MAHIDPUR - DEVI MANDIR

The origin or the names of builders of this ancient shrine is shrouded in mystery. Its setting amidst eye-catching scenery lures even the atheists and dogmatists. The luxurious growth of tall tress and colourful verdure surrounding it, is an added attraction for the fun-loving youngsters and tourists. And it serves for their weekend picnics. The temple is modest in dimensions but adorned with sculptural embellishments. The archamurti is chaturbhuja saktiswarupini made of black stone and holds in her hands disc, conch, club and lotus. It is an excellent specimen of superb artistry and feasts. the eyes of the beholders as soon as they come into her sight. Regular worship is conducted according to agama sastras. But the annual festival falling in the month of Aswani is celebrated with great pomp and splendour. It is a gala occasion lasting for 9 days starting from first to ninth day of Aswani when thousands visit to offering special sevas. It is at this time the Akhanda jyoti is lighted and so elaborate special ritualistic puja is offered with great devotional fervor. On this auspicious day people take vows for fulfilling their desires and keep awake the whole night It confers special merit. And the Mother grants boons lavishly on those who observe austerities on this day.

As this comes under the administration of the king of Holkar, everything bears the stamp of royalty. Many endowments were made by the devotees and the temple's landed property is quite adequate to meet the maintenance cost.

It lies about a mile off from Mahidpur town in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh accessible by rail and road to the town and tonga or auto from it.

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