Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, Vindhyachal -Mirzapur.UP-Water for the Soul.
http://vindhyachaltemple.com/
Vindhyavasini
Devi Temple is situated in
Vindhyachal,
8 km from
Mirzapur, on the banks of the holy river
Ganges. It is one among the popular sakthipeeths where the
Goddess Kali is adorned in the form of Vindhyavasini
Devi. Popularly called as the Kajala devi the presiding deity in the temple is considered as the embodiment of love and benediction. This temple has found its rendering in the holy scriptures of
Hindu religion and it has got a tremendous impact in the life of a devout
Hindu. The
Shaktipeeth attracts pilgrims throughout the year. However, big congregations are held during Navratras in
Chaitra (April) and Ashwin (October) months
. In the month of Jyestha (June) 'Kajali' competitions are also held here in which large number of people take part. Along with the two other temples in the name of female goddess, this temple constitutes the much revered Triloka parikrama which is considered as very auspicious by an orthodox Hindu.
http://easternuptourism.com/Vindhyachal-General
.jsp
Vindhyachal, one of the constituent town of
the Mirzapur-Vindhyachal Municipality is situated in the middle of the two holy cities-
Allahabad and
Varanasi on the bank of
River Ganges in the
Mirzapur district. It is one of the holiest places of
India. The built up area lies along
the direction of the River Ganges with the temple of Vindhyavasini in the centre. The city is dedicated to
Goddess Vindhyavasini and is one of the renowned Shaktipeethas of the country and an important religious and pilgrim centre. There are many other temples and mineral springs (locally known as Kunds) in the vicinity of the town. Vindhyavasini, Ashtabhuja and
Kali Khoh are three main
Shakti temples here, located on the three corners of
Vindhya Parvat. The divine trinity is worshipped here as Ma
Laxmi, Ma Kali and Ma Saraswati.
Bhairav temples are located around the city centre to ward off evil effects, viz.,
Anand Bhairav on the east, Sidhanath on the west, Kapal Bhairav on the south &
Rudra Bhairav on the north side. 'Kajali' the local folk music is dedicated to Ma Vindhyavasini. All Kajali singers from north
India come here to celebrate Kajali Mahotsava (
Festival).
People come here to seek blessings from goddess of power. Tantriks also visit this place for Tantra sadhana (
Meditation).
Trikon
Parikrama: The three temples on the three corners of Vindhyachal, viz., Vindhyavasini, Kali Khoh and Ashtabhuja temple are locally known as "Trikon" (triangle) and pilgrimage is completed only after visiting all of them which is known as "Trikon Parikrama" (circumambulation of the divine triangle). As per
Indian belief the triangle pilgrimage brings in overall good fortune to the pilgrims. There is also provision of taking holy dip, in the Kali
Kund during this pilgrimage. The Parikrama is considered over after visiting the pond of saint Karngiri.
Vindhyachal is famous for housing one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the country. Shaktipeeths are source of power or abode of
Goddess Durga symbolizing the female part of power. Situated at the distance of 90 Km from Varanasi, Vindhyachal is a sacred pilgrimage destination for Hindus. Some famous temples located here include Vindhyavasini, Asthbhuja and Kalikhoh.
Several mythological incidences abound here, recounted by devotional locals numerous times and having supporting monuments and ancient structures as a testimony. One such legend associate the Vindhyavasini Temple with the incidence in which Goddess Durga after having killed the demon king Mahishasura had established herself here. Thus, Goddess Durga came to be known as Vindhyavasini in these regions
.
Sitakund is another sacred site that traces its roots to the legend associated with
Lord Rama, Lakshamana and
Sita. As the story goes, while returning from their exile Sita felt thirsty and on realizing that there was no water bodies in the area, Lakshamana pierced an arrow into the ground. The result was a miraculous emergence of a fountain and a water body exists here till date along with the temple. Another famous temple Ashtabhuja exists at a low hillock nearby reachable after climbing 48 steps to the
Sita Kund. Devotees may also visit the cave reachable through a narrow path which is so low that one has to bow down in order to get a glimpse of the subterranean Goddess Kali.
Apart from these and some other sacred temples, there also exists Brahmakund and Agastyakund, two water bodies a dip in which is believed to relieve one of his sins. Apart from its deep religious roots, Vindhyachal is also known for the scenic surroundings and picturesque settings all around, making the trip extremely fruitful. Indeed an important and interesting tourist spot not to be missed while visiting Varanasi.
http://maavindhyavasini.com/mirzapur/