Chandrika Devi, Lucknow

सर्व मंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वाधसाधिके

शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरी नारायणी नमोस्तु·ते

Chandrika Devi Temple in Lucknow is an age old temple, situated around 30 Kms away from the city at the Sitapur Road near Bakshi Ka Talab.

Nau-Durgas (nine Durgas) are worshiped in the form of पिण्डी (statues) in this temple known as Chandrika Devi or Mahi Sagar Teerth (मही सागर तीर्थ). The Devis appeared and were established here on call/invitation by Sage Narad.

As per Skandpurana, Nau-Durgas (Nine Durgas) appeared at this place after great penance by Sage Narad for "Lok Kalyan" - benefit of the devotees. Firstly, four Mahadevis appeared in four directions for protection of this teertha. On the East, Skandswamy established "सिद्धाम्बिका देवी" ("Siddhambika Devi" - who had appeared earlier as mool prakriti at the start of Srishti – the creation). In the South "तारा देवी" ("Tara Devi" - daughter of Himalaya and by whose power Kachchhap Bhagwan rescued the Gods), in the West "भास्वरा देवी" ("Bhaswara Devi" - who illuminates Sun God & others) and in the North "योग नन्दिनी देवी" ("Yog Nandini Devi" - who had earlier appeared from the Body of Bhagwati Parashakti and because of her blessings all four Sankadik mahatmas achieved yoga) appeared from there original places on the special aradhana by Narad. After establishment of all four Mahadevis in four directions for the purpose of protection to this place, Narad performed penance and invited NAU-DURGAS from different directions to this place:-

East: "त्रिपुरा देवी" ("Tripura Devi" – by whose power Lord Shiva killed Tripurasur. Sage Narad brought her from Amresh mountain), "कोलम्बी देवी" ("Kolambi Devi  - by whose power Lord Vishnu in his Varah avtar pulled up the earth from the water. Narad brought her from Varahgiri mountain through his Shakti yoga), "कपालेशा देवी" ("Kapalesha Devi" - she is the power of the entire world. Narad alongwith Kartikeya established her here).

West: "सुवार्णक्षी देवी" ("Suvarnakshi Devi" – with her blessings a person becomes favourite of all 33 crore Gods & Goddesses), "चर्चिता देवी" ("Charchita Devi" - called from Rasatal or abyss), "त्रैलोक्य विजया देवी" ("Trilokya Vijaya Devi" - Moon God conquered all three lokas due to her blessings).

North: "एक बीरा देवी जी" ("Ek Beera Devi ji" - brought from Brahmlok), "हरसिद्धि देवी" ("Harsidhdhi Devi" - very powerful and was brought from Shakottar. Those who worship her do not get disturbed by Dakini), "चण्डिका देवी" ("Chandika Devi" - अधिष्ठात्री or main devi of this teertha, is established in Noth-East direction "Ishaan". She appeared from the body of Parvati ji and killed demons Chand-Mund).
Now these Nau-Durgas are worshiped here in the form of Statues (pindis) after they were established by Thakur Beni Singh Chauhan about 250 years back

Aarti of Maa Chandrika

Yagyashala

The place was not known to the devotees and even the neighbouring villagers till about 250 years back as the area was from time immemorial covered in dense forest and cattle of the neighbouring village Kathwara went their unguarded for grazing. One day the villagers were surprise to notice that the cattle had returned with creepers of lotus flowers clung to their horns. Next day they went for search by cleaning up the dense forest path covered with bushes etc and were amazed to find a beautiful sarovar (pond) filled with pure water and lotus flowers in the heart of the forest. Same night Thakur Beni Singh Chauhan, then landlord, had a dream where Maa Chandrika Devi informed that from time immemorial vedis of Nau-Durga are safely kept in a cavity of an old neem tree on the bank of that pond near Gomti River and also instructed that proper arrangements for pooja be made. Accordingly, he established the vedis on a high platform in the place where present temple is situated and arrangements made for regular puja alongwith fare on every Amavasya (new moon day).

In the year 12th century AD, the temple was destroyed by the invading army of Sayyad Salar Masud Gazi.

In 1855 AD Pandit Sarju Prasad Dwivedi composed "Matruka Stuti" and also put up statues of Lord Hanuman, Mahishasur Mardini & Durga on the right side of Nau-Durga statues. Renowned author Shri Amrit Lal Nagar has mentioned about this temple in his novel "Karvat"

Sudhanva Kund

PUJA & DARSHAN: Temple promotes only plain or righteous puja and not sacrifices (Bali), even the coconut is not broken.

Darshan timings: 5AM in the morning to 10 PM, Aarti at 7AM, 1 PM & 7PM

Other temples: There is Gyaneshwar Mahadeva, Batuk Bhairon temples in the upper Parikarma marg and Pachhua Bhairon temple behind the main temple.

When to visit: Anytime during the year. However there is a huge fair (Mela) on every Amavasya (no moon day) and thousands number of devotees throng to get blessings of Maa Chandrika Devi. It is considered to be even more auspicious and bigger number of devotees if the Amavasya falls on a Saturday. Besides large number of devotees visit during Navratras.

During the Navratras, there is lot of activity in the temple where people come for Hawan, Mundan. Besides, regular kirtans, satsang are also held. There are lots of shopkeepers selling Prasad and other items like bangles, bindi, chunri etc apart from shops selling eateries, household items, music, herbs etc.

Shri Hanuman temple

 

Location: Village Kathwara, Bakhshi Ka Talab, Lucknow. The place is full of greenery due to farmland and forests.

How to Reach: Temple is about 11 Kms away from Bakshi Ka Talab Kasba on Lucknow-Delhi -

National Highway

(NH 24). Metalled Road leads upto the temple. Tempo/Taxis are available from the main road.

Nearest Railway Station: Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT). Visitors from out of Lucknow have to take bus/taxi from Charbagh (Lucknow) railway station itself from where this place is about 30 Kms.

Nearest Airport: Amausi Airport, Lucknow

Gate on the Main Road

Courtesy: With lots of plaudits to Shri Batukeshwar Dutt Singh "Batuk" ji, Retd. Dy. Director, Rajya Gram Vikas Sansthan, U.P.

शनिवार की अमावस्या को महिसागर की यात्रा करने से जो फल प्राप्त होगा वह प्रभास की दस बार, पुष्कर की सात बार और प्रयाग की आठ बार यात्रा करने से जो फल प्राप्त होता है, वही फल इसकी एक बार यात्रा से प्राप्त होगा. (स्कन्द पुराण से)

Visit on 27th March 2012 (Navratras)

Some modifications are being carried out by the temple trust. Roof shade & floor work underway. 

A Pujari tying sacred thread in Yagyashala

Hanuman temple

havankund at Hanuman temple