Shakambhari Devi;
Hinduism is the only religion where Divine feminine, is worshipped as Shakti. Hindus worship many forms of Bhavani for peace, prosperity and enlightment. Mata Shakumbhari Devi is a revered Goddess in Hinduism, celebrated for being associated with nourishment, abundance, and harvest. She is depicted as a manifestation of the adorned with fruits, vegetables, and grains, symbolizing the source of sustenance for all living beings. The name "Shakambari" translates to "carrier of vegetables", highlighting Her role as a provider of agricultural abundance. Devotees believe that Goddess Shakambari brings fertility to the land, ensuring a bountiful harvest. Her worship is especially emphasized during Shakambari Navratri, begins on Paush Shukla Ashtami and ends on Paush Purnima, a festival dedicated to honoring Her divine presence. During this time, devotees express gratitude for the harvest and seek blessings from the Goddess for continued prosperity and abundance!
Shakti Peeth Shakambari Devi Temple is a Maha Shaktipeeth located in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Like Kamakhya, Rajrappa Peeth, Tarapeeth, and Vindhyachal Peeth, this is also a Siddha Peeth because the idol of the mother here is self-grown, which is found only in rare areas, in Kedarkhand. In many Puranas and Aagam texts, this Peeth is known by the names Param Peeth, Shaktipeeth and Sidhpeeth. This area is the proven place of Bhagwati Shatakshi. This very rare pilgrimage area is called Panchkoshi Siddha Peeth. The head of Bhagwati Sati had fallen in this area hence it is counted among the famous Shakti Peethas of the Goddess.
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Long back, one of my friends narrated the greatness of Shakambari Devi Siddha Peeth. My wife was an ardent devotee of Bhavani. We decided to have the Dharshan of the great Goddess. Those days roads and transport system was not up to the mark as we have today. Anyway we reached to holy place in the evening. There are many small temples and dharmshallas around the hillock but we got the accommodation in the main temple itself. The whole night we participated in Satsang. Early morning we had Snan and changed our clothes with fresh ones. We spent good time in reading Shri Durga Saptashati, conducted our Puja and other rituals according to Kashmiri Puja-Padhati, at the pious Shakti Peeth temple, which is still fresh in my memory!
According to Devi Purana, Shiva Purana and other religious texts, there was a Mahadaitya Ruru in the lineage of Hiranyaksha. Ruru had a son named Durgamasur who did the penance of Lord Brahma and subjugated the four Vedas. With the absence of the Vedas, all the religious activities disappeared. There was an all-out outcry. Brahmins becoming devoid of religion, the rituals of sacrifice were stopped and the power of the deities also began to diminish. Due to the lack of water, the vegetation also dried up and all the creatures started dying due to hunger and thirst.
The legend behind the temple's origin states that once upon a time, a terrible drought hit the region, and all crops and vegetation died due to lack of water. The area's people, primarily farmers, were left with no source of livelihood. To alleviate their suffering, they prayed to Goddess Durga, who appeared before them as Shakumbhari Devi.
Durgamasur had a fierce battle with the Gods in which they were defeated, so they hid in the Shivalik ranges and started meditating, chanting, worshiping and praising Mata Jagadamba. 'In this way, on the prayers of the Gods and Brahmins, Bhagwati Jagadamba, who is famous by the names of 'Bhuvaneshwari' and Maheshwari, appeared in person’. This idol of Her was compared to Kajjalagiri. The eyes were as if they were blue lotus. Lotus flowers adorned the Pallava and Moola hands. This form of Bhagwati Ionija, the source of complete beauty, was very admirable. This idol, shining like millions of suns, was an immense ocean of compassion. After presenting such a divine form, the compassionate heart of Bhavani, who was always ready to protect the world, started pouring thousands of streams of water on the earth from her infinite eyes. All Gods and Brahmins together started praising Goddess Bhagwati. On the praise of Jagadamba, Maa Parvati, who is famous by the names Maheshani, Bhuvaneshwari, appeared in the form of Ionija at the place of Saharanpur Shakti Peeth. Jagdamba was very sad to see the plight of the whole creation and tears started flowing from his eyes. All the rivers and ponds were filled with water by the stream of tears. At that time the deities worshiped the mother in the name of Shatakshi Devi.
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After that She took a beautiful form to woo Durgamasur and sat on the Shivalik hill. When the Asuras saw Jagadamba sitting on the hill, they came with the thought of catching her. Devi had a fierce battle with Durgamasur, in the end Durgamasur was killed at this place. Mother Jagdamba killed Durgamasur and other demons and blessed the devotee Bhuradev (a form of Bhairav) with immortality. There is a temple of Baba Bhuradev at the place.
The Goddess is believed to have transformed the entire region into fertile land with abundant crops and vegetation, hence the name "Shakumbhari," which means "the provider of vegetables." The temple was built in honour of the Goddess, and worshipping her is believed to bring prosperity and abundance.
The Shakti Peeth temple is in the midst of a dense forest, and the serene surroundings add to the spiritual aura of the place. The temple's architecture is a blend of Hindu styles, and the main idol of the Goddess is made of black stone stands at a height of six feet. This area, is full of natural beauty and green valley, fascinates the worshiper. Apart from its spiritual significance, Shakumbhari Devi Temple is also known for its historical and archaeological importance. The temple complex houses several ancient ruins, including the remains of a fort and a palace
that date back to the Gupta period.
The temple of Mata Shakambhari Devi disappeared after the Mahabharata period due to its location in dense forests. Once a local blind cowherd named Nain Gujar got lost in this forest. The night was also dark and the sounds of wild animals all around seemed frightening. Then Nain Gujar heard the divine and sweet voice of Goddess Shatakshi. When Nain Gujar asked who are you the voice came, “I am Shakambhari Devi in the form of Shakti”. Then the cowherd said if you are a form of Shakti then give me the light of my eyes. At that very moment, a light came and the cowherd gained his eyesight. Then the cowherd Nain Gujar found the place of Mata and cleaned it and this revered place of Mata came into existence again.
Around 350 BC, during the reign of Chandragupta, Acharya Chanakya and Chandragupta spent a lot of time in this Siddha Peeth and formed their army. At that time, Maa Shakambari Devi Shaktipeeth Srughan was the biggest pilgrimage site in the country where lakhs of devotees used to come every year to have Darshan of the Goddess.
The temple is especially popular among devotees during the Navratri festival. During this time, thousands of devotees from across the country thronged to the temple to seek the blessings of the Goddess.
JAI HO MATA BHAVANI!
Chaman Lal Gadoo
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