CURATED BY – GAURAV SINGHAL | CITYCHIEFNEWS

Deoband | Saharanpur, On the first Navratri, a huge crowd of devotees gathered at Shri Tripura Maa Bala Sundari Devi Shaktipeeth of Deoband since morning. Devotees reached Shaktipeeth, took darshan of Mother Goddess, got blessings, offered prasad and sought blessings. In Deoband, the historical, mythological and world famous Shaktipeeth of Shri Tripura Maa Bala Sundari Devi, a symbol of faith and reverence of millions of people of North India, has been present since time immemorial. There is an unwavering belief among the devotees about the darshan of Mother Goddess seated at Deoband Shaktipeeth that the wishes of all the devotees who worship and worship Maa Bala Sundari with true heart are fulfilled. One specialty of Deoband Shaktipeeth is that even in the ancient times due to untouchability in the country, the doors of this Shaktipeeth were never closed for the Dalits and the Mother's circle was always open for everyone. An example of which is that the statue of Mother's vehicle (lion) installed in front of the sanctum sanctorum is served by a Valmiki family. At the same time, people of Muslim religion also often participate in the tradition of playing drums. Maa Bhavani Raj Rajeshwari Shri Tripura Maa Bala Sundari is the form of superpower Jagadamba. Brahma-Vishnu and Mahesh, who have three Puras (bodies), are called Tripura Bala. According to Tantrasar, Maa Rajeshwari Tripura Bala Sundari has the aura of the morning sun. He has four arms and three eyes. He is holding a noose, bow, arrow and goad in his hand and Balchandra is adorned on his head. Mother Tripura Bala Sundari killed Bhandasura, the ruler of 105 universes whereas fourteen Bhuvans constitute one universe and one universe consists of fourteen worlds.

Those who worship Maa Shri Tripura Bala Sundari Devi attain both enjoyment and salvation. Mother Tripura Bala Sundari worshiped Goddess Lakshmi. Pleased with this, Bhagwati Lakshmi asked Maa Tripura Bala Sundari to adopt the surname ‘Shri’ before her name. That is why she is called Shri Tripura Maa Bala Sundari Devi. Deoband's glorious past cannot be estimated from its present condition but the proof of Deoband being an ancient and important city is definitely found in the historical and famous Shri Tripura Maa Bala Sundari Devi Shaktipeeth. It is said that hundreds of years ago this city was once famous by the name of 'Devivan' due to the residence of Goddess Durga in the deep forest here. Later, it came to be known as ‘Devi Bandh’ and then Deoband. According to another theory, due to the worship of Goddess Durga by the gods after killing the demon named 'Durg' at this place, the place was named 'Devi Vandana' which later became 'Devivandan' and then Deoband. There is a mythological belief that due to the residence of a large number of gods, this place was called Devvrind, which later became Deoband.

There is currently no mention of who built this Shaktipeeth of the Goddess but it is said that the last renovation of the temple was done by Raja Ramchandra Maratha. Three-fourth of the wall paintings of the sanctum sanctorum have been destroyed. It cannot be said with certainty how ancient this Shaktipeeth of the city is, but it is definitely at least 200 years old. There is a description of the holy Ganga flowing through here during the Mahabharata period. The Pandavas spent a few days of exile with Draupadi at this picturesque place on the banks of the pure Ganga, amidst dense forests and in the picturesque lap of nature. During the same time, Arjun had also performed the sadhana of this Shaktipeeth. With time, many empires and religious sects came, but the recognition of this Shaktipeeth continued to increase. It is believed that the statue installed here appeared suddenly. It is in natural form and is always covered with a silver glass vessel. Every day the priest closes the eyes and eyelids, gives the mother a bath etc. and covers her with the same vessel again and such a form of the Mother Goddess is not seen anywhere in any Shaktipeeth.

It is said that about 40 years ago, the then priest of Shaktipeeth, Pt. Jyoti Prasad had lost his eyesight due to not closing his eyes. According to an old belief, this Shaktipeeth is related to the incident when Lord Shankar was carrying Sati on his shoulders and at the places where various body parts fell, various Peethas were established, among which is Shri Tripura Maa Bala Sundari Devi Shaktipeeth of Deoband. There is one. Regarding the establishment of the temple, it is written in the Markandeya Purana that once the gods had requested Mahamaya at this place to save the lives of the people plagued by the demon Bhandasura. This Shaktipeeth, which has become the center of intense faith of the people, is continuously increasing the number of its devotees and devotees like the continuous stream of Ganga. It has always been a mysterious thing about Deoband Shaktipeeth that there are strong winds, storms and heavy rains on Shaktipeeth a day before and a day after Chaitra Sudi (Chaudas), which is the day of main worship of the Goddess.

The elders of the area say that this has been happening for centuries at the time of Goddess Maa's arrival and departure at Shaktipeeth. Whereas the intellectuals of the city say that the wind and rain come not on the arrival of Shri Tripura Maa Bala Sundari Devi but on this day when her sisters come to meet Maa Bala Sundari at the Shaktipeeth here and then go back. They say that Goddess Shri Tripura Maa Bala Sundari always resides in Shaktipeeth. In Shaktipeeth, the form of the Goddess is present in the natural form of a statue about seven cm high. These days it is covered with a silver Shivlinga shaped figure (pindi) measuring ten by fifteen cm. There is an ancient and picturesque lake in 18 bighas of land outside the lion gate of the temple. Which is famous by the name of 'Devikund'. A proof of the mythology of Shri Tripura Maa Bala Sundari Devi Shaktipeeth is also found in the stone inscription at the exit gate of the temple. There is something engraved on this stone in an unknown language. The biggest scientists of the Archeology Department came here but till date no one could read the writings on this stone. If someone could read the writing on this stone, then perhaps something more could be known about the mythology of this Shaktipeeth.