Sri Mahamaya Temple Raipur

Shree Rajrajeshwari Maa Mahamaya Devi Mandir or popularly Mahamaya Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Devi Mahamaya located at Purani Basti, Raipur in Chhattisgarh. It is one of the 36 Shaktipeeths or 36 forts of Chhattisgarh. Built between 17th-18th Century by Maratha Ruler Mordhwaj, it is one of the oldest and the richest temple of Raipur. There two temples here i.e Mahamaya Mandir and Samaleswari Mandir. During sunset, Sun rays touches the feet of Maa Mahamaya and during sunrise, rays touches feet of Maa Samaleswari.

History

Mahamaya Temple is almost 1400 years old. According to historical evidence, the Haihaya kings built thirty-six forts in Chhattisgarh and built temples of Maa Mahamaya at the beginning of each fort and the temple is one of there forts.This temple was built by King Mordhwaj of Haihaya by Tantrik Vidhi which make it a pilgrimage for Aghoris & Tantriks. Present Temple was renovated by Marathas of Nagpur.

Legend

Once, King Mordhwaj went on a tour of his kingdom with his queen, Kumuddhati Devi. While returning, it was early morning. King Mordhwaj was on the other side of the Kharun River. As they crossed the river, he thought of taking a rest after completing his morning routine before continuing their journey. With this in mind, they decided to halt on the riverbank (at what is now known as Mahadevghat).

The queen’s maidservants began leading her to the river for a bath, covering her with a cloth veil. As they approached the river, they saw a huge rock lying in the water, surrounded by three giant snakes with their hoods spread wide from three sides. Terrified by this sight, the queen and her maids screamed and quickly returned to the halt.

The alarming news was immediately sent to the king. Upon hearing this, King Mordhwaj hurried to the spot. When he witnessed the scene himself, he was astonished. He quickly summoned his royal astrologer and priest. After observing and meditating, they informed the king, “Your Majesty, this is not just a rock but the idol of a goddess, lying upside down.”

Following their advice, King Mordhwaj performed a ceremonial bath and began approaching the rock with reverence. As he did so, the three giant snakes slid away one by one. After they left, the king touched the rock, bowed down, and had it straightened. To everyone’s amazement, it wasn’t just a rock, but an idol of the goddess Mahishasuramardini, standing on a lion—an octagonal form of Goddess Bhagwati. Seeing this divine vision, everyone folded their hands and bowed in respect.

At that moment, a voice emerged from the idol: “O King! I am your Kuldevi. Worship and honor me, for I am Mahamaya herself.”

The king consulted his priests, scholars, and astrologers for advice. They all suggested that the consecration of Bhagwati Maa Mahamaya should be completed. It was then revealed that a new temple had already been constructed in the present old township area for another deity. Following the goddess’s divine order, the king completed the construction work in that temple, and the idol of Adishakti Maa Mahamaya was consecrated there with full Vedic and Tantric rituals after being brought from the Kharun River.

It is said that while the idol of the goddess appears straight from the outside of the temple, once inside, it starts to appear differently.