शारदा देवी मंदिर मैहर

मध्य प्रदेश के सतना जिले में स्थित मैहर देवी का मंदिर विश्व प्रसिद्ध है। यहां भक्तों की मनोकामनाएं पूरी होती हैं। मां के इस मंदिर को शारदा देवी मंदिर के नाम से भी जाना जाता है। देशभर में देवी शारदा का यह एममात्र मंदिर है। यहां मां दुर्गा देवी सरस्वती के रूप में दर्शन देती हैं। देवी का यह विशेष मंदिर त्रिकुट पर्वत की चोटी पर मध्य भाग में स्थित है जहां देवी शारदा के अतिरिक्त देवी काली, दुर्गा मां, गौरी शंकर, फूलमति माता, काल भैरवी, शेषनाग, जलपा देवी व ब्रह्म देव की भी पूजा होती है। मैहर देवी मंदिर के पीछे यहां आल्हा का तालाब भी है। वह एक योद्घा थे। मंदिर से 2 किमी आगे एक आखाड़ा है। माना जाता है कि यहां आल्हा अपने भाई उदल के साथ कुश्ती किया करते थे।

मैहर देवी को शारदा माई कहे जाने के पीछे भी एक रहस्य है। मान्यता है कि वीर आल्हा देवी को शारदा माई के नाम से पुकारता था। तभी से मैहर देवी को शारदा माई व शारदा देवी के नाम से जाना जाता है। स्थानीय लोगों के अनुसार योद्धा आल्हा और उदल ने राजा पृथ्वीराज चौहान के साथ युद्घ किया था। इसी दौरान उन्होंने मंदिर की खोज की थी। मान्यता है कि आल्हा ने मंदिर में 12 साल तक तप किया। जिससे मां ने प्रसन्न होकर उन्हें वरदान दिया था। मान्यता है कि आल्हा और उदल दोनों 900 साल से आज भी जीवित है। कई लोगों का मानना है कि आज भी ये योद्घा मंदिर के कपाट खुलने से पहले ही मां के दर्शन कर लेते हैं। पट खुलने पर मंदिर के फर्श पर जल व देवी पर फूल अर्पित हुए दिखते है।

कुछ लोगों का यह मानना है कि मंदिर की स्थापना 502 विक्रम संवत में हुई थी। जबकि यहां मूर्ति की स्थापना 559 विक्रम संवत में हुई थी। मंदिर में सबसे पहले गुरु शुक्राचार्य ने पूजा की थी। महान इतिहासकार कनिंद्वम ने मंदिर के विषय में शोध कर बताया था कि प्राचीन काल में यहां पशु बलि दी जाती थी। बाद में 1922 में सतना के राजा ब्रजनाथ जूदेव ने यहां पशुओं की बलि प्रतिबंधित कर दी। मान्यता है कि राजा दक्ष की पुत्री सती भगवान शिव से विवाह करना चाहती थी, लेकिन उनके पिता को यह मंजूर नहीं था। पिता की इच्छा के विपरीत सती ने भगवान शिव के साथ विवाह किया। तभी एक दिन राजा दक्ष ने महल में एक विशाल यज्ञ का आयोजन किया। 

यज्ञ में उन्होंने सभी देवी-देवताओं और ऋषि-मुनियों को आमंत्रित किया, किन्तु उन्होंने शिव को आमंत्रित नहीं किया। इससे सती बहुत व्यधित व क्रोधित हुई और उन्होंने यज्ञ कुंड में कूदकर अपने प्राण त्याग दिए थे। सती की मृत्यु से महादेव बहुत क्रोधित हुए। उन्होंने अपने त्रिनेत्र खोल दिए। साथ ही यज्ञ कुंड से देवी सती का शव उठाकर वहां तांडव करने लगे। इससे पूरे ब्रह्मांड में हलचल मच गई। सृष्टि की शांति के लिए भगवान विष्णु ने अपने चक्र से देवी सती के शव के 52 भाग विभाजित कर दिए। देवी के शरीर का जो भाग जिस स्थान पर गिरा वहां शक्तिपीठ बन गए। मैहर देवी में देवी सती का हार गिरा था। जिस कारण इसे मां हार यानी मैहर देवी नाम दिया गया। 

