interval the word spread and the place of worship became incredibly popular and devotees with hopes and wish donated generaously to the temple and now it what we know as Naina Devi.


Story Of Ashapura mataji

The Goddess worshipped in the desert of Kutch today, is known as Ashapura Devi. The name Ashapura literally means “to fulfill any wish” and the goddess is more loved than worshipped. People come from across the world today to visit her temple. Goddess Ashapura maa is also well known for bestowing her blessings on all races. She is the Kuldevi of many families.



Ashapura Maa’s image in this temple is a stone (rock) outcropping. The Goddess herself is believed to have taken the shape of this rock. The rock is thousands of years old however hasn’t detrained at all. Ashapura is a name given to Amba Maa, and the goddess worshipped here might also be worshipped as Amba maa. There is no known animal that the goddess is shown sitting on. She is rather shown sitting on a rock with four arms holding a trident, sword, and a cup. (This may stress her aspect as a Goddess of war).



The myth of the Goddess Ashapura is also based on a modern day story. There once lived a businessman who was crossing the Kutch Desert on his way to a business trip. Due to severe weather conditions he had to stay the night in the desert.  Him and his colleges set up their tents and were preparing the meals. At sunset, he worshipped the Goddess Ambe and asked for her blessings.



That night, he dreamt of the Goddess Amba appearing before him as a great light. She instructed him build a temple dedicated to her on that exact spot. He then had to fill a pot of water, place it in the temple and keep it closed for nine months. Nine months later he may open the door of the temple.



He did exactly as he was instructed by the goddess; furthermore he also canceled his business trip and decided to stay there for nine months. One stormy night, his wife told him that she saw a brilliant light coming from the temple. After looking carefully, he also noticed a reddish light appearing out of the temple. His wife consoled him that maybe they miscounted the months, and nine months are completed now.



He rushed to the temple and opened the doors. He saw a rock with no sort of shape. The Goddess spoke to him again. She told him that he is a month too early. He cried and asked the goddess to forgive him. The benevolent mother, not only forgave him however, she also granted him any boon he asked for.



The following story is based on the movie Desh Devi Maa Ashapura Madhwali.



There once lived a girl called Gayatri in Mata nu Madh (the village where Ashapura maa’s temple is built today) she was a great devotee of the Goddess Ashapura. The entire village would come to the temple during Navratri to hear her sing the Aarti of the Goddess. She was the only child of her father, who was the temple priest.



One year, during Navratri Gayatri’s father had a friend come in from the city to visit this temple. He came to the temple only to fall in love with the sweet words in the Aarti which was sung by Gayatri. He asked Gayatri’s father for Gayatri’s had in marriage with his son. The priest agreed, thinking his daughter will be happy.



When Gayatri herd about this she ran to Ashapura Maa’s temple and accused the Goddess for trying to send Gayatri away from her. She cried and begged the Goddess to help her. Later that day, as she was walking across the fields she met a handsome man. He didn’t look of her village and was very good-looking indeed.



He was very angry at that time, complaining about the heat, lack of energy in the village. She did not know that this was the man she was going to marry. His name was Shankar. When they were introduced, Gayatri thought he might not like her, although it was the total opposite. He really liked Gayatri; however she told him he had to prove to her how much he liked her.



He came crawling to the temple of the goddess Ashapura all the way from his home, and as he entered the temple, Gayatri was astonished at his commitment to her, and faith in Maa Ashapura.



When a vow such as what Shankar proposed is completed, Ashapura maa’s image in the temple which is normally decorated with flowers is supposed to miraculously drop a flower. This did not happen. People said that there is a sinner in the temple. They asked everyone to leave, including Shankar. The flower still did not drop. When Gayatri left, the flower automatically dropped. She rushed back to the temple, and asked the goddess for forgiveness. Gayatri then agreed to the marriage.



It was a grand wedding performed in such splendor and excitement which the village had never seen before. Gayatri set off to Mumbai with her Husband (Shankar). Her mother-in-law was like any typical mother-in-law. She was not kind to Gayatri (because of her background) and did not like Gayatri. Within days Gayatri had all those issues resolved. She also arranged for a temple of the Goddess Ashapura in their home.



 Months passed, and Gayatri was not able to conceive any children. They went to the doctor, who told them that Gayatri may never be able to conceive any children. Heartbroken Gayatri, then only worshipped Ashapura maa, hoping that the goddess will fulfill her wish. It wasn’t long before Ashapura maa sent a message to Gayatri in the form of a priest.   



He told Gayatri to have faith and devotion on Maa Ashapura, and she will surely fulfill her wish. However, he also told her that if she wants to have a child she will have to sacrifice her husband, and if she wants her husband she will have to sacrifice her child. Gayatri was confused, and her emotions were overtaken with grief, sorrow and depression.



Her mother-in-law was pressuring her to have a child, and soon enough surprisingly Gayatri was pregnant. She told her husband to not go anywhere till she gives birth, however he had to go for an urgent conference call. On his way, he had a car accident and he was in a critical state. When Gayatri and her mother-in-law were informed, her mother-in-law collapsed with a heart attack. She too, was in a critical state.



Gayatri then, with no option walked from Mumbai to Mata Nu Madh (Kutch), praying to the goddess. She walked bare feet, across the desert. She was determined to pray to the goddess for the life of her husband and her mother-in-law.  She overcame a storm, a sand storm and finally reached to Maa’s temple. she sat there the whole nigt and cried. The follwg morning,gaytri got th news that her mother in law and shnar were both fine. They were on their way to maas temple. She thanked the goddess for blessing her. She sang the beautiful aarti of madhwali maa ashapura. They all soon gatered the temple and performed th aarti to the goddess maa desh devi maa ashapura.



Ashapura maat ki jai



Chintpurni Devi
Location – Located in Una district of Himanchal Pardes State by town called Bharvain, which is very close to Chintpurni Bhawan.

