Chandrika Devi Temple is a sacred temple of one of the many forms of Hindu Mother Goddess

Durga Durga ( sa, दुर्गा, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around c ...

in the city of

Lucknow Lucknow (, ) is the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and it is also the second largest urban agglomeration in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous district and division ...

Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 1950 ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. It is a prominent pilgrimage site for locals and Interstate. It is also a tourist destination for the people of adjoining cities and rural folks.

History

It is situated on the bank of river

Gomti The Gomti, Gumti or Gomati River is a tributary of the Ganges. According to beliefs, the river is the son of Rishi Vashishtha and bathing in the Gomti on Ekadashi (the 11th day of the two lunar phases of the Hindu calendar month) can wash a ...

at the north-west of National Highway No.24 (Lucknow-Sitapur Road) in Kathwara village, near Bakshi ka talab, Lucknow City. This temple is 300 years old and is well known for the deity Chandrika Devi - a form of Goddess

. Located in a natural environment encircled by river Gomti at north, west and south side, it is around 28 km away from the main city of Lucknow. It is about 45 km away from

Lucknow Airport Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is an international airport serving Lucknow, the capital of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located in the Amausi area of the city 14 km far from the city centre, and was earlier als ...

. This place and nearby areas have relevance and religious significance since the time of the

Ramayana The ''Rāmāyana'' (; sa, रामायणम्, ) is a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic composed over a period of nearly a millennium, with scholars' estimates for the earliest stage of the text ranging from the 8th ...

. It is also called Mahi Sagar Teerth. There is mention of this temple in the holy books of Skand and Karma Puran. It is said that elder son of Shri

Lakshmana Lakshmana ( sa, लक्ष्मण, lit=the fortunate one, translit=Lakṣmaṇa), also spelled as Laxmana, is the younger brother of Rama and his loyalist in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. He bears the epithets of Saumitra () and Ramanuja () ...

- the founder of Lucknow, Rajkumar Chandraketu, was once passing with Ashwamegh Horse through Gomti. In the way, it became dark and hence he had to take rest in the then dense forest. He prayed Goddess for safety. Within a moment there was cool moon light and the Goddess appeared before him and assured him. It is said that a grand temple established here during that era was destroyed in 12th century by foreign invaders. It is also said that around 250 years back some nearby villagers, while roaming in the forests, located this beautiful place- which was hidden with dense forests. Next day, a villager could locate the statue of Devi and it was placed at the present place. Later on, a temple was constructed and since then people continued to visit this temple and offer 'Pooja' after knowing the appearance of Ma Chandrika Devi. This place is also known as Mahi Sagar Teerth. It is also said that in Dvapara Yuga God Shri

Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...

advised Barbreek, son of Ghatotkach, about the Tirth for acquiring power. Barbreek worshiped Ma Chandrika Devi for continuous 3 years at this place. On the eve of Amavasya and

Navratras Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in the honour of the goddess Durga. It spans over nine nights (and ten days), first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar), and again in the month of Sharada. It is o ...

, a lot of religious activities in the temple and around the temple premises are held. People from different parts of the State, come here for Hawan ( Yagya),

Mundan The Chudakarana ( sa, चूडाकरण, ) or the Mundana ( sa, मुण्डन, ), is the eighth of the sixteen Hindu saṃskāras (sacraments), in which a child receives their first haircut. No reference is provided in any Grhya Sutras ...

(total hair-cut). In addition, during these days, Kirtans,

satsang A satsanga (), also rendered satsang, refers to the practice of gathering in the company of good people for the performance of devotional activities. It also refers to an audience with a Satguru for yogic instruction. Satsangas are group events, ...

(religious meetings) are also held. It also said that Chandrika (jewelry worn by women on head) part of devi sati fell here. A Mela vikas samiti and Radhey lal bajpai and ramashre bajpai have been managing this place for a long time and taking care of this place.

References

{{coord missing, Uttar Pradesh Temples in Lucknow Hindu temples in Uttar Pradesh