Devi Temples in Rajasthan are known for their history, architecture, and divinity. These temples are a must-visit destination for pilgrims and devotees seeking the blessings of Maa Shakti or Durga. Each temple has a unique and fascinating story, making it a popular tourist attraction. In this article, we will explore the nine most popular Devi Temples in Rajasthan and their significance.
Famous Devi Temples in Rajasthan
Jeen Mata Temple, Goria (Sikar)
The Jeen Mata Temple is a significant Devi Temple in Rajasthan, located in the Goria village of Sikar district. The temple nestles at the convergence of three small mountains and is surrounded by dense forest. Jeen Mata’s real name is Jayanti Mata, and the temple’s construction is relatively new as it has undergone reconstruction by Pandavas during their exile from Hastinapur.
The temple of Jeen Mata has been a place of pilgrimage from early times, and repairing and rebuilding have taken place several times. The architecture of the temple is very attractive, with many pillars in the sanctum engraved with flora and fauna, dancers, and deities from top to bottom. The huge marble Shivling and Nandi statues are the main attractions of this temple.
Idana Mata Temple, Udaipur
Idana Mata Temple is a renowned Devi Temple in Rajasthan, situated on the Kurabad-Bambora road, around 60 km from Udaipur city. It is also known as Idana Mataji Dham and is considered one of the prominent Shakti Peethas of Mewar. The temple is famous for its fire baths, which are believed to have healing powers and can cure many incurable diseases, including paralysis.
As per the beliefs, the goddess takes a fire bath when she feels pleased. The temple catches fire around two to three times a month, which sometimes reaches a height of 20 feet. However, the fire does not harm the murti (idol) of Mother Goddess Shakti and burns down everything else. The locals believe that the goddess takes a bath in the fire, but the reason behind the fire remains a mystery.
Tanot Mata Temple, Tanot (Jaisalmer)
The Tanot Mata Temple is an extraordinary Devi Temple in Rajasthan, located in the small village of Tanot in Jaisalmer. The temple has a strong connection with legends, miracles, and religion and has the utmost faith and devotion of the local people. It is one of the wondrous Devi Temples in Rajasthan and has a construction dating back about 1200 years.
The Tanot Mata Temple has its own identity in the world due to the Pakistani bomb not detonating here during the intense Indo-Pak War of 1965. This miraculous incident has made the temple famous among the country’s soldiers and is a must-visit destination for them. Pakistan dropped more than 3,000 bombs on Mata’s temple during the war, but none of these bombs exploded. These bombs are still kept in a museum built in the temple premises for the devotees to visit.
Shila Mata Temple, Amer Fort (Jaipur)
The Shila Mata Mandir is a Devi Temple in Rajasthan, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. It is located within the premises of the Amer Fort and was constructed by Raja Man Singh, a great believer of Kali Mata. The legend behind the discovery of the idol goes like this – the Goddess happened to appear in the Maharaja’s dream and instructed him to procure her statue, which was floating in the sea near Bangladesh, and place it in a temple. Raja Man Singh found the idol in the water in the form of a Shila (Slab), and when it was cleared and wiped, the current idol appeared, hence the name Shila Mata.
The goddess Shila Mata is considered to be the patroness of Amer and is famous throughout the country. Devotees from far and wide come to visit this temple, which has a beautiful construction using white marble on the entire temple. The interior of the temple is extraordinary, with the main gate having a silver covering and all of the numerous characters of “Maa Durga.” There is an idol of the crooked neck of the idol of Shila Devi installed in this temple.
Kaila Devi Temple, Karauli
Kaila Devi Temple in Karauli district, Rajasthan, is one of the most popular Devi temples in Rajasthan. The temple is located on the banks of the Kalisi River and is dedicated to Goddess Kaila, who is considered the savior of mankind. The temple is constructed of expensive marble and has a large courtyard with checkered flooring. Devotees can be seen offering bhog and planting red flags as an offering to the goddess.
Legend has it that Kaila Devi is the sister of Lord Shri Krishna, and the people of the Yaduvanshi clan consider her their own. The temple is famous for fulfilling the wishes of its devotees, and it is believed that whoever visits the temple never returns empty-handed. This is why the temple attracts a huge crowd of devotees from all over the world throughout the year.
Chamuda Mata Temple, Jodhpur
the Chamunda Mata Temple in Jodhpur. It is one of the oldest and most revered Devi temples in Rajasthan, located at the southern end of the Mehrangarh Fort. The temple was built by Rao Jodha in 1460 when he brought the idol of Devi Chamunda from Mandore, where she was considered the favorite goddess of the Rajputs.
Legend has it that the hill where the Mehrangarh Fort now stands was earlier occupied by hermits who cursed the king that his fort would always have a shortage of water. To balance the curse, Rao Jodha built the Chamunda Mata Temple inside the fort and installed the idol by following the complete religious process with the help of a saint. The temple was built to safeguard the fort and its people, and since then, Devi Chamunda has become the main deity of the Rajputs who lived here. The temple is not just a place of worship but is also an important historical landmark.
Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke (Bikaner)
Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke, which is 30 kilometers from Bikaner, is one of the most unique Devi temples in Rajasthan. The temple is built with marble and has silver and gold domes, mandap, and panels above the deity. The entrance to the temple has beautiful and detailed carvings. One of the most fascinating features of this temple is the large number of rats that reside on the premises, and surprisingly, they do not harm anyone, even when the pilgrims are barefoot.
The temple is also known as the Rat Temple, as devotees here worship rats as holy and get a part of the same Prasad after offering it to the Goddess and then rats. Despite having so many rats, no disease has ever spread here, and no devotee has ever gotten sick by consuming the leftover prasad of rats.
Devi Temples in Rajasthan are a sight to behold, and each temple has a unique and fascinating tale. These temples are a must-visit destination for pilgrims and devotees seeking the blessings of Maa Shakti or Durga. If you plan to visit Rajasthan, make sure to visit one of these enchanting Devi Temples and seek the blessings of Maa.