Maiydass was a great devotee of Durga Maa. Maiydass was very ardant in his worship although he lived a day-to-day simple life. He was youngest of three brothers and worked in the family business, but he always put his devotion ahead of his work. Once on his travels to different villages doing his work, he was travelling through woods and fell asleep under a banyan tree. At this point the Goddess came to him in a dream, she cam as a divine girl astride a lion. She spoke steadily instructing him to create a temple in her name in this very spot as under this tree would reside in a pindh form. Maiydass suddenly woke, it was getting late he was in woods and a lot of work was yet to be done. So he went along, but the dream of the Goddess never left the fore front of his mind.



He constantly was thinking about it during his way back home. From the fear of the Goddess Maiydass went back to the same spot and started praying to the Goddess, after praying for so long. The Goddess appeared again with her roaring lion the woods we're alight again. She blessed Maiydass and his family and said, "I am under this tree in Pindh form. Here my prescene will always reside, I am your Goddess, other devotees who come here will see me any form they wish, in this pindh I will be Sri Durga and Sri Chinnamasta, I will abolish all worries of my devotees and be known as Chintpurni" The Goddess explained her form as Chinnamasta and Sri Durga to Maiydass and then gave him knowledge of her form and her name, Chintpurni. Maiydass was amazed but even his astonishment he still kept his devotion strong and said to the Goddess, "Here is no water for miles. How will I clean and wash your spiritual Pindh?" The Goddess asked him to walk with Her and within no time she said to Maiydass turn over any stone and underneath will spring a stream. Following orders and his faith, Maiydass turned a stone and sprung below a pure stream.



The Goddess then immersed herself into the Pindh and Maiydass started his life of worshipping Chintpurni Mata. Since then Maiydas went to construct the mandir of the Goddess and he became so happy with his divine experience her built a hut to live in next to the temple to live in which even today can be visited. The temple became so popular it started attracting a population and thus now a town surrounds the temple.



    Aai shri Pithad Maa


   There was a king who became proud and had aegiya (permission)  to build a temple for Pithdaai

As the king was collecting the bricks Maa Pithdaai told him that you will be one short of brick take one extra... the King ignored and said I know how much I need to build a temple with ego and pride,

He was building and was one short of brick just what  Maa Pithad aai  said he fell on Maa's feet amd cryed, then

he took his talwar (sword) and said I'll cut my head off and give u my bleeding head, use my ego, big head as a  replacement of a brick he cuts his head off and it automatically fits through the wall. (You could see this head if u ask the pujari... its still in Pithdaai Mandir) Maa Pithdaai is so mercyfull and made  the King alive again mata Pithad aai  forgived him, Mata Pithad aai sits in the place now called pitharaai,



Bolo shri Pithadaai maat Ki jai






Vajreshwari Devi

Location – Nagarkot Dham Kanrga, Himanchal Pardes.

  Many stories are linked with Vajreshwari Temple. Raja Pratap Singh was the king of Gajni. He had no child, he prayed to the Goddess and performed many prestigious ceremonies and in return he received his wish, thus increasing the popularity of the temple. Another story is when Goddess Durga had won the war slaying demon armies, her body was badly wounded during the battle. The God's sent their consorts to apply ghee (butter) to sooth her wounds.



After her body was conditioned the Goddess Durga went in strict meditation to connect her cosmic powers. During this time Dev Indra, the kind of Gods. Saw her in her glowing beauty, he tried to awaken her to get her attention and sent a thunder lightening bolt (vajra) the Goddess suddenly awoke and was so angered she reversed the lightening bolt back at Lord Indra who being the Kind of Gods was ashamed and begged mercy from the Goddess and he promised the place where she meditated would become a mandir in her glory. This is the origin of the name Vajreshwari. Even until this day the pindhi of the Goddess is smeared with makhan and decorated with flowers in honour of the story of when Goddess Durga had slain all the demons.


Story of Harshad mataji (Harsiddhi mataji)



Harshad Mataji is said to be the sister of Ambaji. She is depicted almost identical to Ambe maa. I have not seen much iconography of her, however myths usually associate the Goddess with swings, mountains and devotees (all associations of Amba maa too). Harshad Mataji is shown as a beautiful woman, dressed in red holding a sword and a trident blessing her devotees.  Harshad Mataji is shown seated on a lion, or a swing.



Her temple is in Gujarat. It is situated on top a hill almost 2 000 steps high. There is a daily Aarti performed here, at 6am and 6pm every day. The swing of the goddess automatically moves itself when the Aarti is performed on this miraculous temple. Devotees bring offerings like; coconuts, fruits, flowers, money, red Chunaries and vermillion to offer the goddess on a daily basis.



The Goddess Harshad is also quite a popular Goddess in Gujarat. Her temple is famous for curing incurable diseases, restraining life, and it is also famous because the Goddess appeared at the fort of the temple.



According to myth, there one lived a man (Birju) in a village where the temple of the Goddess Harshad stands now.  He was a regular devotee of the Goddess and worshipped her everyday. He had a happy family, consisting of him, his wife and his two children. The family also achieved quite a prestigious honor in the village.



One morning when Birju was in the temple of the Goddess he thought why is his village suffering? It had not rained in their village for months now. Animals, plants and people were dying of dehydration. He looked up at the idol of the Goddess and prayed to her.



To his astonishment, the goddess spoke out loud to him, she said she can rid his village of all the impurities however; she needs a sacrifice on each step of her temple (in other words 2000 sacrifices). Birju was left troubled. He was caught thinking how he will sacrifice 2000 animals. The following day, he began to sacrifice his animals he sacrificed lambs, sheep, donkeys, on the final steps, he was short a few. He sacrificed his wife’s head, then both his children’s and finally his too. That completed the 2 000 steps of the Goddess.



Maa Harshad came down to earth from her temple on the mountain. As she took each step, whatever animal lay there was restored back to life. She blessed the village, and gave them plenty of rain, water, vegetables and nourishment. Birju and his fmaily were blessed and declared Harshad mataji as their Kul Ni devi also interpreted as Kuldevi.