मैहर देवी के दर्शन के लिए भक्तों को पर्वत पर बनें 1063 सीढ़ियों को पार करना होता है। देवी का मंदिर सतना रेलवे स्टेशन से 5 किमी दूरी पर है। मां के दर्शन को यहां साल भर भक्तों की भीड़ रहती है। शारदा माई के दर्शन को यहां न सिर्फ स्थानीय लोग, बल्कि देश के दूसरे क्षेत्रों के लोग भी आते हैं। विभिन्न प्रांतों से आए हुए श्रद्धलुओं के यहां ठहरने के लिए कई आश्रय बने हुए है। मंदिर के पास ही उचित मूल्य पर कई होटल व धर्मशालाएं उपलब्ध है। मैहर देवी मंदिर पहुंचने के कई विकल्प है। यहां रेल मार्ग, हवाई मार्ग व सड़क मार्ग से भी पहुंचा जा सकता है।सतना जिले के पास सबसे प्रमुख हवाई अड्डा यहां से करीब 160 किमी दूर जबलपुर और 140 किमी दूर खजुराहो हवाई अड्डा है। 

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Ambaji Mata Devasthan

Shree Arasuri Ambaji Temple located around 50 km away from Mount abu, in dist Banaskantha of Gujarat, is among the 51 Shakti Pithas. This is the principal shrine of a goddess who has been worshiped since the pre-Vedic period. She is often referred to as Arasuri Amba, named for the location of the temple in the Arasur hills, near the source of the Saraswati river at the south-western end of the Aravali mountain range.

There is no idol of goddess the holy “Shree Visa Yantra” is worshiped as the main deity. The Yantra having kurma back convex shape and 51 Bij letters therein, connected with that of the original Yantras of Nepal and Ujjain Shakti Piths, is also ritually installed in such a way it can be visible for devotion, i.e. one can not see the Yantra with a naked eye. The original impression of Ambaji mata is on gabbar hilltop i.e. 5 kms away and can be reached by walking on stairs or Rope Way.

Temple is originally built by Nagar Brahmins. The architecture of ambaji temple is very artistic, A glorious Pot or Kalash shines at 103 feet height on the top of the temple, weighing more than 3 three tones as a whole, plated with pure gold, attached with The Holy Flag of Mata Ambaji and Trishul.

In Ramayana period ,Lord Rama and Laxman came to the forest of Mount Arbuda or Abu, in search of Sita after Ravana abducted them. Shringi advised them to worship goddess Amba at Gabbar. The goddess presented them an arrow, called Ajaya, with which Lord Rama finally killed Ravana. In Mahabharata period ,the Pandavas worshipped goddess Ambaji during their exile. They gave Bhimsen a garland called ajaymala which would ensure victory in battles. They gave Arjun divine costumes for disguise as Brihannal in their last year of exile while hiding at the court of Virata. As per another legend , Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhishmak of Vidarbha, worshipped goddess Ambaji here to make Lord Krishna her husband.

According to the ancient Scriptures, the heart of the goddess Devi Sati, fell at the top of this holy hill of Gabbar when her body was dismembered, as per the legend narrated in the “Tantra Chudamani”.

A large mela on Bhadarvi poornima (full moon day) is held every year in which millions of pedestrian pilgrims, devotees, tourists arrives to worship the sacred place on this auspicious day. The ecstatic festival of Navratri is celebrated all over Gujarat in reverence of Ambaji, by dancing garba around the Holy Mother.

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Chudel Mata Temple

KUNGHER a small village 10 km away from PATAN city in Gujarat, is famous and well known pilgrimage after Mahashakti (Goddess) Shree Chudel Mata. People find that their problems get sorted Out quickly when they come here. That’s Why the temple has been dubbed high court Of kungher.

In Kungher, she is known as Adyashakti of today’s Kaliyug and is the first Shakti/Mahashkti, vast and majestic in a form of live Flame (Jyoti) present here.

This temple of Mataji (Goddess) has become the abode of faith, hope and veneration of lakh’s of people. It leaves a lasting impact in the hearts of those devotees, who visit this temple even once. On Sundays and Tuesdays devotees come in large numbers seek blessing and solace, asking and praying for solutions of their problems pertaining to one’s Health, Personal Professional, Legal, Financial or any kind of worldly problems. Each and every devotee does get a solutions.

