Credit: Anoop Akhre
Overview and History of Jageshwari temple
Jageshwari Temple is a famous Hindu shrine dedicated to the goddess Durga, who is a self-manifested Swamyabhu. Situated on a hillside, the temple is believed to have been built during the Mahabharata period by Shishupal. Certain elements of the temple were constructed between the 6th and 11th centuries. There is an idol of Goddess Jageshwari inside the temple that is believed to have been in the form in which she gave darshan to Shishupal, who was an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga.
An open cave temple Muarti only has its head. According to folklore, King Kurmadeva was suffering from the disease leprosy. Once upon a time, he reached a mountain range during a hunting expedition and saw a waterfall falling from a height. He was thirsty and extended his hand to drink water. As he touched the water, the diseases of his hands were removed, Seeing all this, King took a bath in the water, and as a result, his leprosy was completely cured. In the surrounding area, he saw a divine girl. King tried to approach the girl, but as he moved forward, the girl disappeared. After this, the king reached the place and saw the divine girl on the same night. The divine girl orders the king to build a grand temple but does not open the door of the temple for nine days. The king started the construction of the temple, but he opened the door on the third day, due to which only the face of the mother was revealed.
The temple complex has a unique 1100 lingam of Shiva. Some lingams are carved with the faces of Lord Shiva on all four sides. Subsidiary shrines in the temple are dedicated to various forms of the goddesses Shakti and Shiva. Cold water is always inside the two ponds, whose water comes from the springs on the top of the mountain.
Every year, a fair is organized in Chanderi in the name of Jageshwari Mata. During the days of Chautriya and Shardiya Navratri, there is a huge crowd of devotees from morning till late at night. It is said that Mother Jageshwari Devi appeared here only during Navratri. There are two ways to reach the temple, the first way goes directly to the temple through the fort route, and the second way reaches the temple directly below the stairs located near the fort.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the temple is during the fair organized in Chanderi in the name of Jageshwari Mata. During these days of Chautrian and Shardiya Navratri, a huge crowd of devotees comes from all over the region from morning to night. It’s believed that Jageshwari Maa appeared here only in Navratri.
How to reach Jageshwari Temple
There are two ways to reach the temple first is the fort route that goes directly to the temple, and the second one passes through the stairs that are located near the fort and reach straight to the temple.
By car:
One can reach Chanderi town by road from major cities like Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, and Bhopal. From Chanderi, the temple can be reached by hiring a taxi or taking a local bus.
By train:
Chanderi railway station is well-connected to major cities in India like Delhi, Bhopal, and Gwalior. From the railway station, one can take a taxi or local transport to reach the temple.
By air:
The nearest airport to Chanderi is Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal, which is approximately 200 km away. From the airport, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Chanderi.