Another story of mata harsiddhi. Before about 2000 years, the capital of the Chavda Kingdom was Minalpur, there the king was Prabhat sen Chavda. This minalpur was a main port and trading used to be done with foriegn shores.
Once during the holyfestival of Navratri, the 7 wives of Prabhatsen were playing garba. So Jagdamba Mataji from the Koyal hill, also doned ornaments and fine clothes and took the appearance of a beutiful lady, came down to play the Raas.
King Prabhatsen who was watching the festivities from the palace got attracted to this fine lady and the flames of evil passion got ignited in him, so in the late night, when Mataji started going back to the hill, he started to follow  her. Looking at this she got angry and cursed him and told him to come every night to the temple to be eaten alive.
So every night, the King had to go to the temple to be roasted alive in the fire pit and to be eaten. The next day she would make him alive and send him back to his palace. This daily curse had taken its toll on King Prabhatsens health and he became very weak and thin.
During that time, the maternal cousin of prabhatsen, the Great King, Vir Vikramaditya came on the pilgrimage of Dwarka and became his guest. On seeing the condition of his cousin, King Vir Vikramaditya asked for the reason and he was told this tale of  tourture. So the great king vikram decided and took the appearance of Prabhatsen and went for fullfilling the curse of his cousin. Seeing show of love and courage pleased Mataji, so she granted a wish to him. King Vikram asked for 2 wishes. 1. to relieve his cousin of the curse and 2. to become his guest at the capital city Ujjain of his kingdomof Malvan. She granted his wishes.
But about accepting his wish about her visit to Ujjain, she kept the condition that she would follow the his caravan on foot and she forbade him to look back and check whether she was coming or not which he agreed and he looked then Mataji will stop at that point only.  On reaching the outskirts of his capital city of ujjain on the banks of river Shipra, King Vir Vikramaditya out of curosity looked back and thus Harshidhi Mataji stopped there itself.
Even today the Temple of Harshidhi Mataji is still there and It is said that since then, Mataji goes daily there for night stay and comes back to Koyla hill during the day.Bolo Harsiddhi maat Ki JAI!!!


Jwalaji

Location – Himanchal Pardes near the district of Kangra.



Brief history – Here the Goddess in forms of flames (Jyotis), they are all incessant organic flames emerging from rock in the ground for many yugas. They have been burning non-stop believed by devotees to be the most pure visible form of the Goddess herself. There are nine flames here:
1. Mahakali 2. Annapurna 3. Chandi Devi 4. Hingraj Mata 5. Sri Vindhyavasini 6. Maha Laxmi 7. Maha Saraswati

8. Ambika Mata

9. Is the Main flame of this form of the Goddess Jwalamukhi.



The discovery of Jwalaji goes back to when an Emperor called Bhumi Chandra was told by a cowherd her sighted bright flames continuously burning in the mountains. The Emperor took two holy Brahmans with him and the Goddess appeared to them speaking through the flames revealing her form and instructed them to build temple in this place. The Emperor couldn't believe his eyes, perfectly natural Jyotis of the Goddess visable proof of her everlasting existence. The temple due to this miraculous entity became incredibly popular rapidly, thus became Jwalamukhi Temple.



There are many other stories affiliated with the temple such as mentioned in the great epic of Mahabharat where the Panj Pavadas helped build the foundations to the main temple after they we're victorious from their battle to honour the Great Goddess. The other most popular story of all is involving Dhyanu Bhakt a keen devotee of the Goddess and his events with the Moghul Emperor Raja Akhbar. Dhyanu's mother ide during a troublesome birthing, local villagers labelled Dhyanu as a cursed child. Along the other side of the same village a local priest was sleeping and the Goddess appeared before him and told him to take into care one her valuable devotees who has taken birth but lost both parents. The priest orphaned Dhyanu and raised him as the Goddess wished. As Dhyanu became older the priest noticed his words of wisdom and healing power of his prayer was striking. People from other villages came to him for advice and problems. By now Dhyanu was a grown man, he had a following but stayed incredibly humble. One night whilst closing his local mandir for the night the Goddess said to him "Take 1,000 of my followers and take them on pilgrimage of my Jwalaji temple, but beware on the way there, your faith will be severely tested, use your wisdom and don't lose sight of your goal".



So the next day Dhyanu took on the order of his Mother Goddess and rounded up everyone also including horses as vehicles and supplies of food and drink so he could to start the long pilgrimage. When entering Chandini Chowk near Delhi, the Moghul King Akhbar heard of this incredible thousand strong procession that he sent his troops to question what was so significant about this diminutive Dhyanu Bhakt character. When questioned by the Moghuls troops of his quest, Dhyanu said, "We are on pilgrimage of Sri Jwalaji, the creator the preserver of the universe". The troops were under orders so they questioned Dhyanu further and said. "How can we believe in your Goddess? How can consider her most powerful? If you are a true believer than make us believe and show us a miracle". Dhyanu said "I am but a meek servant of the Goddess, How can I show you any miracle?" The Moghuls troops did not get the desired result so they arrested Dhyanu and took his horse back to stand before Akhbar.



Dhyanu assured his group of fellow worshippers to carry on with the pilgrimage and he would shortly join them and told them not to worry, the Goddess will take care. He went along with Akhbar's troops to Akhbar's quarters. Akhbar felt his authority was undermined by Dhyanu's answers. Akhbar questioned Dhyanu further but Dhayn's answr always ended in his faith being bigger than performing a miracle to prove the Goddess' power to Akhbar. Akhbar was smug, his arrogance grew he said to Dhyanu. "If you can't perform a miracle then, I show us the power of your prayers. The neck of your horse will be cut and you pray to your Goddess to bring him to life". Dhaynu was shocked and saddened that an innocent horse would be killed. He pleaded with Akhbar, but Akhbar's stubborn character wasn't going to change his mind. Out of reconciliation he negotiated with Akhbar that if cutting he neck of the horse was vital, than he should keep the head and the body for at least a month. Akhbar agreed to keep it thinking it would be absurd but at least he would triumph over Dhyanu.