According to the folk tales around 250 years back, The chudel Maa’s Spirit was worshipped as a goddess and was placed under Varakhadi (A tree where good spirits dwell) by Shri Raichanddas Patel with only five bricks at the western outskirt of the village Kungher. As the times passed Shree Chudel Maa showed her presence by finding things like a vessel, a buffalo or any other lost or stolen articles. She started giving Justice to innocent and simple village folks. Slowly the faith of the people started growing and increasing. Her fame started outgrowing the village limits and spread slowly and gradually in and around the region….

Inspired by Shree Chudel Maa a permanent flame was lit and installed by the leading village elders in Vikram savant 2047 ie. 1991 A.D. which is continuously burning ever since. Her fame is resounding throughout Gujarat and beyond since last two years. There is no place for blind faith in respect of this pious shrine as there are no mediator/agent in between. Visitors pray without uttering a word in the quiet mode of there mind/heart/soul to Goddess Chudel Maa who listens and gives her Justice responding to the prayers which the concerned person only recognizes. That’s why “IT IS CALLED THE HIGH COURT OF KUNGHER” – HON.JUDGE SRI SRI CHUDEL MAA.

Visitors start pouring in at the temple every week from the midnight of Saturday through Sunday forming a disciplined queue. Villagers offer their free services as volunteers to the visiting men women and children guiding through separate barricades. The Shrine of Shree Chudel Maa is oozing with celestial love for all beings, irrespective of caste, creed, colour, race or religion. It’s unique in every respect.

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Ahobilam Devasthanam (Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy)

This temple is located in Ahobilam village, Allagadda municipality of Karnool district, Andhra Pradesh is one of the main holy places for Lord Narasimha. According to some Puranas it is the location where Lord Narasimha blessed Bhakta Prahlada and killed the demon Hiranyakashipu.

Ahobilam Narasimha Temple is the main temple and earliest among all the nine temples. Ahobilam Narasimha Temple is situated on the Upper Ahobilam at a distance of 8km from Lower Ahobilam. The mythology says that Lord Vishnu appeared to the Devas as half-lion and half-man, one of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. By seeing Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu, the Devas is said to be shouted saying Ahobala (great strength) and Ahobila (the cave where the current sanctum is located). And hence, this place is called as Ahobalam or Ahobilam. Nine temples are dedicated to ‘Lord Narasimha’ (one of the ten incarnations of ‘Lord Vishnu’) which is called as Nava Narasimha temples and also situated at Ahobilam.

Presiding deity of this temple is believed to be ‘svayambu’ (self-formed) and worshipped as ‘Lord Ahobila Narasimha Swamy’ and also called as ‘Ugra Narasimha’ because He appears here in His fierce aspect. The Goddess found in this temple is Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Senjulakshmi. Ahobilam Narasimha Temple present a magnificent stone art and the entire history of Ahobilam temple has been sculptured there in stone form. The temple complex also locates the shrine of Adivan Sathagopulu.

The sculptures of investiture of Lord Srirama, the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, images of the poet Annam Acharya, who praised Lord Narasimha with his songs, are also sculptured on the walls of the temple. And it is also said that Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy, the great sage have meditated at this place to write Kalagnana, the knowledge of future. The Vimanam (tower above the sanctum sanctorum) of Ahobilam Narasimha Temple is called as Guhai Vimanam and the Pushkarani (temple tank) of this temple are Pavanasini, Bhargava, Indra, Nrisimha and Gaja Pushkarani.

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Mahabodhi Temple

The Mahabodhi Vihar is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.  Siddhartha Gautama (around 589 BCE), a young prince who saw the suffering of the world and wanted to end it, reached the forested banks of the Phalgu river, near the city of Gaya, India. There he sat in meditation under a peepul tree (Ficus religiosa or Sacred Fig) which later became known as the Bodhi tree. According to Buddhist scriptures, after three days and three nights, Siddharta attained enlightenment and the answers that he had sought. In that location, Mahabodhi Temple was built by Emperor Ashoka in around 260 BCE.

