Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir, Raipur

                                                Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir


It is located in Raipur's old fort area on the banks of the river Khaaroon, near Maharajbandh temple. The presiding deity is known as Mahamaya - a goddess with all the good qualities, supposed to be a combination of the powers of Vishnu and Shiva. She is also known as Durga and Mahishasura Mardini or Jagdambe. This temple originally belonging to the Kalchuri era has been renovated later. Nearby is the Samleswari temple dedicated to Goddess Samlai.

This temple originally belonging to the Kalchuri era has been renovated later.The king had discussed with the priests. Every told that the status should be established by this raja moradhwaj. Established temple of mateshwari mahamaya devi with all tantarik and vedic condition over here.
The commanding deity is known as Mahamaya, a goddess possessed with all good qualities, supposed to be the blend of the powers of Lords Vishnu and Shiva. She is also known as Durga and Mahishasura Mardini or Jagadambe. The original temple constructed in the Kalchuri era has been refurbished many a times later. Nearby is the Samleswari temple dedicated to Goddess Samlai.

Significance:-

Welcome to one of the most religiously-celebrated, architecturally superb and culturally rich temple of south-east India: Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir, Ratanpur. From many decades since, the temple and the town of Ratanpur have attracted the attention of scores of historians and archeologists.dome Surrounded by lush green hills and housing more than 150 ponds, the town is flocked – twice a year – by hundreds of thousands of devotees every year, who visit here in Navrataras to get darshan of the awe-inspiring dual-statue of their beloved goddess: Mahamaya Devi. Situated at 25 km away from the city of Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) on the Bilaspur-Ambikapur state highway, the Mandir and the relics of scores of ancilliary temples, domes, palaces and forts – now rundown by the time and natural forces – seem to tell a story. Once the capital of the Kalchuri kings, Ratanpur – then, Ratnapur – has almost a millenium of history.
Built on the Nagar school of architecture, the temple is surrounded by a 18 inch thick boundary wall. Supported by sixteen stone columns, the temple is believed to be built around 12th century AD. Many of the statues and motifs used in the temple have been taken from rundown or broken temples of earlier centuries, some of them were Jain temples. The main campus of temple has the smaller statues of Mahakali, Bhadrakali, Surya Dev, Lord Vishnu, Lord Hanuman, Bhairav and Lord Shiva. It is believed that the first puja and abhihek of Devi was performed at matathis place by Kalinga king Ratna Dev in 1050 AD, when he shifted his capital from tuman to Ratnapur. Because of its strategic geographical status, King Ratna Dev and his heirs made Ratnapur their capital and built up palaces, fort and temples, the remnants of which can be seen still today.

Dual statue of Maa Mahamaya:-

 Inside the main temple campus, facing the famous Kanthi Dewal temple and the Temple main pond is the splendid dual statues of Mahamaya: the front one is called the Mahishasur Mardini and the hind statue is believed to be that of Goddess Saraswati. However, by a casual viewer the rear statue can often be overlooked. In the Navratras, devotees come from all corners of the country and the world to get a glimpse of the celebrated Devi and pay their rituals. Surrounding the main temple are many big halls where Jyoti Kalashas are lit by the Trust on behalf of the devotees. The Kalashas are kept “alive” for the whole nine days of Navratras. This is why they are also called Akhand Manookaamna Navratra Jyoti Kalashas. It is believed that Devi fulfills all your wishes if you follow proper fasting, puja and archana of Devi and also contribute to the Akhand Jyoti Kalashas.

 Shri Mahamaya Devi Mandir Temple:-

Around the main temple, there are many other temples – of equally rich historical and archeological value. The most important of these are Mahamrityunjaya Panchmukhee Shiv Mandir and Kanthi Dewal. Panchmukhee Shiv Mandir is a magnificient architecture made of red stone and is believed to be the origin of the Mahamaya statue.kanti It is also believed that if you make a wish before it, after performing proper puja and hang a shriphal (coconut) wrapped in red cloth on the tree before it, your wish is granted by Him.
The Kanthi Dewal temple is octagonal in shape and believed to be of Hindu and Moghul school of architecture. Made of red stone, all its walls are decorated by sculptures of 9th to 12th century. The important sculptures are : Shaal Bhanjika, a Lady feeding a child, Lingodhbhava Shiva and a Kalchuri king. Inside the Kanthi Dewal temple is a Shiv Lingam, the phallus, which, in Hindu dharma, is believed to be the source of Divine Energy. It is believed that if Lingam is poured with milk and water after proper puja-archana, it is sure to give the devotee the mental and physical strength and energy. A little known fact about this temple is that it was reconstituted recently by the Department of Archeological Survey of India. The reconstitution spanned five years, but the actual shape of the temple was kept intact.


