Lalita Devi, the deity present at Naimisharanya, is counted amongst the 51 Shakti Peethas, thus making the Lalita Devi Mandir a highly revered temple in Hinduism. The Temple of Lalita Devi is considered one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of Jaqat Janani and attracts a huge number of devotees around the year. It is beautifully built with a balanced cantilever. Additionally, the entrance is flanked by elephant statues on both sides. This temple is situated a short distance from the Chakratirtha pilgrimage site. Naimisharanya’s Adi Shakti Maa is another significant centre of faith for the devotees of Jagdambe.
Lalita Devi Mandir
Image Credit:Mr.Ganesh kumar For wikimedia commons
Located at an easy distance of 3 km from Allahabad Railway Station, Lalita Devi Temple is a Hindu temple located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Situated in the Meerapur district of Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), it is counted among one of the revered Shaktipeethas in India, and among the must-visit places in Prayagraj. It is believed that even the Pandavas visited the temple and offered prayers there.
Also, Navratri, the 9-day festival dedicated to the Goddesses in Hinduism, is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety in this temple. A large number of people gather here to worship and seek blessings from the Goddess. Apart from Navratri, the temple is visited by a huge crowd of devotees during Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela. The temple of Lalita Devi remains open all day a week for the devotees to visit and seek blessings. Devotees can plan to visit this temple anytime from morning to evening.
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About The Lalita Devi Mandir And Their Goddesses
Before delving into the discussion about the Lalita Devi Mandir, it is important to know the Goddess to whom the temple is dedicated and why it is considered revered and worshipped by devotees and believers of Hinduism:
1. Goddess Sati
Sati is the Hindu goddess of marital felicity and longevity and is worshipped as an aspect of the mother goddess Shakti. Sati is proclaimed to be the first wife of Shiva, with the other being Parvati, who was none other than Sati’s reincarnation after her death. Sati’s tale plays a very significant part in shaping the traditions of two of the most prominent sects of Hinduism — Shaivism and Shaktism. The earliest mentions of Sati are found in the time of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, but details of her existence appear in the Puranas. In Hinduism, both Sati and Parvati, successively play the role of bringing Shiva away from ascetic isolation and back into creative participation with the world.
2. Goddess Lalita
Tripura Sundari also referred to as Rajarajeshvari, Shodashi, Kamakshi, and Lalita, is a Hindu goddess, revered primarily and significantly within the Shaktism tradition of Hinduism. She personifies the essence of the supreme goddess Mahadevi. In accordance with the Srikula tradition in Shaktism, Lalita is the foremost of the Mahavidyas, regarded as the supreme divinity of Hinduism and also recognised as the primary goddess of Sri Vidya. The Tripura Upanishad places her existence as the ultimate Shakti (energy or power) of the universe. She is described as the supreme consciousness, even ruling from above Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Also, according to the texts of Tripura Rahasya, it is believed that only the goddess Lalita existed before the beginning of the entire universe. She was the one who created the Trimurti and hence, began the creation of the universe. Festivals dedicated to Goddess Lalita Devi are celebrated with devotion and reverence across various regions that hold belief in the Shakta tradition. But, her main festivals are Lalita Jayanti and Lalita Panchami, both of which are celebrated with pomp at the Lalita Devi Mandir.
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3.Lalita Jayanti
Lalita Jayanthi is celebrated with rigour and great reverence on Magha Purnima, which is the full moon day of the month of Magha (approximately between January–February). It is considered as a very important day in some parts of North India when special offerings and ceremonies are held, such as in the Lalita Devi Mandir. It is highly believed that devotees on this day will be immensely blessed if they worship Goddess Lalita with full devotion and dedication.
4. Lalita Panchami
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Lalita Panchami is also a very auspicious tithi, celebrated on the fifth day of the Sharad Navaratri festival. Believing the legend, that it was on this auspicious day that Goddess Lalita emerged from fire to defeat Bhandasura, a demon created from Kamadeva’s ashes. It is believed to bring not only wealth but happiness and wisdom as well. The chanting of Vedic mantras dedicated to Goddess Lalita on this day is considered very useful. It is a popular belief among devotees that doing so will immediately solve all the personal as well as business-related problems in life.
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Why Are Shakti Pithas Like Lalita Devi Mandir Revered
Image Credit:Mr.Ganesh kumar For wikimedia commons
It has been believed that after Sati’s death, Shiva carried his wife’s body around the world. And as he did so, her body parts fell to the ground at 51 different places. These places are known today as Shakti Pithas, and they are very sacred to Hindu believers. That is why, Shakti Pithas are the revered temples of the Mother Goddess, believed to have been divinely blessed with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati. Moreover, it is also believed that an enraged Shiva performed the Tandava dance with Sati’s charred body, which ultimately led her body to come apart and those pieces of her body fell at different places on earth.
Most of these revered places of goddess worship are located in India, but there also are seven in Bangladesh, four in Nepal, three in Pakistan, and one each in Tibet, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. There were many legends in ancient and modern sources that prominently document this evidence.
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Now you have complete information about Lalita Devi Mandir and the surrounding places of worship and that gives you a list of reasons to visit Prayagraj. Make sure you plan your trip to Allahabad at the earliest and don’t forget to explore all the devotional marvels of this city. Don’t miss out on exploring these wonders and book your tickets now!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lalita Devi Mandir
What are the 25 names of Goddess Lalita?
The twenty five known names of the Goddess are: Simhasaneshi, Lalita, Maharajni, Varankusha, Chapini, Tripura, Mahatripurasundari, Sundari, Chakranatha, Samrajni, Chakrini, Chakreshwari, Mahadevi, Kameshi, Parameshwari, Kamarajapriya, Kamakotika, Chakravartini, Mahavidya, Shivanangavallabha, Sarvapatala, Kulanatha, Amnayanatha, Sarvamnayanivasini and Shringaranayika.
What part of Goddess Sati's corpse fell at this place?
Lalita Devi Mandir located at Meerapur district in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh is believed to be the exact place where Goddess Sati's right-hand finger had fallen here when Lord Shiva performed the angry dance of Tandava with his wife's charred body.
Why did Goddess Sati immolate herself?
According to the legend, the Goddess
Did Lord Brahma create the universe?
Goddess Lalita is described as the supreme consciousness, even ruling from above Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Also, according to the texts of Tripura Rahasya, it is believed that Goddess Lalita existed even before the beginning of the entire universe. She is credited as the one who created the Trimurti and hence, began the creation of the universe.
Is Lalita Devi Temple open on all days of the week?
Yes. The temple of Lalita Devi in Naimisharanya remains open all day a week for the devotees to visit and seek blessings. Devotees can plan a visit to this temple anytime from morning to evening.
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