Dhaynu was released and his horse was decapitated. Dhyanu made his way to Jwalaji and began his meditation. He contemplated to the Goddess strictly, he prayed to her telling her how the King was testing him. Dhyanu's honour was at stake and he prayed to the Goddess to bring the horse to life. He didn't want to feel ashamed, he pleaded with Goddess to bless him. A lot of time had passed and there was no reply from anywhere. Dhyanu became overwhelmed with passion, he poised his wishes and out of angst he reached for own sword and beheaded himself and presented his head to the Goddess. The Goddess was overcome with so much maternal instinct she appeared in tangible form. Her Jyotis started to flame enormously and the Goddess walked through them and stood before Dhyanu head and body. She lifted the head and attached it to Dhyanu's body and brought him back to life. She spoke to Dhyanu and said "You need not feel ashamed, your wishes have been fulfilled". Dhyanu was still affected by his order and said "Mother Amba, every human cannot cut their head off before you to prove their devotion. Kindly accept a simple offering". The Goddess was pleased that even after his test he still put the needs of other followers at the freofront of his mind. "As you wish" the Mother said "From now I will accept a coconut and true devotion from my devotees who come to me with their hopes". The Goddess added "Dhyanu, the head of your horse in Delhi is also reattached, the King will now face his test and will himself be coming in a few days himself to bring the horse back to you" and after saying so the Goddess resumed back into the jyotis which became normal size again.



Back in Delhi Akhbar witnessed the strange happenings when the same horse he saw beheaded was no standing tall and alive. Akhbar and his conceit was still strong, to avoid being embarrassed he sent his soldiers to Jwalaji.  He told his soldiers "These jyotis from the ground are what might have caused this to happen, so he ordered them to enclose them with giant iron pans. Akhbar is evidently unaware of the power these jyotis contained. So the soldiers marched into Jwalaji and enclosed the Jyotis with iron pans. Dhyanu was still present and just remembered what the Goddess said about Akhbar facing his own test, so he just said to other devotees to stand back and let the Goddess be. They walked away pleased with themselves after enclosing the jyotis. However very quickly the irons pans began to disappear and jyotis appears as if nothing affected them.



The soldiers told Akhbar what happned and he shunted the idea, he said. Burning flames will melt the iron so that is why they came back to the surface. So he resent his soldiers, this time he said, drown the jyotis in water and fire cannot withstand water. So the soldiers went back and Dhyanu was still there. He watched as they made a stream from a near watercourse and watched the temple fill with water. The main soldier said, "No fire can survive water" and chuckled and walked away with his entourage.  When Dhyanu and other devotees who were still at the temple started to upheaval there was much noise and to their disbelief the soldiers could not understand what they were seeing. The jyotis we're piercing through the water. Onlookers were stunned the soldiers were breathless. This news rapidly reached Akhbar.



Akhbar admitted defeat and he held his head low and was disappointed in his actions towards the Goddess. He made an oath with the Goddess that he would offer a prestigious gold umbrella (Chhatara) and walked barefoot to her doors and begged forgiveness for his wrongdoing. This was unheard of for a Muslim King to perform such a severe act of devotion to a Goddess. So Akhbar removed his royal shoes and walked the long journey to the Goddess Jwalaji and took her gift with him and Dhyanu's horse. When he reached there Dhyanu was reunited with his horse. Akhbar presented himself in front of the jyotis and kneeled before her and said, "You truly are a Goddess who's a Mother to all, please accept my gift and forgive my many misdeeds".



The gold umbrella he offered to the Goddess was now turning an unknown metal before his eyes. The gold umbrella hadn't even come close to the jyotis and Akhbar became troubled, he thought he as a king he walked barefoot to the Goddess' abode and he apologised and yet the Goddess was not yet accepting his gift. He was very worried, he said to the Goddess "Is it only people from one faith that are allowed to be considered your loved ones, am I not conventional because I am Muslim?". Dhyanu stood next to the King, he knew the King had learned his lesson and wanted to be pardoned for his wrongdoings. Dhyanu asked the Goddess what is it was that Dhyanu needed to do. The jyotis became fierce with fire and out spoke this voice of the Goddess, she said "I will not accept the chhatara not because of his faith, but because I still sense arrogance in his thoughts". Akhbar left his final guard down, he said, "Goddess Jwalaji I speak to not as a king, or a Moghul or even anyone of additional significance, I speak to you as your son, please pardon my sins and accept my gift". Finally Akhbar, the Moghul Emperor distinguished his egotism and the Goddess accepted him and his offering and was pleased with him.



Even till this day the chhatara can be seen at Jwalaji's temple it is encased and Dhyanu and Akhbar's story has remained immortal, revealing the strength of the Goddess Jwalaji and her love for her devotees.

Vaishno Devi
Location – state of Kashmi, north India. In Jamuu area starting at Katra town.



The focal point of Vaishno Devi is the holy cave where three pindh's are the embodiment of Vaishno Devi. The three pindh's represent the Goddesses three attributes of love, knowledge and strength. These are shown in the form of three main Goddesses which make Vaishno Devi, they are Lakhsmi Maa, Saraswati Maa and Kali Maa. These three pindh's symbolize each of these Goddesses and all together make the supreme Goddess Vaishno Devi. These three Goddesses created Vaishno Devi out of their tejas (supernatural force) as a time would come when the righteousness and virtue would be under pressure. And Lord Vishnu sent Hanumanji and his monkey army to guard the gates of this holy cave until the time would come when the Goddess would need to emerge. Vaishno Devi stayed in this pindh form meditating for many yugas (ages) as Hunuman would guard the mouth of the cave.



