Mahamaya Temple, Bilaspur Chhatisgarh,India

Mahamaya Temple, Distt. Bilaspur, Chattisgarh, India

Mahamaya Temple 

Mahamaya Devi

Location

This ancient temple of Mahamaya Devi is located at Ratanpur of distt Bilaspur in Chattisgarh. The distance from Bilaspur is only 25 km, connected by good road.

This temple is built upon 16 stone pillars in 12th century and surrounded by 18’’thick wall. There are also the temples of Maa Mahakali, Maa Bhadrakali, Sun God, lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva inside the boundary wall of the Mahamaya temple.

Mahamaya temple is among the 51 Shakti peethas of Sati cult. Being dishonoured by king Daksha,Mata sati sacrificed herself in the fire of Hawan Kund. Seeing this, Lord Shiva became angry and lifted her body on his shoulders and started Tandva, moving, in three Loka (Akash,Patal,Earth). Lord Vishnu, being the Gaudian of the Universe started efforts to calm Lord Shiva and cut off the body of Mata Sati into 51 pieces and scattered it on the Earth. The shoulder of Mata fell here, where the temple of Mahamaya Devi constructed. Hence this place became a sacred place in Hindu religion.

During Navratra which come twice in a year, the devotees in large numbers gather here to worship.

There are big halls around the temple which is used during navratra. Akhand Jyoti for nine days is lighted here. The devotees light their own Akhand jyoti. The expenditure of ghee and other materials born by each devotee.

Navratra is celebrated here with joy and enthuesm. It is believed that if you wish anything before Devi and hang a shri- fal (coconut) wrapped in red cloth on the tree before the temple, your wish will be fulfilled by the blessing of Goddess Mahamaya.

Ancient History

It is an ancient temple believed to be constructed in 12-13 th century by heirs of king Ratnadev of Ratnapur. Many statues are taken from the time worn and ruins of the temples constructed earlier of 12 th century.

It is believed that king Ratnadev of Ratanpur in 1050 AD did the first Puja and Abhishek of Devi. He also shifted his capital from Tuman to Ratanpur during this period. Devi Mahamaya is the Kuldevi of the king Ratnadev. As described before, the heirs of the king Ratnadev, built up the fort of the capital, temples and other structures which can be seen today.

Dual faced statue of Devi Mahamaya is installed inside the temple. The main pond is in front of the temple. The front face of the statue is of Mahamaya Devi who is Mahishasur Mardini. and back face of the statue is of Maa Saraswati.

Front face Mahamaya Devi & back Mata Saraswa

Although there are so many temples of other Gods in the campus in which temple of Lord Shiva is a magnificent architecture made of red stone.

Over all these temples are ancient & historic. All the walls are decorated by the sculptures of 9th to 12 th century AD. The recent temple is renovated by the Archaeological Survey of India but the actual shape of the temple was kept intact.

Administration

The temple is managed by the trust named Sidh Shakti Peeth Shri Mahamaya Devi mandir trust.

The trust is registered with the Govt. and run as per law.

There is a good  rest house managed by the trust free of cost and on first come first serve basis.

Some social work also perform by the trust such as -

1. Mahamaya Vedic Sanskrit Peeth - free of cost

2. Samuhik Upnayan Sanskar

3. Homeopathic Hospital

4.  Samuhik vivah organised by the trust

Places to visit nearby

 Bhairav mandir

it   It is essential to visit the temple of Bhairav Baba who supposed to be the door keeper of Mahamaya Devi. Without Darshan and Puja of Kaal Bhairav, worship will not be accepted by the Goddess Mahamaya. Thus, it is essential to worship Kaal Bhairav first.

2     Lakshami Devi mandir

Lakshmi Devi Temple

-t   This temple is in the shape of Pushpak Vimana and built by Gangadhar Shastri in 13^th century.

3    Ram Tekari temple

Ram Tekri Temple

-    A beautiful statue of God Rama, Sita and Lord Hanuman made of granite is installed inside the temple.

Vrideshwarnath temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shivling is made up of bronze alloy. 

How to reach

By  rail

Bilaspur is a junction stations of SE railway, is well connected to all over India.

By road

One can reach Raipur, the capital of Chhatisgarh, from there one can come to Bilaspur. Roads are in good condition.

By air

Nearest airport is Raipur.  From air port hire a taxi and reach Bilaspur and then Ratnapur.