Saharanpur, March 18: The festival of Devi worship, Navratri, begins on March 19 and lasts for nine days. During this time, devotees across the country worship various forms of the Goddess. Numerous temples dedicated to the Goddess, both in India and around the world, tell incredible tales of devotion and strength. One such divine abode is located in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and is recognized as one of the 51 Shakti Peeths.
The Shakumbhari Devi Temple in Saharanpur is where the head of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen. She is revered as the Goddess of Food and is known to bless her devotees. This temple is situated at the foothills of the Shivalik range, near Jasmaur village in the Behat tehsil. The temple is surrounded by natural beauty and spiritual energy. Devotees believe that Goddess Shakumbhari personally protects them and fulfills the wishes of those who visit with complete faith.
According to the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, this sacred place is where the Goddess herself safeguards her devotees. The Shakumbhari Devi Temple in Saharanpur is a remarkable site of strength, devotion, and compassion.
Legend has it that during difficult times, the Goddess nurtured creation and gave life to the world. Therefore, every devotee who visits pays their respects with deep faith and devotion. This divine site, enveloped in natural beauty and spiritual energy, fills the heart with peace, faith, and renewed strength.
According to religious lore, when the demons Shumbha, Nishumbha, Mahishasura, and Raktabija attacked the gods, the deities sought refuge in the Shivalik hills. At the suggestion of Sage Narada, the gods called upon the Goddess for help. During this time, Bhuradev, along with five companions, sought the Goddess’s permission to join the battle. The Goddess granted her blessing, and the war commenced. Raktabija had a unique trait: every drop of his blood that touched the ground would create a new demon. The Goddess took on a fierce form and annihilated the demons with her discus.
Goddess Kali severed Raktabija’s head with a skull and drank his blood, preventing the birth of new demons. At the end of the battle, Shumbha and Nishumbha shot arrows at Bhuradev, causing him to fall. After the war, the Goddess revived Bhuradev and asked him to request a boon. He asked for the privilege of serving at her feet. The Goddess decreed that anyone who wishes to see her must first pay homage to Bhuradev, making his temple the first stop for pilgrims.
The Bhuradev Temple is located about a kilometer from the main temple. A seasonal river flows nearby, which remains dry except during the monsoon. A grand fair is held here during Navratri, attracting a large number of devotees.
It is believed that the name Shakumbhari is linked to the slaying of the demon Durga Masura. When Durga Masura seized the Vedas and caused famine, the Goddess wept, and from her tears, streams emerged, bringing forth lush vegetation. Due to her compassionate gaze from a hundred eyes, she is also called Shatakshi. In times of famine, she produced vegetables from her body to sustain the earth, hence the name Shakumbhari. To the right of the main idol in the temple are Bhima and Bhramari, while to the left are Shatakshi or Sheetala Devi.
It is believed that households that worship Shakumbhari Devi are always filled with food and vegetables. This divine site is also worshipped as Annapurna.
To reach here, one can take a bus or private vehicle from Saharanpur Railway Station or Behat Bus Stand. The nearest airports are in Dehradun or Delhi.
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