The time had some for Vaishno Devi to demonstrate why she was formed. About 700yrs ago near Jammu a local pandit called Shridar was a devotee of Goddess Durga. He lived a very ordinary life as pandit and was happily married. After nine years, there was no sign of his wife being pregnant. Him and his wife both prayed and begged. He would see other children playing and wish to the Goddess she would too bless him with a child. He couldn't understand why the Goddess was being so non responsive.



He decided after so many years we would end his asking and do one final fasting and worshipping at Navratre. Shrirdar did the fast every year and was familiar with it and knew him and his wife had to invite nine local child girls to eat food as an offering to the Great Goddess. So as this was his final attempt ensured well in advance all the preparations. When the girls arrived to eat he did the normal ritual washing their feet and giving them gifts before seating them to all feed the their meal. As they came one by one in he washed their feet and his wife offered them gifts and sat them to their eats ready to eat, after eight girls had turned up there was delay in the ninth and final one. Shridar thought his fast and worship would go incomplete and his last chance to ask The Goddess for a child was looking dreary. And then he heard the sound of anklets outside his door. When he looked he couldn't believe eyes this girl had come to his door she was unlike any other, she looked like an angelic child. He had not recognized her in the local village. He called over to look at her and they both asked her where she was from the girl answered that she lives not to far from here. Shridar didn't know that this girl was a form of the Goddess who had come to grant his wish.



This girl was Vaishno Devi, which had yet not been discovered by devotees. So to ensure Shridar would pass the trial she went to his house as a girl. After the ceremony was over the girl stood up, her glow became radiant. Shridar and his wife looked at her, the girl spoke in an adult manner and said "Your wish will be granted but you have to convery to your local village and hold a feast at your house in the name of Goddess Vaishno". The married couple were confused, the child was giving them orders in a fashion a mother would to her child. Shridar said "We are too poor to invite the whole village and leave no one uninvited, we have enough food only for a few people, how could be possibly invite so many people?" She replied "I ask you only to make sure you invite everyone and make sure they turn up to your house in three days time. I will come and you need not worry about food preparation". The girl left the house and as the Goddess she returned back to the cave. Shridar and his wife were baffled, due to the significance of the little girl and trust in the Goddess the next day they decided to follow instructions and invite the village.



As the girl said invite everyone, Shirdar invited a notorious character in the village called Bhairav Nath who was a tantric yogi who dealt with dark arts. When he approached Bhairav, Shridar said I have an invitation of a feast at my house for the whole village. The Yogi said "Why?". Shridar said "A divine girl asked us to invite everyone for a feast". The Yogi was aware of supernatural and no normal girl would request such an event. So he sternly agreed to attend the feast and said, "Let's see if this divine girl will be able to satisfy my requirements to fulfil hunger".



On the third day it was time for the feast and no sign of the little girl was to be seen. The whole village was there wondering why an invitation to feast would be given if there was no feast to be seen. Shridar was getting incredibly anxious, as the whole village would see him if he failed. It was almost mid afternoon and Bhairav and his entourage turned up. Bhairav looked and laughed and said "You invite us here but here is no sight of food being prepared". "Shridar worryingly said, "I'm sure everything will work out, please be patient just a short while longer". Bhairav and his entourage including Gorakh Nath sat down looking at the happenings. It was gone mid afternoon and Shridar was flustered when suddenly at his doorstep that very same beautiful young girl appeared in red attire. She said to Shridar that him and his wife need not worry and that everything will be taken care and just to go to the village people and start the prayers before eating. Shridar was amazed that his faith had not let him down, so he hurried to the congregation and began reciting prayers. By the time the prayers were over the feast was overflowing in his house, the Pandit had never seen so much food. He was so thankful and grateful to the Goddess and watched as her divine for of a girl helped serve food and feed the hungry villagers. Shridar was pleased that the Goddess had taken such grace on him.



The Godess was all knowing, she knew Bhairav Nath was at the feast. When his turn for eating arrived he said to the girl "So you are the so called divine girl who ordered this huge feast, tell me something, you have given everyone what they desire to eat, will you give me what I desire?". The Goddess Child  said "What can I get you to satisfy you and your entourage their hunger?". Bhairav Nath replied, "I am an Aghori Sadhu, I perform tantric rituals and my status requires me to feast on dead meat and madira (wine/alcohol)". The Goddess replied, "This is a Vaishnav feast, only vegetrian vegan food will be served here, please change your order and request something else". Bhairav Nath knew he could push the child further so he stood up and said "Tell me who you really are and reveal yourself to me, you are no ordinary child" and as he stood up he grabbed her by her arm and tried to catch hold of her to test her powers. The Goddess was shocked and appalled so she vanished leaving the feast. Bhairav also took his entourage and left the feast and returned to his residence. Shirdar was saddened his fest had gone incomplete as the Goddess was nowhere to be found. He completed what he could with the feast. Then after it was over Shridar became sad, he felt as if he had been abandoned, he stopped eating and drinking. One day when he was sleeping during the day due to malnourishment, the Goddess came before him and said "You've done nothing wrong, your wish is fulfilled and I am happy with you. Now please join your wife and eat and do my worship and soon I will come again and show you where I am residing". Shridar once again excited with happiness knew his faith would not let him down so he did what the Goddess asked him.



When the Goddess child left the feast she transported herself to a cave. Before she got to the cave she stood at one place to turn around and make sure Bhairav wasn't following her. Here she left foot prints at Charan Paduka. Then Vaishno Devi bloew a whole in a mountain with her trident and created a cave. There is a meaning behind this. The Goddess already was present in the main cave in three pindh's, but Bhairav a yogi had grabbed her arm. Whenever the great Goddess has come to earth to do good no one has ever dared to touch her without her permission. Bhairav had committed a great offence so to regain her cleanliness the Goddess hid in a cave called Ardhkuwari for nine months. Just as a baby is in a mother's womb for nine months the Goddess mediated here for nine months so that she could face Bhairav and give him ultimate trial. As mentioned earlier, Hanuman's monkey army guarded Vaishno Devi's cave. But this new cave the Goddess created was further. When Vaishno Devi summond Hunman he was happy to guard her for nine months to make sure no one would enter, but he had one request. Hanuman said to Vaishno Devi "On this dry mountain where will I drink and wash for nine months?" the Goddess' maternal instinct was evident, she took her bow and arrow and shot it deep into the mountain and out sprung fresh water. This is now called the Ban Ganga river. And Vaishno Devi blessed Hanuman and went into Ardhkuwari for nine months.



