GAURI SHANKAR MANDIR ADHARTAL,KATRA,JABALPUR MADHYA PRADESH

The spectacular Gauri-Shankar mandir Jabalpur(MadhyaPradesh)build at the centre of Chausath Yogini mandir in 1155 by Rajmata Alhaan Devi.The murti of Bhagwan Shiva with Mata Parvati riding Nandi ji,is unique and cannot be found anywhere in the world.

HISTORY

The temple was constructed in two phases. In 955 AD, Yurajdev-Maharani Nohladevi of Kalchurikal had built 64 Yogini temples. In the second phase, it was constructed around 1155 AD by Rajmata Alhan Devi, wife of Maharaj Dayakaran. Tripuri has been a center of education. At that time it was a part of the university. There is a Vrishabha vehicle statue here.

According to Vashishtha Samhita, Lord Shiva and Parvati had set out from Mount Kailash for a world tour. At that time Lord had come to the banks of Narmada. Seeing sage Suparna doing penance here, God asked him, sage, what boon do you want? Then sage Suparn said that we want to worship you. After this, God stopped there and the sage went to the banks of Narmada to collect water flowers, where Mother Narmada told sage Suparn to stop my parents. After this the sage did not go back to worship the Lord and Lord Shiva kept waiting for him. In the statue installed in the temple, Lord Shiva is looking back, which seems as if he is asking something to Mother Parvati.

64 Water is not offered to the idol installed in the Yogini Gaurishankar temple. Devotees offer water and perform Abhishek Puja on the Shivalinga established by the Mahants outside the temple. A large number of devotees reach here in the month of Sawan. Being a tourist area, people from outside also come here throughout the year, but worship here has special significance in Sawan.

There are 82 Yoginis in the complex. Among the 64 Yogini temples located at Bhedaghat, the temple of Lord Gaurishankar is situated in the middle. There are 82 Yoginis in the boundary around it. These statues were destroyed during the Mughal period. However, it is considered to be the safest among all the 64 Yogini temples in the country. This temple is also mentioned in Puranic stories. Earlier this place has been the center of Tantra Sadhana. Devotees from far and wide come here in the month of Sawan to offer prayers.