History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Social & Religious Activities, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Jhandewalan Temple Delhi, India
A place known for fulfilling wishes
Jhandewalan Temple is one of the oldest goddess temples in the capital state of India, located at Jhandewalan Road, Near Karol Bagh, Delhi. The word Jhandewalan means ‘a place with the flag’, the Jhandewalan temple was named during the reign of Shah Jahan after a large strength of saffron prayer flags were fluttered over the temple.The Badri Bhagat Jhandewalan Mandir Society formed by the followers of late Bhagat Badri manages the Jhandewalan Mandir.
It is believed that Ma Adi Shakti is the incarnate of Durga Mata who is a symbol of the power of the supreme being. The Idol is in the form of a goddess wearing a sari (traditional Indian attire), with beautiful yet minimalistic jewelry, carries a variety of weapons to punish the evil, and sits on a mighty tiger which is again the symbol of her power. ‘Adi’ pronounced as Aadi means very old, early, or medieval and ‘Shakti’ means power thus the name of worshiped deity ‘Adi Shakti’ means the eldest, the first of the medieval source of power.
The story of this temple starts in the 18th century when the idol of Devi(mother goddess) and Lingam was discovered by a rather famous cloth merchant of the time named Badri Das, who was later called Bhagat Badri.
It is widely believed that Bhagat Badri had a dream one night in which Mata (Mother Goddess) asked him to dig at a specific location where he would find her idol and set up a temple of worship there.
Bhagat did as he was commanded in the dream by Goddess. He found an idol of Maa Aadi Shakti incarnation of goddess Durga, but during the process of excavation the arms of the Mata’s idol got broken and since according to the Hindu religion it is not appropriate to worship the broken idol of any god or goddess, her hands were remade but this time with silver. The idol was then placed in a cave, which is now at the ground level of the temple.The new temple is constructed above that old shrine (which is perfectly kept in the cave).
Gupt Navratri and Durga Puja is celebrated with a great prompt and show, to honor, celebrate and please the goddess, the entire temple is decorated with candles, lights, and flowers while the deities are decorated with several ornaments.
You can also organize special rituals such as marriages, poojas, Etc, but you need to register and pay a certain amount for the same first.
Visitor’s Experience
It's pleasing to see the old-style shops that sell a variety of things including Karas, keychains(with Mata’s idol images) and traditional style necklaces. Prasadam are the food offerings made to the deity and later given to the visitors. It is believed that the prasadam has magical healing powers for overall well-being.Visitors recommend everyone to at least visit this temple once to witness its bliss and beauty.
Only a few people know that there is sweet water well within the temple. The temple board organizes classes for the propagation of the language of Vedas, Sanskrit, the learners from different places can come and use this facility they are provided with basic amenities like residence and food as well, these classes are known as Veda Vidyalaya.
How to Reach Jhandewalan Temple Delhi, The Capital of India
Delhi being the capital of India and largest metropolitan area of India, and major tourist destination, of India where people across the world visits around the year. It is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Delhi has multiple major railway junction from where you can get train to all region of India. Delhi has domestic and international Airport from where you can get flight to all major cities of India and across the globe. You can find private taxi and public transport as well from both airport to reach to city center. Delhi is located at 46 km from Noida, 40 km from Gurugram, 242 km from Agra, 41 km from Gaziabad, 243 km from Chandigarh. You can get direct buses and train from almost all cities to reach Delhi.