The Buddha then spent the succeeding seven weeks at seven different spots in the vicinity meditating and considering his experience. Several specific places at the current Mahabodhi Temple relate to the traditions surrounding these seven weeks-

• The first week was spent under the Bodhi tree.
• During the second week, the Buddha remained standing and stared, uninterrupted, at the Bodhi tree. This spot is marked by the Animeshlocha Stupa, that is, the unblinking stupa or shrine, to the north-east of the Mahabodhi Temple complex. There stands a statue of Buddha with his eyes fixed towards the Bodhi tree.
• The Buddha is said to have walked back and forth between the location of the Animeshlocha Stupa and the Bodhi tree. According to legend, lotus flowers sprung up along this route; it is now called Ratnachakrama or the jewel walk.
• He spent the fourth week near Ratnagar Chaitya, to the north-east side.
• During the fifth week, Buddha answered in details to the queries of Brahmins under the Ajapala Nigodh tree, now marked by a pillar.
• He spent the sixth week next to the Lotus pond.
• He spent the seventh week under the Rajyatna tree

Bodhi Tree

The Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya is directly connected to the life of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who attained enlightenment or perfect insight when he was meditating under it. The temple was built directly to the east of the Bodhi tree, supposedly a direct descendant of the original Bodhi Tree.

According to Buddhist mythology, if no Bodhi tree grows at the site, the ground around the Bodhi tree is devoid of all plants for a distance of one royal karīsa. Through the ground around the Bodhi tree no being, not even an elephant, can travel.

According to the Jatakas, the navel of the earth lies at this spot, and no other place can support the weight of the Buddha's attainment. Another Buddhist tradition claims that when the world is destroyed at the end of a kalpa, the Bodhimanda is the last spot to disappear, and will be the first to appear when the world emerges into existence again. Tradition also claims that a lotus will bloom there, and if a Buddha is born during that the new kalpa, the lotus flowers in accordance with the number of Buddhas expected to arise. According to legend, in the case of Gautama Buddha, a Bodhi tree sprang up on the day he was born.

Mucalinda Lake

It is said that four weeks after the Buddha began meditating under the Bodhi Tree, the heavens darkened for seven days, and a prodigious rain descended. However, the mighty king of serpents, Mucalinda, came from beneath the earth and protected with his hood the one who is the source of all protection. When the great storm had cleared, the serpent king assumed his human form, bowed before the Buddha, and returned in joy to his palace.

The subject of Buddha meditating under the protection of Mucalinda is very common in Lao Buddhist art. One modern rendition is present in Bunleua Sulilat's sculpture park Sala Keoku.

Mahabodhi Vihar construction and restoration

In approximately 250 BCE, about 200 years after the Buddha attained Enlightenment, Buddhist Emperor Asoka visited Bodh Gaya in order to establish a monastery and shrine on the holy site.The new Mahabodhi temple included a diamond throne (called the Vajrasana) to mark the exact spot of the Buddha's enlightenment. While Asoka is considered the Mahabodhi temple's founder, the current structure dates from the 5th–6th century. The previous pyramidal temple probably replaced an open pavilion that had been constructed around the tree and the Asokan platform. Representations of this early temple are found at Sanchi, on the toraṇas of Stūpa I, dating from around 25 BCE, and on a relief carving from the stupa railing at Bhārhut, from the early Shunga period (c. 185–c. 73 BCE).

Buddhism declined when the dynasties patronizing it declined, following White Hun and the early Arab Islamic invasions such as that of Muhammad bin Qasim. A strong revival occurred under the Pala Empire in the northeast of the subcontinent (where the temple is situated). Mahayana Buddhism flourished under the Palas between the 8th and the 12th century. However, after the defeat of the Palas by the Hindu Sena dynasty, Buddhism's position again began to erode and became nearly extinct in India. During the 12th century CE, Bodh Gaya and the nearby regions were invaded by Muslim Turk armies. During this period, the Mahabodhi Temple fell into disrepair and was largely abandoned. Over the following centuries, the monastery's abbot or mahant position became occupied by the area's primary landholder, who claimed ownership of the Mahabodhi Temple grounds.

In the 13th century, Burmese Buddhists built a temple with the same name and modelled on the original Mahabodhi Temple. During the 11th century and the 19th century, Burmese rulers undertook restoration of the temple complex and surrounding wall. In the 1880s, the then-British colonial government of India began to restore Mahabodhi Temple. 

Mahabodhi Temple is constructed of brick and is one of the oldest brick structures to have survived in eastern India. It is considered to be a fine example of Indian brickwork, and was highly influential in the development of later architectural traditions. According to UNESCO, "the present temple is one of the earliest and most imposing structures built entirely in brick from Gupta period" (300–600 CE). Mahabodhi Temple's central tower rises 55 meters (180 ft), and were heavily renovated in the 19th century. Its pyramidal shikhara (tower) comprises several layers of niches, arch motifs, and fine engravings. Four towers, each identical to its central counterpart but smaller in size and topped with an umbrella-like dome, adorn the corners of the two-story structure. A shrine inside the temple holds a yellow sandstone statue of the Buddha encased in glass.