Mahamaya Temple History:-

•Mahamaya Temple is dedicated to Goddess Mahamaya which has a dual statue of Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati.
•This temple was built in 12th-13th century under the reign of Kalchuri King Ratandev I. Apart being the king, Kalchuri King Ratnadev I was also the founder of Haihaiyavansi kingdom.
•Legends say that the king built the temple at the spot where he had darshan of council of Goddess Kali. Maha Kali, Maha Saraswati and Maha Lakshmi were earlier worshipped here.
•Within the campus one can easily find Lord Shiva’s and Hanuman’s temple. Ratanpur state traditionally has Mahamaya as their Kuldevi. Recently architectural department renovated the temple.
•Vikram Samvat built this temple in 1552 and one can also find that this place is beautifully surrounded by many ponds which help in adding its beauty. This temple was beautifully built with red stones by Kalchuri King Ratandev who was the king at that time.

Mahamaya Temple Timings:-

•The Darshan in Mahamaya Temple starts from 6 am to 8:30 pm everyday. During normal days, it does not take more than half an hour in darshan but it takes more time during Navratra. This is because there are a large number of devotees during Navratri.
•Devotees do not need to pay any amount of money for darshan. This is free of cost. Bhoj is offered at 12 pm for half an hour. So during this time devotees, entry is strictly prohibited.
•If a person visits this temple, he/she needs to take ample time with them. Apart from darshan, one can also take part in special events which are conducted by the Trust. During Navratra, Darshan is opened till 12 am.
•After you buy puja samagri, go to the free shoe care. This is run by the Trust. Before going for darshan you should remove your shoe. The Trust will provide you a token for the set of shoes you gave. The caretaker will take care of your shoes till you come back from Darshan.
•There is water tap present in the campus which provides water to the devotees. The devotees need to clean their mouth, face, hand and feet before entering the Mahamaya Temple. Though this ritual is not cmpulsory, but devotees follow it for the sake of cleanliness of the temple campus.
•After this, you need to stand in the qeue for Darshan. It may take some time depending on the day you visited the temple. It takes a lot of time for darshan during Navratra. People from various parts of India come here on Navratra to see Jyotikalash being lit to please the Goddess Mahamaya.
•Temple Kalbhairava is considered to be the guardian temple. People believe that those who visit Mahamaya Temple should also visit Kalbhairava Temple to complete their pilgrimage.

Festivals celebrated in Mahamaya Temple:-

Chaitra Navratri:-

 According to the Hindu Calender, Chaitra Navratri is celebrated on the first day of the calender. This festival is celebrated from 1st to 9th day of Chaitra month Shukla Paksh. The 9th day is celebrated as Ram Navami which is Lord Ram’s birthday.

Vasanta Navratri:-

 This festival is celebrated in Autum this is why it is called Vasant Navratri. Vasant means Autum in Hindi. Vasant Navratri usually falls in the month of April but it may differ according to the Hindu Calender.

Maha Navratri:-

 This festival is very famous and this is why it is celebrated across India. Maha Navratri is celebrated equally important as other festivals in Chhattisgarh. There is a lot of crowd in temples on this festival. People come from various parts to offer prayer.

Visitor Information:-

•Footwear is not allowed inside the temple.
•Keep your mobile phones in silent when you are inside the temple.
•Do respect the sentiments of other people.
•Take a bath and wear clean clothes before going in the temple.
•Photography is allowed in the temple and the premises.
•Keep the temple premises clean and do not litter.
•Do not throw away the Prasad Samagri.
•The temple gets really crowded at the time of festivals so do make sure that you have planned your trip accordingly.
•Do not gossip, talk aloud, indulge in fun and frolic inside temple

How to Reach Raipur:-

By Air:-

Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, is the only place in the state that is linked by air to New Delhi, Mumbai and Bhubaneshwar by regular flights.

By Rail:-

Raipur is one of the two main junctions in the state that are on the routes of express and passenger trains that either directly or indirectly connect the state to other parts of India. The superfast Rajdhani Express connects Raipur to New Delhi, the Bilaspur-Nizamuddin Gondwana Express runs thrice a week and travels from New Delhi to Raipur via Bilaspur. Passenger and mail trains connect most big and small towns within the state to Raipur.

By Bus:-

Raipur has excellent connections to places in the neighbouring states of Andhra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Inter-state and national highways connect Raipur to Bhopal, Nagpur, Jhansi, Jabalpur and to cities further afield like Kolkata and Bhubhaneshwar. The important towns of the region, Bhilai (25 km), Durg (41 km), Jagadalpur (297 Km), Rajnandgaon(70 km) and Bilaspur (115 km) are connected with Raipur by road. Interstate State Roadways buses ply between the different cities while chartered bus operators run services on major routes Roadways buses are the lifelines of Chhattisgarh as they connect some of the more inaccessible places in the interiors to the capital, Raipur.