There are many temples where the deities are offered with flowers, garlands and prasad is distributed among devotees. Generally, when you enter a temple, it is mandatory to remove slippers and shoes. But in Bhopal, devotees offer slippers and shoes to the the Goddess. As bizarre as it sounds, it is true.
The Devi Maa Temple is located on a hill on Kolar Road, Banjari, where the idol of Goddess Siddhidatri is installed. The temple is also known as Jijabai Mata Mandir. The residents call it Pahadi Wali Mata Mandir. What makes the temple unique is the Goddess Siddhidatri being worshipped as a daughter. Devotees offer her new slippers and sandals as a gift. Ardent devotees who are settled in foreign countries, send over new footwear for her.
In the Banjari area of Kolar Road, you can reach the temple of Goddess Siddhidatri by climbing about 125 steps on the hill. More than 25 years back, the temple was established and the tradition of offering footwear has continued since then. In an interview with Local18, the temple priest, Om Prakash, said, “Before the temple’s establishment, I had performed the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.” He claimed that he had done the Kanyadaan ritual of Goddess Parvati with his own hands. Hence, Om Prakash worships the mother by considering her as his daughter.
Goddess Siddhidatri’s idol is installed as a child avatar. There is no shortage in the service of her daughter. Everything that is given to children is offered to the Goddess here. Apart from footwear, glasses, watches, and umbrellas are also offered to the Devi.
Reportedly, when the temple priest feels the Goddess is unhappy, he then changes her clothes twice or thrice daily. As per him, in the last 25 years, more than 15 lakh clothes, slippers and makeup of Mata Rani were offered. A huge crowd of devotees visit here during Navratri.
What do you think of this unique temple in Bhopal?
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