The Mahabodhi Temple is surrounded on all four sides by stone railings, about two meters high. The railings reveal two distinct types, both in style as well as the materials used. The older ones, made of sandstone, date to about 150 BCE, and the others, constructed from unpolished coarse granite, are believed to be of the Gupta period. The older railings have scenes such as Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, being bathed by elephants; and Surya, the Hindu sun god, riding a chariot drawn by four horses. The newer railings have figures of stupas (reliquary shrines) and garudas (eagles). Images of lotus flowers also appear commonly.

Images of the site include Avalokiteśvara (Padmapani, Khasarpana), Vajrapani, Tara, Marichi, Yamantaka, Jambhala and Vajravārāhī. Images of Vishnu, Shiva, Surya and other Vedic deities are also associated with the site.

In June 2002, the Mahabodhi Temple became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All finds of religious artifacts in the area are legally protected under the Treasure Trove Act of 1878. In 2013, the upper portion of the temple was covered with gold. The gold was a gift from the King of Thailand and devotees from Thailand, and installed with the approval of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Sita Samahit Sthal (Sitamarhi)

Sita is worshipped as an ideal of chastity and virtue. Circumstances, ordained by the Almighty, compelled Sita to return to the lap of her Mother Earth when people questioned her chastity. Sitamarhi is the place where she entered into the earth. Marriage of Ram-Sita, and the consequent separation was pre-determined. When Narad Muni had to undergo humiliation at the ‘Swayamavar’ of Vishwamohini, he had cursed Lord Vishnu that he too would have to experience the agony of separation from his beloved in ‘Treta Yug‘. Thus Lord Ram could not enjoy the company of Sita. The couple had to spend 14 years in exile and it was then that Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, king of Lanka. She had to spend a long time in the confinement of Ravana. Later, when Ravana was killed by Lord Ram and Sita was taken to Ayodhya , people questioned her purity as she had spent a long time in Ravana’s confinement. Lord Ram who was the model of ideal conduct honoured the verdict of the people and sent Sita to exile once again, where the twins Luv & Kush were born.

Meanwhile in Ayodhya , Lord Ram conducted the Ashwamedha Yajna, and the horse of the Yagna was held by Luv and Kush who had been educated and trained as great warriors by Rishi Valmiki . When Lord Ram came face to face with the twins who challenged him to a duel, Rishi Valmiki intervened and told Ram that Luv & Kush were his sons, and that Sita was living in his Ashram. He asked Ram to take Sita back to Ayodhya and perform the Ashwamedh Yagna by sitting beside his wife. Ram told Valmiki that he would take Sita back only if she re-established her purity before the people of Ayodhya. Sita could not bear the insult anymore and prayed to Mother Earth to give shelter to her. Mother Earth erupted and Sita entered into it. Lord Ram was stunned to see this unexpected development and tried to stop Sita from entering the earth but could catch her hair only. This story of Sita’s second exile is emotionally narrated by Valmiki in his Ramayana and then by Kalidas in “Raghuvansham” besides Radheshyam in his Ramayana.

There are two places known as Sitamarhi one where Sita was found by Raja Janak while ploughing the fields in Bihar, and the other where Sita returned to the lap of Mother Earth near Allahabad where stands the Ashram of Rishi Valmiki on the holy banks of the Ganga. The epic Ramayana was authored by Valmiki, who made his Ashram near this spot. Sita was not born (Ajanma) she was found by Raja Janak in an earthen pitcher while ploughing a field hence she is known as the daughter of the earth. Swami Jiterndranand Tirth , a saint from Rishikesh while travelling on foot along the holy Ganga in 1991 in search of God and self realisation, experienced something unique and great after covering around 900 kms. This was a small sleepy village, known as ‘Sitamarhi’. The locals believed that Sita had descended into the earth at this very place, situated next to Valmiki Ashram , a little distance away from the Ganga. Swamiji saw a small valley with a mound in the middle surrounded by four small hillocks. He was surprised to see that the earthen mound could not be washed away though a water stream had been flowing regularly at the place for centuries together. Swamiji decided to break his journey and stay there. He cleansed a portion of that mound and started meditating there. He felt some vibrations and realized the bliss of Sita. Then he found a typical grass grown on the slope of the hillocks which was worshipped by the local womanfolk as the sacred hair of Maa Sita.

