Shakumbhri Devi

Shakumbhri Devi is one of the goddesses in Sanatan Dharm. She is believed to be associated with Maa Durga.

It is believed that, here she performed worship and meditation (Tapas) for 100 years, having a vegetarian meal (shaka-ahar) only once at the end of every month. During this time, the saints and seers (Rishis/Munis) who came for her worship (Darshan) were welcomed and honoured with vegetarian meals. Because of this the temple was named the Shakumbhri Devi temple and she also got very strongly connected with vegetarianism among Hindus.^{[ citation needed ]}

Shakumbhari

Temples of Shakumbhri Devi

Sector 43-A, Chandigarh

The temple is situated in Sector 43 of Union Territory of Chandigarh. The temple is one of the most famous temples of the city. The idol of Shakumbari Devi at the temple is one of the most beautiful and gorgeous idols of the country.

Sikar District Rajasthan

The temple is considered as one of the more ancient temples of maa sakumbhari and the idol considered swayambhu (appeared naturally). the temple is close to the town of udaipur shekhavati and in sikar district. The temple holds colourful navratras festival and there is an ancient mutt or shaktipeeth.

Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Shakumbhri Devi Temple

This temple is the oldest among all the temples of Goddess Shakumbhari. This is why the goddess rained with her eyes for nine nights.The temple is on the site of the ruins of a more ancient temple and was constructed by the Pundir Rajputs under Rana Bahadur Singh Pundir who was the representative of the Pundir chief Rana Pitambar Singh Pundir of Jasmour. ^[1] Though it is an ancient temple, its devotees consider it to be a Shakti Peetha, a powerful seat of Shakti, the divine feminine. ^[2] The devotees have a strong faith in the Goddess and the temple attracts a large number of devotees from India as also from outside the country particularly during the Navratree days. The temple is well maintained and is well laid out to have full darshan of the idols in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. It is found from the plaque displayed near the staircase that it was during the early 1960s that a properly covered corridor, connecting the main entrance gate and outer varandah of the temple, was constructed for the convenience and comfort of the devotees. This work was done, with the permission of the Ranas of Jasmour who own the temple, by one Shri Radha Kishan, then Treasurer of the erstwhile Kalsia State (Chhachhrauli)(presently in Yamunanagar District of Haryana) from his personal contribution and also by collecting donations from several devotees. It is indeed an experience of life to visit the main temple as also the nearby Bhuradev Temple seeking their blessings and benedictions. It is rightly said that a visit to these temples with faith and devotion always brings great satisfaction, rewards and contentment in life and family. These temples are easily approachable by road or train from different parts of the country and their location is surrounded by hills and serene environment.

Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan

Another shrine dedicated to Shakumbari Devi is near the famous Sambhar Lake, 90 kilometers west of Jaipur, Rajasthan. ^[3] This temple is quite ancient and popular estimates put the age of this temple at 1300 years or more.

According to a Hindu tradition, Shakumbhari Devi - tutelary Goddess of Pundir,^{[ citation needed ]} Audichya Brahmins,^{[ citation needed ]} [Joshi,^{[ citation needed ]} Chauhan Rajput and - converted forest to a plain of precious metals. When people worried and felt it as curse rather than blessing, and requested her to retract her favor, she converted the silver to salt, now found in the lake.

Other associations

Another temple that finds its association with Shakumbhari Devi is Jeen-Maa temple, near Goriya, Sikar, Rajasthan. ^[4] JAI MATA SHAKUMBHRI DEVI KI JAI

Shakumbhri Devi Melas

Twice a year, in the Ashwin and Chaitra months of the Hindu calendar (during the days of Navratra),as also at the time of Holi festival, the famous Shakumbhri melas are organised. It is during these melas, in particular, that the roads from Saharanpur(U.P.) to the Temple are properly maintained so as to facilitate to and fro smooth journey for the devotees. The devotees to Shakumbhri first visit Bhura-Dev temple which is about one kilometer before the Temple and then proceed to the Temple of the Goddess.

The popularity of this temple has been increasing day by day and many devotees from far and near visit this temple for "Darshan" these days. During this famous melas, lakhs of Hindu devotees visit this temple for darshan. It is indeed considered to be a rewarding experience to visit the Temple with devotion and faith in the munificence of the Goddess.

Films on Shakumbhri Devi

Jai Shakumbari Maa (2000) produced and directed by Shiv Kumar. ^[5]

References

1. Calcutta Review, Volume 2; Volume 58 .
2. Shakumbari Devi Temple at India9
3. Sambhar Lake
4. History of Jeen Mata Archived 2008-01-17 at the Wayback Machine
5. Jai Shakumbari Maa Film

External links

• Saharanpur
• Religious places of Saharanpur Saharanpur district website
• Shakumbhri Devi Temple wikimapia