Maa Purnagiri…How the incarnation of Sati was established…
Maa Purnagiri temple is highly recognized among the 51 Siddha Peethas.
On the banks of the Kali River, amidst dense forests and mountain ranges, there is the Purnagiri temple on the Annapurna mountain range, which remains a center of attraction due to its natural beauty along with Goddess Shakti.
Maa Purnagiri Temple is one of the 51 Siddha Peethas on the banks of the Kali River on the border of India and Nepal in Champawat district of Uttarakhand. Purnagiri Siddha Peeth is also counted among the 108 Siddha Peethas of Mother Bhagwati. This Shaktipeeth is at a height of three thousand feet above sea level on the summit of Annapurna peak, 20 kilometers away from Tanakpur, the entrance of the district.
Purnagiri Temple has a belief that when Lord Shiva Shankar was carrying the body of Maa Sati from the Yagya Kund through the Akash Ganga route while performing Tandav, then Lord Vishnu showed his vision of the mortal remains of Maa Sati to save the world from the terrible cataclysm. The wheel broke it into pieces which fell at different places on the earth. Shaktipeeths were established where the body parts of Mother Sati fell.Maa Purnagiri temple was established when the navel part of Mata Sati fell on Annapurna mountain in Champawat district. Since then, among the Mallika Giri, Kalika Giri, Hamla Giri and Purnagiri located in all four directions of the country, this holy mountain place Purnagiri got the highest position.
On the banks of the Kali River, amidst dense forests and mountain ranges, there is the Purnagiri temple on the Annapurna mountain range, which remains a center of attraction due to its natural beauty along with Goddess Shakti.
The darshan of Mother Annapurna has special significance during Navratri of Chaitra month. A fair of 90 days is also organized here from Chaitra Navratri to the full moon of Jeshtha month. Apart from Kumaon, people from Nepal and Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit, Bareilly, Lucknow and Purvanchal come in large numbers to participate in this fair. They get virtuous benefits by seeing the mother and make a wish. Mother fulfills all his wishes.
The temple of Maa Purnagiri is a holy place connecting the spiritual and cultural relations of India and Nepal. Spiritual guru seeker Pandit Girish Kaul says that Maa Purnagiri temple and its surrounding area are of utmost importance for the devotees of the goddess. Nepal’s Pandit Pushpraj Pandey says that this temple is more recognized in Nepal than Purnagiri Temple is in India.People of Nepal come to Purnagiri temple to pray for marriage, Mundan, Janeu etc. Mundan and sacred thread ceremony of children is also performed here.
Many legends are prevalent in the public mind about Siddha Baba of Purnagiri Temple. It is said that when a Sadhu Baba decided to challenge the Mother Goddess by trying to reach the high peak of Purnagiri, the Mother threw the Sadhu across the river in anger. Later, when the saint apologized to Mother Purnagiri, she forgave him and after taking initiation from many Devi Siddhis, he became famous by the name of Siddha Baba.
Even today this divine place of Siddha Baba is the center of attraction for the devotees of Purnagiri. It is believed that the person who benefits from the darshan of Maa Purnagiri and then visits the Sadhana place of Siddha Baba, his wish will be fulfilled immediately. The devotees who come from Kumaon to visit Maa Purnagiri, prepare a thick roti in the name of Siddha Baba and offer it with reverence at the place of worship of Siddha Baba.
It is believed in Maa Purnagiri temple that the devotees here tear a red-yellow cloth and tie it in the court of Maa with faith and reverence and it is called the rag of faith. When their wishes are fulfilled, devotees come to Maa Purnagiri temple to show their gratitude and untie the knot of the rag. They offer Prasad and bow their heads in the court of Mother Goddess. During the 90-day fair that runs from Chaitra month to Jeshtha month, devotees travel miles on foot to offer flags in the court of Maa Purnagiri.
Say Maa Purnagiri Mata Ki Jai