There are three factors which prove that this was indeed the place where Sitaji had descended into the earth.

1. Sita was abandoned near Valmiki Ashram during her exile, and the Ashram stands in Sitamarhi.

2. It was situated on the banks of the holy Ganga as described in the epic Ramayana and could be reached on a chariot from Ayodhya in a day. Valmiki has explained the geographical position of his ashram near the confluence of Tamsa and Ganga.

3. The author of Ram Charit Manas , Goswami Tulsidas had visited this place while travelling from Varanasi (Kashi ) to Allahabad (Prayag) and stayed for three days. He described the location of Sitamarhi between Baripur and Digpur. The two villages still exist and testify the location. He explained the location in his Kavitawali Uttarkand couplet 138.

Getting inspiration from Swami Jiterdranand Tirth, business magnate Shri Satya Narayan Prakash Punj and his wife Indu Punj decided to develop this place into a religious tourist place by raising a beautiful Shri Sita Temple on the mound surrounded by a stream of water. An ancient temple of Maa Sita also exists there within the premises of the new complex, where people light lamps to get their wishes fulfilled.

Shree Sita temple comprises of two storeys. In the basement, a beautiful white statue of Maa Sita is installed to depict her descending into the lap of Mother Earth while on the upper storey, Maa Sita stands as a worshipped goddess. The walls of the temple depict the important events of that period.

The foundation stone of this magnificent temple was laid by none other than the first lady of India, Mrs Vimla Sharma, wife of Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then President of India.

Sitamarhi occupies a high rank among the five important Teerths in Poorvanchal which are Prayag, Sitamarhi, Sarnath, Vindhyawasni & Kashiraj. All the five places can be visited within three days. Sitamarhi is the only Teerth where persons can stay within the temple campus, take a holy dip in the Ganges, enjoy morning and evening Aarties. It is now regarded as a very sacred place by pilgrims, historians & saints alike.

An ancient temple, situated at Sitamai village near Karnal is also considered as the exact spot where the mother earth swallowed Goddess Sita Mata while she had to prove her purity.

To ensure comfortable stay and provide all possible comforts to the pilgrims, Shree Sita Samahit Sthal Trust has constructed separate Dharmshalas available for men and women on nominal charges as well as guest house with three star facilities for elite. Guest house has rooms, air cooled and air conditioned. A restaurant serving vegetarian food and snacks.

For touring further all types of vehicles are available. Air tickets, Train reservation tickets can be arranged by the guest house at premises only.

Additional details on http://mandirinfo.com/TempleDetails.aspx?HID=317

पीताम्बरा पीठ दतिया

पीताम्बरा पीठ दतिया ज़िला, मध्य प्रदेश में स्थित है। यह देश के लोकप्रिय शक्तिपीठों में से एक है। कहा जाता है कि कभी इस स्थान पर श्मशान हुआ करता था, लेकिन आज एक विश्वप्रसिद्ध मन्दिर है। स्थानील लोगों की मान्यता है कि मुकदमे आदि के सिलसिले में माँ पीताम्बरा का अनुष्ठान सफलता दिलाने वाला होता है। पीताम्बरा पीठ के प्रांगण में ही 'माँ धूमावती देवी' का मन्दिर है, जो भारत में भगवती धूमावती का एक मात्र मन्दिर है।

मध्य प्रदेश के दतिया शहर में प्रवेश करते ही पीताम्बरा पीठ है। यहाँ पहले कभी श्मशान हुआ करता था, आज विश्वप्रसिद्ध मन्दिर है। पीताम्बरा पीठ की स्थापना एक सिद्ध संत, जिन्हें लोग स्वामीजी महाराज कहकर पुकारते थे, ने 1935 में की थी। श्री स्वामी महाराज ने बचपन से ही सन्न्यास ग्रहण कर लिया था। वे यहाँ एक स्वतंत्र अखण्ड ब्रह्मचारी संत के रूप में निवास करते थे। स्वामीजी प्रकांड विद्वान व प्रसिद्ध लेखक थे। उन्हेंने संस्कृत, हिन्दी में कई किताबें भी लिखी थीं। गोलकवासी स्वामीजी महाराज ने इस स्थान पर 'बगलामुखी देवी' और धूमावती माई की प्रतिमा स्थापित करवाई थी। यहाँ बना वनखंडेश्वर मन्दिर महाभारत कालीन मन्दिरों में अपना विशेष स्थान रखता है। यह मन्दिर भगवान शिव को समर्पित है। इसके अलावा इस मन्दिर परिसर में अन्य बहुत से मन्दिर भी बने हुए हैं। देश के विभिन्न हिस्सों से श्रद्धालुओं का यहाँ आना-जाना लगा रहता है।

