Harsiddhi Ma Temple
The temple is one of the most popular shaktipeethas (devotional shrines where the severed body parts of Goddess Sati fell). Situated near River Kshipra, the temple carries the idol of Mata Harsiddhi, who is the presiding deity. Tourists can also pay obeisance to the idols of Goddess Annapurna, Goddess Mahalakshmi, and Goddess Mahasaraswati. A highlight of the temple is the SriYantra, the symbol of power or Shakti, which is enshrined here.
History of Harsiddhi Ma Temple
It is said Lord Krishna had worshiped her during his lifetime and has since been living atop a hill called Koyla Dungar. The original temple atop the hill is said to have been built by Lord Krishna himself. Lord Krishna wanted to defeat the asuras and Jarasandha so he prayed to Amba Mata for power. With the blessings of the goddess, Krishna was able to defeat the Asuras. After this success, he built the temple. When Jarasandha was killed, all Yadavas over overjoyed (Harshit), and they celebrated their success here. Hence the name Harshad Mata or Harsiddhi Mata. She has since been worshiped as Kuldevi of Yadavs. Seth Jagdu Shah of Kutch, a Jain merchant, was saved by Harsidhhi Mata when his ships were sinking near the sea where her temple on the hill stood. He made a new temple in 1300AD below the hill and requested Devi to move down the hill, ever since many Jain castes worship her as Kuldevi.
The idol of Jagdu Shah is also situated to the right of the Goddess’s idol inside the temple, which is also being worshiped as per the boon given to Jagdu Shah that his name, henceforth, will forever be associated with this temple.
Legends say that once when Shiva and Parvati were alone on Mount Kailash, two demons called Chand and Prachand tried to force their way in. Shiva called upon Chandi to destroy them which she did. Pleased, Shiva bestowed upon her the epithet of ‘one who vanquishes all’. The temple was reconstructed during the Maratha period and the two pillars adorned with lamps are special features of Maratha art. These lamps, lit during Navaratri, present a glorious spectacle. There is an ancient well on the premises, and an artistic pillar adorns the top of it.
This temple occupies a special place in the galaxy of ancient sacred spots of Ujjain. Seated between the idols of Mahalaxmi and Mahasaraswati, the idol of Annapurna is painted in dark vermilion color. The Sri Yantra, the symbol of power or shakti, is also enshrined in the temple. According to the Shiva Purana, when Shiva carried away the burning body of Sati from the sacrificial fire, her elbow dropped at this place. There is an interesting legend in the Skanda Purana about how the Goddess Chandi acquired the epithet of Harsiddhi. Vikramaditya is said to have visited Miyagi, then known as Minalpur, a port city ruled by Prabhatsen Chavda of the Chawda dynasty. Vikramaditya was blessed by the Devi. He requested Harsidhhi Mata, to come to her kingdom at Ujjain, where she would worship her daily. She is also known as Vahanvati Mata.
Acrhitecture of Harsiddhi Ma Temple
The temple architecture has some Maratha influences. It has four entrances, one in each direction; the main entrance is on the eastern side. In the compound of the premises are two pin-shaped towering pillars. Especially lit during Navratri (a holy nine-day festival), the 726 light holders on these two pillars make for a stunning sight. Apart from these two prominent pillars, there is also an ancient well within the premises that has an artistically carved pillar adorning its top. The Skanda Purana, an ancient text, has an exciting legend wherein Goddess Chandi got the epithet of Harsiddhi and thus, had this temple dedicated to her. The story goes: Once, when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were alone on Mount Kailash, demons Chand and Prachand tried to intrude on their privacy, and to destroy the two, Lord Shiva called upon Goddess Chandi who later killed them.