During these ninth months Bhairav also was using his tantric powers to search for this Goddess figure. By the time he located her Vaishno Devi's nine months we're over. Just as Vaishno Devi awoke from her mediation, outside, she could see Bhairav and Gorakh Nath we're fighting with Hanuman. Bhairav was using his black magic to surrender Hanuman to let him into the cave where the Goddess was present. When the Goddess saw this she became angry. She ran out of Ardhkuwari, and said to Hanuman, "Hanumanji, my lookout, leave Bhairav Nath to me, step aside". Bhairav and his disrespectful manner encouraged Vaishno Devi to fight with him. He wanted to capture the Goddess and use her powers. Bhairav was unaware that the Goddess was the Mother of the universe.



She shouted to Bhairav "You have insulted me and refused to leave me alone, for the final time, please go and do not bother me or my devotees again". Bhairav was still sure he could overtake the Goddess, he refused and wanted her to fight with her. Vaishno Devi was now so overcome with anger that her appearance went from being fair skinned beautiful female, and her skin became black, dark as night, the anger was fierce in her eyes there was fire and her tongue was lolling, her form had now become so terrifying that she became Maha Kali. The Goddess could not calm her anger, she pounced on her tiger and in her black gruesome form she threw her trident in the air and cut off Bhairavs head. The Goddess' power was so forceful the head of Bhairav fell on the opposite mountain. Bhairav was also no ordinary being, so in his final breaths he shouted "Maa, Mother of the Universe, I am sorry please forgive me. I was ignorant and unknown to your power, Please Mother I beg for your forgiveness".



Upon hearing this the Goddess resumed her original form, she appeared before Bhairav on her tiger and eight arms with a big smile and said "Bhairav, in your last breath you used them to repent, tell me what can I do for you?". Bhairav said "You are Jagdamba, your deovtees are in their millions, please don't let them think I am your enemy, please Mother accept me as you son". Vaishno Devi knew Bhairav was remorseful and she granted him his last wish she said, "When my devotees come to pilgrimage, they must come to the place where your head fell and pay their respects other wise my pilgrimage will be incomplete" Bhairav said "You truly are a Mother of all, you have given me an eternal place at your shrine, Glory to Vaishno Devi"



After this, Vaishno had still kept her word to Shirdar so then she went to his village and appeared before him in his local temple. As soon as Shridar saw her he fell to his feet he thanked her continuously, because after all these years, his wife was finally expecting their first child. The Goddess smiled and she said to Shridar that "You and your family will be the originators to my pilgrimage of Vaishno Devi, come with me and let me show you were I will be for ever immortal for all devotees like you to come and do their pilgrimage". Shridar followed the Goddess as she had given him a great responsibility. Vaishno Devi took Shridar and showed him each place relevant to the pilgrimage. She said "Here is Charan Paduka where I stopped to look back to see if Bhairav was following me. Here is where I meditated for nine months, any devotee who passes this will be reborn and their sins will be cleared. Here is the Ban Ganga where I shot a arrow to quench Hanuman's thirst" Then she showed Shridar the main cave with three pindh's she said her presence will constantly be. She told Shridar the importance of the Holy Cave and how Vaishno Devi is alongside Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali. Finally she showed Shridar the place where Bhairav's head fell she explained that without going there to pay his respects her pilgrimage will be considered incomplete.



After Vaishno Devi showed Shridar he was the first to do her pilgrimage, him and his family made it their purpose to look after Vaishno Devi's abode. Today sometimes up to 60 million people per year follow the same path that Shridar did with Vaishno Devi. Vaishno Devi is considered to be the one of the most powerful abodes of Goddess Durga.




Story of Hingraj Mataji (Hinglaj)



Hinglaj Mataji is the goddess of healing and virtue. She is the Kuldevi of the Kshtriya (warrior) caste of Gujarat. Although being a warrior goddess, Hinglaj Mataji is cherished and adored by her devotees, who consider her to be a manifestation of the great goddess Amba. Hinglaj Mataji is worshipped on Tuesdays and Sundays, which are days auspicious to most goddesses. Her main shrine is located in Pakistan. Hinglaj Mataji is situated in Pakistan on top of the Hingol Mountain. Devotees come from all around the world to this temple of her.



According to mythology, sati demolished herself in the fire sacrifice of her father, because she could not hear him insult her and her husband (Shiva). When Shiva was informed about this he was angered and from his third eye cam out a demon that slew sati’s father. Shiva intoxicated in wine then picked up sati’s body and started dancing in grief. Vishnu then was cutting pieces of her body, which then were scattered around the world. Her vermillion is said to have fallen in Hinglaj.



People that experience possessions by the goddess Hinglaj are said to sprinkle vermillion (red powder) from their hands. That is believed to be the miracle of Maa Hinglaj. They say that she cures all diseases and relieves the distressed.



Hinglaj Mataji, is not very well known of or herd about because of her temple being situated in Pakistan however, she has helped many devotees overcome challenges and follow the path of righteousness. There are many myths of Hinglaj Mataji; however one seems most interesting to her personality.





In a small village is India once lived three brothers. Each of them carried out a different occupation. One was a tailor (Dirji) one was a warrior (Kshtriya) and one was a goldsmith (Soni). They all worshipped Hinglaj maa and asked for her blessings before starting each day. The brothers were happy with their lives and content with their earnings.