पीताम्बरा देवी की मूर्ति के हाथों में मुदगर, पाश, वज्र एवं शत्रुजिव्हा है। यह शत्रुओं की जीभ को कीलित कर देती हैं। मुकदमे आदि में इनका अनुष्ठान सफलता प्राप्त करने वाला माना जाता है। इनकी आराधना करने से साधक को विजय प्राप्त होती है। शुत्र पूरी तरह पराजित हो जाते हैं। यहाँ के पंडित तो यहाँ तक कहते हैं कि, जो राज्य आतंकवाद व नक्सलवाद से प्रभावित हैं, वह माँ पीताम्बरा की साधना व अनुष्ठान कराएँ, तो उन्हें इस समस्या से निजात मिल सकती है।

पीताम्बरा पीठ के प्रांगण में ही माँ भगवती धूमावती देवी का देश का एक मात्र मन्दिर है। ऐसा कहा जाता है कि मन्दिर परिसर में माँ धूमावती की स्थापना न करने के लिए अनेक विद्वानों ने स्वामीजी महाराज को मना किया था। तब स्वामी जी ने कहा कि- "माँ का भयंकर रूप तो दुष्टों के लिए है, भक्तों के प्रति ये अति दयालु हैं।" समूचे विश्व में धूमावती माता का यह एक मात्र मन्दिर है। जब माँ पीताम्बरा पीठ में माँ धूमावती की स्थापना हुई थी, उसी दिन स्वामी महाराज ने अपने ब्रह्मलीन होने की तैयारी शुरू कर दी थी। ठीक एक वर्ष बाद माँ धूमावती जयन्ती के दिन स्वामी महाराज ब्रह्मलीन हो गए। माँ धूमावती की आरती सुबह-शाम होती है, लेकिन भक्तों के लिए धूमावती का मन्दिर शनिवार को सुबह-शाम 2 घंटे के लिए खुलता है। माँ धूमावती को नमकीन पकवान, जैसे- मंगोडे, कचौड़ी व समोसे आदि का भोग लगाया जाता है। सबसे अनोखी बात ये है कि भक्तों को मां धूमावती के दर्शन का सौभाग्य केवल आरती के समय ही प्राप्त होता है क्योंकि बाकी समय मंदिर के कपाट बंद रहते हैं. मां पीतांबरा के वैभव से सभी की मनोकामना पूरी होती है. भक्तों को सुख समृद्धि और शांति मिलती है, यही वजह है कि मां के दरबार में दूर दूर से भक्त आते हैं, मां की महिमा गाते हैं और झोली में खुशियां भर कर घर ले जाते हैं.

भक्तों के जीवन में मां के चमत्कार को आए दिन घटते देखा जा सकता है. लेकिन इस दरबार में भक्तों को मां के दर्शन एक छोटी सी खिड़की से ही होते हैं. दर्शनार्थियों को मां की प्रतिमा को स्पर्श करने की मनाही है. माना जाता है कि मां बगुलामुखी ही पीतांबरा देवी हैं इसलिए उन्हें पीली वस्तुएं चढ़ाई जाती हैं. लेकिन मां को प्रसन्न करना इतना आसान भी नहीं है. इसके लिए करना होता है विशेष अनुष्ठान, जिसमें भक्त को पीले कपड़े पहनने होते हैं, मां को पीली वस्तुएं चढ़ाई जाती हैं और फिर मांगी जाती है मुराद. कहते हैं विधि विधान से अगर अनुष्ठठान कर लिया जाए तो मां जल्द ही पूरी कर देती हैं भक्तों की मनोकामना. मां पीतांबरा को राजसत्ता की देवी माना जाता है और इसी रूप में भक्त उनकी आराधना करते हैं. राजसत्ता की कामना रखने वाले भक्त यहां आकर गुप्त पूजा अर्चना करते हैं. माँ पीतांबरा शत्रु नाश की अधिष्ठात्री देवी है और राजसत्ता प्राप्ति में माँ की पूजा का विशेष महत्व होता है. मंदिर में मां पीतांबरा के साथ ही खंडेश्वर महादेव और धूमावती के दर्शनों का भी सौभाग्य मिलता है. मंदिर के दायीं ओर विराजते हैं खंडेश्वर महादेव, जिनकी तांत्रिक रूप में पूजा होती है.

