By Vishal Rathod

VINDHYAVASINI SHAKTIPEETH :
Vindhyachal Dham
Dear Soul Mates,

After going through all the places in Varanasi I went to four more destinations in which one was
the famous and one of the Greatest Shaktipeeths called Vindhyavasini in Vindhyachal near
Mirzapur , Uttar Pradesh. In our plan we had to go to Vindhyachal, Sitamarhi (Sita Samahit
Sthal), Prayag ( Allahabad ) and Chitrakoot. For this we decided to book a car from Varanasi
itself. Vindhyachal and Sitamarhi are the places which are located between Allahabad and
Varanasi. From Grand Trunk Road which connects Varanasi and Allahabad one has to go
towards Ganga river side for reaching those places. First we started our journey on Grand trunk
road towards Vindhyachal early at 5.00 AM. After around 2 hours we crossed Ganga at Mirzapur
and proceeded towards Vindhyachal which was eight kms away from Mirzapur

Map : Varanasi to Vindhyachal

Lal Bhairav Temple

Before reaching Vindhyachal,on the way there is Bhairava Temple on the road . Now in all Devi
Puranas and Mahabhagwat it is said that where there is a Shaktipeeth there is always a Bhairava
present in any form to guard. Here in Vindhayachal he is in the form of Lal Bhairava. There is
huge 6 feet tall idol of Bhairava blood red in color showing one of his angry forms.One feels
dense spiritual power here in addition to glimpses of fear. It is said that if do the only darshan of
Bhairava also you will get all the benefits and fruits of visiting a shaktipeeth .

Vindhyachal Dham : Lal Bhairav Temple

Vindhyachal Dham : Lal Bhairav

After visiting Lal Bhairava Temple we proceeded towards the Vindhyavasini temple which was
around one km away on the banks of mighty Ganges. One has to climb few steps to reach the
temple. When we were climbing the temple apart from few shops all of them were closed. So we
were at the right time early in the morning.
Vindhyachal Dham : Climbing towards Vindhyavasini Temple

Importance of Vindhyavasini Shaktipeeth

Shrimad Devi Bhagwatam has given special importance and special mention to Vindhyavasini
Shakti Peeth out of its 108 Shaktipeeths. Every years lakhs of devotees from every corner of
India come here of both the Navaratri. Thousands of saints come to Vindhyachal Dham and
Vindhya mountains for performing 9 days penance and meditation. Every day the temple has
huge crowd of devotees.

Many scriptures state that there is no other shrine as pure as Vindhyachal elsewhere in the
universe. The 3 supreme powers Maha Lakshmi, Maha Kali and Maha Saraswati reside at this
place.
Devi Parvati had performed meditation at this place for Lord Shiva and got the name Aparna.
Lord Rama performed Shraadh – Tarpan of his ancestors at Ramganga Ghat and established the
Rameshwaram Linga. He also established the Ramkunda here in Vindhyachal . Lord Vishnu
received Sudarshan Chakra from Lord Shiva at this place.
Vindhyachal is situated on the Mahalalakshmi Yantra which is circled with mountain is
considered as the land of power. It is a very significant place out of the 108 Shakti Peetha and 12
Maha Peeths. According to legend back of Sati had fell at this place. This place has multiple
virtues.
Vindhyachal is called as Shaktipeeth, Siddhipeeth and Manidweep in scriptures.

Another Legend of Vindhyavasini

Apart from many legends , there is also one more legend which requires special attention. As it is
believed that shaktipeeths were created by cutting the body parts of Devi Sati by Sudarshan
Chakra by Lord Vishnu. But this is the place and shaktipeeth where Devi chose to reside after
her birth in Dwapar Yuga. At the time of birth of Lord Krishna to Devaki and Vasudeva ,
MahaYogini Maha Maya took birth at Nanda Baba and Yashoda at Gokul as per instruction of
Lord Vishnu. Vasudeva had replaced his son Krishna with this girl child of Yashoda . When
Kansa tried to kill the girl she slipped from his hands and assumed the form of Mahadevi
Adishakti and anounced ” You fool , the one who is supposed to kill you is already born and
vanished from this prison . Thereafter Devi chose Vindhya Mountains as her abode to live on the
earth.