However, one night a conversation erupted and they began to fight about who worked the hardest and longest. They began discussing who earned the most money and who the best was. They began to boast that whoever earned the most money was the favorite of the goddess Hinglaj. The Kshtriya did not earn as much as the others and was hence laughed on and humiliated.



He spent the night in the goddess’s temple crying and thinking that the goddess didn’t like him. The following morning Hinglaj maa herself appeared at their doorstep. She had vermillion (kanku) in her hand and said that who ever I apply this first on will be my most favorite.



The Dirji rushed off, to wash his forehead while the goldsmith rushed off to bring a garland of flowers to offer the goddess. The Kshtriya walked to the goddess, and she applied the vermillion on his forehead first. Then the goldsmith arrived, she applied it on his forehead second, and third she applied it on the Dirji.



Hence she was declared Kuldevi of the Kshtriya Samaj, Isth Devi of the Soni Samaj and Kutum Devi of the Wanza Dirji Samaj. Each brother got a blessing from the goddess and each was happy with his blessing.



Hingraj maat ki ji




Chamunda Devi

Location - Chamunda Devi temple is located in Himanchal Pardes, end route to Pathankot.



Brief History – The story is set in the Durga Saptishati, two great demons called Chand and Mund, they we're from a great demon army who took orders from Shumbh and Anishumnh. Chand and Mund did great penance; they meditated for a great length until Lord Barhma appeared before them both. Brahama was pleased with them and asked them what wish they would like to be granted in reward for their penance. Chand and Mund both asked to be immortal, but Brahma stopped them and said, "Every being who is born on the earth must eventually die. That is the law of nature". Chand and Mund pondered, they both knew that they wanted to cause havoc and they thought women were defenceless. So by trying to out smart Braham they both agreed to ask that they would only be killed at the hands of the woman. Brahma was all knowing so he granted their wish.


Chand and Mund were now incredibly powerful not only were they skilled in weaponry and possessed demonic powers, they had now the strength of the boon from Brahma. So they roamed the three worlds, until they saw Goddess Durga meditating upon a mountain. Goddess Durga was meditating in the form of Amba, she was incredibly beautiful and elegant. When Chand and Mund saw her they wanted to catch hold of her. But Chand and Mund were aware this was nor ordinary female. So they assembled their whole army around the mountain so they could overpower her. Amba was in strict meditation, but the sound of the demon army collecting around her awoke her. When Amba opened her eye she realised she was surrounded and in her anger her eyes became fiery and from her eyebrow appeared Kali. Kali's form came out screaming from Amba, filling the whole mountain with her shriek. Her body was black and dry. She was naked but covered only by tiger skin. Her eyes we're wide and her tongue was brandishing ferociously. Her neck was heavily decorated with a garland of severed heads and carried a bent sword (khhappar) in one hand. Her form was incredibly frightening and angry. She stood before Amba who gave her instructions to fight Chand and Mund.

Kali effortlessly killed and ate the army, her thirst for blood was insatiable. The she reached Chand and Mund, who thought that after losing their army, Kali's powers might have weakened. So they continued to insult Kali, her anger was now at it's peak, she jumped on Chund and Mund with both feet on each of their chests, she screamed loud and she cut off both their heads with a strike from her khhappar. Kali dropped her khhappar and picked up the two heads of Chand and Mund from their hair and went back to the mountain.



Kali present to Amba the two heads of Chand and Mund. Amba was incredibly pleased with Kali, she sanctified that this form of Kali would now be known as Chamunda Devi. Amba said the place where you dropped your khhappar will be a place of worship and a temple will be built the in the name of Chamunda Devi. Today in this temple at Himanchal Pardes, the Goddess Chamunda resides in a pindh form. Here devotees come to worship Goddess Durga as Chamunda Devi, the Goddess who won righteousness over evil.


 Randal mataji at dadva

Randal mataji was born as sangna devi. She was the great and merciful daughter of the vishvakarma. From an early age, people remarked on her beauty, her love for all beings, and her eagerness to help those in need.

Sangna devi married the sun god(surya dev). They were happy together and bore a son and a daughter, Yamraja and Yamnaji.

Sangna devi could not bear the suffereing of the people. It was her nature to help those in need, yet she did not want to leave her husband.Her solution was to create an exact duplicate(chhaya) of her self. The chhaya remained with surya dev, while sangna devi came down to earth to meditate and pray to her husbad to give the world relief from his extreme brightness.

Sangna devi spent many years on the earth meditating before surya dev realised that his real wife was no longer with him.When Sangna devi woke up, surya dev told her that he was pleased with her devotion. He would grant her a boon; Whatever she desired was hers for the asking. Sangna devi explained about the suffereing of the people. What  she desired most was that surya dev should reduce his brightness.

Surya dev promised that henceforth the two parts would be knonw as one. The pair would be inserarable and be reverd throughout heven and earth as RANDAL MATAJI.

Surya dev was so overcome with love for his wife that he proclaimed one more boon. Whenever people perfome on the earth randal matjis ceremony they would recieve her blessing. the ceremony would bring them their hearts desire be it health wealth or happimesss. Best off all This boon would last forever. So long as the sun shone in the sky, blessings would flow from the randal matji ceremony.

RANDAL MAAT KI JAI


Mansa Devi
Location – In the big town of Chandigargh, Punjab border of Himanchal Pardes. The exact place is called Manimarjra.



Brief history – There are many fables connected with Mansa Devi, the one most authentic was at the time of the Moghul Empires First ruling of India. The taxes were high for local farm workers and being thrown in jail was a constantly threat. The Moghul Emperors had guards and soldiers, they became greedy asking locals for more tax, leaving them with less. A farmer called Garib Daas was lived of the Rajput estate. When the Rajput couldn't afford the absurd taxes, they were all jailed in an open yard with no shelter and no escape from the guards.