माँ पीताम्बरा बगलामुखी का स्वरूप रक्षात्मक है। पीताम्बरा पीठ मन्दिर के साथ एक ऐतिहासिक सत्य भी जुड़ा हुआ है। सन् 1962 में चीन ने भारत पर हमला कर दिया था। उस समय देश के प्रधानमंत्री पंडित जवाहर लाल नेहरू थे। भारत के मित्र देशों रूस तथा मिस्र ने भी सहयोग देने से मना कर दिया था। तभी किसी योगी ने पंडित जवाहर लाल नेहरू से स्वामी महाराज से मिलने को कहा। उस समय नेहरू दतिया आए और स्वामीजी से मिले। स्वामी महाराज ने राष्ट्रहित में एक यज्ञ करने की बात कही। यज्ञ में सिद्ध पंडितों, तांत्रिकों व प्रधानमंत्री जवाहर लाल नेहरू को यज्ञ का यजमान बनाकर यज्ञ प्रारंभ किया गया। यज्ञ के नौंवे दिन जब यज्ञ का समापन होने वाला था तथा पूर्णाहुति डाली जा रही थी, उसी समय 'संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ' का नेहरू जी को संदेश मिला कि चीन ने आक्रमण रोक दिया है। मन्दिर प्रांगण में वह यज्ञशाला आज भी बनी हुई है।

Shri Peetambara Peetha (Goddess Baglamukhi)

Shri Peetambara Peetha is one of the most famous temples of Baglamukhi which was established by Sh. Golokwasi Bramhaleen Pujyapaad RashtraGuru Anant Shree Swami Ji Maharaj in 1920s.
He also established the temple of goddess Dhumavati within the ashram. Dhumavati and Bagalamukhi are the two of the ten Mahavidyas. In addition to those, there are temples of Parshuram, Hanuman, Kal Bhairav and other god and goddess spread across the large area of Ashram.

Currently the Peeth is maintained by a trust. There is a Sanskrit library which was established by the Pujyapaad, and is maintained by Ashram. One can get the books explaining the history of the Ashram and secret mantras of various kind of sadhanas and tantras. One of the unique feature of the Ashram is its endeavor to spread the light of Sanskrit language to young children, free of cost. Ashram conducts Sanskrit debates across the years.

Pujyapaad was called 'Swamiji'or 'Maharaaj' by the devotees. No one knows from where he came, or his name; nor did he disclose this to anyone. However, he was a Parivrajakachrya Dandi Swami,who stayed on in Datia for a longer period.He was and still is a spiritual icon for many who visit the Peeth or have been associated with him directly or indirectly.He did/led many anushthans and sadhanas for the protection and welfare of both humanity and the country. Living legend who knows about Swamiji is Pt Shri Gaya Prasad Nayak ji (Babuji) of Garhi Malehara. Pujya Swamiji Maharaj and Babuji's Guruji were Gurubhai. This shakti peeth has Vankhandeswar Shiva Temple as well which is said to be of the time of Mahabharata.

Pujyapaad was a strong devotee of the Goddess Pitambara. He had a natural liking for the Sanskrit language. He was having good knowledge of Urdu, Persian and Arabic, English, Pali, Prakrit languages. He liked the classical music and various great classical musicians of that time used to visit the ashram. Some of the musicians who visited the ashram are Pundit Gundai Maharaj, Siyaram Tiwari, Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Dagar Bandhu etc. One of the greatest classical musician Acharaya Brhaspati was follower of Pujyapaad.

The Goddess change her appearance thrice in a day. One should visit the ashram with very pure heart and full devotion and should maintain purity of the place in all circumstances. Irrespective of your status, every one has to follow Peeth's discipline for Mai Darshan. No one is allowed to carry leather items i.e. waist belt, wallet, purse etc. inside temple premises even after removing your footwear.

Additional details on http://mandirinfo.com/TempleDetails.aspx?HID=229