We reached the temple which was located in between the shops and houses of the residients of
Vindhaychal. Very less open space was present to take any pictures . Even in the morning at 7.00
AM , the place was crowded and we got our turn after 15 minutes.
Vindhyachal Dham : Vindhyavasini Temple

Inside the Vindhyavasini Temple

We then had darshan of Devi in the form of idol . The idol is black in color, 5 feet tall. This idol
is situated in a very small sanctum called Garbagriha . There are two queues from which the
devotee can enter Garbagriha .The legs of the Devi rest on her mount Lion . The eyes of the
Devi are adorned with silver metal which gives special effects when you look her. The Devi is
also adorned with all the ornaments like crown , bangles , necklaces , rings etc. all amde up of
Gold. The whole idol is covered flowers and garlands. One is allowed to touch the feet of Devi
and submit offerings. Overall a soul refreshing experience.

After having darshan of Devi inside the garbagriha we came out and roamed in the premises of
the temple containing lot of shivalingas and a huge idol of Lord Hanuman. There is also a
gigantic Yagna Kunda in the premises where all types of hawans and sacrifices are performed.
Vindhyavasini Devi : Vindhyachal Dham

After having the darshan we came down and headed for our next destinations called Kali khoh
and Ashta Bhuja .The Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, the Ashtabhuja temple, dedicated to
Goddess Mahasaraswati (on a hillock, 3 kms from Vindhyavasini temple) and the Kali khoh
temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali (2 kms from Vindhyavasini temple) form the Trikon
Parikrama.

One should visit all the three temples to complete the yatra of Vindhyachal Dham
Map : Trikon Parikrama ( All the three Temples )

Kali Khoh Temple

Goddess Kali is enshrined in the cave temple called Kali Khoh Temple, which is believed to be
the most powerful manifestation of female power. In the midst of wood lands, forest and
beautiful streams, the Kali Khoh shrine adds to the beauty of the site. Among the three divine
manifests (Maa Laxmi, Saraswati & Kali) of Adi Shakti, Mahakali is said to be settled in cavern
of Kali Khoh. This is an ancient cave at the base of a hillock near Vindhyachal Town.

On being troubled by the demons persistently the Gods (Devtas) worshipped Goddess Parvati, on
hearing their plight Goddess Parvati got angry and because of anger & rage her face turned
black. Hence, she is also known as Maa Kali. She is also worshipped as Chandi, Chamunda &
Kali.The temple is lonely and in secluded place full of peace and away from crowd. One gets
feeling of being scared , such is the peace and waves of vibrations here . Behind the Kali Khoh
Temple is the temple of Bhairava. The temple is very popular among tantriks from all over the
country.
Vindhyachal Dham : Kali Khoh Temple
Kali Khoh Temple Entrance
Mahakali Devi : Kali Khoh, Temple Vindhyachal Dham

After Kali Khoh temple it was time to visit the final destination of Trikon Parikrama of
Vindhyachal Dham . i.e. Ashtabhuja Temple which is around 5 kms from Kali khoh Temple

Ashtabhuja Temple

Ashtabhuja Temple, located on the northern most part of the hillock, is the third tangent of
Vindhyachal Trikon Parikrama (circumambulation of the divine triangle). The place derived its
name from the deity Ashtabhuja, (Goddess Mahasaraswati), one of the titles of Parvati. The
entrance of the temple is low but the exit is high. The cave in which idol is installed is about 12
feet wide. Statue of Goddess has large eyes & white of eyes (sclera) is made up of silver.
The pilgrimage to this temple is undertaken after worshipping Vindhyavasini Temple at
Vindhyachal. The pilgrims then proceed to the Allahabad road to the foot of the hills. There is a
flight of steps leading to the temple (222 steps to the temple). Another motorable road passes
through Kajali pond and goes to the temple. The panoramic view of River Ganges & landscape
around may be viewed from the top of the Ashtabhuja Devi temple.
Ashtabhuja Temple : Vindhyachal Dham

The image or idol of Goddess Ashtabhuja is engraved on the mountain inside the small cave .
One has to bend down and pass inside the cave to have darshan.
Ashtabhuja Devi : Vindhyachal Dham

Vindhyachal Dham

By Road : Vindhyachal is 8 kms away from Mirzapur a large city In Uttar Pradesh. So it is well
connected to road .

By Rail : Vindhyachal has its own railway station on Manikpur – Mughal Sarai line. Although a
small railway station many trains stop here . Other wise one can easily come from Mirzapur
railway station in 20 minutes.

By Air : Varanasi is the closest airport located around 78 kms from Vindhyachal.

Dear Soul Mates,

I here end my visit to Vindhyavasini Dham located at Vindhyachal near Mirzapur . I hope so
every one who reads the post gets the blessings of Maa Vindhyavasini . In the next one we will
reach a place called Sitamarhi or Sita Samahit Sthal . Till then
Jai Bhole.