Garib Dass was an adarnt follower of Goddess Durga. He couldn't understand why this was happening to him and his family. In prison they were treated so poorly. Garib Dass became very upset and went into meditation. He didn't move from his place, his body took immense beatings and lashings from the guards, as he wouldn't move from his meditative state. Garib Dass was badly hurt and but his mind was still focused on his prayers. Finally one night the whole Rajput estate, begged to the Mother to save Garib Dass as he was on the verge of starvation. The Goddess appeared in the heavens. The clouds went bright and the Sun disappeared behind her head and she stood in the sky smiling down at the prison yard and blessed everyone with her presence. Garib Dass awoke and saw the wonderful mother in front of him, he asked his wish and without a doubt the Goddess blessed him and harsh taxes were lowered. However, she gave Garib Dass the responsibility of constructing a temple in her name. She said, "I will stay in the pindhi form next to where you mediated". Garib Dass looked and saw the pindh. He said, "Mother I am blessed, your wonderful form I will call you Mansa Devi as you have fulfilled my hearts desires". The Goddess was content and immersed her form into the pindh. The place where the pindh resides is now the temple known as Mansa Devi.

Shakumbari Devi

Location – Situated about 40 km from Saharanpur, in Utter Pardesh.

Brief History – This temple is a Shakti Pith dedicated in the credit to the story of the Spiritual Master Durgam who became corrupt. Durgam had mastered the Four Vedas and received a boon from Brahma that no army of Gods will defeat him. Durgam used all the good powers and twisted them and started to turn against the Gods who gave him his power. Durgam wanted more power, Durgam who lived on earth wanted to rule the heavens. So he fought Lord Indra and captured him and took his throne. Durgam had kept Lord Indra hostage. Lord Indra is the ruler of rain and thunder, so after a while the earth became starved of rainwater. Everything on earth dried up due to lack of water. Forests became barren, there was no food because the water to feed the plants didn't come. The Sages and Guru's on earth we're starving, they we're panicked worried of their children and family. Durgam was still using his powers for bad. The Sage's prayed to Brahma who gave them further bad news, he said Durgam is gifted that no army of Gods can defeat him. Brham said the only hope we have is Goddess Durga, so they turned to the Maha Devi, The Supreme Goddess. They all gathered and pleaded to her, they honoured how she had killed Shumbh Anishumbh and Mahishasur. They prayed Durgam would reach the same fate. The Goddess was meditating and when she opened her eyes, she saw hundreds of Gods and Sages. Her compassion and love brought tears from her eyes that fell to the ground on earth as raindrops. These raindrops caused roots, fruits, vegetables and flowers to grow. Her presence now dwells in these vegetations, and this form of the Goddess is called Shakumbari. The Goddess destroyed Durgam and gave Indra back his throne. The Sages then put Shakumbari Devi in the scriptures as the Goddess who sustains mankind.


JAI MAA SANTOSHI The birth of mata santoshi

in heaven, the festival of raksha bhandan was being celebrated with great pomp and show. on the raksha bhandan day, it was customary for the girlsof heaven to tie rakhis to the wrists of lorg ganesh's two sons, labh and subh. the two brothers were happy when so-called sisters tired rakhis so affectionately. for a while they forgot that they didn't have a sister.

Narad muni asked lord ganesh o look to the needs of his two sons. they had no sister of their own. was it not possible for lorg ganesh, to arrange for a sister for his son? lord ganesh smiled and told narad muni he was not just asking for a sister for his two sons, but a sister for the whole universe. Narad muni wanted a new goddess who would bestow love, care, affection, and blessings on all -some one who would provide security and contentment for the whole mankind.

All of a sudden, a glow of light came out of of lord ganeshes eyes. the glow enetred a heap of flowers and then dissapered. A pretty girl appeared from the heap of flowers . the girl had four hands. She held aa sword in her right hand, a trishul in her left hand.And a bowl in her other left hand. Her fourth hand was raised as if for a blessing. there was a charming smile on her lips.

The girl asked lord ganesh for his blessings and his reason for creating her.Lord ganesh told her that she had staisfied his two sons , the two brothers who did not have thier own sister, by her presense and her affecton. Hence fourth she should give contentment to anyone in the universe who was dissatisfied by removing the cause of thier worries. Her darshan would oblige those who prayed for her blessings.

Lord ganesh informed her that she would be known as santoshi mataji. her task to bring contentment to all suffereing humaninty in the universe.




Kalika Devi

Location – The most popular temple of Kali is the famous Dakishineshwar, Calcutta. The other shakti pith of Shree Kalika is near Chandigardh. This ancient temple of Kali is located closely to the Simla railway line.

Brief History – This early Kali Mandir was constructed in Jai Singh's Empire. Jai Singh was a very big believer in Goddess Kali so he had an idol installed in a very beautiful building. One time, during Navratre Festival, Jai Singh would attend the temple and worship the Goddess alongside other workers and ordinary people, as he believed that in front of the Goddess everyone is equal. Upon the eighth night of Navratre the Arti ritual was being perfumed when the idol became white with light, the light was so bright the devotees and Jai Singh struggled to see the actual idol. Before the idols stood this beautiful woman. The Goddess Kali had shown herself to everyone in her gentle form. She was floating above the ground, smiling and laughing and giving her blessings to each devotee in the mandir. Goddess Kali then said to Jai Singh, "I am pleased with your devotion to me, ask a boon". Jai Singh asked, "Your form is so beautiful, I ask that you marry me". Goddess Kali became angry. Her beautiful form of an graceful woman had now turned black and she was surrounded by fire. Loud roars of armies of lions filled the temple. The temple was trembling and the ground opened sinking the idol of the Goddess immersing it in the ground. She cursed Jai Singh, she said "Your wrong doings will cause your death and I will never come to this temple again I am leaving this place and won't return". Jai Singh pleaded he begged, "He said, I understand I must pay for my sins but please do not punish these innocent devotees and stay here so they can worship you". The idol remained above ground and the Goddess said she that would always be present here. Later that year, in the battleground near the temple Jai Singh was killed in war along side his two sons.